GB2407015A

GB2407015A - Bait dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2407015A
Application number: GB0324077A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Colin Nye
Original assignee: FISHYROB IT Ltd
Current assignee: FISHYROB IT Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-14
Filing date: 2003-10-14
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Also published as: GB0324077D0

Abstract

A bait dispensing device includes a container 2, a weight 4, and a dispensing opening 6. The container 2 is defined by an open ended tube which is closed at one end by the weight 4 to provide an enclosure for bait. The weight 4 is provided with recesses 18 which with container 2 define two inlets 26 along which water may flow into the interior of the container. In use, bait is inserted into container 2 and a bung 12 is inserted into dispensing opening 6. The device is cast through the air on the end of a fishing line. As weight 4 moves through the air, air enters water inlets 26 to create a seal of dead air preventing bait from leaving the device. When the device enters the water, water flows through inlets 26 into the interior of container 2 to force bung 12 out of the dispensing opening, allowing bait to move into the water through dispensing opening 6. The at least one fin 16 facilitates passage of the device through air and/or water. The legs 20 anchor the device to the river bed.

Description

BAIT DISPENSING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing bait, or more particularly, to a device for dispensing fishing bait.

Before commencing fishing, a fisherman or woman will usually cast bait into the water to attract fish to the area in which fishing is to take place. This bait may comprise any substance attractive to the fish to be caught, and may be in the form of animate bait, such as live fish or maggots, or inanimate bait, such as ground fish, or a mixture of animate and inanimate bait.

The bait may comprise "free bait", which is free to disperse through the water on delivery to attract fish into an area, and/or "hooked bait", which is normally attached to a line to allow the fisherman to draw in a hooked fish which has taken the bait.

The Applicant has recognised that there is a need for an improved bait dispensing device which may deliver bait to water without damage, even over long casting distances.

According to the present invention there is thus provided; a bait dispensing device comprising: a bait holding container; and, operatively attached to the container, a weight; said bait holding container comprising a bait dispensing opening and at least one water inlet, whereby on movement of the device through water under the influence of the weight, water enters the bait holding container through the water inlet to cause bait to be dispensed out of the bait dispensing opening.

Thus a bait dispensing device in accordance with the present invention includes a container into which bait is placed, a dispensing opening through which the bait may leave the container, a weight and an inlet which allows water to flow into the container. When the device is cast into water, gravity acts on the weight to cause the device to fall into and through the water. As the device falls through the water, water flows through the water inlet into the container, forcing bait to be dispensed out of the dispensing opening and into the surrounding water.

In this way, the bait is protected and streamlined by the container as it is cast through the air, and on impact with the water. As the device moves through the air, the pressure of air incident on the water inlet will form a plug of "dead air" in the inlet, preventing bait from falling out of the container through the water inlet. However, once the device enters the water, the force of the water flowing through the water inlet into the container pushes bait away from the water inlet and out of the container through the dispensing opening.

The Applicant has found that by using the force of the water flowing into the container to dispense the bait in this way, the bait may be dispensed more gradually and gently into the water, reducing the likelihood of damage to the bait. The device thus allows even delicate or live bait to be delivered intact and reliably over relatively long casting distances.

It has also been found that the water inlet facilitates draining of the container on retrieval of the device from water. The water flow generated on retrieval may help to remove sediment etc. which has accumulated in the device.

The container should be provide an enclosure for bait in which substantially all the bait will remain until water flows into the container through the water inlet to force the bait out of the dispensing opening.

Preferably, however, the walls of the container are solid.

The size and shape of the container may be selected as appropriate having regard to the nature of the bait to be dispensed. As the container may be cast over relatively long distances in use, it is preferably shaped so as to present relatively low resistance to air and/or water. Preferably, therefore, the container is elongate in shape. In a particularly preferred embodiment the container comprises a rounded external surface, and most preferably is substantially tubular.

Preferably the interior of the container comprises means to direct water flowing into the container towards the dispensing opening. For example, the directing means may comprise one or more channels or ribs in the interior surface of the container.

The dispensing opening may be of any appropriate shape and size provided that it allows the dispensing of bait out of the container as water flows into the container through the water inlet. The most appropriate shape and size will therefore depend upon the nature of the bait, and the rate at which it is desired for the bait to be dispensed.

The dispensing opening may comprise a single aperture, or a plurality of apertures. For example, the dispensing opening could comprise a filter or mesh defining a plurality of apertures through which bait may flow. Such an arrangement might be used to control the flow of bait out of the container. If desired, a plurality of discrete dispensing openings may be provided. For example, dispensing openings could be provided in a plurality of surfaces of the container to allow dispensing of bait more uniformly into the water surrounding the container. However, for ease of construction, more preferably only a single dispensing opening is provided.

Preferably the dispensing opening is provided at an end of the container. In a particularly simple arrangement, the container is open ended, and the dispensing opening is provided by one open end of the container.

Most preferably the dispensing opening is located at an end of the container remote from the weight. In this way, bait may be dispensed from the trailing end of the dispensing device as it falls downwardly through the water under the action of gravity on the weight, and will therefore tend to encounter a reduced level of water resistance than if dispensed from other parts of the device. This may help to further reduce the risk of damage to the bait.

The Applicant has found that, if located appropriately, it is not necessary for the dispensing opening to be covered as the dispensing device moves through the air on casting, and that bait will tend to remain in the container until it is forced out of the container under the action of the water entering the container. For example, where the dispensing opening is provided at one end of the container remote from the weight, a cover may not be needed. As discussed above, bait is prevented from falling out of the device through the water inlet as the device moves through the air due to the effect of air entering the water inlet to create a pocket of "dead air" in the inlet.

However, preferably the device comprises a further comprises a cover closing the dispensing opening, the cover mounted such that on entry of the device into water, water entering the container through the water inlet moves the cover away from the dispensing opening to allow bait to be dispensed through the dispensing opening under the action of the water.

In this way, the container remains substantially closed to the movement of bait into or out of the container as it moves through the air, thus providing still greater protection for the bait, and allowing bait to be reliably delivered at high speed over greater distances.

The cover should provide a barrier to the passage of bait through the dispensing opening when closed, but need provide a watertight closure.

The cover is preferably fixed to the device so that after removal it still remains attached to the device.

For example, in one embodiment the cover may comprise a flap hingeably connected to the container.

In another preferred embodiment, the cover may comprise a bung, which, on entry of water into the container is forced out of the dispensing opening. The bung may be of any suitable, preferably resilient material e.g. plastic, cork or rubber. Most preferably the bung is a foam bung. Preferably the bung is attached to the dispensing device, for example, by a flexible connector, such as a thread.

The weight acts to cause the dispensing device to fall downwards through the air and water. The weight may be provided integrally with the container. For example, the weight could be provided by providing an insert into one end of the container, or by providing additional or denser material towards an end of the container. In one preferred embodiment the weight and the container are integrally moulded, and most preferably comprise moulded plastics material. This arrangement is advantageous in terms of reduced manufacturing costs and weight.

Alternatively, the weight may comprise a separate component joined to the container. For example, the weight may close one end of an open ended tube which forms the bait container, the other end of the tube providing the dispensing opening.

According to a further aspect the present invention provides: a bait dispensing device comprising: a bait holding container comprising a tube; one end of the tube providing a bait dispensing opening; a weight closing the other end of the tube; - 6 - the device comprising at least one fluid inlet at said other end of the tube.

The size and mass of the weight will depend upon factors such as the size of the dispensing device, the conditions under which it is to be used, and the speed and distances through which the device is to be cast before entering the water. In a preferred embodiment the weight is a lead weight. Preferably the weight is shaped to facilitate its movement through air and/or water.

lo Preferably the weight is elongate in shape, and most preferably the weight has a rounded tip. In a particularly preferred embodiment the weight is bullet shaped.

Preferably the water inlet is provided in the vicinity of the weight, and most preferably is provided in the weight. In this way, water will flow more effectively into the container as it moves downwards under action of gravity on the weight to force bait out of the dispensing opening, and also prevent bait from moving out of the container through the water inlet.

The water inlet may be a channel or bore formed in the weight.

Although only one water inlet need be provided, preferably the device comprises a plurality of water inlets. In this way, flow of water into the interior of the container may be enhanced. Thus in a preferred embodiment a plurality of inlets is provided, spaced circumferentially around the device.

In use the device is cast through the air and into the water, and may subsequently be drawn up out of the water and through the air once more to retrieve a baited catch. Preferably the dispensing device thus comprises at least one flight to facilitate its passage through air and/or water. Preferably at least one fin is provided on an external surface of the dispensing device.

Preferably the device comprises guide means for guiding bait out of the container. For example, guide means may be provided by appropriate shaping of the container in the region of the dispensing opening. In some arrangements the guide means may also function as a flight and vice versa. In the preferred embodiment where the dispensing opening is provided at an end of the container, the device preferably comprises a tail fin adjacent the dispensing opening which acts as a flight to facilitate the passage of the device through the air and/or water and also acts to guide bait out of the container. Preferably the tail fin is integrally formed with the container.

As discussed above, the bait may comprise live or inanimate bait, or a mixture thereof. The bait may range in size from small worms or prawns, to whole fish or fillets of fish. The bait may comprise only "free bait". In this case, the dispensing device may be cast by freely projecting or throwing it into the water.

However, more preferably the bait comprises at least some "hooked" bait. In this case, the dispensing device will usually be attached to a fishing line before it is cast into the water to allow any fish which swallows the hooked bait to be retrieved from the water. The hooked bait may be placed in the container and attached e.g. using a thread to a line or to a part of the dispensing device. Preferably the dispensing device thus comprises a fastener for fastening the device to a fishing line.

A fastener may be provided even if the bait dispenser is not intended to dispense hooked bait to allow the retrieval of the device from water for reuse.

The fastener may be fixedly or slidably connected to the fishing line. The fastener may comprise e.g. a hook or loop or similar formation which co-operates with a formation provided on an end of the line. The fastener may be directly attached to the device.

However, preferably the device comprises a connector which extends between the dispensing device and the - 8 fastener. The fastener may then be a separate member attached to the connector, or more preferably is provided integrally with the connector. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a loop formation at one end of the connector.

The connector may be flexible, e.g. a wire or thread, but preferably is a generally rigid connector e.g. a thicker diameter wire e.g. a 1-2mm diameter wire.

It has been found that if the dispensing device is attached to a line using a rigid connector, the device may move at greater distances through the air and at higher speeds, allowing bait to be dispensed over greater casting distances.

Where a tail fin is provided, preferably the connector extends through the tail panel. In this way, the connector will act to further stabilise the device in flight and maintain it streamlined.

The connector may be joined to any part of the bait dispensing device. However, preferably the connector is mounted to the weight. For example, an end of the connector may be inserted into the weight as it is moulded or cast. In this way, the connector may act to guide the dispenser in flight. In a particularly preferred embodiment the connector extends between the weight and the dispensing opening, and preferably extends the entire length of the device.

Preferably the connector extends through the device along a path away from the central axis of the device, and most preferably extends through the device adjacent a wall of the container. In this arrangement the connector will not impede the flow of bait out of the dispensing opening. Preferably the connector is arranged such that the fastener is approximately in line with a central axis of the device. Thus the upper part of the connector is preferably bent so as to bring the fastener into approximate alignment with the device's axis. In this arrangement, the connector thus - 9 - preferably extends out of the device at a location away from its central axis, before bending towards the central axis of the device at a location spaced from device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, therefore the connector is rigid, but not straight. By this it is meant that one end of the connector is offset from the other e.g. the connector incorporates a bend, or a curved portion. It has been found that a connector whose ends are offset at an angle in the range of from to 35 , and most preferably around 25-30 degrees is particularly advantageous. The Applicant has found that using a rigid connector of this configuration further enhances the speed and distance of flight of the device, and can also improve stability as the device moves through the air and/or water.

It is believed that this arrangement is new and advantageous in its own right. Thus from a further aspect, the present invention provides; a bait dispensing device comprising; a weight and bait retaining means; and a rigid connector for connecting the device to a fishing line; wherein the rigid connector is not straight.

The device may remain in often fast flowing water for some time until a fish grips the bait. Preferably the dispensing device comprises anchor means for anchoring the device to the bottom of e.g. a river or sea bed.

Preferably the anchor means comprises a plurality of legs which in use extend outwardly from the device.

The legs may be shaped as appropriate for gripping the sea bed. Preferably the legs comprise bent wires. In a preferred embodiment the anchor means is mounted in a bore or bores provided in the weight. Preferably the anchor means is retractable. For example, the anchor means may comprise legs which may be drawn back against the sides of the device when not in use. This may be achieved e.g. by mounting the legs in bores in the weight such that they may swivel within the bores. In a preferred embodiment where the water inlet comprises a recess or recesses in the weight, the anchor means extends out of the recess or recesses.

The invention extends to a bait dispensing device as described herein in combination with bait, and a bait dispensing device as described herein in combination with a fishing line.

A number of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bait delivering device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the bait delivering device shown in Figure 1 in the region of the dispensing opening in more detail, and with the tail fin 22 emitted for clarity; Figure 3 illustrates the bait dispensing device of Figure 1 in more detail in the region of the dispensing opening; Figure 4 shows a modification of the bait dispensing device in the region of the dispensing opening in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the bait dispensing device includes a container 2, a weight 4, and a dispensing opening 6. A rigid connecting wire 8 extends from the weight 4 through the container 2 and terminates in a loop fastener 10, which may be connected to a fishing line.

The rigid connecting wire 8 is mounted in a bore provided in the weight 4 (not shown). The connecting wire 8 is generally rigid, and comprises a wire of around 1-2 mm diameter. The connecting wire 8 extends from the weight 4 along the length of the container 2 adjacent a wall thereof, and, on leaving the container 2, then continues straight for a further portion up to bend 28. The rigid connecting wire 8 then bends towards the central axis of the device L-L, such that fastener is in line with the central axis L-L. The end of the rigid connecting wire 8 which defines the fastener 10 is thus offset at an angle from the end of the wire which is joined to the weight 4. The angle of offset is around 25-30 . A bung 12 is connected by a flexible line 14 to loop fastener 10, and can close the opening 6.

The container 2 is defined by an open ended cylindrical tube of plastics material which is closed at one end by the weight 4 to provide an enclosure for bait. The other end of the tube is open, and provides dispensing opening 6.

Container 2 is provided with a plurality of fins 16, which extend along the external surface of the container from the weight 4 towards the dispensing opening 6 to facilitate movement of the device through air and water. Only one of the fins 16 is shown in Figure 1 for the purposes of clarity, but in preferred embodiments a plurality of such fins are provided circumferentially spaced around the exterior surface of the container 2.

A tail fin 22 is joined to the wall of the container 2 adjacent dispensing opening 6. The tail panel 22 is formed by an extension of the material forming container 2. Tail fin 22 acts to help guide bait out of dispensing opening 6 and to guide the device 1 during flight, and also to facilitate removal of the device 1 from water. The rigid connecting wire 8 extends through an aperture 30 in tail fin 22. In this way the rigid connecting wire 8 helps to keep tail panel - 12 22 in its extended position in flight, and this arrangement also helps to streamline the device.

The region of the dispensing device in the vicinity of weight 4 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The weight 4 is formed from lead and comprises a rounded tip 24. The weight 4 is provided with two channels or recesses 18 which extend from adjacent the tip 24 of the weight 4 to the container 2. The recesses 18, with the container 2, define two inlets 26 along which water may flow into the interior of the container 2.

A plurality of wire legs 20 for anchoring the device to a sea or river bed are mounted in bores in the weight 4, and extend out of recesses 18 back towards the container 2, along the external surface of the dispensing device. For example, the wire legs may be inserted as straight wires into bores of the lead mould before lead is inserted into the mould to form the weight, and then bent to shape after the weight has been moulded. The wires may be e.g. 16 or 18 guage stainless wire. In this way, the legs 20 may be pivotally mounted in bores in the weight, and such that they may then swivel in the weight, allowing them to be drawn back towards the sides of the container 2 when not in use.

Figure 4 illustrates a bait dispensing device 1' in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The bait dispensing device 1' is similar to bait dispensing device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that instead of bung 12, a flap 40 is provided to cover dispensing opening 6. The flap 40 is attached to an edge of the dispensing opening 6 by a hinge 42.

Operation of the bait dispensing device 1 in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 will now be described. In use, loop fastener 10 is connected to a cooperating hook fastener provided on the end of a fishing line. A supply of bait is inserted into the container 2. Bung 12 is inserted into the dispensing opening 6, to substantially close the - 13 container 2, other than the fluid inlets 26. The legs are extended away from the sides of the device 1, and the device 1 is then cast through the air on the end of the fishing line. The flights 16 and tail fin 22 act with the elongated shape and pointed tip 24 of the weight 4 to provide the device with stability as it moves through the air towards the water. As the weight 4 moves through the air, air enters the water inlets 26, to create a seal of "dead air", preventing bait from leaving the device through the inlets 26.

The bait dispensing device 1 gradually falls into the water, and as the device 1 enters the water, water flows through the recesses 18 in the direction of the arrows A and into the interior of the container 2 through inlets 26. This pushes bait in the container against the bung 12, to force the bung 12 out of the dispensing opening 6, allowing bait to enter the water via dispensing opening 6. The movement of bait out of the device 1 is not impeded by connecting wire 8, as this wire extends through the container 2, and for a distance out of the device, away from the central axis L-L of the device, only bending back towards the central axis L-L at bend 28. The bait dispensing device 1 continues to move downwards through the water with the flow of water through container 2 pushing bait out of dispensing opening 6 until the device 1 hits the river or sea bed. The legs 20 then anchor the device to the river bed.

If hooked bait is included in the container 2, the bait may be connected to the end of the line or the dispensing device 1. In use, the bait dispensing device 1 will remain on the sea or river bed, attached to the fishing line, until such time as a fish grips the hooked bait. The fishing line may then be withdrawn from the water to withdraw the fish and the bait dispensing device 1. The tail fin 22 aids movement of the device 1 upward through the water. As the device is raised, - 14 water drains out of the container 2 through water inlets 26. The flow of water helps to remove sediment from the container. Even if no hooked bait is provided, the dispensing device may still be cast on the end of a fishing line to allow it to be more easily retrieved from the water after use.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 operates in a similar way to that of Figures 1 to 3, except that rather than inserting the bung into the dispensing opening, once bait has been placed in the container 2, the hinged flap 40 is brought down to cover the dispensing opening 6. The flap 40 will remain in place, closing the end of the container 2, until such time as it is forced up and away from the dispensing opening 6 under the action of water which has entered the container 2 through water inlets 26, allowing bait to move out of the container 2 and into the surrounding water.

It will be appreciated that the bait dispensing device of either embodiment need not be used in conjunction with a fishing line. For example, the device may simply be propelled or thrown into water to dispense bait.

The dimensions of the bait dispensing device may be selected as appropriate, depending upon the type of bait which is to be dispensed, and the nature of the fishing for which it is to be used e.g. sea fishing, river fishing, carp fishing or predator fishing. For example, for sea fishing the bait may range in size from small worms e.g. Harbour Ragworm or live prawns, to fillets of fish e.g. mackerel, or whole fish, such as squid. The bait may comprise pellets of ground fish or worms. It has been found that a suitable dispenser for sea fishing is obtained with a container of around loam in length, and 2cm diameter, and a weight of around 3cm in length.

The fluid inlets may be around 5mm in depth.

Although in the illustrated embodiments, bait - 15 dispensing devices 1, 1' comprise separate lead weights joined to a plastic cylindrical container section, the bait dispensing device may be integrally formed, with at least the container and weight portions formed from moulded plastics.

It will be appreciated that the bait dispensing device of the present invention allows free and/or hooked bait to be dispensed over greater distances, without damage. The container acts to protect free or hooked bait from the air and water as the dispenser is cast, and provides a streamlined enclosure for the bait.

Claims

Claims S 1. A bait dispensing device comprising: a bait holding container;

and, operatively attached to the container, a weight; said bait holding container comprising a bait dispensing opening and at least one water inlet, whereby on movement of the device through water under the influence of the weight, water enters the bait holding container through the water inlet to cause bait to be dispensed out of the bait dispensing opening.
2. The bait dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the walls of the container are solid.
3. The bait dispensing device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the interior of the container comprises means to direct water flowing into the container towards the dispensing opening.
4. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a single dispensing opening.
5. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the dispensing opening is located at an end of the container remote from the weight.
6. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the device further comprises a cover closing the dispensing opening, the cover mounted such that on entry of the device into water, water entering the container through the water inlet moves the cover away from the dispensing opening to allow bait to be dispensed through the dispensing opening under the action of the water.
7. The bait dispensing device of claim 6 wherein the cover comprises a bung, which, on entry of water into the container is forced out of the dispensing opening.
8. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the weight and the container are integrally moulded.
9. A bait dispensing device comprising: a bait holding container comprising a tube; one end of the tube providing a bait dispensing opening; a weight closing the other end of the tube; the device comprising at least one fluid inlet at said other end of the tube.
10. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the water or fluid inlet is a channel or bore formed in the weight.
11. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the device comprises at least one flight to facilitate its passage through air and/or water.
12. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the device comprises guide means for guiding bait out of the container.
13. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim wherein the dispensing device comprises a fastener for fastening the device to a fishing line.
14. The bait dispensing device of claim 13 wherein the lo device comprises a connector which extends between the dispensing device and the fastener, said fastener extending between the weight and the dispensing opening of the dispensing device.
15. The bait dispensing device of claim 14 wherein the connector is rigid but not straight.
16. A bait dispensing device comprising: a weight and bait retaining means; and a rigid connector for connecting the device to a fishing line; wherein the rigid connector is not straight.
17. The bait dispensing device of any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of legs which in use extend outwardly from the device.
18. A bait dispensing device as described herein in combination with the bait. - 19
19. A bait dispensing device as described herein in combination with a fishing line.
20. The bait dispensing device as substantially herein described and with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.