GB2293300A

GB2293300A - Striking device for use in angling

Info

Publication number: GB2293300A
Application number: GB9419068A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alastair James Waters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-22
Filing date: 1994-09-22
Publication date: 1996-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-22
Also published as: GB9419068D0; GB2293300B

Abstract

A striking device for use in angling comprises a wire arm (1) for coupling to a main fishing line, e.g. to form a "paternoster". The free end of the arm (1) is formed into a U-shaped stop (5). A wire finger (6) extends from the stop (5) forming a dog leg with the arm (1). A coil spring (8) is mounted coaxially on the arm (1) and fixed at the root of the arm (1). The free end of the spring (8) is coupled to a trace (9). A bead (10) is fixed to the trace (9) a short distance from the end of the spring (8). The trace (9) passes through an eye (7) at the end of the finger (6). The device is cocked by positioning the bead (10) behind the stop which action holds the spring (8) extended. Tension in the trace (9) causes the bead (10) to move from behind the stop (5), allowing the spring (8) to relax thereby applying a striking force to the trace. <IMAGE>

Description

STRIKING DEVICE FOR USE IN ANGLING DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a striking device for use in angling.

Angling is a pastime enjoyed by many people. However, angling typically involves long periods of waiting followed, if the angler is in luck, by a flurry of activity as a fish takes the bait. During the periods of waiting, many anglers prefer to lay their rod on the ground or against a rod rest.

This has the disadvantage that it greatly increases the time between a fish biting and the angler striking. As a result many otherwise catchable fish escape. Furthermore, even when the fish is caught, the delay is a problem because it gives the fish the chance to swallow the hook. Ideally, the fish is hooked in its lips from where the hook may be easily removed without permanent harm to the fish. However, if the hook is swallowed by the fish, it is often impossible to remove the hook without killing the fish.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a striking device for use in angling, comprising spring loading means arranged to spring-load a line and a trigger means, wherein the trigger means is triggered by tension in the line to release the spring-loading means and thereby apply a striking force to the line.

Preferably, a device according to the present invention comprises an elongate elastic member fixed at one end; a fishing line coupled to the free end of the elastic member; guide means located transversely of the axis of the elastic member and guidingly engaging the line; and holding means including a stop, located substantially on the axis of the elastic member between the fixed end of the elastic member and the guide means, and co-operating means coupled to the free end of the elastic member to cooperate with the stop to hold the elastic member extended, wherein tension in the line engaged by the guide means frees the co-operating means from the stop, triggering the device and allowing the elastic member to relax thereby jerking the line.In this preferred embodiment, the spring-loading means comprises the elastic member and the holding means and the triggering means comprises the guide means in co-operation with the holding means.

Preferably, the stop comprises a slotted barrier and the cooperating means comprises an enlarged portion of the line.

The slot allows the line to be straight between the enlarged portion and the point where it joins the elastic member.

Conveniently, the enlarged portion comprises a bead affixed to the line. The triggering force required may be varied by changing the position at which the enlarged portion is fixed.

The preferred embodiment further comprises an arm along which the elastic member is extensible, a finger forming a dogleg with the arm and supporting the guide means. The stop may be located at the bend of the dogleg.

The device may be formed of wire. However, a device operating by the same principle could have a main member moulded from plastics resin material. In the case of a wire device according to the present invention, the stop could conveniently comprise a partial loop in the wire lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the arm. The partial loop may be substantially U-shaped. However, the skilled person would readily appreciate that strict adherence to the form of the letter U is not essential and that V, C or other shapes could usefully be employed as long as they would serve as stops whilst allowing the link between the enlarged portion and the point where it joins the elastic member to be straight.

Preferably, the elastic member is a coil spring coaxially mounted to the arm. However, elastomeric material could be employed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in its cocked condition; Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 1 in use immediately before a fish bites; and Figure 4 shows the device of Figure 1 in use immediately after a fish bites.

The exemplary embodiment will be described in the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a device according to the present invention comprises a horizontal arm 1 formed by a portion of a steel wire. The proximal end of the arm 1 is formed into a first loop 2 and a portion 3 of the wire extends vertically from the first loop 2. A second loop 4 is formed at the free end of vertical portion 3 of the wire.

At the distal end of the arm 1, the wire is bent up into a U 5. The legs of the U form a right or acute angle to the arm 1 and lie in a plane transverse thereto. The end of one leg of the U 5 is joined to the arm 1. The end of the other leg is joined to a finger 6 which slopes downwardly away from the arm 1. The distal end of the finger 6 is looped to form an eye 7.

A helical spring 8 is mounted coaxially about the arm 1.

The proximal end of the spring 8 is fixed to the vertical portion 3 of the wire near to the first loop 2. The distal end of the spring 8 is attached to a length of fishing line 9 which is fed through the eye 7. A bead 10 is fixed to the line 9 a short distance from the distal end of the spring.

In use the line 9 would lead to a hook 11, possibly via a swivel and a trace (not shown), and a main line 12 passes through the loops 2,4 between the angler's rod and a weight 13 (see Figure 3).

The device is cocked by pulling the bead 10 to the left, extending the spring 8, and pushing the bead 10 behind the U 5. The portion of the line 9 between the bead 10 and the spring 8 passes through the U 5. The tension in the spring 8 holds the bead 10 against the U 5 which in turn prevents the spring 8 relaxing.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the eye 7, the bead 10 and the distal end of the spring 8 lie at the corners of a triangle.

Thus, when the free end of the line 9 is pulled, the bead 10 receives a downward force as the line seeks the hypotenuse of the triangle. This force pulls the bead 10 from behind the U 5, allowing the spring 8 to relax. The relaxation of the spring 8 jerks the line 9 towards the proximal end of the arm 1.

Referring to Figure 3, the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is mounted to a main line 12 by passing it through the loops 2,4. The position of the device on the main line 12 is set by means of an upper bead 15 and a lower bead 16 in a conventional manner. The free end of the main line 12 is attached to a weight 13. In the other direction, the main line passes up in a conventional manner to an angler's rod.

In an initial condition, the hook 11 is baited and the device is cocked and positioned so that the baited hook 11 is in a region where fish 18 are believed to be.

Referring to Figure 4, as a fish 18 takes the baited hook 11, it pulls on the line 9 triggering the device as described above. The sudden jerk on the line 9 drives the hook 11 through the lip of the fish 18. Movement of the main line 12 and the tip of his rod then alerts the angler to the fact that a fish has been hooked.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to a "paternoster" type tackle arrangement. A device according to the present invention could also be attached below a weight in-line with the main line. In this case, the second loop 4 and the vertical portion 3 of the wire would conveniently be omitted.

The present invention has been described in a set up without a float. However, a float may be employed in a conventional manner, although the performance of the device is better when the float can be omitted as a tension can be maintained in the main line. This is because the spring will tend to pull the main line towards the hook rather than the hook towards the main line, if the line is overly slack.

Claims

1. A striking device for use in angling, comprising spring-loading means arranged to spring-load a line and a trigger means, wherein the trigger means is triggered by tension in the line to release the spring-loading means and thereby apply a striking force to the line.

2. A device according to claim 1, comprising: an elongate elastic member fixed at one end; a fishing line coupled to the free end of the elastic member; guide means located transversely of the axis of the elastic member and guidingly engaging the line; and holding means including a stop, located substantially on the axis of the elastic member between the fixed end of the elastic member and the guide means, and co-operating means coupled to the free end of the elastic member to cooperate with the stop to hold the elastic member extended, wherein tension in the line engaged by the guide means frees the co-operating means from the stop, triggering the device and allowing the elastic member to relax thereby jerking the line.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the stop comprises a slotted barrier and the co-operating means comprises an enlarged portion of the line.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the enlarged portion comprises a bead affixed to the line.

5. A device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, comprising an arm along which the elastic member is extensible, a finger forming a dogleg with the arm and supporting the guide means.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the stop is located at the bend of the dogleg.

7. A device according to claim 6, formed of wire.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the stop comprises a partial loop in the wire lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the arm.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the partial loop is U-shaped.

10. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring coaxially mounted to the arm.

11. A striking device for use in angling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.