GB2257003A

GB2257003A - Marker float.

Info

Publication number: GB2257003A
Application number: GB9111258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dominic Moore
Original assignee: HANDIPOINT Ltd
Current assignee: HANDIPOINT Ltd
Priority date: 1991-05-24
Filing date: 1991-05-24
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Also published as: GB9111258D0

Abstract

A marker float (1) comprises a spherical buoyant member (2) and a substantially cylindrical chemiluminescent device (3). The first longer portion (4) of a chemiluminescent device (3) extends out of the buoyant member (2) to form indicator means. The other end (5) of the chemiluminescent device (3) is attached to a ledger weight (8) by a length of fishing line (7). The marker float (1) is positioned by wrapping the line (7) around the indicator portion (4) of the chemiluminescent device (3) and holding it in place by overwrapping with soluble line connected both to the ledger weight (8) and a fishing line from a rod. When the marker float is cast into water it sinks under the weight of the ledger weight (8). The soluble line dissolves allowing the marker float (1) to rise through the water whilst shedding the line (7). Once the soluble line has dissolved the casting line may be reeled in. <IMAGE>

Description

Marker Float DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to marker floats for use in angling.

When attempting to catch fish such as carp, an angler will often have to cast his line out over a distance of up to 100 metres, in order to reach the water where he suspects the fish to be lieing. To be effective, therefore, a carp fisherman must be able to accurately and repeatedly place his casts over a distance. To do this when fishing in a pond or a lake, both of which are normal habitats of carp, can be difficult due to the lack of visual reference points on the water's surface. This problem becomes particularly acute at night.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the above problem by providing a target at which casts may be directed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a marker float shaped to receive a wound line arranged such that a line, wound on the float and attaching the float to a weight, will readily unwind as the float rises to the surface of a body of water in which it has been immersed.

In an embodiment, the buoyancy distribution of the float is such that a line receiving portion of the float is directed away from the surface of the water, allowing the line to unwind, as the float rises to the surface of a body of water, in which its has been immersed.

Preferably, the float includes indicator means, enabling it to be seen from a distance when floating in a body of water. Such as means may be embodied by a light source, most preferably in the form of a chemiluminescent device. Suitable chemiluminescent devices are produced by the American Cyanamid Company and are described in US Patents Nos. 3576987 and 3597362. Alternatively, the indicator means may be a brightly coloured or reflective float portion. If a limited-life light source, such as a chemiluminescent device, is used, the indicator means may be advantageously made separable from the float so that the whole float does not need to be replaced when the light source has reached the end of its useful life.

In a preferred embodiment, the indicator means is arranged to receive the line wound thereon and the buoyancy of the float is distributed such that, as the float rises towards the surface of the water, the indicator means is directed away from the water surface to enable the line to unwind.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method positioning a marker float, according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a weight to the float by means of a line; (b) winding the line onto the float; (c) restraining the line from unwinding by means of a water soluble line; (d) attaching the soluble line to a casting line; (e) casting the marker float; and (f) reeling in the casting line when the soluble line has dissolved.

While all the above steps need to be performed, the order in which certain steps are performed is not critical. For instance, step (d) may be performed before step (b).

With certain designs of float it may be advantageous to add a further weight to the line, a short distance from where the line is attached to the float but such that it is within the wound length of line, in order assist the float in adopting its correct orientation when it reaches the water's surface. The further weight will also assist the correct orienting of any marker float in the event that the water depth has been over-estimated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for carrying out the method, according to the second aspect of the present invention, comprising a marker float and soluble line.

It is expected that the kit may also contain other elements, such as a swivel or a weight.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a marker float, in accordance with the present invention, in use; Figure 2 shows the marker float of Figure 1 prepared for casting; and Figure 3 shows the marker float of Figure 1 rising towards the water's surface.

Referring to Figure 1, a marker float 1 comprises a spherical buoyant member 2 and a substantially cylindrical chemiluminescent device 3. The buoyant member 2 is formed from polyurethane foam and is provided with a slightly tapered diametral passage 16.

The chemiluminescent device 3 is also slightly tapered and is tightly, but separably, held in the diametral passage 16 by a wedging action.

A first longer portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3 extends out of the buoyant member 2 in a first direction to form indicator means and a second shorter portion 5 of the chemiluminescent device 3 extends out of the buoyant member 2 in the opposite direction. An arcuate flange 17, in which is located an eye 6, forms the distal end of the second portion 5 of the chemiluminescent device 3. The outer surface of the flange 17 forms an extention of a portion of the cylindrical surface of the chemiluminescent device 3.

A monofilament nylon fishing line 7, is connected between a ledger weight 8 and a swivel 9. the swivel 9 is attached to the chemiluminescent device 3 by means of a clip 10 which passes through the eye 6.

When performing its function as a target, the marker float 1 sits at the surface 11 of the body of water.

The marker float 1 is kept in position be the ledger weight 8, resting on the bottom 12 of the body of water.

The marker float 1 is positioned by casting using a conventional fishing rod. Referring to Figure 2, the marker float 1 is prepared for use by first attaching the ledger weight 8 to the marker float 1, by means of the fishing line 7, the swivel 9 and the clip 10. The fishing line 7 will have been precut to a length substantially equal to the depth of the water where the marker float 1 is to be positioned. The fishing line 7 is then wound around the first portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3 until the ledger weight 8 is brought close to the marker float 1.

A length of water soluble line 13, formed from a soluble plastics resin such as PVA (polyvinyl acetate), is attached to the ledger weight 8 and lapped over the fishing line 7, thereby holding the fishing 7 line in place. A knot may be used to hold the soluble line 13 in position. The soluble line 13 is then connected to a casting line 14 by means of a further swivel 15.

Monofilament nylon fishing line is used for the casting line 14, which runs from a fishing rod in the normal way.

The marker float 1 is positioned by casting it out into the body of water. Once in the water, the marker float will 1 sink under the effect of the ledger weight 8.

Eventually, the soluble line 13 dissolves and the casting line 14 may be reeled in.

Referring to Figure 3, when the soluble line 13 has dissolved, the marker float 1 begins to rise through the body of water. The marker float 1 takes up an attitude with the buoyant member 2 above the first portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3, which points substantially downwards. This enables the fishing line 7 to readily unwind off the end of the first portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3.

As the marker float 1 reaches the water surface the last of the fishing line 7 comes off, allowing the marker float 1 to pivot so that the first portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3 is uppermost and easily visible. An additional weight, such as a split shot, may be added to the fishing line 7 a few turns from the end of the winding about the first portion 4 of the chemiluminescent device 3. This assists the unwinding of the last few turns of the fishing line 7 and aids the marker float 1 in taking up its correct orientation.

Whilst in the foregoing description the buoyant member 2 is formed from polyurethane foam, it is anticipated that other materials may be used. For example, cork, expanded polystyrene or blow moulded plastic resin material could be used.

As alternatives to the chemiluminescent device 3, brightly coloured, flourescent or reflective elements could be employed. A marker float 1 employing a reflective element could be made visible in the dark by shinig a torch beam on it.

Claims

1. A marker float shaped to receive a wound line arranged such that a line, wound on the float and attaching the float to a weight, will readily unwind as the float rises to the surface of a body of water in which it has been immersed.

2. A marker float according to claim 1, wherein the buoyancy distribution of the float is such that a line receiving portion of the float is directed away from the surface of the water, allowing the line to unwind, as the float rises to the surface of a body of water, in which it has been immersed.

3. A marker float according to claim 1 or 2, including indicator means.

4. A marker float according to claim 3, wherein the indicator means is separable from the float.

5. A marker float according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the indicator means is a chemiluminescent device.

6. A marker float substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of positioning a marker float, according to any preceding claim, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a weight to the float by means of a line; (b) winding the line onto the float; (c) restraining the line from unwinding by means of water soluble line; (d) attaching the soluble line to a casting line; (e) casting the marker float; and (f) reeling in the casting line when the soluble line has dissolved.

8. A method according to claim 7, including the further step of attaching further weight to the line a short distance from where the line is attached to the float but such that it is within the wound length of line.

9. A method of positioning a marker float substantially as hereinbefore described.

10. A kit for carrying out the method of claim 7, 8 or 9, comprising a marker float and soluble line.

11. A kit for carrying out the method of claim 7, 8 or 9 substantially as hereinbefore described.