GB2359473A - Fishing bait dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing bait dispenser comprising a bait container 12 having at least one aperture 18 for bait release, a releasable closure 34 for closing the aperture 18 and a trigger 30 arranged to release the closure 34 at a predetermined moment to open the aperture 18 for releasing the bait. The trigger 30 may be controlled by a clockwork or electronic system or may be controlled to release on impact with water or subsequent to impact with water. The trigger 30 preferably further comprises further timing means to control the release until after a predetermined delay after water impact.

Description

<U>Fishing Bait Dispenser</U> The invention relates to a fishing bait dispenser, in particular of the kind known as a swim feeder.

An example of a known swim feeder is shown in Fig. 1. In particular the swim feeder, generally designated 10 comprises a main body 12 of generally cylindrical shape having a base 14 and cap 16. The main body 12 is generally formed of transparent plastic material and has a number of spaced apertures 18. The cap 16 and/or base 14, which can be of plastic material or of metal if additional weight is required, are removable to allow bait, for example maggots, to be placed in the main body. The swim feeder 10 is attachable to a conventional fishing line in any appropriate manner, for example by formations 20.

In use, the cap or base is removed from the main body and maggots are placed in the main body which is then closed again. The line is cast and the swim feeder settles in the water. The maggots are able to escape through the apertures in the main body and are carried on the current providing a trail of bait to the fish leading it to the line, and hence the hook on it.

The known swim feeders suffer from various drawbacks, however. In particular, the maggots are able to escape through the apertures while the line is being prepared, and many can be lost before and during the cast. As a result much of the bait is lost, and the fisherman has to cast the line under time constraint to avoid unnecessary wastage. According to the invention there is provided a fishing bait dispenser comprising a bait container having at least one aperture for bait release, a releasable closure for closing the aperture and a trigger arranged to release the closure at a predetermined moment to open the aperture for releasing the bait. As a result, bait is not lost from the container until the predetermined moment which can be selected to ensure that the line is cast before bait release.

In a preferred arrangement the trigger is time controlled to release the closure after a predetermined delay. The trigger may be controlled by a clockwork system, or by an electronic system. Alternatively the trigger may be controlled to release on impact with water, or subsequent to impact with water. For example the trigger may include a shock sensor for sensing water impact, or a water sensor. In addition the trigger may include further timing means to release a predetermined delay after water impact. Yet further preferably the delay may be programmable by the user. As a result the exact point of release can be determined by the fisherman dependent on the environment. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a known fishing bait dispenser; Fig. 2 is a partial sectional side view of a dispenser according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 shows a detail of a closure release system according to the invention. Throughout the Figures, like reference numerals denote like parts.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a fishing bait dispenser in the form of a swim feeder includes a trigger/closure system generally designated 30. The system 30 includes an actuating rod 32 connected to a pair of annular closure shields 34 of generally similar diameter to the inside diameter of the main body 12. The actuating rod 32 is connected to an actuator 36 (described in more detail below) and arranged to reciprocate along the direction denoted by arrow A. The closure shields 34 are shown in an open or release position and it will be seen that downward shifting will move them to a position where the apertures 18 are closed. It will be appreciated that any number of apertures, and any appropriate closure shield shape can be adopted.

Referring to Fig. 3 the basic components of the actuator can be seen. The rod 32 terminates in a block 40 which can be loaded against a compression spring 42 by forcing the rod downwardly, for example by virtue of a plunger (not shown) operated by the fisherman. The block 40 includes a detent 44 preferably with an angled cam face cooperating with a corresponding lock piece 46. As the rod 32 is forced downwardly the detent 44 slides past the lock piece 46 and is locked in a loaded position. A timing/release mechanism generally designated 48 then retracts the lock piece 46 at a predetermined moment, releasing the rod 32 and allowing it to spring freely upwards by virtue of compression spring 42.

Preferably the timing/release mechanism comprises a simple clockwork mechanism of the type that will be well known to the skilled person. Timing is commenced by the forcing back of the lock piece 46 when the actuating rod 32 is depressed, allowing the fisherman a predetermined time before the rod is released. Alternatively the mechanism can be electronically controlled and can include a shock sensor or water sensor together with a timing mechanism such that the rod 32 is released a predetermined time after the rod is depressed. Indeed, a specific delay - either from initial loading of the rod 32 or from the point of water impact - can be input to the device through a user interface. The nature and configuration of any such electronic components and elements will be well known to the skilled person.

In use, the fisherman will first depress the actuating rod 32 to close the apertures 18, loading the rod against spring 42. The bait can then be placed in the main body and the cap replaced. The bait cannot escape at this point. Whether the release of the closure is timed from loading of the rod or in some more complex manner, in any event the timings can be adjusted to ensure that the fisherman has sufficient time to cast the line correctly before the actuating rod is released. The closure shields 34 then spring clear of the apertures 18, allowing the bait to escape at the desired time, such that bait is not unnecessarily lost. It will be appreciated that different closure and release mechanisms can be contemplated within the scope of the invention. In addition it will be recognised that the timings if any can be set as appropriate for giving the fisherman ample time to cast the line without bait loss.

Claims (8)

1. <U>Claims</U> 1. A fishing bait dispenser comprising a bait container having at least one aperture for bait release, a releasable closure for closing the aperture and a trigger arranged to release the closure at a predetermined moment to open the aperture for releasing the bait.
2. 2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the trigger is time controlled to release the closure after a predetermined delay.
3. 3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the delay is programmable by the user.
4. 4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the trigger is controlled by a clockwork system, or by an electronic system.
5. 5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the trigger is controlled to release on impact with water, or subsequent to impact with water.
6. 6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 in which the trigger includes a shock sensor for sensing water impact, or a water sensor.
7. 7. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trigger further includes further timing means to release a predetermined delay after water impact.
8. 8. A fishing bait dispenser substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures.