GB2310847A

GB2310847A - Dispenser for fishing weights

Info

Publication number: GB2310847A
Application number: GB9604970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Hamm
Original assignee: VAUGHAN BRUCE; WYCHWOOD TACKLE Ltd
Current assignee: VAUGHAN BRUCE; WYCHWOOD TACKLE Ltd
Priority date: 1996-03-08
Filing date: 1996-03-08
Publication date: 1997-09-10
Also published as: GB9604970D0

Description

DISPENSER FOR FISHING WEIGHTS This invention relates to weights for use by anglers in fishing with lines or fishing rods or other fishing tackle, which are referred to herein as fishing weights.

Fishing weights need to be stored by the angler until he is ready to use them in the normal course.of fishing, when the angler will take fishing weights from such storage and affix them to his fishing tackle as required.

It iS an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for fishing weights, which is easy for the angler to use, even in difficult wet and/or cold conditions on a riverbank, or in waders standing in a river or in the sea, or in a small boat.

In accordance with the present invention, a dispenser for fishing weights comprises a body, a chamber for storing fishing weights, and mounting means for mounting the chamber on the body and enabling displacement and return of the chamber relative to the body in a single-handed operation to dispense a fishing weight from the chamber ready for use.

Preferably the mounting means comprises resilient means to achieve the return of the chamber relative to the body after said displacement.

Preferably also the resilient means comprises a cylindrical coil spring or a frusto-conical coil spring.

Preferably further the mounting means enables the body and the chamber to at least partially telescope into each other during said displacement in a single-handed operation.

Preferably further the mounting means comprises a delivery rod movable from the interior of the chamber upon said displacement of the chamber relative to the body to dispense a fishing weight from the chamber ready for use.

Preferably further the chamber is provided wit a port through which fishing weights can both be introduced into the chamber for storage and be dispensed from the chamber ready for use.

Preferabl further the delivery rod is arranged to close the port as it dispenses a fishing weight ready for use.

Preferably further the dispenser is lockable to prevent displacement and return of the chamber relative to the body in the displaced position.

Preferably further the dispenser is lockable to prevent displacement and return of the chamber relative to the body in the return position.

Preferably further the dispenser is lockable by a bayonet mechanism interact between the body and the chamber and activated or deactivated by relative rotation between the body and the chamber.

Preferably further the chamber contains fishing weights.

The present invention also consists in a refill containing fishing weights for use in replenishing a stock of fishing weights stored in a dispenser as described above in which said chamber is provided with a port through which fishing weights can both be introduced into the chamber for storage and be dispensed from the chamber ready for use, wherein the refill has an outlet engageable with the port of the chamber for discharging fishing weights from the refill into the chamber of the dispenser.

Other preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

The invention will flow be further described, merely by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for fishing weights according to a preferred example of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with a fishing weIght shown in the position when it has been dispensed from the dispenser; Figure X is a perspective view of the body of the dispenser shown in Figure 1, and shows kin dotted lines internal details, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the dispenser shown In Figure 1, and shows external details; and Figure Or is a perspective view of a refill for use with the dispenser shown in the other drawings.

ReferrIng Initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a dispenser 10 for fishing weights comprises an open-topped cylindrical body 11 and a cylindrical chamber 12 of smaller diameter than that of the body 11 and partially inserted in the open top 13 of the body 11. The chamber 12 has a concave top 14 of whIch the centre is provided with a port 15 opening into the interior of the chamber 12.

Turning now additionally to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, this shows that the body 11 has a hollow interior 20 ifitO which the chamber 12 is partially inserted through te open top 13, and a closed base 21.

the chamber 12 contains a cavity 22 below the concave top 14 and open to the port 15. When read for use, the cavity 22 contains fishing tights 23 which are of a size to be able to pass easil through the port 15. The base 24 of the cavity opposite the port 15 is frusto-conical.

The dispenser 10 also includes mounting means for mounting the chamber 12 on the body 11, the mounting means in this preferred example of the invention comprising delIvery rod 25 mounted In the hollow interior 20 on the centre of the base 21 and extending coaxially of the body 20 to terminate in a cupped tip 26 level with the top 13 of the body 20. The chamber 12 is provided below the cavity 22 with a tubular guide 27 which receives the deliver rod 25 with Its cupped tip 26 level with or slightly below the base 24 of the cavity. The mounting means also includes a partly compressed cylindrical coil spring 28 around and coaxial with the delIvery rod 25 and pressing against the base 21 and the underside 29 of the chamber 12.

As indicated b the down-wardly-pointing arrow In Figure 1, in use the chamber 12 can be pushed downwardly almost wholly into the hollow interior 20 of the body 10, but because the deliver rod 25 is fixed relative t the body 10 the tubular guide 27 helps the chamber 12 to slide down the delIvery rod 25, and the cupped tip 26 registers with and comes to the top of the port 15. Pushing the chamber 12 downwardly also further compresses the spring 28.

Helped by the frusto-conical shape of the base 24, a fishing weight 23 usually lodges on the cupped tip 26 and is therefore dispensed by the delivery rod 25 from the cavity 22 of the chamber through the port 15 to 5 pIcked up and used by the angler. The dispenser 10 is then in the position shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

When downward pressure on the chamber i2 Is eased, the spring 28 can push the chamber 12 back to the starting position in the direction of the upward arrow of Figure 1, iC. from the situation shown In Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2. This withdraws the deliver rod 25 to take its cupped tip 26 away from the port 15 back through the fishing weights in the it 22, and allow another fishing weight to lodge on the cupped tip 25.

It will be appreciated that even iL an angler is In difficult wet and/or cold conditions on a riverb n, or in waders standing in a rIver or In the sea, or in a small boat, he can with one hand pick up the dispenser 13, lodge the base 21 of the body 11 against â relatIvely firm surface (such as his other ar or knee or boat gunwale) and push the chamber 12 into the bod 11. As a fishing weight 23 emerges from the port 15, the angler can take hold of it with two fingers of the same hand, and he can then release the pressure on the chamber 12 so that the spring 28 returns the chamber 12 to its original position.

The angler can then put the dispenser in a place of safet, such as his pocket or fishing box, still holding the dispensed fishing weight in two fingers. During all of these steps, the angler's other hand is free to continue holding his rod and/or line, and be ready to help applying the dispensed fishing weight to the fishing line. The displacement and return of the chamber 12, relative to the body 11, is therefore achieved in a single-handed operation to dispense a fishing weight from the chamber ready for use.

The dispenser 10 is also lockable to prevent dIsplacement and return of the chamber 12, relative to the body 11 In the displaced position, when the cupped tip 26 closes the port 15, which is ideal when the dispenser 10 is not being used, and also in the return position, for example when the cavity 22 In the chamber 12 is being refilled (as is no described below).

As is particularl shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, the bod 11 has two pairs 30, 31 of inwardly facing ribs 32. Each rib 32 is parallel with the base 21, curves around less than 90 degrees of the inner circumference of the bod 11, and symmetrically faces the other rib 32 in its pair of ribs 30 or 31. The pair 30 of ribs 32 is closer to the base 21 of the body 11 than the open top 13 of the body 11, and the pair 31 of ribs 32 is close to the open top 13, all as more fully described below.

Figure 5 shows the chamber 12 on its own, enabling a clear view of one of a pair 35 of diametrically opposite radially outwardly projecting ribs 36 which are very similar to the ribs 32 on the body 11 (the other rib 36 of the pair 35 is shown in dotted lines). the pair 35 of ribs 36 are positioned about half way along the chamber 12.

When the dispenser 10 is assembled as shown in FIgures 1 3, the chamber 12 is an easy fit inside the ribs 32 In the body 11 as long as the ribs 36 on the chamber are out possible engagement with the ribs 32 on the body 11, allowing the relative displacement between the chamber 12 and the body 11 described above, of which the to extreme positions are shown in FIgures 2 and 3. However, If the chamber 12 is rotated relative to the bed 11 by about 90 degrees en it is in the position shown in Figure 3, the ribs 36 lock. beneath the lower pair of ribs 32 on the body, and are held there by the sprig 28.Thus the dispenser is locked wlth the delivery rod 25 closIng the port 15, as shown In Figure 3. AlternatIvely, when the chamber 12 is in its highest position relative to the body 11 as shown in Figure 2, rotation of the chamber 12 relative to the body 11 by about 90 degrees enables the ribs 36 to lock below the upper pair of ribs 32 on the body 11, to be eld there by the spring 28. Thus the dispenser is locked with the pert 15 open, as shown in Figure 2, for example for easy fIllIng or emptying the cavity 22 In the chamber 12.

If desired, the upper pair 31 of ribs 32 may be lengthened t join up with each other as a continuous ring, always trappIng the ribs 36 inside the body 11 and preventIng the chamber 12 from leavIng the body 11 entirely.

FIgure 6 of the accompanyIng drawings shows refill for use In replenishing the stock of fishing weights stored ln the cavity 22 of the chamber 12. A colindrical refill body 40 of approximatel the diameter.

chamber 12, and at least sufficient length to contaIn enough fishing weights 23 to refill the cavity 22 when it is nearly of fishing weights, has a convex end 41 of complemerltary shape to that of the concave top 14 and pert 15, with a seal 42 across the centre of the convex end 41 where it engages with the port 15. Removal of the seal 42 followed by engagement of the convex end 41 with the concave top 14 and the port 15, and allowing the chamber 12 to rie from the body 11 under the action of the spring 28, enables a fresh supply of fishing weights 23 to be shaken from the refill body 40 and discharged into the cavity unimpeded by the delIvery rod 25.

Ifi â modification of the preferred example of the dispenser ;e described above, other resilient means than the cylindrical coil spring 28 may be used, for example 5 frusto-conical compression coil spring. This has the advantage that, under substantial compression, its turns can be flattened until t are in a spiral all pressed against the base 21, and therefore occupy minimum height.

Claims

1. A dispenser for fishing weights comprising a bod, a

chamber for storing fishing weights, and mounting means for mounting the chamber on the body and enabling displacement and return of the chamber relatIve to the bod In a single-handed operation to dispense a fishing weight from the chamber ready for use.

2. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises resilient means to achieve the return of the chamber relative to the body after said displacement.

A dispenser as claimed in aim 2 wherein the resilient means comprises cylIndrIcal coil spring or a frusto-conical coil spring.

4. A dispenser as claimed In any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means enables the body and the chamber to at least partially telescope into each other during said displacement In a sigle-handed operation.

5. A dispenser as claimed In an one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means comprises a deliver rod movable from the interior of the chamber upon said displacement of the chamber relative to the body to dispense a fishing weight from the chamber ready for use.

6. A dispenser as claimed In any one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber is provided with a port through which fishing weights can both be introduced into the chamber for storage and be dispensed from the chamber ready for

7. A dispenser as claimed in Claims 5 and 6 whereln the delivery rod is arranged to close the port as it dispenses a fishing weight ready for use.

8. A dispenser as claimed In any one of the preceding claims whereIn the dispense. is lockable to prevent displacement and return of the chamber relatIve t the body In the displaced position.

9. A dispenser as claimed In Claim 8 wherein the dispenser is lockable to prevent displacement and return of the chamber relative to the bod in the return position.

10. A dispenser as claimed in ClaIm 8 or Claim 9 wherein the dispenser is lockable by a bayonet mechanism Interacting between the body and the chamber and activated or deactivated by relative rotation between the body and the chamber.

11. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber contains fishing weights.

12. A refill containing fishing eights for use in replenishing a stock of fishing weights stored in a dispenser as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the refill has an outlet engageable with the port of the chamber for discharging fishing weights from the refill into the chamber of the dispenser.

13. A dispenser for fishing weights substantIally as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanyIng drawings.

refill containing fishing weights for in replenIshIng a stock of fishing weights stored in a dispenser as claImed In Claim 6 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.