GB2444335A

GB2444335A - Fishing Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2444335A
Application number: GB0625787A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Thomas Midson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-02
Filing date: 2006-12-02
Publication date: 2008-06-04
Also published as: GB0625787D0

Abstract

Apparatus 10 for supporting a fishing rod 20 comprising a first part 14 for supporting a front portion 22 of the fishing rod 20, a second portion 16 for supporting the rear 24 of the fishing rod 20, and sensor means 30 to monitor the line of the fishing rod 20 for evidence of a bite. Additionally the second part 16 comprises a visual indicator 40 couple to the sensor means 30. The visual indicator 40 may be detachably coupled to the second part 16, and may take the form of a passive device with first and second inputs having different configurations. The sensor means may comprise a plurality of sensors and the second part may be configured to hold a plurality of rods 20, each rod 20 being associated with a different sensor means, 30 with the visual indicators 40 on the second part 16 being associated with a respective rod 20.

Description

TITLE: FISHING APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to fishing apparatus, and more specifically in a first aspect to apparatus for supporting a fishing rod and in a second aspect to apparatus for connection to a bite alarm.

It is known in the art to provide apparatus for supporting a fishing rod when a line of the fishing rod has been deployed in water so as to avoid the need for an angler to hold the rod for long periods of time. Such supports are often configured to support multiple fishing

rods (e.g. in the field of carp fishing)

It is also known in art to provide alarms (comntonly known as "bite alarms") for monitoring the line of a fishing rod for evidence of a bite on the line. Such bite alarms comprise a sensor for detecting evidence of a bite on the line (usually by sensing movement of the line relative to the fishing rod) and an alarm, coupled to the sensor, for providing an alarm signal when evidence of a bite is sensed. Typically, the alarm includes both a visual alarm and an audible alarm. In the case of a support for multiple fishing rods, each fishing rod is provided with a respective bite alarm. The fishing rods and their respective bite alarms are coupled to the support by means of an elongate member (commonly known as a "buzz bar") Speed of response to an alarm signal is of great importance since an angler must react quickly in order to maximise their chances of catching a fish that has brief contact with bait on a line. ccordingly, the present applicant has identified the need for providing a way of increasing a user's reaction time to an alarm signal produced by a bite alarm.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for supporting a fishing rod when a line of the fishing rod is deployed in water, the apparatus comprising: a first part for supporting a front portion of the fishing rod; a second part for supporting a rear (e.g. handle portion) of the fishing rod; and sensor means configured to monitor the line of the fishing rod for evidence of a bite on the line; wherein the second part comprises a visual indicator coupled to the sensor means, the visual indicator being configured to provide a visual signal when the bite sensor means senses evidence of a bite.

In this way, a support for a fishing rod is provided in which a visual indicator is located near the handle of part of the fishing rod (i.e. behind a reel of the fishing rod) so as to provide a user sat behind or by the handle with a clearly identifiable visual indication of when a bite has been sensed. Pdvaritageously, such an arrangement overcomes problems associated with a user sat behind a fishing rod attempting to view a visual alarm signal produced by a bite alarm that is partly or wholly obscured by the fishing rod and/or the reel of the fishing rod.

The visual indicator may be detachable from the second part. For example, the visual indicator may comprises a housing configured to be detachably coupled to the second part. In one embodiment, the second part comprises a shaft and the housing of the visual indicator comprises an opening (e.g. an aperture or slot) for engaging the shaft.

Locking means (e.g. a locking nut) may be provided for securing the housing in place on the shaft.

The visual indicator may be a passive device. For example, the visual indicator may be configured to passively convert an electrical signal received from the bite sensor into a visual indication.

The visual indicator may be the only form of indicator located on the second part. In this way, the visual indicator's power usage may be kept to a minimum.

The visual indicator may comprise first and second inputs each for connection to the sensor, the first and second inputs having different configurations. For example, the first and second inputs may comprise 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm jack sockets respectively. In this way, the visual indicator may be connected to various types of bite alarm without the need for an adaptor.

In one embodiment, the sensor means comprises a plurality of sensors and the second part is configured to support a plurality of fishing rods, each fishing rod being associated with a respective sensor. For example, the second part may comprise a elongate member (i.e. a "buzz bar") . The visual indicator may be configured to identify which of the plurality of sensors has been activated. In this way, the apparatus of the present invention provides a clearly identifiable visual indication of when a bite has been sensed as well as identifying which of the plurality of fishing rods the activated sensor is associated with.

The visual indicator may comprise a plurality of discrete visual indicators each in use being associated with a respective fishing rod. In one embodiment, the second part comprises a plurality of discrete mounting points each for receiving a respective fishing rod and the discrete visual indicators are located proximal to a respective mounting point. Advantageously, such an arrangement provides a user with a readily identifiable correlation between the discrete visual indicators and their respective fishing rods.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for connection to a bite alarm, comprising: means for coupling the apparatus to an output from a bite alarm; and a visual indicator configured to provide a visual signal in response to a signal received from a bite alarm via the coupling means.

The apparatus may comprise a housing configured to be detachably coupled to a support for a fishing rod. In one embodiment, the housing comprises an opening (e.g. an aperture or slot) for engaging a shaft of a support for a fishing rod. For example, the housing may be configured for attachment to a rod rest or a buzz bar. The apparatus may be a passive device. For example, the visual indicator may be configured to passively convert an electrical signal received from the bite alarm into a visual indication.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a single visual indicator. For example, the apparatus may comprise a single LED.

The visual indicator may be the only form of indicator included in the apparatus. In this way, the visual indicator's power usage may be kept to a minimum.

The apparatus may comprise first and second inputs each for connection to a bite alarm, the first and second inputs having different configurations. For example, the first and second inputs may comprise 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm Jack sockets respectively. In this way, the visual indicator may be connected to various types of bite alarm without the need for an adaptor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a support embodying the present invention when in use; and Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a component shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a support 10 for supporting a plurality of fishing rods 20 when a line of the fishing rod (not shown) is deployed in water. Support 10 comprises a free-standing rod pod assembly 12 of the type known in the art including a first part (or buzz bar) 14 for supporting a front portion 22 of each fishing rod 20 and a second part 16 for supporting a handle portion 24 of each fishing rod located rearward of a reel assembly 26 of each fishing rod 20. Mounted between the first part 14 of the support and the front portion 22 of each fishing rod 20 is a bite alarm 30, each bite alarm 30 comprising a sensor (not shown) for monitoring movement of the line relative to its respective fishing rod 20. The handle portion 24 of each fishing rod 20 is coupled to the second part 16 of the support 10 by means of a respective rod grip 18. Each rod grip 18 is attached to the second part 16 by means of a respective screw-threaded shaft (not shown) . Detachably mounted on each screw-threaded shaft between the second part 16 and its respective rod grip 18 is a visual indicator 40. Each visual indicator 40 is connected to its respective bite alarm 30 by means of a co-axial cable 50.

As shown in Figure 2, each visual indicator 40 comprises a two-part stainless steel housing 41, 42.

Housing part 41 includes an LED mount 43 for receiving an LED 44 and an integral fixing bracket 45 in the form of a front mount plate including a mounting aperture 46 for receiving the threaded-shaft. Housing part 41 further comprises a 2.5 mm jack socket 48 and a 3.5 mm jack socket 49, each jack socket 48, 49 being connected to the LED 44 to form a passive electrical circuit, whereby receipt of an alarm signal from a respective bite alarm 30 causes LED 44 to emit light for the duration of the alarm signal in order to provide a visual signal to a user.

In another version, the visual indicator of the present invention may be attached direct to a rear part of the rod pod assembly. In another version, the rod pod assembly may be replaced by front and rear elongate members configured to be stabbed into the ground (i.e. front and rear rod rests) for supporting the front portion and the rear portion of the fishing rod respectively.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for supporting a fishing rod when a line of the

fishing rod is deployed in water, the apparatus comprising: a first part for supporting a front portion of the fishing rod; a second part for supporting a rear portion of the fishing rod; and sensor means configured to monitor the line of the fishing rod for evidence of a bite on the line; wherein the second part comprises a visual indicator coupled to the sensor means, the visual indicator being configured to provide a visual signal when the bite sensor means senses evidence of a bite.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is detachable from the second part.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the visual indicator comprises a housing configured to be detachably coupled to the second part.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second part comprises a shaft and the housing of the visual indicator comprises an opening for engaging the shaft.
5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual indicator is a passive device.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the visual indicator is the only form of indicator located on the second part.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual indicator comprises first and second inputs each for connection to the sensor, the first and second inputs having different configurations.
8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor means comprises a plurality of sensors and the second part is configured to support a plurality of fishing rods, each fishing rod being associated with a respective sensor.
9. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second part comprises a elongate member.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the visual indicator is configured to identify which of the plurality of sensors has been activated.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the visual indicator comprises a plurality of discrete visual indicators each in use being associated with a respective fishing rod.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second part comprises a plurality of discrete mounting points each for receiving a respective fishing rod and the discrete visual indicators are located proximal to a respective mounting point.