GB2283157A

GB2283157A - Swimfeeder

Info

Publication number: GB2283157A
Application number: GB9321988A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Drennan; Peter John Brownlow
Original assignee: Drennan International Ltd
Current assignee: Drennan International Ltd
Priority date: 1993-10-26
Filing date: 1993-10-26
Publication date: 1995-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-26
Also published as: GB9321988D0; GB2283157B

Abstract

A swimfeeder has a cap (2) which is attached to the body (1) of the swimfeeder by an integral hinge including an over-centre spring (5) which retains the cap in a fully open position and biases the cap into a closed position when the cap is displaced from the fully open position. <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 cylindrical body closed at one end and having a closable cap at the other. The cap is permanently attached to the body by means of an integral strip, which avoids the cap being lost or misplaced, but the cap must still be aligned with and pressed into the end of the body to close the feeder, which makes the feeder rather fiddly and cumbersome to use.

The invention therefore aims to provide a swimfeeder which is more convenient to anglers.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a swimfeeder comprising a body with an open end, and a cap for closing said open end, the cap being connected to the body by a hinge assembly including an over-centre spring member for retaining the cap in a fully open position and for biasing the cap to the closed position when the cap is displaced from the fully open position.

A swimfeeder embodying the invention can be easily opened and closed with one hand. The cap always closes in the correct place and the cap and body do not need to be aligned during closure.

The closure action is more positive than that found in prior art feeders and does not rely on an interference fit between the cap and body.

To assist a clear understanding of the invention a more detailed description is given below with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a swimfeeder according to the invention with the cap closed; Figure 2 is a side view of the swimfeeder with the cap open; and Figure 3 is a rear view of the feeder.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a generally cylindr--al swimfeeder having a body 1 and a hinged cap 2. The body 1 of the feeder is made of a substantially rigid plastics and has the form of a cylinder with one rounded closed end 9.

A plurality of apertures 3 are speced around the body 1 and end part 9 to allow fish bait to pass through the walls Df the feeder into the water.

The open end of the feeder body is formed with an upstanding rim 8 for ensuring correct location of the cap 2 on the body 1. A weight 6 is shown mounted on the side wall of the body, e.g. in a window provided for this purpose, but a weight could alternatively be attached to the closed bottom end of the body.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings the cap 2 is formed integrally with the body 1.

The cap 2 is substantially hemispherical in shape and is attached to the body by a pair of living hinges 4 each having two elements 10 rigid with the body and cap respectively and connected by an integral flexible web defining the hinge axis.

Between the two hinges 4 there is provided an over centre spring 5 consisting of a resilient plastics strip having one end attached to the body and the other to the cap at positions spaced from the hinge axis. Diametrically opposite the hinge and spring there is a small outwardly projecting lip 11 which enables the cap 2 to be flipped up by the user using a finger or thumb. The cap 2 has several apertures 3 which may be the same size as those provided in the body 1.

For attaching the swimfeeder to a fishing line a flexible boom 7 is provided. The boom 7 passes through a hole 12 in the end part 9 and a similar hole 12 in the cap 2. These holes are smaller than the apertures 3. Each end of the boom 7 is enlarged to prevent it being pulled through the hole 12. Alternative boom arrangements are also possible and will occur to skilled readers.

In use the interior of the swimfeeder is packed with bait. To open the feeder the user flips the projection 11 upwards. The cap 2 hinges upwards and after it has pivoted past a certain medial position the spring biases the cap to the fully open position shown in figure 2. When the swimfeeder has been loaded with bait through its open mouth it is then closed again by pivoting the cap against the bias of the spring 5. After the medial position, approximately half way between the open and closed position of figures 1 and 2, the spring 5 biases the cap to the closed position and snaps it shut against the body and over the location rim 8. Thus the feeder can be easily opened and closed with only one hand. A positive closure is obtained which does not rely on a good tolerance between the cap and body.

In the embodiment illustrated the cap is integral with the body of the feeder. However, the cap may be made separately and attached to the body. For example, the cap, hinges 4 and spring 5 may be formed integrally with a collar which is fixed to the upper edge of the body 1. Other modifications are also possible and will occur to the skilled reader. As an example, if added security is required the cap 2 may have a snap connection with the rim 8 for releasably locking the cap in the closed position.

Claims

Claims:

1. A swimfeeder comprising a body with an open end, and a cap for closing said open end, the cap being connected to the body by a hinge assembly including means for retaining the cap in a fully open position and for biasing the cap into a closed position when the cap is displaced from the fully open position.

2. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means comprises an over-centre spring.

3. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cap is integrally connected to the body by the hinge assembly.

4. A swimfeeder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap is integrally connected by the hinge assembly to a collar fixed to the body at the open end thereof.

5. A swimfeeder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including means for releasably locking the cap in the closed position.

6. A swimfeeder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the open end of the swimfeeder body has a projecting rim for cooperation with the cap to ensure correct location of the cap on the body when the cap is closed.

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