GB2240019A

GB2240019A - Bite indicators

Info

Publication number: GB2240019A
Application number: GB9001522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andreas Theis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-23
Filing date: 1990-01-23
Publication date: 1991-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-23
Also published as: DE4101922A1; DE9111556U1; GB2240019B; GB9001522D0

Abstract

A bite indicator (10), where the fishing line 24 runs out through a slit 22 in contact with a barrel-shaped sensing element 32 so as to rotate it, the rotation being detected and indicated. Rotation sensor 36 may be a Hall probe activated by magnets 38, 40 on element 32, and indicators comprise luminous diode 42 and loudspeaker 44. Diodes 28, 30 at rod holder 18 provide position indicators in the dark. <IMAGE>

Description

2 2..el C> c> I- C3 BITE INDICATOR The invention relates to a bite

indicator comprising means to locate a f ishing rod and means to detect when the line runs out following a bite.

A bite indicator is described in British Patent 1503596. The fishing line is led over a pulley wheel and wheel movement is sensed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and reliable bite indicator. The bite indicator of the invention comprises means to locate a fishing rod, a slit to receive a fishing line from the rod so that the line runs out over the bottom of the slit, a rotatably mounted sensing element extending into the slit from one side so that the line contacts the element laterally and rotates it as the line runs out, and means to detect and give an indication of rotation of the sensing element.

Preferably the sensing element can rotate around an axis parallel to the slit and to one side of it.

By avoiding use of a pulley wheel there is also avoided the danger that the fishing line will ride out of the groove. According to the invention, the fishing line can move freely in the slit and is guided along the bottom of the slit so that it cannot be misplaced. Nevertheless, longitudinal motion of the line is reliably sensed, since the fishing line will always abut the sensing element where it extends into the slit.

The sensing element itself is preferably barrelshaped and part-oval in longitudinal section. The fishing line can be arranged to contact the sensing element at about its widest cross section.

In order to allow for fishing lines of different diameters, the sensing element can be carried in a pendulum bearing, so that the element can be displaced laterally for fishing lines of greater thickness.

The sensing element can be suspended, e.g. in watertight ball bearings. In another embodiment, the element is supported on a pin, when ball bearings or the like are not required.

2 To detect rotary motion of the sensing element, it can carry one or more devices such as magnets on its circumference, which react with a fixed sensor, e.g. a Hall generator. Encapsulation of the sensor is possible, so that consequently the complete apparatus can be of watertight design. The magnets are preferably arranged in the bottom area of the sensing element and the sensor is located underneath the element.

Luminous diodes can be arranged on both sides of the rod locating means, which is preferably a V-shaped holding groove above and leading into the slit, whereby the position of the fishing rod can be easily detected in the dark.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings where Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of first form of a bite indicator according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a similar view of a second f orm of a bite indicator.

In the two figures, where the same elements have the same reference numbers, bite indicators (10) and (12) are illustrated each comprising a housing (16) which can be fastened in the earth, for example, by means of a support rod (14). In the upper area, a V-shaped holding device (18) is located, into which a f ishing rod can be placed. The holding device (18) merges into a slit (22) which receives a fishing line (924) extending from the fishing rod (20). The line runs out along the bottom (26) of the slit (22).

Luminous diodes (28) and (30) are located laterally next to the V-shaped holding device (18) to indicate the position of the bite indicator (10) or (12) and fishing rod (20) in the dark.

The bite indicator (10) or (12) indicates to a user when the fishing line runs out, for example when a fish has taken a bite. The longitudinal motion of the fishing line (24) is detected by means of a barrel-shaped sensing 1 1 3 element (32) that extends partially into the slit (22), so that the fishing line contacts the element (32) laterally and thus rotates it. This contact is preferably effected at about the widest cross section of the barrel-shaped element (32), which in longitudinal section is partoval and in cross section a circular outline.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the barrel-shaped element (32) is arranged in suspension by watertight ball bearings (34) in such a manner that a pendulum motion of the element is possible. This offers the advantage that the sensing element (32), depending on the diameter of the fishing line (24), will extend more or less into the slit (22). The fishing line will therefore always contact the circumferential surface of the element (32) no 'matter the diameter of the line. Longitudinal motion of the fishing line (24) will therefore reliably give rise to rotary motion of the element (32).

The rotary motion of the sensing element (32) is detected by means of a sensor (36). This can be a Hall probe which can be activated through magnets (38) and (40) mounted in the bottom area of the element (32). In principal, one magnet element (38) would be sufficient, but preferably there are four or more magnets radially arranged to ensure prompt detection of rotary motion of the element (32) and thus of the longitudinal motion of the fishing line (24).

As soon as the Hall generator (36) detects a rotary motion, this is indicated through a luminous diode (42).

At the same time, an acoustic signal can be transmitted via a loudspeaker (44).

The apparatus itself is switched on or of f by a switch (46), by which, at the same time, the sound volume can be regulated. The height of the acoustic tone can be adjusted by means of a further button (48).

In the bite indicator (12) of Figure 2, the sensing element (32) is supported on a pin-shaped element (50) extending into a corresponding recess (52) formed axially i 4 within the element (32). By this construction, the element (32) can be mounted without watertight ball bearings or the like. By suitable design of the bore (52) and pin diameter (50) pendulum mounting of the element (32) is obtained in order to ensure the desired interaction with the fishing line (24), as above explained.

If necessary, the element (32) can be urged in a direction towards the fishing line (24) by pretension 10 means, for example a spring element or the like.

It is possible to make the element (32) of flexible material, for example, of soft rubber or soft synthetic material, so that even without a pendulum bearing, the fishing line (26) will always abut the element (32) and 15 rotate it if there is any movement of the f ishing line (26).

Claims

CIAIMS

A bite indicator comprising means to locate a fishing rod, a slit to receive a fishing line from the rod so that the line runs out over the bottom of the slit, a rotatably mounted sensing element extending into the slit from one side so that the line contacts the element laterally and rotates it as the line runs out, and means to detect and give an indication of rotation of the sensing element.
2. A bite indicator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the locating means includes a V-shaped groove merging into said slit.
3. A bit indicator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sensing element is mounted on a substantially vertical axis.
4. A bite indicator as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the element (32) is of barrel-shaped outline in axial section.
5. A bite indicator as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the element (32) interacts with the fishing line (24) in the area of its largest cross section.
6. A bite indicator as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the element (32) is mounted in a pendulum bearing.
7. A bite indicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the element (32) is suspendedly arranged.
8. A bite indicator as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the element (32) is supported by a pin-shaped element (50).

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9. A bite indicator as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the element (32) on its circumferential surface has one or several devices (38. 40) influencing a fixed sensor (36).

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10. A bite indicator as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the device is a magnet (38, 40) and the sensor is a Hall generator.
11. A bite indicator as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the device (38, 40) is arranged in the bottom 10 area of the element (32).
12. A bite indicator as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein position indicators in the form of luminous diodes (28, 30) are arranged in the area of the holding means (18).
13. A bite indicator as claimed in Claim 12, as dependant on Claim 2, wherein one luminous diode (28, 30) is arranged on each side of the slit (22).
14. A bite indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. State House.66/71 High holborn. LondunWCIR4TP. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwrnfelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray. Kent.