GB2552647A

GB2552647A - Fishing line hook retainer and deployer

Info

Publication number: GB2552647A
Application number: GB1612738.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Caton Mark
Original assignee: GEMINI TACKLE CO Ltd
Current assignee: GEMINI TACKLE CO Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-22
Filing date: 2016-07-22
Publication date: 2018-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-22
Also published as: GB2552647B; GB201612738D0

Abstract

The device comprises a holder 20 for mounting on a fishing line 1 and a moveable member 31. The holder defines a channel 25 suitable for receiving a fishing hook 4 on a branch line 2. In a first position of the moveable member (shown in figure 2), a securing pin 32 extends across the channel 25 to secure the hook 4. In a second position of the movable member (shown in figure 3), the securing pin is retracted to open the channel in the holder. The moveable member 31 moves upon impact of the device with water, causing the hook 4 to be deployed. The holder may be fixed relative to the line using crimps or clamps 42. The movable member may be attached to the line so it is not lost and the device is reusable. Ramp 28 may bias the hook to move out of the channel when the movable member is in the second position. The device is intended to prevent branch lines 2 tangling and to make casting of the line safer.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Fishing line hook retainer and deployer

Abstract Title: A Device to Retain and then Deploy a Fishing Line Hook (57) The device comprises a holder 20 for mounting on a fishing line 1 and a moveable member 31. The holder defines a channel 25 suitable for receiving a fishing hook 4 on a branch line 2. In a first position of the moveable member (shown in figure 2), a securing pin 32 extends across the channel 25 to secure the hook 4. In a second position of the movable member (shown in figure 3), the securing pin is retracted to open the channel in the holder. The moveable member 31 moves upon impact of the device with water, causing the hook 4 to be deployed. The holder may be fixed relative to the line using crimps or clamps 42. The movable member may be attached to the line so it is not lost and the device is reusable. Ramp 28 may bias the hook to move out of the channel when the movable member is in the second position. The device is intended to prevent branch lines 2 tangling and to make casting of the line safer.

FIG. 2 /6

FIG. 1

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FIG. 2

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FIG. 3

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FIG. 4

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FIG. 5

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FIG. 6

- 1 FISHING LINE HOOK RETAINER AND DEPLOYER Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for retaining an angler’s fishing hook and then automatically deploying it.

Background to the Invention

The deployment of baited fishing hooks when angling is an art that comes with experience. For beach angling, it is common to use a “snood” arrangement. This is a line and hook arrangement where the main line has attached to it a series of branch lines with each of the branch lines having at their ends a hook. The branch lines may be mounted on the main line in a staggered arrangement. The end of the main line has a weight. The hooks are baited and when the arrangement, or “rig” as it is conventionally known, is cast into the water the separate lines fan out for catching multiple fish.

One of the problems facing the angler when such rigs are cast is that the hook and bait can fly around uncontrollably until it hits the water. This may be merely inconvenient, in that it requires more skill to cast properly to the chosen area, or it may be positively dangerous. There is also a risk that the bait will be dislodged. More importantly, for maximum casting distance, it is desirable to keep the “package” of weight, hook(s) and bait as compact as possible until it hits the water. Also, there is a high risk that the branch lines can become entangled in the main line.

Various devices have been used over the years to clip a baited hook to the main line to give a more streamlined rig for casting. Lines having various abutments have been developed to achieve this. Before casting, the hooks are pulled against the abutments to hold them in place against the main line. Unfortunately these systems rely on a degree of tension from where the snood is attached to the main line and the abutment. Also these devices are very fickle and can easily let the hook become detached from the clip when in the process of casting from the beach.

There is needed a device to lock the hooks in place in flight and then release them on contact with the water.

- 2 There has now been developed a device for a fishing line which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and other disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a device for a fishing line, the device comprising a holder suitable for mounting on a fishing line and a moveable member moveable relative the holder between a first position and a second position, the holder comprising a body defining a channel suitable for receiving a fishing hook, wherein in the first position a securing pin of the moveable member extends across the channel to close the channel in the holder, and in the second position the securing pin is in a retracted position to open 15 the channel in the holder, and the moveable member being responsive to the impact of the device with water thereby causing the movement of the moveable member from the first position to the second position.

The device according to the invention is advantageous primarily because 20 it allows the angler to attach a hook in the desired place, where it will remain in place until impact with the water. Upon doing so the hydraulic pressure will drive the moveable member and securing pin from the first position to the second position, thereby releasing the hook. Therefore the hooks do not get released early from the holder. During the casting procedure, there is minimal air drag re25 sistance, so the angler can cast farther. Also the hooks to not get entangled with the main line during casting so there is more chance of catching a fish.

Any number of the devices according to the invention may be attached to the main fishing line.

The device according to the invention is particularly suited to a snood 30 type rig, where there are multiple branch lines with hooks from the main line. However other types of fishing rig or line could be used with the invention. Indeed, the device of the invention is suited to any fishing line where the hook is

-3required to be held in place during casting and then released on entrance to the water.

In use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, preferably the position of the holder is fixed relative the line. This makes it easier to apply multiple numbers of devices on a single line and for the angler to control the rig properly.

In use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, preferably the holder is fixed on the line by two clamps, one at each end of the holder. Examples of suitable clamps include but are not limited to crimps or the like. The holder may also be fixed on the line by knots in the line, one at each end of the holder. Al10 ternatively, he holder may comprise malleable portions which can be moulded around and clamped onto the line thereby retaining the holder in place on the line.

It will be recognised that in use the holder is necessarily always in contact with the line as described above. However, the moveable member may not be attached to the line. The moveable member may be prevented from separating from the holder by the retaining member as described below. Preferably however, in use when the holder is mounted on a fishing line, the moveable member is also attached to the fishing line. This prevents the moveable member from being lost.

The moveable member moves relative the holder whether in use (i.e.

when the device is mounted on a fishing line) or not. Preferably, in use the moveable member is slidable on the fishing line relative the holder. This allows for the greatest ease of movement, provides another way to avoid loss of the moveable member and is the easiest way for the angler to assemble the device on the line.

It will be recognised though that the moveable member does not have to be slidable on the line, and could indeed be fixed statically to the line, with an excess amount of line being allowed between the holder and the moveable member, such that in the first position the excess amount of line is folded on it30 self, and then in the second position the excess amount of line unfolds to a straight orientation.

-4Preferably the securing pin is slidable within the holder. This allows for the greatest ease of construction. The engagement between the securing pin and the holder (brought about by the extension across the channel and movement into the retracted position) is preferably a frictional fit. This means that a predetermined force is required to pull the pin from the holder. When the force exceeds the predetermined value the pin slides from the holder. The force is pre-calculated based on the average casting forces and the pressure differential between the two sides of the disc of the moveable member on impact with water.

The securing pin of the moveable member is preferably prevented from separating from the holder by a retaining member. This makes it easier for the angler to reuse the device time after time. It also means that the moveable member does not get lost.

The retaining member preferably defines the extent of movement of the moveable member from the first position to the second position. Thus, the retaining member may be anything which limits the movement of the moveable member with respect to the holder. In use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, the retaining member may comprise a clamp attached to the fishing line, such that the moveable member is positioned between said clamp and the holder. Examples of suitable clamps include, but are not limited to, crimps or the like. Alternatively the line may be knotted to prevent movement of the moveable member. The retaining member may comprise a line, cable or bar having one end attached to the holder and one end attached to the moveable member. The length of the line, cable or bar thereby defines the length between the first posi25 tion and the second position of the moveable member. The retaining member may comprise part of the securing pin. Thus the securing pin may comprise an abutment which engages with the holder when the moveable member is in the second position, said engagement preventing further movement of the moveable member.

The moveable member may comprise a base plate, adapted to move relative to the holder in response to impact with water. The base plate may be any device which is able to create a differential in pressure between one side of

- 5the base plate and the other on impact with water, wherein said differential in pressure is sufficient to move the moveable member from the first position to the second positon. Examples of a suitable base plate therefore include, but are not limited to, a disc or flat plate shaped object.

Preferably, one side of the channel defines a ramp such that in use when a hook is engaged with the channel the hook is biased to move outward of the channel. When the device impacts with water, the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position and in so doing the securing pin is moved into its retracted position to open the channel and thereby release the hook.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional exploded view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the device is attached to a fishing line and the moveable member is in the first position;

Figure 3 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the device is attached to a fishing line and the moveable member is in the second position;

Figure 4 shows a conventional angler’s snood arrangement for which the device of the invention is suitable;

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention having a pressure cone, with the device in the first position; and

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein a pressure cone is arranged below the holder.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring first to Figure 4, there is shown a conventional angler’s snood arrangement in which the device of the invention is suitable for. Other rigs may be used with the invention such as tie up or tie down rigs for example. The

- 6snood arrangement comprises a main line 1 with three branch lines 2 attached to at intervals. One end of the main line 1 has attached to it a weight 3, whilst the opposite end is attached to the angler’s rod (not shown). Each of the branch lines has a fishing hook 4 attached to it. Each of the branch lines 2 is attached to the main line 1 by a swivel 5 to allow the branch lines to rotate about themselves. In use, the weight is cast into the sea and will sink to the sea bed. The hooks on the branch lines then span out to catch fish.

In Figure 1 there is shown an embodiment of the device according to the invention in exploded view. The device is generally designated 10 and comprise a holder 20 and a moveable member 30.

The holder 20 comprises a plastic body made up of a shaft portion 22 and a first protrusion 23 and a second protrusion 24. The shaft portion has a central hole 21 running through the length of the shaft. Thus the shaft 22 defines a tubular structure. The first protrusion 23 and the second protrusion 24 are separated from one another along the shaft 22 and the gap between them defines a channel 25. Both the first protrusion 23 and a second protrusion 24 have a hole 26, 27 running through each of them. Holes 26 and 27 are aligned with each other longitudinally and the axis running through them runs parallel with the central axis of the hole 21 which runs through the centre of the shaft

22. The first protrusion 23 has sloping edge 28.

The moveable member 30 comprises a plastic pressure disc 31 and a securing pin 32. The pressure disc 31 is a flat plate shaped member with a central hole 33. The disc has formed on one side a plastic extension 34. The extension 34 also has a central hole, so that the hole 33 is continuous through the disc 31 and the extension 34. The extension 34 has a diameter which is smaller than that of the disc 31. The securing pin has one end 35 which is attached around the extension 34, and an opposite end which is engaged through holes 26 and 27 of the holder 20. The pin 30 is made from steel and is slidable within the holes 26 and 27.

Turning now to Figure 2, the device 10 can be seen assembled onto a fishing line 1. In order to mount the device 10 onto the line 1, the line 1 is fed through the hole 33 in the pressure disc 31 of the moveable member 30 and

- 7then through the hole 21 in the shaft 22 of the holder 20. Crimps 42 and 44 are then attached to the line above and below the holder. Thus the holder 20 is held in place on the line 40 and is prevented from sliding along it. A further crimp 46 is attached to the line 40 a distance from the crimp 44 which is equal to the distance “x” between the bottom of the pin 31 and the top of the sloped edge 28 of the protrusion 23. The moveable member is slidable on the fishing line between crimps 44 and 46.

In use, a hook 4 is attached to a branch line 2 or other line, and hooked round the sloping edge 28 of the protrusion 23 and thereby engaged with the channel 25. Due to the sloping side and the tension on the branch line, there is a bias for the hook to move outwards from the channel 25. The outwards movement is prevented by engagement of the pin 32 through the holes 26 and 27. This is achieved by sliding the disc 31 (which has the pin 32 attached to it) downwards towards the holder 20. When arranged like this (as in Figure 2) the moveable element is in the first position and the hook 4 is prevented from escaping from the channel.

The angler then casts the device 10 into the water and when it hits the water, the hydraulic pressure forces the disc 31 and thereby also the pin 32 upwards, towards the second position, which is the position as shown in figure 3. The pin 32 is prevented from leaving the protrusion 23, as the crimp 46 defines the greatest extent of movement of the second position and this is precalculated, as described above, depending on the length from the bottom of the pin to the top of the sloping edge 28. The pin 32 retracts into the holder and opens the channel 25, thereby allowing the hook 4 to move outwards of the channel and to be released into the surrounding water. The hook is therefore not allowed to release during the flight time of the casting procedure, and cannot therefore get entangled with the line 4. It is only when the device 10 hits the water, is the hook released.

A further benefit of the device according to the invention is that it can be reused over and over again. This is because the moveable member is not lost during the hook release process, and simply moves from the first position to the

- 8second position. Thus when the angler has finished fishing he can reel the whole rig in and reattach the hooks easily and quickly.

The invention therefore provides a convenient and safe device for deploying a baited fishing hook when it has entered the water and not beforehand.

In another example of the device according to the invention (as shown in

Figure 5) the device has substantially all of the features and effects described above, however the securing pin 32 is moulded into a plastic pressure cone 31 and together they form the moveable member. The pressure cone 31 comprises a central channel through with the main line runs. In use the pressure cone 31 is mounted on the line above the holder 20 as shown in figure 5. The base of the cone is preferably wider the holder. When the device hits the water, the water pressure acts on the pressure cone 31 of the moveable member forcing it away from the holder 20, thereby allowing the hook 4 to be released from the channel 25. This embodiment is preferred when large, bulky baits are used, be15 cause having the cone shaped pressure device, in such situations, means that the moveable member is less likely to be snagged or trapped when the device is in the first position.

In another example of the device (shown in Figure 6) according to the invention the device has substantially all the features and effects described above, however the securing pin 32 is lengthened and extended around the holder 20, and engages through side channels 29 formed on the side of the holder 20 opposite the channel 25. The pin 32 is slidable within the channels 29. The distal end of the pin (i.e. the end not engaging with the channel 25) is moulded into a plastic pressure cone 31. The pressure cone is substantially as described above, but mounted on the line 4 below the holder 20. Furthermore the cone is orientated in the opposite direction to that described above. So the pressure cone 31 is orientated on its point, so that in use, it is the point of the cone that impacts the water first. So the moveable member 30 is slidable in the direction of the up and down arrows in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows the device ac30 cording to this embodiment in the second positon, at the point where the hook 4 has just been released from the channel 25. The first position (not shown) is where the pin 32 is engaged over the channel 25 and the cone 31 is somewhat

-9distal from the crimp 42. This arrangement shields and protects the bait from particularly rough seas and direct impact with the water. As well as releasing the hook, it creates a reduced pressure zone behind the cone which protects the bait from the full impact of the water.

Claims

1. A device for a fishing line, the device comprising a holder suitable for mounting on a fishing line and a moveable member moveable relative the holder between a first position and a second position, the holder comprising a body defining a channel suitable for receiving a fishing hook, wherein in the first position a securing pin of the moveable member extends across the channel to close the channel in the holder, and in the second position the securing pin is in a retracted position to open the channel in the holder, and the moveable member being responsive to the impact of the device with water thereby causing the movement of the moveable member from the first position to the second position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein in use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, the position of the holder is fixed relative the line.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, the holder is fixed on the line by two clamps, one at each end of the holder.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein in use when the holder is mounted on a fishing line, the moveable member is also attached to the fishing line.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein in use when the device is mounted on a fishing line, the moveable member is slidable on the fishing line relative the holder.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing pin in slidable within the holder.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, where engagement between the securing pin and the holder is a frictional fit.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing pin of the moveable member is prevented from separating from the holder by a retaining member.

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9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the retaining member defines the extent of movement of the moveable member from the first position to the second position.

10. A device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein in use when the 5 device is mounted on a fishing line, the retaining member comprises a clamp attached to the fishing line, such that the moveable member is positioned between said clamp and the holder.

11. A device according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the retaining member comprises a line, cable or bar having one end attached to the holder

10 and one end attached to the moveable member.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable member comprises a base plate, adapted to move relative to the holder in response to impact with water.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein one side of 15 the channel defines a ramp such that in use when a hook is engaged with the channel the hook is biased to move outward of the channel.

14. A device for a fishing line, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, Figures 1 to 3, Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Ms Rachel Evans

30 November 2017

GB1612738.3

1-13

Application No: Claims searched: