GB2338877A

GB2338877A - Fishing Weight

Info

Publication number: GB2338877A
Application number: GB9915256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Smith; Nigel Wilding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-01
Filing date: 1999-07-01
Publication date: 2000-01-12
Also published as: GB9814101D0; GB9915256D0

Description

2338877 A FISHING WEIGHT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fishing weight and, more particularly, to a fishing weight for use by sea or fresh water anglers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIO 10

It is common practice when sea fishing from the shore, and occasionally from a boat, to use lead weights on the end of ones line. Typically, these vary in weight from 100 grms to 200 grms and may vary from 6 grms to 2 lbs. These weights serve two purposes, the first being to facilitate castings of ones hooks and the bait on them out to the required distance, and the second being to hold the bait on the sea bed against the sea current.

In heavy seas, where the weight tends to move around on the sea bed, and over very rocky terrain there is a tendency for lead weights to become caught between rocks and in crevices. When this happens, the angler has little alternative but to wind in his line until it is taut and then pull back for a break. Sometimes the lead weight is pulled free, but as often as not it is lost in the rocks, often with the fishing rig to which it was attached. The loss of lead weights and fishing rigs is an expense to the angler, albeit a relatively modest one, but more importantly, their loss interrupts and can even end a fishing session if one loses ones last one.

2 It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing weight which is less prone that conventional lead fishing weights to become caught between rocks and other obstructions on the sea bed or river bed.

SUMMARY QF THE INVENTIO

According to the present invention there is provided a fishing weight comprising a length of tubular, elastic material filled with a relatively heavy granular material and closed at both ends, one of the said closed ends having therein an eye or ring whereby the weight can be attached to a fishing line.

Conveniently, the elastic tube is comprised of latex rubber.

The elastic tube and the granular material in it are able to stretch and deform, which means that if the fishing weight becomes caught between rocks there is a much better likelihood of it pulling free than would be the case with a conventional solid lead weight.

The granular material is conveniently wet or dry sand as this is freely available, but other materials may be used, including lead shot and gravel.

Preferably, a screw threaded stud or bolt is provided at the lower end of the fishing weight to facilitate the fitting of grip wire attachment. The bolt may be used in combination with washers and a nut to clamp and close the lower end of the tube. Alternatively, the lower end of the tube can be formed closed after the fashion of a balloon.

3 The fishing weight may have a grip attachment secured thereto. The grip attachment may comprise at least one elongate member. Preferably the grip attachment comprises two elongate members.

The or each elongate member may comprise two extending portions connected together at one end.

The or each elongate member may comprise at least one projecting portion. The or each elongate member may comprise at least a first portion arranged, in use, to lie substantially flat against the body of the fishing weight and a projecting portion. The or each elongate member may comprise two projecting portions. The projecting portions may comprise first and second ends of the or each elongate member.

The or each projecting portion may be positioned at an angle to the body of the fishing weight. Preferably the angle of the or each projecting portion relative to the body of the fishing weight is adjustable. Preferably the or each projecting portion projects at an angl-e to the body of the fishing weight in the direction of the end of the fishing weight having said eye or ring therein.

The or each elongate member may be arranged to move between a first position in which the or each elongate member resists movement of the fishing weight along a surface and a second position in which the resistance to movement of the fishing weight along a surface is decreased.

4 The or each elongate member may be arranged to pivot relative to the body of the fishing weight to provide movement between said first and second positions. The or each elongate member may be arranged to pivot through more than 901. Preferably, the or each elongate member is arranged to pivot through substantially 1800.

The or each elongate member may be a section of wire.

The or each elongate member may be secured to the fishing weight by at least one resilient member. The or each elongate member is preferably secured to the fishing weight by two resilient members. Preferably the first resilient member is moveable relative to the second resilient member.

The or each elongate member may be arranged to be normally in the first position to resist movement of the fishing weight along said surface and in which release means are provided for triggering movement between said first and second positions. The release means may be activated by applying pressure to said eye or ring by pulling an attached fishing line. The pressure applied by said fishing line preferably causes movement of a resilient member along the or each elongate member toward a respective pivot point of said the or each elongate member and, once the resilient member has travelled past said pivot point, the or each elongate member is released to adopt the second position and facilitate movement of the weight.

An advantage of the fishing weight in accordance with the present invention is that it readily lends itself to being supplied to anglers in the form of a kit for assembly by them to their own specification. In particular, the elastic tube filled with wet sand taken from the beach or carried for the purpose, and the open end of the tube 5 folded over to hold a ring and closed with a cable tie. The length, weight and fill of the fishing weight is completely at the discretion of the angler.

The kit may comprise a length of tubular, elastic material which is arranged, in use, to be closed at both ends, one of the said closed ends having therein, in use, an eye or ring whereby the weight can be attached to a fishing line.

The kit may comprise means for providing a grip 15 attachment. The kit may comprise means for securing the grip attachment to the fishing weight.

The kit may comprise at least one elongate member in which the elongate member comprises at least a first portion which is arranged, in use, to lie substantially flat against the body of the fishing weight and a projecting portion. The kit may comprise two such elongate- members. The kit may comprise means for pivotally securing the or each elongate member to the body of the fishing weight.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features or limitations.

BRIEF DESCRUTIONS OF THE DRAWINOS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, 5 in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a fishing weight; Figure 2 is a side view of a grip attachment; and 10 Figure 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of f ishing weight having a grip attachment secured thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 15

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings the fishing weight comprises a length of tubular elastic material 1 which is filled with granular material (not visible) such as sand, lead shot or gravel. The lower end of the elastic tube is closed between two washers 2 and 3, which are clamped tight by a bolt 4 and a nut 5. The free end of the bolt 4 projects from the lead weight and readily lends itself to carrying a conventional plastic wire grip attachment such as that shown in Fig. 2 if appropriate to the f ishing conditions.

The upper end of the elastic tube 1 is folded over a ring 6 and closed by a cable tie 7. The ring 6 allows the fishing weight to be connected to a fishing line, whether by tying it directly to the line or attaching it to a snap swivel.

7 As shown in Figure 3, the fishing weight 10 comprises a length of tubular elastic material 1 which is closed at the lower end after the fashion of a balloon. The length of tubular elastic material 1 thereby has an open end with the opposite end being closed. Again, the length of tubular elastic material 1 is filled with granular material, for example sand, lead shot or gravel. Once the length of tubular elastic material 1 is filled with the selected weight of granular material the open end of the elastic tube 1 is closed. This closure is formed by threading a section of the elastic tube 1 through a ring 6 and is then folded to lie adjacent to a further section of the elastic tube 1. A cable tie 7 is wrapped around the adjacent sections of elastic tube and is tightened.

Alternatively, a metal strip may be used to close the elastic tube. The metal strip is simply deformed around the adjacent sections of elastic tube and thereby, closes the elastic tube. This arrangement thereby secures the ring G to the filled plastic tube. The ring 6 enables the filled elastic tube to be easily secured to a fishing line. A swivel to suit any weight is used to clip on to the ring which is used to secure the weight to the fishing line.

The fishing weight 10 may be used in fresh water fishing or sea fishing. The weight of the fishing weight is selected by the fisherman to suit the conditions and type of fishing. The weight of the fishing weight may range from G gms to 2 lbs. In addition, the fishing weight 10 can be used with a grip attachment, although the grip attachment is preferably only used for sea fishing, it can also be used in fresh water fishing.

8 The grip attachment helps the f ishing weight to dig into the sea bed or river bed when the currents are strong. However, sometimes the grip attachment may be secured to a part of the sea bed or river bed such that it cannot be released purely by pulling the fishing line. This may resort in the fishing line being snapped with the result of the loss of the fishing weight and other tackle. This results in a loss to the fisherman and causes a disruption to the fishing session. In addition, the environmental hazards caused by such a loss are well known, for example the fishing line and hook are an obvious hazard to birds.

The grip attachment, shown in Figure 3, enables the fishing weight to be retrieved once snagged on the bottom by giving an extra pull on the fishing line. The grip attachment has two elongate members which are sections of wire 18, 20.The wires 18, 20 are bent through 3600 at their mid point. A first resilient member formed by a first elastic band 1G is used to secure the wires 18, 20 on opposite sides of the fishing weight. The first elastic band 1G passes between the two bent over sections of the respective wires 18,20. The first elastic band 16 is located adjacent to the bent sections of the wires 18, 20. A first plastic tube 24 is then located over both sections of the first wire 18 and is slipped down to locate adjacent to the first elastic band 16. Similarly, a second plastic tube 26 is located over both sections ofthe second wire 20 and is slid down the wire 20 to locate adjacent to the first elastic band 16. These plastic tubes 24, 26 prevent the first elastic band 16 from sliding between the two sections of the first and second wires 18, and coming separate from the fishing weight 10. This arrangement ensures that the bent over sections of the wires are secured to a lower part of the fishing weight 10. A second resilient member formed by a second elastic band 22 is positioned over both sections of the wires 18, 20 and is positioned at a top part of the fishing weight.

The sections of the wires 18, 20 that extend beyond the second elastic band 22 are bent to a selected angle which thereby form projecting portions which are arranged to dig into the sea bed or river bed.

If the fishing weight 10 becomes snagged on the sea bed or river bed then an extra pull can be given on the f ishing line. This causes the second elastic band 22 to slide down along the weight. As the pull on the fishing line becomes greater the angle of the wires 18, 20 to the fishing weight becomes greater and the second elastic band 22 slides further down the fishing weight 10. The fishing weight may still not be released. The second elastic band 22 will continue to slide down the fishing weight until it passes over the first elastic band 16. At this point the wires 18, 20 will turn through 1800 with respect to the fishing weight and will no longer prevent the fishing weight moving along the sea bed or river bed. At this point the fishing weight 10 should be released from the sea bed or river bed and the fishing weight 10 and the tackle will not be lost.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A fishing weight comprising a length of tubular, elastic material filled with a relatively heavy granular material and closed at both ends, one of the said closed ends having therein an eye or ring whereby the weight can be attached to a fishing line.

2. A fishing weight in accordance with any preceding claim in which the elastic tube is comprised of latex rubber.

3. A fishing weight in accordance with any preceding claim in which the elastic tube and the granular material in it are able to stretch and deform.

4. A fishing weight in accordance with any preceding claim in which the granular material is wet or dry sand.

5. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the granular material is lead shot.

6. A f ishing weight as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the granular material is gravel.

7. A fishing weight as claimed in any preceding claim in which a screw threaded stud or bolt is provided at the lower end of the fishing weight to facilitate the fitting of grip wire attachment.

8. A f ishing weight as claimed in claim 7 in which the bolt is used in combination with washers and a nut to clamp and close the lower end of the tube.

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9. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the lower end of the tube is closed af ter the fashion of a balloon.

10. A fishing weight as claimed in any preceding claim in which a grip attachment is secured thereto.

11. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 10 in which the grip attachment comprises at least one elongate member.

12. A f ishing weight as claimed in claim 11 in which the grip attachment comprises two elongate members.

13. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 11 or 12 in which the or each elongate member comprises two extending portions connected together at one end.

14. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 in which the or each elongate member comprises at least one projecting portion.

15. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 in which the or each elongate member comprises at least a first portion arranged, in use, to lie substantially flat against the body of the fishing weight and a projecting portion

16. A f ishing weight as claimed in claim 14 or 15 in which the or each elongate member comprises two projecting portions.

17. A f ishing weight as claimed in claims 15 or 16 in which the projecting portions comprise first and second ends of the or each elongate member.

18. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 in which the or each projecting portion is positioned at an angle to the body of the fishing weight.

19. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 18 in which the angle of the or each projecting portion relative to the body of the fishing weight is adjustable.

20. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 18 or 19 in which the or-each projecting portion projects at an angle to the body of the fishing weight in the direction of the end of the fishing weight having said eye or ring therein.

21. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 11 to 20 in which the or each elongate member is arranged to move between a first position in which the or each elongate member resists movement of the fishing weight along a surface and a second position in which the resistance to movement of the fishing weight along a surface is decreased.

22. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 21 in which the or each elongate member is arranged to pivot relative to the body of the fishing weight to provide movement between said first and second positions.

23. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 22 in which the or each elongate member is arranged to pivot through more than 900.

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24. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 23 in which the or each elongate member is arranged to pivot through substantially 1800.

25. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 11 to 24 in which the or each elongate member is a section of wire.

26. A fishing weight as claimed in any of claims 11 to 25 in which the or each elongate member is secured to the fishing weight by at least one resilient member.

27. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 26 in which the or each elongate member is secured to the fishing weight by two resilient members.

28. A fishing weight as claimed in claim 27 in which the first resilient member is movable relative to the second resilient member.

29. A fishing weight according to claim 21 or any of claims 22 to 28 in which the or each elongate member is arranged to be normally in the first position to resist movement of the fishing weight along said surface and in which release means are provided for triggering movement between said first and second positions.

30. A fishing weight according to claim 29, in which the release means is activated by applying pressure to said eye or ring by pulling an attached fishing line.

31. A fishing weight according to claim 30, in which pressure applied by said fishing line causes movement of a - resilient member, along the or each elongate member toward a respective pivot point of said the or each elongate member and, once the resilient member has travelled past said pivot point, the or each elongate member is released to adopt the second position and facilitate movement of the weight.

32. A fishing weight substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in any of figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

33. A kit for assembly into a fishing weight comprising a length of tubular, elastic material which is arranged, in use, to be closed at both ends, one of the said closed ends having therein, in use, an eye or ring whereby the weight can be attached to a fishing line.

34. A kit according to claim 33, the kit further comprising mean for providing a grip attachment.

35. A kit according to claim 34, the kit comprising means for securing the grip attachment to the fishing weight.

36. A kit according to claim 34 or 35 the kit comprising at least one elongate member in which the or each elongate member comprises at least a first portion which is arranged, in use, to lie substantially flat against the body of the fishing weight and a projecting portion.

37. A kit according to claim 36, in which the kit comprises two elongate members.

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38. A kit according to claim 36 or 37 in which the kit comprises means for pivotally securing the or each elongate member to the body of the fishing weight.

39. A kit for assembly into a fishing weight, the fishing weight being in accordance with any of claims 1 to 32.