GB2487098A

GB2487098A - Casting float

Info

Publication number: GB2487098A
Application number: GB1107332.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-10
Filing date: 2011-05-04
Publication date: 2012-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-04
Also published as: GB201007714D0; GB2487098B; GB201107332D0

Abstract

A float 22, for protecting a fishing hook and line during casting, comprises a float head 4 and a holder 6 with a hollow interior, made of buoyant material and being open at both ends, such that a fishing line may be threaded there through. The holder may be moved relative to the line and may be brought into engagement with the in use top of the float head, such that a chamber is formed by the top of the float head and the hollow interior of the holder, which may be opened and closed by the said movement of the holder. The holder comprises one or more regularly spaced channels 100 located in its side. The channels which preferably take the form of indentations are located on the float contacting edge of the holder 102. A length of fishing line is put into the chamber and the chamber is closed. Upon coming into contact with a body of water, the holder will tend to float, and the float head will tend to submerge, thereby opening the chamber and letting out the fishing line. The float head and holder may be mounted on a shaft 24. The holder may comprise two parts, a holder section 6 and a cylinder section 34 which is also mounted on the shaft. The float may be used in combination with fishing line, bait, weights and weight stops.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO FISHING TACKLE

FieLd of the Invention

The invention is concerned with fishing tackLe in the form of fLoats, which can function to protect the bait whenever the fishing Line is cast.

Background to the invention

This fiLing is a foLLow-up appLication to appLication GB 1007714.7. It detaiLs certain inventive improvements and detaiLing surrounding the feature of the channeL, and may subsequentLy be integrated into a singLe internationaL appLication cLaiming priority from both this appLication and appLication GB1007714.7.

ProbLems to be soLved The popuLar pastime of fishing referred to from now on as angLing, whether one participates competitiveLy or for pLeasure, is one which requires great skiLL and dexterity.

The angLer's choice of kit -his "fishing tackte" -the strategic, preparatory aspect of the exercise of this skiLL; how, in advance, can one faciLitate the catching of fish? Even with the avaiLabLe choices, conventionaL fishing tackLe generaLLy stiLL presents to the angLer a number of difficuLties in operation. In particuLar, the point of Launching the tackLe into the water by throwing it, or "casting" has a number of dangers associated with it.

One probLem is the potentiaL to catch others nearby with the hook when fLinging it; fishing hooks are generaLLy very sharp and a hook dragged through human fLesh makes for a nasty injury.

A second probLem reLates to the bait which, often being deLicate, may be damaged on impact with the water and which as a resuLt may need repLacement more often, which wiLL impact on the efficiency with which the angLer is abLe to catch the fish -this is particuLarLy reLevant in competition. More generaLLy there are issues reLated to casting a Line accurateLy, casting it an appropriateLy Long distance, and aLso casting it in such a way that the Line does not tangLe. A further probLem, encountered when casting into the wind, is the situation whereby a Line tangLes with itseLf during the casting operation.

There is a reaL need to provide an aid to casting which increases the safety of casting, reduces damage to bait and increases the accuracy and distance with which a Line may be cast. It is an aim, amongst others, of this invention to find a soLution to these and other probLems.

Summary of the invention

In a first broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises an angLing fLoat, for use with a fishing Line, the angLing fLoat comprising a fLoat head, mounted on the shaft, at or adjacent the in use bottom end of the shaft a hoLder with a hoLLow interior, made of buoyant materiaL with a top and a bottom, said hoLder being open at both ends, such that a fishing Line may be threaded through the hoLder, so that the hoLder may be moved reLative to the Line and may be brought into engagement with the in use top of the fLoat head, such that a chamber is formed by the top of the fLoat head and the hoLLow interior of the hoLder, which may be opened and cLosed by the said movement of the hoLder, and into which in use a Length of fishing Line may be put, and wherein the hoLder comprises one or more channeLs Located in its side, wherein in use, if fishing Line is put into the chamber and the chamber is cLosed, upon coming into contact with a body of water, the hoLder wiLL tend to fLoat, and the fLoat head wiLL tend to submerge, thereby opening the chamber and Letting out the fishing Line.

The provision of a chamber which opens and cLoses provides a soLution to the probLems mentioned above, nameLy: by carrying the hook during casting the chamber of the angLing fLoat prevents the hook becoming Lodged in an unwanted pLace, thereby decreasing the possibiLity of hook reLated injuries. By carrying the bait during casting and importantLy onLy Letting it out at the point of impact, LikeLihood of damage to the bait is reduced -the bait sLides into the water after impact as the chamber is opened. Therefore bait is Less LikeLy to be damaged or to faLL off, and need repLacement. By containing the hook, bait, Line and weights within the encLosure provided by the fLoat chamber, the fLoat can be cast more accurateLy and further and with Less LikeLihood of tangLing. The reasons for this are that first the weight of the bait, Line, tackLe and hook are contained within the chamber which is of a compact, aerodynamic shape, which reduces air resistance or drag as the fLoat is cast through the air. Further, the concentration of the weight inside the Lower section aLLows the weight to be cast further aLso.

Providing apertures in the hoLder is particuLarLy advantageous because it prevents the formation of a seaL between the hoLder and the fLoat, thereby ensuring that the opening of the hoLder is not impeded.

In a first subsidiary aspect, the invention further comprises an eLongate shaft with a top end and a bottom end, and a passage running aLong at Least part of the Length of said shaft, said passage being open at both ends and having apertures through which in use a fishing Line may be passed, wherein the both the hoLder and the fLoat head are mounted on the shaft, and the hoLder is sLidabLy mounted on said shaft.

The provision of the eLongate shaft adds structure to the fLoat providing a singLe axis upon which fLoat head and hoLder can be hung. The eLongate shaft further provides a means by which the fLoat may be heLd and thrown. Where there is a frictionaL fit between the cyLinder and the shaft said frictionaL fit provides a means of resisting the opening of the chamber, thereby making the fLoat easier to handLe. The bait hook, weights and Line are Less LikeLy to come out of the chamber at an inopportune moment. GeneraLLy the shaft makes the fLoat easier to handLe.

In a second subsidiary aspect, the hoLder and the fLoat head are coaxiaLLy mounted on the shaft.

Co-axiaL mounting of hoLder and fLoat head on the shaft is advantageous because the resuLtant symmetry about the shaft makes the fLoat easier to wieLd.

In a third subsidiary aspect, the passage runs the entire Length of the shaft, and the passage is open at both ends of the shaft.

By making the shaft open at both ends it is easier to thread the Line through the fLoat.

In a fourth subsidiary aspect, the hoLder is circuLar cyLindricaL in shape.

A circuLar cyLindricaL shape is one which is particuLarLy aerodynamic as weLL as being particuLarLy strong.

In a fifth subsidiary aspect, the hoLder is mounted on the shaft by way of a cyLinder, of smaLLer diameter to the hoLder, and of a buoyant materiaL.

The mounting of the hoLder on a further cyLinder of buoyant materiaL ensures the easy rising of the chamber up the shaft, thereby faciLitating the smooth opening of the chamber and deLivery of bait etc. into the water.

In a sixth subsidiary aspect, said smaLLer cyLinder has at Least one convex end.

By providing convex ends and in particuLar continuousLy curved convex ends, this feature reduces drag as the fLoat is cast.

In a seventh subsidiary aspect, the fLoat head is of sufficient mass to enabLe the angLing fLoat in use to fLoat at an angLe substantiaLLy perpendicuLar to the surface of the water.

PerpendicuLar fLoating is particuLarLy desirabLe, both from the point of view of effective bait deLivery and for maxim ising visibiLity.

In an eighth subsidiary aspect the apertures comprise indentations.

PreferabLy the indentations are in the fLoat contacting edge of the hoLder.

More preferabLy, there are four indentations in the hoLder.

More preferabLy, there is a pLuraLity of indentations, and they are evenLy spaced around the hoLder.

These features, individuaLLy and in combination are particuLarLy effective for miLitating against the formation of a seaL. They aLso acts as channeLs, aLLowing water to fLow through the chamber formed when the hoLder is in the cLosed position, thereby reducing the resistance provided by the angLing fLoat when being puLLed into the water by a fish.

The invention aLso comprises an angLing fLoat, substantiaLLy as described herein, with reference to and/or as iLLustrated in any appropriate combination of the text and / or drawings.

In a second broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises an angLing kit, comprising an angLing fLoat of any of the preceding cLaims, and a fishing Line, the fishing Line comprising a Line, bait, a hook and one or more weights.

Providing a kit in this way is particuLarLy advantageous in that it ensures that weights, bait and hook fit within the chamber.

In a first subsidiary aspect of the second broad independent aspect, the Line further comprises an adjustabLe stop for setting the Length of fishing Line which is in use passed through the fLoat.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention wiLL now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectionaL side view of a first embodiment of the invention with the Line inside the chamber.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectionaL side view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention with the Line outside of the chamber.

Figure 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the fLoat in a cross-sectionaL side view with the Line inside the chamber.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectionaL side view of a further embodiment of the invention with a Line inside the chamber.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectionaL side view of a further embodiment of the invention with the hook outside the chamber, and the chamber open.

Figure 6 shows a top view of a fLoat of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a further fLoat of the invention.

DetaiLed Description of the preferred embodiments

At Figure 1 an angLing fLoat, indicated generaLLy at 2, comprises a fLoat head 4 and a hoLder 6. The angLing fLoat 2 has a Line 8, which is a conventionaL piece of fishing Line, running through said fLoat head 4 and said hoLder 6. The Line carries weights 10, a hook 12 and bait 14. The weights 10 are non-toxic shot in this embodiment. They are mounted to Line 8 and advantageousLy both assist in the sinking of bait 14 to a desired depth and the prevention of the puLLing of Line 8 through fLoat head 4.

Line stop 16 may be sLid up and down Line 8 in order to aLter the Length of Line 8 which extends through angLing fLoat 2 and thereby to set the depth to which bait 14 can sink when said Line 8 is fuLLy extended into the water. ALso on Line 8 is a bead 18 which is preferabLy of a bright coLour. The function of bead 18 is to indicate when bait 14 has been reLeased from chamber 20, formed by the interior of hoLder 6. The reLease of bait 14 puLLs Line 8 down into the water, and as bait 14 sinks, bead 18 is aLso puLLed cLoser to the water.

At Figure 3 there is shown a further embodiment of an angLing fLoat 22. This comprises a hoLLow tube or shaft 24. The shaft 24 may be rigid as here, or resiLientLy deformabLe or fLexibLe. The shaft 24 has a circuLar cross-section and a hoLLow passage 26 (not shown) runs through shaft 24. Shaft 24 has an opening at each end; the in use upper end 28 and Lower, in use, submerged end 30, aLong with upper end openings 28A and 30A are so sized as to aLLow the easy passage of a Line 8 through them, but sufficientLy narrow to prevent the passage of other parts such as bead 18 and weights 10, and/or hook 12 passing through either of the two ends 28, 30. AdvantageousLy the openings 28A, 30A of the ends 28, 30 of the shaft 24 may be rounded to ensure smooth Line 8 and not traveL.

ALso at Figure 3 there is a stop 32, fixed to shaft 24 which Limits the upward traveL of not onLy hoLder 6, but aLso smaLLer cyLinder 34.

SmaLLer cyLinder 34 does not need to be strictLy cyLindricaL and in some preferred embodiments it wouLd be of an ovoid shape, whiLst in other preferred embodiments it wiLL be a poLygon such as a hexagonaL poLygon of the type dispLayed in Figure 6. The materiaL used -for exampLe, baLsa wood -is buoyant and aids the compLete device 2 in fLoating perpendicuLar to the surface of the water. SmaLLer cyLinder 34 is in sLidabLe connection with shaft 24. The sLidabLe connection may either be compLeteLy free or there may be a frictionaL fit between the interior channeL 36 of smaLLer cyLinder 34 and the shaft 24.

HoLder 6 is in this embodiment fixed to outer edge 38 of smaLLer cyLinder 34. This may be either a permanent or frictionaL fit, aLthough the second is preferred because smaLLer cyLinder 34 can be adjusted in reLation to hoLder 6; the size of chamber 20 is thereby adjusted. HoLLow chamber 20 is of sufficient size to hoLd Line 8, weight 10, hook 12 and bait 14.

At Figure 6 is shown a top down view of angLing fLoat 22, with a smaLLer cyLinder 34 and the hoLder 6 visibLe. ChanneLs 40 are advantageousLy provided. ChanneLs 40 aLLow water to fLow through chamber 20, thereby reducing the resistance provided by angLing fLoat 22 when being puLLed into the water by a fish. This is advantageous because if a fish feeLs too much resistance it wiLL Let go and wiLL be Lost to the angLer. ChanneLs 40 are so sized that neither bait 14 (not shown) nor hook 12 (aLso not shown) can be caught up in them. In this embodiment the smaLLer cyLinder 34 has a hexagonaL cross-section, but other cross sections may advantageousLy be used.

Returning to figure 3 fLoat head 4 is of a generaLLy ovoid shape. It is fixed about shaft 24, sharing an axis with hoLder 6 and smaLLer cyLinder 34. In this preferred embodiment of the angLing fLoat 22, fLoat head 4 has an upper surface 42 comprising a step 44 so sized as to accommodate the end 46 of the hoLder 6. The rest of the upper surface 42 is continuaLLy curved to faciLitate the reLease of bait 14 and hook 12 upon the opening of the chamber 20. In this preferred embodiment of the angLing fLoat 22, fLoat head 4 further comprises a weight 48 in its base 50. This weight 48 has the duaL advantage of increasing casting distance when thrown and enabLing the angLing fLoat 22 to fLoat perpendicuLar to the water surface.

In use, the hook 12 with bait 14 is pLaced in chamber 20. Chamber 20 is cLosed; wherein the end 46 of hoLder 6 is pLaced on or cLose to step 44 of fLoat head 4, thus securing hook 12 and bait 14. The device is then cast. As the device enters the water, hoLder 6 and smaLLer cyLinder 34 traveL up shaft 24, causing the chamber 20 to open and the hook 12 and bait 14 to faLL into the water. Weights 10 assist the bait 14 in sinking to the desired depth. The bait 14 and hook 12 can go no farther than the desired depth due to the presence of Line stop 16. Line stop 16 aLso pushes bead 18 onto the upper end 28 of shaft 24, which indicates to the angLer that the bait 14 has been reLeased from the chamber 20.

The chamber 20 may aLso be fiLLed with ground bait.

At Figure 4 is shown a further embodiment of an angLing fLoat 52. A notabLe improvement here is in the composition of smaLLer cyLinder 54 which is of three parts. A convex uppermost part 56 which comprises a Lip 58, which Limits traveL of hoLder 60. SmaLLer cyLinder 54 further comprises centraL cyLindricaL section 62 and Lower convex section 64.

In any embodiment the buoyancy of the smaLLer cyLinder shouLd be sufficient to support the weight of aLL components and enabLe at Least 2.5 cm of the angLing fLoat (52) to be visibLe above the water surface. Part or aLL of the angLing fLoat 52 may be painted to ease Location by the user. It has been noted that the effectiveness of the weight 68 contained in fLoat head 66 in keeping the angLing fLoat 52 perpendicuLar to the water is increased by increasing the distance between those two parts. Shaft 24 may be made of pLastic or wood. It may be painted or coLoured.

The angLing fLoat 2, 22, 52 may generaLLy be constructed from pLastic, wood or pLant based materiaL. Weights turn on Line 8 and the weight 48 on fLoat head 4 may advantageousLy be made of a non-toxic materiaL to prevent damage or harm to the fLora and/or fauna if the angLing fLoat 2 is Lost.

In preferred embodiments as shown in Figure 7 the hoLder 6 is of a generaLLy soLid tubuLar construction -the materiaL itseLf is not permeabLe or a mesh of any sort. However, in particuLarLy preferred embodiments, the hoLder 6 comprises one or more channeLs Located in its side, which in this particuLarLy preferred embodiment take the form of indentations 100. In especiaLLy preferred embodiments, the indentations 100 are Located on the fLoat contacting edge 102 of the hoLder 6. The indentations 100 may, in preferred configurations, be reguLarLy spaced around the perimeter of the hoLder 6. A particuLarLy preferred number of indentations 100 is four. The four indentations may be reguLarLy spaced around the perimeter of the hoLder 6, so that each is spaced a quarter circLe from the next. The provision of indentations 100 has the marked advantage of ensuring that a seaL is not formed between hoLder 6 and fLoat head 4. This Lack of seaL ensures that the hoLder 6 wiLL move from its initiaLLy cLosed position to an open position during casting. The indentations 100 can be seen as a specificaLLy Located version of the channeLs shown in figure 6.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An angLing fLoat, for use with a fishing Line, the angLing fLoat comprising: a fLoat head, mounted on the shaft, at or adjacent the in use bottom end of the shaft; a hoLder with a hoLLow interior, made of buoyant materiaL with a top and a bottom, said hoLder being open at both ends, such that a fishing Line may be threaded through the hoLder, so that the hoLder may be moved reLative to the Line and may be brought into engagement with the in use top of the fLoat head, such that a chamber is formed by the top of the fLoat head and the hoLLow interior of the hoLder, which may be opened and cLosed by the said movement of the hoLder, and into which in use a Length of fishing Line may be put, and wherein the hoLder comprises a fLoat head contacting perimeter with one or more indents forming channeLs, wherein in use, if fishing Line is put into the chamber and the chamber is cLosed, upon coming into contact with a body of water, the hoLder wiLL tend to fLoat, and the fLoat head wiLL tend to submerge, thereby opening the chamber and Letting out the fishing Line.
2. An angLing fLoat according to cLaim 1, further comprising an eLongate shaft with a top end and a bottom end, and a passage running aLong at Least part of the Length of said shaft, said passage being open at both ends and having apertures through which in use a fishing Line may be passed, wherein the both the hoLder and the fLoat head are mounted on the shaft, and the hoLder is sLidabLy mounted on said shaft.
3. An angLing fLoat according to either cLaim 1 or cLaim 2, wherein the hoLder and the fLoat head are coaxiaLLy mounted on the shaft 4. An angLing fLoat according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the passage runs the entire Length of the shaft, and the passage is open at both ends of the shaft.5. An angLing fLoat according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the hoLder is circuLar cyLindricaL in shape.6. An angLing float according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hoLder is mounted on the shaft by way of a cyLinder, of smaLler diameter to the holder, and of a buoyant materiaL.7. An angLing float according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said smalLer cylinder has at Least one convex end.8 An angling float according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the float head is of sufficient mass to enabLe the angLing float in use to float at an angle substantially perpendicuLar to the surface of the water.9 An angling float according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the channels comprise indentations.An angling float according to claim 9, wherein the indentations are in the float contacting edge of the hoLder.11 An angLing float according to either cLaim 9 or claim 10, wherein there are four indentations in the holder.12 An angLing float according to either claim 9 or claim 10 where there is a pluraLity of indentations, and they are evenly spaced around the holder.13 An angLing float, substantiaLly as described herein, with reference to and/or as iLlustrated in any appropriate combination of the text and / or drawings.14 An angLing kit, comprising an angling float of any of the preceding claims, and a fishing Line, the fishing line comprising a Line, bait, and one or more weights.An angLing kit according to claim 14, wherein the Line further comprises an adjustable stop for setting the length of fishing line which is in use passed through the fLoat.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. An angling float, for use with a fishing One, the angling float comprising: an elongate shaft with a top end and a bottom end, and a passage running along at least part of the length of said shaft, said passage being open at both ends and having apertures through which in use a fishing One may be passed, a float hearL mounted on the shaft, at or adjacent the in use bottom end of the shaft; a holder wfth a hollow interior, made of buoyant material with a top and a bottom, being open at both ends and b&ng slldably mounted on said shaft, such that the holder may be moved relative to the One and may be brought into s.J engagement wah the in use top of the float head, such that a chamber is formed by the r 15 top of the float head and the hollow interior of the holder, said chamber being so sized to If) be able to contain a length of fishing One, and wherein said chamber may be opened and 0 closed by the said movement of the holder, , and wherein the holder comprises a float If) head contacting perimeter with one or more indents forming channels, wbLjatie !ndnts..prQydttha.te.aWnatJQrme.d betweenhfldlloaLhS2 2. An angling float according to claim 1, wherein the holder and the float head are coaxially mounted on the shaft 3. An angling float accordftg to efther claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the passage runs the entire length of the shaft, and the passage is open at both ends of the shaft.
4. An angling float according, to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is circular cylindrical in shape.
5, An angling float according to any of the preceding c'i&ms, wherein the holder is mounted on the shaft by way of a cyOnder, of smaller diameter to the holder, and of a buoyant. materiaL
6. An angling float according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said smaller cylinder has at least one convex end.
7. An angling float according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the float head is of suffident mass to enable the angling float in use to float at an angle substantially perpendicular to the surface of the water.& An angling float according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channels comprise indentations.9. An angling float according to claimS, wherein the indentations are in the float contacting edge of the holder.10. An angling fLoat according to either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein there are four r 15 indentations In the holder. LI')O 11. An angling float according to either claim 9 or claim 10 where there is a pLurality of LI) indentations, and they are evenly spaced around the holder.12. An angling float, substantially as described herein, with reference to and/or as illustrated In any appropriate combination of the text and I or figure 7 of the drawings.13. An angling kit, comprising an angling float of any of the preceding Sims, and a fishing line, the fishing line comprising a line, bait, and one or more weight 14. An angling kit according to claim 13, wherein the line further comprises an adjustable stop for setting the length of fishing tine which is in use passed through the float. 13