GB2548586A

GB2548586A - Apparatus for causing bait to move during fishing

Info

Publication number: GB2548586A
Application number: GB1604798.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Hough Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-21
Filing date: 2016-03-21
Publication date: 2017-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-21
Also published as: GB201604798D0; GB2548586B

Abstract

Apparatus 22 for causing bait to move during fishing comprising a body portion 26; attachment means 28 for the bait; a propeller 30, driven by an electric motor 32, and control means 34 for causing the electric motor 32 repeatedly to turn on and off, such that intermittent rotation of the propeller causes the bait to move more like a fish. The apparatus may be weighted to the waterbed using a battery 38 and the propeller working periodically may cause the body 26 to move from a first position to a second position, such that the bait bobs up and down (as shown in figure 2). The body may be elongate with the attachment means 28, such as an aperture 46, at the bottom 36 and the propeller 30 at the top 34. The propeller may be in a housing 50 with a plurality of apertures 56. The control means may be adjustable so the angler can adjust the length of time the motor is on and off. There may be a fishing line, hooks, guide means for the line, such as a tube, and the apparatus may be attached to a fishing rod.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CAUSING BAIT TO MOVE DURING FISHING

This invention relates to apparatus for use with bait during fishing and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for causing the bait to move during fishing.

In angling, various types of bait are used to attract fish. Generally, when fishing for predatory fish, the bait is more likely to be taken by fish if the bait moves instead of being stationary. Where the bait is cast to a likely spot, the bait tends to remain stationary and is therefore less likely to tempt any predatory fish within the vicinity of the bait. In the United Kingdom, the predatory fish may be, for example, pike or zander.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for causing bait to move during fishing, which apparatus comprises: (i) a body portion; (ii) attachment means for enabling the bait to be attached to the apparatus; (iii) a propeller; (iv) an electric motor for driving the propeller; and (v) control means for causing the electric motor repeatedly to turn on and off, and the apparatus being such that in use the propeller is rotated by the electric motor when the control means causes the electric motor to be on, the propeller is not rotated by the electric motor when the control means causes the electric motor to be off, the apparatus is caused to move consequent upon the propeller being rotated by the electric motor, the movement of the apparatus causes movement of the bait, and the movement of the bait enables the bait to become more likely to be taken by a fish.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that the bait is able to be caused to be moved automatically and on a frequent and/or regular basis. There is no need for an angler manually to cause the bait to move. Continual periodic movement of the bait enables the bait more likely to be taken by a fish, and thereby enables an angler to increase their chances of successfully catching fish.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured such that the apparatus tends to return to an original position when the electric motor is off. Alternatively, if desired, the apparatus may be configured to move randomly when the electric motor is on so that the apparatus will then not tend to return to an original position when the electric motor is off. If the bait is made buoyant, then the bait continues to be suspended above the apparatus.

When the apparatus tends to return to the original position when the electric motor is off, then the apparatus may move to a first position when the electric motor is on, and the apparatus may move to a second position when the electric motor is off. This movement of the apparatus may cause the bait to bob up and down. The movement of the apparatus between the first and second positions may be repeated for as long as the apparatus is operational. Operation of the apparatus may be terminated by removing the apparatus from the water, and simply moving an on/off switch to an off position, or by removing a battery. Alternatively, if desired, the electric motor may be arranged to operate on a routine timed cycle basis by the control means.

The apparatus of the present invention may be configured to be heavier at the bottom than the top. This may help to cause the apparatus to stand upright, when in use, at the bottom of the water, for example in a lake, river or pond. The apparatus may include a weight. Preferably the weight is arranged at a bottom part of the body portion. Other positions for the weight may be employed. Alternatively, the components of the apparatus, for example a battery or batteries, may provide the weight necessary to make the apparatus heavier at the bottom.

Preferably, the body portion is an elongate body portion having a longitudinal axis. Other types of body portion may be employed so that, for example, the body portion may be circular or curved in shape.

When the body portion is an elongate body portion, then the body portion is preferably tubular or elliptical.

The attachment means may be positioned at a bottom part of the apparatus. The attachment means may be positioned elsewhere if desired. The attachment means may be positioned at a bottom part of the body portion. The attachment means be positioned elsewhere on the body portion if desired

The attachment means may be an apertured formation. Other types of attachment means may be employed.

Preferably, the propeller is positioned at a top part of the apparatus, for example at a top part of the body portion. The propeller may be positioned elsewhere if desired so that, for example, the propeller may be positioned at a central part of the apparatus.

The propeller may be positioned in a housing, and the housing may be such that it has a plurality of apertures through which water can pass and thereby facilitate the movement of the apparatus by the propeller. The propeller may be of any suitable design including a propeller having separate blades, and a propeller having a helical formation.

The electric motor will typically be a battery-operated electric motor. The electric motor may then be driven by one or more batteries as may be desired.

The control means may comprise a printed circuit board.

The control means may be an adjustable control means, whereby an angler is able to adjust the length of time that the electric motor is on/off and thereby to adjust the length and frequency of the movement of the apparatus. Alternatively, the repeating times in which the electric motor is on and off may be pre-set into the apparatus at the time of manufacture of the apparatus. Anglers may however prefer the ability to adjust the times in order to suit their own method of angling and/or fishing conditions and/or the type of fish being sought.

The apparatus may comprise a length of fishing line. The apparatus may include at least one hook which is attached to the length of fishing line and which is for receiving the bait. There may be a plurality of the hooks, for example two or three of the hooks on the length of fishing line. The length of fishing line and the hooks may be in the form of a trace.

The apparatus may include guide means for guiding the length of fishing line from the attachment means towards a fishing rod of an angler. The guide means may be a tube. Other types of guide means may be employed so that, for example, the guide means may be a series of eyelets.

The present invention also extends to a fishing rod when provided with the apparatus of the present invention.

The particular bait employed will normally depend upon the type of fish which is being fished for. The apparatus of the present invention may be especially suitable for fish which are predatory in nature, for example pike. The movement of the bait may make the predatory type of fish more likely to take the bait. Non-predatory fish may also be attracted to the bait simply by the fact that the bait is moving.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows typical known fishing equipment as used during fishing and illustrates how the bait remains stationary;

Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but shows the use of the apparatus of the present invention for causing the bait to move during fishing;

Figure 3 is a detailed view from the front and one side of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view from the rear and one side of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a front view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a top view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 9 is a section through part of the apparatus shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown known equipment 2 for use in fishing. The equipment 2 comprises a fishing rod 3 having a fishing line 4 and a bite alarm 5. The bite alarm 5 detects if the fishing line 4 pulls off a fishing reel 6, or if the fishing line 4 goes slack. The fishing rod 3 is supported on two rod rests 7 and 8. The rod rests 7 and 8 are pushed into a bank 9. An angler 10 is shown sitting on a chair 11.

The angler 10 has cast bait 13 in the form of a fish attached to a hook 14, or hooks 14 and 21. The hook or hooks are generally, but not essentially, a set of two treble hooks but could be double or single hooks attached to one end of a length of fishing line 15. A weight 16 is at the other end of the length of fishing line 15. The weight 16 is on a waterbed 17. The water 18 may be that in a lake, river or pond. The angler 10 is fishing for pike 19. A polystyrene ball 20 is attached to the hook 21. The polystyrene ball 20 ensures that the hook 14 and also the length of fishing line 15 extend upwardly with respect to the weight 16. Thus the bait 13 is able to be easily seen by the pike 19. Certain baits are naturally buoyant and thus do not need a polystyrene ball to fulfil the requirement to be buoyant. Even although the pike 19 is a predator fish, the pike 19 may not see the bait 13 and/or the pike 19 may be insufficiently interested in the bait 13 to take the bait 13 and thus become hooked.

The length of fishing line 15 may be typically two feet so that the hooks 14, 21 stay clear of the waterbed 17 and any weeds growing on the waterbed 17.

Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Figure 2 additionally shows the use of apparatus 22 of the present invention. For purposes of illustration in Figure 2, part of the equipment 2 has been shown in a circle 23 and this part of the equipment has also been shown in Figure 2 in enlarged form stationary, and in the same enlarged form but in motion. The apparatus 22 has also shown in a much enlarged form in Figure 2. The apparatus 2 is shown in detail in Figures 3-9.

In Figures 2-9, there is shown apparatus 22 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 22 is for causing the bait 13 to move during fishing.

The apparatus 22 comprises a body portion 26, and attachment means 28 for enabling the bait 13 to be attached to the apparatus 22. The apparatus 22 further comprises a propeller 30 and an electric motor 32 for driving the propeller 30. Control means 34 is provided for causing the electric motor 32 repeatedly to turn on and off.

The apparatus 22 is such that in use the propeller 30 is rotated by the electric motor 32 when the control means 34 causes the electric motor 32 to be on. The propeller 30 is not rotated by the electric motor 32 when the control means 34 causes the electric motor 32 to be off. The apparatus 22 is caused to move consequent upon the propeller 30 being rotated by the electric motor 32. The movement of the apparatus 22 causes movement of the bait 13. The movement of the bait 13 enables the bait 13 to become more likely to be taken by fish, for example the pike 19. Typically, the bait 13 will bob up and down in the water as shown in Figure 2.

As can best be appreciated from Figure 2, the apparatus 22 is configured such that it tends to return to an original position when the electric motor 32 is off. More specifically, the apparatus 22 moves to a first position when the electric motor is on, and the apparatus 22 moves to a second position when the electric motor 32 is off. This movement between the first and second positions is repeated all the time the apparatus 22 is caused to be operating.

The apparatus 22 is heavier at a bottom part 36 of the body portion 26. This is due to a battery 38 for the electric motor 32. The body portion 26 is an elongate body portion having a longitudinal axis. The body portion 26 is tubular as shown.

The attachment means 28 is at a bottom part of the apparatus 22. More specifically, the attachment means 28 is at the bottom part 36 of the body portion 26. Alternatively, if desired, the attachment means 28 could be at a top part of the apparatus 22, clear of the propeller 30, but this is likely to be less effective for fish-catching purposes.

The attachment means 28 is an apertured formation comprising a moulding 40 on the body portion 26. The moulding 40 has an aperture 42. The aperture 42 receives a ring 44. The ring 44 defines an aperture 46. The aperture 46 is available for having attached to it the fishing line 4 and the length of fishing line 15. The ring 44 is able to pivot about the moulding 40, which facilitates attachment of the length of fishing line 4 to the moulding 40 and therefore to the body portion 26 of the apparatus 22.

The propeller 30 is positioned at a top part of the apparatus 22. More specifically, the propeller 30 is positioned at a top part of the body portion 26.

The propeller 30 comprises a housing 50 and a rotor 52 which is positioned in the housing 50. The rotor 52 is such that it has a plurality of rotor blades 54. The housing 50 is such that it has a plurality of apertures 56 through which the water 18 can pass and therefore facilitate the movement of the apparatus 22.

The electric motor 32 is a battery-operated electric motor. As can be seen from Figure 9, a single battery 60 may be used.

As best seen from Figure 9, the control means 34 comprises a printed circuit board 62. The control means 34 may be an adjustable control means 34, whereby an angler is able to adjust the length of time that the electric motor 32 is on and off, and thereby adjust the length and frequency of movement of the apparatus 22. Alternatively, the control means 34 may be such that it is manufactured simply to provide only one non-adjustable operational sequence, whereby the length of time that the electric motor is on and off is fixed at the time of manufacture, and thus the length and frequency of movement of the apparatus 22 is fixed and is not alterable.

The apparatus 22 of the present invention may be such that the length of fishing line 15 and the hooks 14, 21 form a trace.

The apparatus 22 may include guide means 64 for guiding the length of fishing line 4 from the attachment means 28 towards the fishing rod 3 of the angler 10. The guide means 64 comprises a tube 68 which is secured at the body portion 26 by mouldings 70.

The apparatus 22 is able advantageously to move to and fro on the waterbed 17 of the water 18. The to and fro movement of the apparatus 22 between a first position when the electric motor 32 is off and a second position when the electric motor 32 is on, causes the hook 14 and/or the hook 21, and therefore the bait 13, to bob up and down in the water 18.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the body portion 26 may be of a different shape, for example elliptical, or the body portion 26 may perhaps have rectangular sides. Other types of attachment means 28 may be employed. The type of bait 13 provided will typically vary depending upon the type of fish being fished for. One or both hooks 14, 21 may be used for the bait 13. Hooks of various types may be used including single, double and treble hooks. More than one battery 38 may be employed to provide the required electrical power for the electric motor 32. Various types of electric motor 32 and control means 34 may be used for rotating the propeller 30. Various types of propeller 30 may be used including propellers with various numbers of propeller blades, and propellers with screw formations. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for causing bait to move during fishing, which apparatus comprises: (i) a body portion; (ii) attachment means for enabling the bait to be attached to the apparatus; (iii) a propeller; (iv) an electric motor for driving the propeller; and (v) control means for causing the electric motor repeatedly to turn on and off, and the apparatus being such that in use the propeller is rotated by the electric motor when the control means causes the electric motor to be on, the propeller is not rotated by the electric motor when the control means causes the electric motor to be off, the apparatus is caused to move consequent upon the propeller being rotated by the electric motor, the movement of the apparatus causes movement of the bait, and the movement of the bait enables the bait to become more likely to be taken by a fish.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus is configured such that the apparatus tends to return to an original position when the electric motor is off.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the apparatus moves between a first position when the electric motor is off to a second position when the electric motor is on.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body portion is an elongate body portion having a longitudinal axis.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the body portion is tubular.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the attachment means is positioned at a bottom part of the apparatus.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the attachment means is positioned at a bottom part of a body portion.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claim in which the attachment means is an apertured formation.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the propeller is positioned at a top part of the apparatus.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the propeller is positioned at a top part of the body portion.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the propeller is positioned in a housing, and the housing is such that it has a plurality of apertures through which water can pass and thereby facilitate the movement of the apparatus by the propeller.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the electric motor is a battery-operated electric motor.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control means comprises a printed circuit board.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control means is an adjustable control means, whereby an angler is able to adjust the length of time that the electric motor is On and off, and thereby to adjust the length and frequency of movement of the apparatus.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a length of fishing line.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 and including at least one hook which is attached to the length of fishing line and which is for receiving the bait.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which there are two of the hooks.

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14-17 and including guide means for guiding the length of fishing line from the attachment means towards a fishing rod of an angler.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 in which the guide means is a tube.

20. Apparatus for causing bait to move during fishing, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A fishing rod when provided with apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.