GB2357686A

GB2357686A - Releasable weight attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2357686A
Application number: GB0029010A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel John Forrest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-30
Filing date: 2000-11-28
Publication date: 2001-07-04
Also published as: GB9928319D0; GB0029010D0

Abstract

The attachment allows the E of a sinker weight W to be attached to a fishing line L in a manner which will allow release of the weight when snagged. The attachment comprises a wire element having a U-shaped portion comprised of two parallel limbs 1 and 2 joined by a base limb 3. The end of limb 2 is formed with an eye 4 and retroverted to extend back, as limb 5, parallel to limb 2. The base limb 3 is connected with the line L and an angular bent latch portion 6 is formed at the end of the limb 1 which engages eye E of weight W and enters eye 4 of limb 2. A retaining washer 7 has a slot and aperture which permit the washer to be slipped over the limb 3, which passes through the slot, and over the end of limb 5, which passes through the aperture. The washer drops to the position shown in Fig. 1 and thus prevents the limbs 1 and 2 diverging and the latch 6 from opening and releasing the weight W. On impact with the water surface the washer 7 is driven back to the position shown in Fig. 2 which causes latch 6 to disengage from eye 4 and the weight to slide off free from the attachment.

Description

2357686 TITLE:

Improvements in Angler's Tackle This invention relates to improvements in tackle for anglers and more particularly to an improved construction of sinker weight attachment which affords the facility of release from the fishing line when snagged thus preventing loss of the cast.

It is known to attach a sinker weight to the line or to the cast by means of a separate weak link whereby excess force applied to the line causes the link to break and thus the tackle may be retrieved even through the weight is lost. A disadvantage is that the construction adds to the line complexity, requires setting-up and uses a separate attachment. The link may also break during casting.

An object of this invention is to provide a means for attaching a sinker weight to a line which means releases on application of a defined force applied to the line after the casting operation has been completed.

According to this invention there is provided an attachment means for releasably connecting a fishing line with a weight, the means comprising a clip having a latch limb portion to engage the weight, the latch releasing on a predetermined force applied between the clip and weight through deformation of the clip, a retaining member located on the clip and displaceable from a first position wherein deformation of the clip and release of the latch is prevented to a second position permitting deformation of the clip and release of the latch on application of sufficient force to the weight.

2 The retaining member is arranged so that impact with a water surface following the line casting operation will produce the required displacement.

According to this invention, and more specifically, there is provided an attachment means for releasably connecting a line with a weight, the means comprising a U-shape clip formed by two limbs connected by a base, a free end of one limb having a latch portion extending to engage a.

formation on the other limb, the latch portion passing through, and capturing the eye of a weight, the arrangement being such that sufficient force applied to the weight acts through the latch portion to splay the limbs of the clip outwardly thereby releasing the engagement of the latch portion from the other limb and thus to allow the eye of the weight to slide off the said latch portion, a retaining member slidably located on the limbs of the clip and movable from a first position adjacent the latch portion to prevent displacement of the limbs, to a second position adjacent the base of the clip permitting displacement of the limbs when the force applied to the weight is sufficient.

Preferably the other limb has a retroverted end portion forming an eye engaged by the free end of the latch portion, said end portion more preferably extending to form an abutment preventing the retaining member returning from the second to the first said position.

This arrangement permits a line to be attached to one end of the clip and the weight to be held by the latch at the other end. Normally the retaining member, being a washer sliding on the limbs of the clip, is positioned adjacent the latch to prevent the limbs splaying. After water i i 3 impact following casting the washer is displaced back by water pressure such that the release feature of the clip now becomes operative when a predetermined force is applied to the weight. The construction may provide for the washer to be held in the displaced position and prevented from returning. This could be by friction or buoyancy or by a mechanical interlock arrangement.

A preferred attachment means in accordance with this invention comprises a U-shape clip formed by two limbs connected by a base, a free end of one limb having a latch portion extending to engage a formation on the other limb, the latch portion in use passing through, and capturing the eye of a weight, the arrangement being such that sufficient force applied to the weight acts through the latch portion to splay the limbs of the clip outwardly thereby releasing the engagement of the latch portion from the other limb and thus to allow the eye of the weight to slide off the said latch portion, a retaining member slidably located on the limbs of the clip and movable from a first position adjacent the latch portion to prevent displacement of the limbs, to a second position adjacent the base of the clip permitting displacement of the limbs when the force applied to the weight is sufficient.

In a preferred construction the retaining member comprises a washer sliding on the limbs of the clip and initially positioned adjacent the latch to prevent the limbs splaying, said washer, after water impact following a casting operation, being moved back by water pressure such that the release of the latch becomes possible when a predetermined force is applied to the weight, means preferably being provided to 4 prevent said washer returning.

This invention is further described and illustrated with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment by way of an example. In the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a means attaching a sinker weight to a line in accordance with this invention, Fig. 2 shows the means of Fig. 1 with the weight released, Fig. 3 shows the means viewed in direction C in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 shows the release component in plan view.

Referring to the drawings the means for attaching the eye E of a sinker weight W to a fishing line L comprises a wire element having a Ushaped portion comprised of two parallel limbs 1 and 2 joined by a base limb 3. The end of limb 2 is formed with an eye 4 and retroverted to extend back, as limb 5, parallel to limb 2. The limb 5 is normally slightly displaced from the axis of limb 2 as shown. The base limb 3 is connected. with the line L and an angular bent latch portion 6 is formed at the end of the limb 1 which engages eye E of weight W and enters eye 4 of limb 2.

A retaining washer 7 (Fig. 4) has a slot 8 and aperture 9 which permit the washer to be slipped over the limb 3, which passes through slot 8, and over the end of limb 5, which passes through aperture 9. The washer drops to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 when the limb 5 is pressed inwardly and thus prevents the limbs 1 and 2 diverging and the latch 6 from opening and releasing the weight W. A clip or ring (not shown) may be attached to the limb 3 which will prevent the washer 7 from slipping-off the end limb 3. The line L will then be attached to this clip or ring.

The weight and tackle may then be cast with the weight being positively secured by the latch regardless of applied forces. Air resistance is insufficient to push the washer 7 back against friction.

On impact with the water surface the washer 7 is driven back in direction A and presses limb 5 in direction B to slip over the free end of limb 5 to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. After disengagement over the free end of limb 5 the limb restores as shown in Fig. 1 to provide a degree of misalignment of the limb 5 in order to prevent the washer returning back down the limbs 1, 2 and 5.

Due to the inherent elasticity in the limbs 1 and 2 and the angle selected for the latch portion 6, when a predetermined force is exerted on the weight W limbs 1 and 2 are splayed outward and ultimately, when the force is sufficient, cause latch 6 to disengage from eye 4 and the weight to slide off free from the attachment as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The release force required before the weight W is freed can be adjusted by the wire thickness and dimensions and, in the field, by adjusting the angle of latch 6 using pliers or the like.

In an embodiment the angle of the latch portion 6 to the one limb 1 is made 90 degrees and the release force is adjusted bending apart the limbs 1 and 2. Thus the extent to which the latch 6 enters the eye 4 is varied when the washer 7 is displaced. The angle between limb 1 and latch 6 may be varied also to change the release force.

6

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An attachment means for releasably connecting an angler's fishing line with a weight, the means comprising a clip having a latch limb portion to engage the weight, the latch releasing on a predetermined force applied between the clip and weight through deformation of the clip, a retaining member located on the clip and displaceable from a first position wherein deformation of the clip and release of the latch is prevented to a second position permitting deformation of the clip and release of the latch on application of sufficient force to the weight.

2. An attachment means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a plate arranged so that impact with a water surface following the line casting operation produces the required displacement.

3. An attachment means in accordance with claim 1 or 2, comprising a U-shape clip formed by two limbs connected by a base, a free end of one limb having a latch portion extending to engage a formation on the other limb, the latch portion in use passing through, and capturing the eye of a weight, the arrangement being such that sufficient force applied to the weight acts through the latch portion to splay the limbs of the clip outwardly thereby releasing the engagement of the latch portion from the other limb and thus to allow the eye of the weight to slide off the said latch portion, a retaining member slidably located on the limbs of the clip and movable from a first position adjacent the latch portion to prevent displacement of the limbs, to a second position adjacent the base of the clip permitting displacement of the limbs when the force applied to the weight is sufficient.

4. An attachment means in accordance with claim 3, wherein the other limb has a retroverted end portion forming an eye engaged by the free end of the latch portion.

5. An attachment means in accordance with claim 4, wherein said end portion extends towards the base of the U-shaped clip to form an 10 abutment preventing the retaining member returning from the second to the first said position.

6. An attachment means in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member comprises a washer sliding on the limbs of 15 the clip and initially positioned adjacent the latch to prevent the limbs splaying, said washer, after water impact following a casting operation, being moved back by water pressure such that the release of the latch becomes possible when a predetermined force is applied to the weight, means preferably being provided to prevent said washer returning. 20

7. An attachment means for releasably connecting an angler's fishing line with a weight constructed and arranged to function as described herein and illustrated with reference to the drawings. 25