GB2344267A - Fishing float - Google Patents

Abstract

The float comprises two sections interconnected by a swivel connection, the top one of said sections being substantially spherical and having indicating means on its side remote from the swivel connection, and the other section being elongate and having substantially neutral buoyancy. The indicating means may be a rod which pivots upright after a fish has taken the bait.

Description

FISHING FLOAT This invention relates to a fishing float and in particular to a two piece fishing float that functions in a different way to conventional one piece floats.

Conventional one piece floats are known as standard in the angling community, but their effective use relies and depends very much on smooth and favourable water surface conditions.

The reason for this is that the working of the one piece float is such that the tip of the float protrudes, and is visible, just above the waterline and either bobs up or down when the fish is playing with the baited hook or disappears completely below the waterline when the fish has taken the bait entirely.

If, however, the water's surface is rough and wavy, it often becomes difficult for the angler to determine whether a bite is in progress, due to the float appearing to bob up and down as the wavy/rough waterline rises and falls against the tip of the float. This can cause an angler to strike his rod when in fact there is not even a fish in the immediate vicinity of the baited hook ! It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these difficulties by indicating more clearly the bite indication process-the factor that determines the most opportune time for the angler to strike for, and catch, the fish.

The present invention is a fishing float comprising two sections interconnected by a swivel connection, one of said sections being substantially spherical and having indicating means on its side remote from the swivel connection.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows the split-float as it appears to the eye and how it is constructed; Fig. 2 shows the split-float as it would appear in cross-section (above and below waterline), in its natural resting state, once weighted properly and before a bite occurs; and Fig. 3 shows the float at three different stages of progression, from its natural resting state through to full elevation. This occurs as the fish takes the bait and the lower section of the float correspondingly moves downwards and pulls the upper section around and upwards.

Referring now to the drawings, a fishing float according to the present invention comprises upper and lower individual sections that are joined together by interlocking wire swivelled eye rings (see Fig. 1). The individual float sections could be fabricated from any of the materials typically used for float construction. The lower section of the float would be formed and shaped as an elongated piece, with one wire swivel ring extending from the bottom of the lower section and one wire ring portruding from the side towards its top, so that the fishing line would run through one, or both, and attach the float system to the line (Fig. 1, line passing through E and D).

The top section of the float consists of a shorter, spherical ball which is connected to the lower section by a swivel connection, in this embodiment interlocking wire swivels (Fig. 1, ref. B and C). Indicating means, in this embodiment in the form of a rod, is affixed to the top section on its side remote from the swivels by means of glue and serves as a visual aid (Fig. 1, ref. A). Conventional locking lead split-shot would be required to weight the split-float into its natural resting position, and the amount of weight required will vary according to the size of the split-float used (Fig. 2).

Ideally, the lower section of the float should have substantially neutral buoyancy.

The split-float will be made in different sizes, and weighted accordingly, for different waters fished, without detracting from, or altering, the original template design and functional operation submitted here. The floats will range from shorter and lightweight for calm canal type waters, through to heavy and large for faster, stronger river type waters.

Once the split-float is weighted correctly, the lower section of the float will rest in a vertical position below the waterline and the upper section will lie with the indicating rod in a flat horizontal position along the water's surface (Fig. 2). This is called the split-float's natural resting state. As the fish takes the baited hook below the float, this exerts a downward pressure on the bottom section of the float which, in turn, causes the upper section to pivot around from its flat horizontal position to an upright vertical position.

The angler can strike at any point during the vertical rise, secure in the knowledge that the fish has the baited hook in its mouth and is exerting downward pressure on the fishing line/baited hook (Fig. 3).

The split-float's operation is essentially different to that of conventional one piece floats, due to the mechanics of both its construction and operation. As stated, the one piece float disappears below the waterline when a bite is taking place-this is because the float is one long section with its top end protruding above the water's surface and it can only go downwards as pressure is exerted on it. The split-float, however, pivots around from a flat horizontal position on the water's surface to a vertical one, due to having a second section of float which must first move from its resting position on the surface to the upright. Herein lies the uniqueness of the split-float, in that, firstly, it enables you to strike at anytime during the vertical rise, knowing that the fish has the baited hook in its mouth (Fig. 3), and, secondly, its use eliminates the angler's problem of ineffective bite indication due to rough water surface conditions.

The split-float lends itself to the manufacturing process because it does not require an extensive level of new equipment or re-tooling of existing machinery, save possible re-calibration of some machines in order to produce various lengths, widths and sizes required for component parts.

Indeed, there are already a number of British based companies that are in a position to construct to our specific requirements.

In making the float, A is joined to G by glue, G is connected to F by B and C, which are pushed, and glued, into G and F respectively. E is again pushed, and glued, into F.

Lastly, D is pushed, and glued, into F at the bottom end of F, opposite to G.

Suitable materials are as follows: A.-Bristle, cane, plastic or nylon; B.-gauge/brass wire swivel; C.-and D as for B; E.-gauge/brass wire; F.-reed, plastic, balsawood, cork, cane or polystyrene ; G.-polystyrene, cork or plastic.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. A fishing float comprising two sections interconnected by a swivel connection, one of said sections being substantially spherical and having indicating means on its side remote from the swivel connection.
2. 2. A float as claimed in claim 1, in which the swivel connection is an interlocking wire swivel.
3. 3. A float as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the indicating means is a rod.
4. 4. A float as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the other of said sections is elongate and has at its free end a swivel eye.
5. 5. A float as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the other of said sections has substantially neutral buoyancy.
6. 6. A fishing float substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.