GB2274965A - Swimfeeder - Google Patents

Abstract

A swimfeeder having a tubular body 6 is formed from a sheet of moulded plastics mesh 1. The ends of the mesh are held together by connection means 2. Spikes 4 are preferably provided on the inner surface of the body 6 to help retain the bait inside the feeder. <IMAGE>

Description

SWIMFEEDER This invention relates to the field of angling, in particular it relates to swimfeeders, i.e. devices for holding fish bait which is to be gradually released into the water to encourage fish to swim towards a baited fish hook. A known form of swimfeeder has a body with a cage like construction formed of wire mesh made of either stainless steel, which is expensive, or plastic coated wire, which is susceptible to rusting because the plastic coating does not keep all the water out.

The invention therefore aims to provide a swimfeeder which is economical to manufacture and has a long useful service life.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a swimfeeder having a tubular body formed from a sheet of moulded plastics mesh having ends thereof connected together by connection means.

Such a swimfeeder can be rigid enough to avoid the need for wire and hence will not rust. The mesh can be conveniently manufactured in substantially flat condition by injection moulding, the plastics material being reasonably stiff but flexible enough to be formed into a tube.

In a preferred embodiment projections, for example spikes are moulded on the inner side of the tubular mesh to protrude towards the interior of the body. These projections can help to hold the fishbait in position during casting and during descent to the river bed, thereby allowing the angler either to slow down release of the bait or to use a softer mixture to bait.

To assist a clear understanding of the invention a more detailed description is given below with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the swimfeeder according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view; Figure 3 is an axial section taken through line AA of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a view of the sheet as manufactured.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a tubular mesh swimfeeder. The tubular body 6 is formed from a perforated rectangular plastics sheet 1 of substantially square section mesh (see Figure 4). The sheet 1 is made substantially flat by injection moulding and is subsequently bent so that the two shorter ends 7 come into contact with one another and are held together by connecting means 2 to form the body 6. The connecting means 2 is provided by a metal weight of substantially the same height as the width of the mesh sheet 1. The weight has four arms 8 fixed on its inner side, which arms are passed through respective holes of the mesh and are flattened against the inner surface of the body, as best shown in Figure 1.

In order to improve the rigidity of the mesh body, the filaments at the periphery of the mesh sheet have an increased thickness and define a small inwardly directed lip around the edge of the mesh sheet.

For attaching the swimfeeder to a fishing line a boom 3 is provided, this boom being held between the weight 2 and the body 6 by the two upper arms 8 of the weight which pass through a slot in the boom.

Spikes 4 are integrally moulded on that side of the mesh sheet which defines the inner surface of the body 6, at the node points of the mesh structure. The spikes therefore project radially inwardly of the body 6 and in use help retain the bait inside the feeder. The spikes are preferably of different lengths so as to define a more irregular configuration within the body, which is believed to enhance bait retention. In the embodiment illustrated spikes of two different lengths are provided, long and short spikes being provided alternately at the node points of the filaments around and along the tube.

In use the interior of the swimfeeder is packed with bait, usually cereal with a paste like consistency.

The spikes penetrate the bait mass. The swimfeeder is cast into the water by means of a fishing line attached to the boom 3. The bait is gradually released into the water through the mesh and ends of the feeder.

The swimfeeder can be made with different diameters and with different lengths, for example having 4, 5, 6 or more rows of mesh holes extending around the body and correspondingly 3, 4 and 5 rows respectively of spikes between adjacent rows of holes. Other modifications are possible and will occur to skilled readers.

Claims (12)

1. A swimfeeder comprising a tubular body formed from a sheet of moulded plastics mesh, and connection means connecting together juxtaposed ends of the mesh sheet.

2. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein inwardly directed projections are provided on the inner side of the tubular mesh body.

3. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projections comprise spikes.

4. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein some projections are of different length to other projections.

5. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the projections of different lengths are located alternately around and/or along the tubular body.

6. A swimfeeder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5-, wherein the projections are moulded integrally with the mesh sheet.

7. A swimfeeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mesh sheet has an increased thickness at the edges thereof to define an inwardly directed lip around the opposite ends of the body.

8. A swimfeeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connection means comprises a member with integral arms inserted through respective holes in the mesh and bent over against the mesh surface.

9. A swimfeeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means comprises a weight.

10. A swimfeeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a boom secured to the body by the connection means.

11. A swimfeeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh is manufactured in substantially flat condition by injection moulding.

12. A swimfeeder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.