GB2466959A

GB2466959A - Fishing bite alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2466959A
Application number: GB0900621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Tasker; Cottis Maxwell; Paul Grint
Original assignee: ADVANCED CARP EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: ADVANCED CARP EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-15
Filing date: 2009-01-15
Publication date: 2010-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-15
Also published as: GB2466959B; GB0900621D0

Abstract

A fishing bite alarm comprises a bite detector 1, which includes a permanent magnet (figure 3, 12) and at least two induction sensor coils (figure 3, 14 and 16). Movement of a fishing line 4 results in relative movement between the magnet and coils, and an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of longitudinal movement of the line is generated. Preferably, the magnet, which may have any number of pole pairs, comprises a magnetic ring that shares a common axis of rotation with a roller 3 supporting the fishing line. The electrical signal is preferably in the form of an alternating current. Signal information may be transmitted to a remote receiver. Following processing of the electrical signal, an alarm state can be generated comprising any one or more of audible, visual or vibrational alarms. The alarm generating stage may be connected to the device using wireless communication.

Description

FISHING BITE ALARM

The present invention relates, in general, to a fishing bite alarm and a method of detecting movement in a fishing line. Such devices are used in angling to indicate the attention of a fish on bait.

Bite alarms are devices which can detect and indicate the movement and/or vibration of a fishing line in response to the attention of a fish on bait.

Previous examples of bite alarm detection techniques generally fall into two types, although other techniques including optical methods have been utilised as described in WO 2004 021777.

A first type of bite alarms is those which utilise the properties of piezoelectric materials and a second type of bite alarms is those that employ rotating magnets and hall-effect or reed switches.

Piezoelectric detectors rely on the properties of piezoelectric materials to generate an electrical voltage in response to vibration. Examples of bite is alarms employing piezoelectric detectors can be found in GB 2430312, GB 2250901, GB 2222060 and GB 2392435.

The piezoelectric detectors rely on the stick-slip (static-dynamic) friction properties of a material over which a tensioned fishing line is passed. These properties are affected greatly by the size and type of line which passes over this material and also by the climatic conditions which prevail. Rain, for example, will severely decrease the static and dynamic friction coefficients.

This means that sensitivity must be increased to compensate for this condition. Unfortunately however the rain, by striking the line itself, can cause the alarm to misinterpret this as a fish bite when sensitivity is accordingly increased. Moreover, the piezoelectric detector is also capable of missing line movement completely due to incorrect settings.

The method of using a rotating magnet and reed or hall-effect detectors are generally not subject to the need to adjust sensitivity for rain as they are unaffected by line type or its friction characteristics. Examples of bite alarms employing rotating magnet reed or hall-effect can be found in CA 2294256 and EP 0850562.

This method will rarely fail to detect absolute line movement but a large disadvantage is its inability to detect a fish "nibble" which manifests itself as line vibration.

There are also issues with detecting rotation direction. To enable this kind of arrangement to partially overcome the failings, two reed switches and a piezoelectric device are generally employed.

Even this combination still does not provide adequate levels of io discrimination for the angler. With such a combination there can be a considerable time lag between a reed switch being activated and it being released so there is a fundamental limit to the resolution of such a system.

Line movements under about 4mm are not readily reproducible in practice.

An improved bite alarm is disclosed in the applicant's co-pending UK is application GB0722600.4, the contents of which are disclosed herein by reference in their entirety. According to GB0722600.4, there is provided a roller mounted co-axially with an electrical generator comprising a rotor, wherein, when in use, longitudinal movement of a line causes the actuator to impart rotational movement to the rotor and thereby generate an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of the longitudinal movement of the line.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement on the resolution and robustness of bite alarms by replacing reed switches with an alternative device.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a fishing bite alarm comprising a device having a magnet including alternating poles movable relative to at least two induction sensor coils; wherein, in use, movement of a fishing line causes relative movement between the magnet and the at least two induction sensor coils to thereby generate an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of the movement of the line.

The invention therefore provides substantially instant and proportional signals relating to movement of a fishing line in either longitudinal direction.

The signals can be processed, with a high degree of certainty, to provide an alarm signal which can alert an angler to the attention of fish upon his bait and discriminate between a "bite", "nibble" and environmental affects such as raindrops.

Preferably, the magnet comprises a magnetic ring and is rotatable relative to the at least two induction sensor coils.

More preferably, the magnetic ring has a common axis of rotation with a roller. f a roller is used a fishing line rests on or is supported by the roller such that any longitudinal movement of the fishing line imparts a rotational movement into the roller and hence the co-axially mounted magnetic ring.

The roller and magnetic ring are mounted upon a common axle which provides a convenient package for a user. Alternatively, the magnetic ring can support a fishing line and thereby be directly driven by the fishing line.

Preferably, the at least two induction sensor coils are disposed in a concentric ring around the magnetic ring and spaced around the ring substantially 45 degrees apart.

Preferably, the magnet comprises two pole pairs, more preferably 3 pole pairs, more preferably 4 pole pairs and can comprise any number of pole pairs and adjusting the angle between the sensor coils accordingly such that it allows for quadrature signals to be output subject to manufacturing constraints. Increasing the number of pole pairs in the magnet provides a higher resolution of rotation, speed and direction. Preferably, the signal is an alternating current and can be readily processed in electronic hardware or converted to be processed in software.

Preferably, the signal is communicated to electronic circuitry comprising a signal amplification stage and a signal processing stage and the mechanism is further connected to an alarm generating stage. By processing the signal further information content can be obtained enabling discrimination between events.

Preferably, the alarm generating stage comprises any one or more of audible, visual or vibrational alarms. Such alarms can be selected from light emitting diodes, audible bleepers, vibration devices or message such as SMS message alerts.

Preferably the electronic circuitry comprises a microprocessor for enhanced functionality.

Preferably the electronic circuitry comprises a transmitter for transmitting signal information resulting from the signal processing stage to a remote receiver. In this way, a user can be remote from the angling site and still remain alert to events.

Preferably, the alarm generating stage is remote from the mechanism and the mechanism is connectable to the alarm generating stage by wireless communication.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a rod and line assembly comprising a fishing bite alarm as described in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention and wherein the device is connected to the rod and the line is attached to or supported by a drive means to impart movement into the magnet relative to the coils.

Preferably, in use the line is held under tension. Tension is preferably provided by way of a tension weight on the line. More preferably, the tension weight is provided on the line and between the drive means and reel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fishing rod and line kit comprising a fishing rod, line and fishing bite alarm.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting movement in a fishing line comprising moving a magnet including alternating poles relative to at least two induction sensor coils; and generating an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of longitudinal movement of the line.

Preferably the signal is an alternating current and processed wherein signal processing the voltage includes determining a linear speed of the line.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fishing rod and line assembly with a fishing bite alarm according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a roller connected to the fishing bite alarm of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the fishing bite alarm illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and showing a magnetic ring and two induction sensor coils; Figure 4 is a graphical representation of an output of the fishing bite alarm is according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 and according to a first embodiment of the present invention the general arrangement of a fishing rod 8 assembly comprises an attached reel 5, a bite detector 1, a line 4 and a hanger 6 to provide tension on the line. Direction arrow 7 indicates where the hook and bait (not shown in Figure 1) are located. The bite detector 1 comprises a roller 3 connected to a housing 10 comprising a magnetic ring (not shown in Figure 1). The detector 1 is attached to the rod 8 using a releasable fixing arrangement such as a clamp or hook (not shown).

Referring to Figure 2, the roller 3 supports the line 4 and is connected to the housing 10 comprising the magnetic ring (not shown in Figure 2). As best seen in Figure 3, the magnetic ring 12 comprises alternating north and south poles adjacent two coils 14, 16.

As discussed herein, the present invention seeks to introduce higher levels of resolution and superior robustness using metal wound coils to replace the reed switches.

In operation, the roller 3 is fixed co-axially to the magnetic ring 12 with alternating poles in such a way that the line 4 movement causes rotation of the magnetic ring 12 in a clockwise or anticlockwise motion depending on the line 4 movement.

Since linear motion of the line 4 causes proportionally angular motion on the magnetic ring 12 then this in turn provides an alternating magnetic field which is directly proportional to line speed.

The two copper coils 14, 16 shown in Figure 3 sense the change in magnetic field and translate this to an alternating current. The electrical activity of the two coils 14, 16 is shown in the graph of Figure 4.

Direction N in Figure 4 indicates a north pole and direction S a south pole.

is The letter A indicates zero magnetic field. Since the two sensor coils 14, 16 are placed at 45 degrees apart from each other their currents lag or lead each other by 45 degrees. Using conventional and well known quadrature techniques the direction of rotation of the roller 3 can be interpreted by interrogating the signals from the coils 14, 16. Similarly the rate of change of these signals is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the roller 3 and hence linear speed of the fishing line 4.

The method of translating the electrical activity of the sensors 14, 16 into alarm indications can be many and varied of which one is described here as a specific embodiment.

The output of the sensors 14, 16 is fed to amplifiers which bring the signals up in to the domain of conventional digital signals. Each amplifiers output is fed to a Schmitt trigger to clean up the transitions and prevent ambiguity.

The signals are then fed to a microprocessor to decode the signals to provide speed and direction information.

The microprocessor through its firmware program will provide outputs to any number of human interface devices e.g. buzzers and LED's.

The microprocessor could also provide the basis for coded transmission to remote receivers for anglers who are away from their fishing rods.

Changing the points at which the alarm is triggered again can be many and varied and can be individually set in terms of velocity or distance; both directions can be individually set.

An alternative arrangement could be to connect the sensors directly to analog to digital converters to directly measure the signals. This would io provide much higher resolution of rotation information at the expense of processor operation time.

Numerous arrangements of the poles within the magnetic ring i.e. N-S-N-S or N-N-S-S can be used to provide the same level of information and increasing the numbers of poles and adjusting the angle between the sensor coils will provide higher resolution of the rotation.

Amplifying the signal(s) highly can even be used to provide a degree of vibration detection (longitudinal rapid direction changes) this may indicate the attention of a fish on the bait but not a confirmed bite.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fishing bite alarm comprising a device having a magnet including alternating poles movable relative to at least two induction sensor coils; wherein, in use, movement of a fishing line causes relative movement between the magnet and the at least two induction sensor coils to thereby generate an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of the movement of the line.
2. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet io comprises a magnetic ring.
3. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetic ring has a common axis of rotation with a roller.
4. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least two induction sensor coils are disposed in a concentric ring around the magnetic ring.
5. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least two induction sensor coils are spaced around the ring substantially 45 degrees apart for two pole pairs.
6. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising two, three, four, five or six pole pairs with an appropriate angular displacement of the two induction sensors.
7. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal is an alternating current and is in use communicated to electronic circuitry comprising a signal amplification stage and a signal processing stage and the mechanism is further connected to an alarm generating stage.
8. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 7, wherein the alarm generating stage comprises any one or more of audible, visual or vibrational alarms.
9. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 8, wherein alarms are selected from light emitting diodes, audible bleepers, vibration devices or message such as SMS message alerts.
10. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a microprocessor.
11. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a transmitter for transmitting signal information resulting from the signal processing stage to a remote receiver.
12. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alarm generating stage is remote from the mechanism and the mechanism is connectable to the alarm generating stage by wireless communication.
13. A rod and line assembly comprising a fishing bite alarm as claimed is in any preceding claim and wherein the device is connected to the rod and the line is attached to or supported by a drive means to impart movement into the magnet relative to the coils.
14. A rod and line assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in use the line is held under tension.
15. A rod and line assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein a tension weight is provided on the line and between the drive means and reel.
16. A method of detecting movement in a fishing line comprising moving a magnet including alternating poles relative to at least two induction sensor coils; and generating an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of longitudinal movement of the line.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the signal is an alternating current and signal processing the alternating current includes determining a velocity of the line.
18. A fishing bite alarm as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A method of detecting movement in a fishing line as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A fishing bite alarm comprising a device having a magnet including alternating poles movable relative to at least two induction sensor coils; wherein, in use, movement of a fishing line causes relative movement between the magnet and the at least two induction sensor coils to thereby generate an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of the movement of the line.2. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet comprises a magnetic ring.3. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetic ring has a common axis of rotation with a roller.4. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least two induction sensor coils are disposed in a concentric ring around the magnetic ring.5. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least two induction sensor coils are spaced around the ring substantially 45 degrees apart for two pole pairs. I... * S * S. S6. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims S. comprising two, three, four, five or six pole pairs with an appropriate angular displacement of the at least two induction sensors.7. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal is an alternating current and is in use communicated to electronic circuitry comprising a signal amplification stage and a signal processing stage and the mechanism is further connected to an alarm generating stage.8. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 7, wherein the alarm generating stage comprises any one or more of audible, visual or vibrational alarms.9. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 8, wherein alarms are selected from light emitting diodes, audible bleepers, vibration devices or message such as SMS message alerts.10. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a microprocessor.11. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein io the electronic circuitry comprises a transmitter for transmitting signal information resulting from the signal processing stage to a remote receiver.12. A fishing bite alarm as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alarm generating stage is remote from the mechanism and the mechanism is connectable to the alarm generating stage by wireless communication.13. A rod and line assembly comprising a fishing bite alarm as claimed in any preceding claim and wherein the device is connected to the rod and the line is attached to or supported by a drive means to impart movement into the magnet relative to the coils.14. A rod and line assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein, in use the line is held under tension. * S.15. A rod and line assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein a tension * weight is provided on the line and between the drive means and reel.16. A method of detecting movement in a fishing line comprising moving a magnet including alternating poles relative to at least two induction sensor coils; and generating an electrical signal proportional to the amplitude of the movement of the line.17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the signal is an alternating current and signal processing the alternating current includes determining a linear speed of the line.18. A fishing bite alarm as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.19. A method of detecting movement in a fishing line as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. * SS ** S **** * * See. * ** * S S 5.5.S * * I. * S S S *S S. * * . . S.