GB2240698A - Fishing floats - Google Patents

Abstract

A line connector is provided for attaching a fishing float to a fishing line and can either be formed integral with the float body or as a separate element for attachment to conventional floats. The connector has two rigid ends (13, 14) linked by a flexible element (15). The free end (14) is secured to the line by means of elastomeric tubing through which the line is threaded. The flexible element allows the float to turn over during the action of striking a fish so as to have minimal braking effect on the line movement as it is pulled through the water. <IMAGE>

Description

Fishing Floats This invention is concerned with improvements in and relating to fishing floats.

When "striking" a fish, the movement of a float attached to the fishing line tends to disturb the surface of the water and thereby alert the fish.

In addition the float may be caused to be dragged through the water in a direction generally opposite to its normal floating orientation, with the result that the float can impose a significant resistance to the line movement so that the striking action is adversely influenced. These disadvantages stem largely from the fact that floats are generally rigid with the part by which they are connected to the line.

The present invention addresses the drawback outlined above and in accordance with a first aspect the invention provides a fishing float comprising a float body and an elongate line connector fixed thereto, the line connector being made in one piece and including a first end portion fastened to the body, a free end portion adapted for connection to a fishing line, and an intermediate section between said end portions having the form of a flexible filament.

Also provided in accordance with the invention is a connector for securing a fishing float to a line, comprising an element adapted for secure attachment to a fishing float and connected to an integrally moulded elongate connector part, said connector part having a free end portion adapted for connection to a fishing line and an intermediate section between said free end portion and said element in the form of a flexible filament. Whether a float is provided with an integral connector or a separate connector according to the invention, the intermediate section of the connection will allow the float to turn over during the action of striking a fish whereby it will have minimal braking effect on the line movement as it is pulled through the water.

Another drawback associated with conventional floats is that their methods of attachment, to the line can have a damaging effect on the line and as a consequence can reduce the strength or breaking strain of the line. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention this drawback is eliminated by the free end portion of the float connector having the shape of a cylindrical peg, a length of elastomeric tubing being provided to receive and grip the peg for holding it to the line which is passed through the tubing. This attachment assembly precludes risk of damage to the line.

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a float having a permanent connector in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 showing the float subsequent to adjustment of the connector length; Figure 3 is a side view showing the float attached to a fishing line; Figure 4 shows in side elevation a separate float connector embodying the invention; Figure 5 shows the float connector of Figure 4 after the length of the flexible section has been adjusted; Figure 6 is a sketch illustrating the method of securing the connector to a stick float of known form, and Figure 7 shows in side elevation a modified connector for use in the float of Figure 1.

The fishing float illustrated in Figure 1 has a body 1 and a connector 2 fixed firmly to the body. The construction and shape of the body are unimportant to the invention and may be chosen as desired. The connector is an integrally moulded component of synthetic material, preferably nylon. It includes a first or upper end portion 3 by means of which the connector is fastened to the body 1, a free or lower end portion 4 shaped as a cylindrical peg with a pointed end, and an intermediate section 5 of reduced cross section linking the two end portions.

The upper end portion may be formed with an extension defining a plug which is anchored, such as by force fit or adhesive, in a socket provided in the lower end of the body 1 in order to fasten the connector 2 to the body. The end portions 3, 4 of the connector are substantially rigid, but the intermediate section 5 provides a flexible link between them. The nylon material of the connector allows the flexible link to be drawn out to a length substantially longer than that with which it is initially formed, as depicted in Figure 2, whereby the flexibility of the link may be increased if desired.

The peg 4 of the connector is secured to a fishing line 7 (Figure 3) by means of a short length of elastomeric, e.g. silicone, tubing 8 through which the line is threaded. If desired the tubing can be fixed in position along the line by means of adhesive.

The peg 4 is simply pushed into the tubing, the pointed end of the peg facilitating such insertion, to be gripped firmly by the tubing. This method of attachment to the line involves no risk of damage to the line.

In its normal floating orientation the float extends generally upwardly from the line attachment point. When a fish takes the bait the line and the float may be pulled downwardly into the water, the float trailing from the attachment point and not presenting a great resistance to its movement through the water. When the angler "strikes" the fish the line movement is reversed and, due to the flexible link 5 of the float connector, the float body readily turns over, i.e. so that it is pointing essentially downwardly as viewed in Figure 3, and once again it trails behind the attachment point and imposes minimum resistance as it is pulled back through the water.

More importantly, if the float is on the surface at the instant of striking, due to the flexible link the float bends over and there is minimal surface disturbance to alert the fish.

The connector depicted in Figures 4 to 6 allows the same advantages to be obtained with a float of conventional form. It has a float attachment element 10 in the form of a cup of elastomeric material, and a unitary part 12 moulded from nylon and including an enlarged head 13, a connecting peg 14 and a flexible link 15 interconnecting the head and peg.

It will be understood that the part 12 is substantially similar to the connector 2 of the float shown in Figure 1 and the flexible filament 15 can be permanently stretched to the required length e.g. as shown in Figure 5. The head 13 is received in the element 10, the connector being assembled by pushing the peg 14 through a hole in the end of the element 10 so that the head seats in the bottom of the element 10 as shown.

The connector is attached to a fishing line in exactly the same way as described with reference to the first embodiment. To secure the connector to the float 11, the end of the float is pushed into the element 10, as depicted in Figure 6. The float shown is of known form and has an eye connector at its lower end. The float can obviously be secured in known manner, e.g. by tying, to a line by using the eye, but the connector of the invention constitutes an adaptor enabling the same float to be connected to the line through a flexible link. Furthermore, by use of the connector, the float can be easily removed and replaced, e.g. by a larger or smaller float, as desired, without need to interfere with the attachment between the line and the connector.

Modifications are of course possible without departing from the fundamental principles underlying the invention. For example, the connectors could have line connecting portions 4, 14 of different form to that described. Similarly, the element 10 will be shaped and dimensioned to fit with the particular floats with which the connector is to be used.

It is not essential for the connector to be made of nylon and/or to have a flexible filament which can be stretched as in the previous embodiments.

Satisfactory results can be obtained with a connector having a filament which is capable of little or no elongation, provided it exhibits the flexibility to allow the float to bend over under its own weight. In addition, the peg of the connector needs to be reasonably stiff to facilitate its insertion into the elastomeric tube which is used to attach it to the fishing line. The modified connector shown in Figure 7 is made of a material which has these characteristics, and which is sold under the Trade Mark PEBAX. The dimensions of the flexible link 5 are important to ensure adequate flexibility while maintaining adequate strength and a length t of about 5 mms with a diameter d of about 0.6 mm has been found appropriate for small delicate floats of the kind shown in Figure 1. A diameter of about 1.3 mm is suitable for the peg 4.

It will of course be appreciated that the separate float connector would have a connector essentially as described with reference to Figure 7 but modified for coupling with the element 10 rather than directly to a float body.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. A fishing float comprising a float body and an elongate line connector fixed thereto, the line connector being made in one piece and including a first end portion fastened to the body, a free end portion adapted for connection to a fishing line and an intermediate section between said end portions having the form of a flexible filament.

2. A fishing float as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two end portions of the line connector are substantially rigid.

3. A fishing float as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the free end portion of the line connector comprises a cylindrical peg.

4. A fishing float as claimed in claim 3, wherein a length of elastomeric tubing is provided for attaching the connector to a fishing line, the elastomeric tubing being arranged to receive and grip the cylindrical peg and the line passed through the tubing.

5. A fishing float as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the flexible filament is extensible.

6. A connector for securing a fishing float to a line, comprising an element adapted for secure attachment to a fishing float and connected to an integrally moulded elongate connector part, said connector part having an enlarged head at one end, a free end portion adapted for connection to a fishing line and an intermediate section between said enlarged head and said free end portion in the form of a flexible filament.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the float attachment element is cup-shaped and receives the enlarged head of the connector part.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cup-shaped part is made of elastomeric material.

9. A connector as claimed in claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the free end portion and the enlarged head are substantially rigid.

10. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the free end portion of the connector part has the form of a cylindrical peg.

11. A connector as claimed in claim 10 wherein a length of elastomeric tubing is provided for attaching the connector to a fishing line, the elastomeric tubing being arranged to receive and grip the cylindrical peg and the line passed through the tubing.

12. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein the flexible filament is extensible.

13. A fishing float substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A connector for securing a fishing float to a line substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.