NZ194843A - Clip for attaching trace to main fishing line - Google Patents

Description

« 1 948 43 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT/ 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NUMBER 194843 DATED: 4TH SEPTEMBER, 1980 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONNECTORS 1/ JEROME VAN IERSEL, of 6 Crescent Road West, Palm Beach, Waiheke Island, New Zealand, a New Zealand citizen, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 194843 This invention concerns improvements in or relating to connectors, and more particularly concerns a connector adapted for removable connection of a second line with a first line.

In the specification, reference to a "line" will be specifically directed to fishing lines of the long line type, wherein the first line will be generally appreciated as being the main line, with the second line being appreciated as the snood line, or line from which the hook depends. However, it is to be appreciated that this description is not by way of limitation, but by way of example of the application of the invention.

It has been found particularly in relation to long line fishing lines, that it is advantageous to have a connector which may fixably receive the snood line, and which may be adapted for efficient and convenient placement and preferably removal, from the main line as may be required.

It has been known to provide various types of connector which go some way towards fulfilling this requirement. However, such connectors as have been known have suffered from the disadvantage of use of frictional engagement of the connector with the main line, which necessitates the tedious manual connection of the connector to the line to ensure that it is correct, and furthermore involves time in releasing each connector from the main line.

It is therefore an object of this invention to 194 &43 provide a connector which goes at least some way towards overcoming disadvantages which have been known in the art.

It is also an object of this invention to provide the puhlic with a useful choice.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a connector adapted to removably connect a second line with a fijrst line including a body portion for receiving a second line, a head portion, a guide portion having a face for guiding the first line to a restricted opening in the head portion leading into a recess for receiving the first line, and a retaining means provided adjacent said opening to retain said first line in said recess against release (other than longitudinally of said first line), said retaining means comprising a first portion positioned at least partially about said head portion and adjacent said opening and a second portion joining said first portion to said body portion and disposed on one side only of said guide portion and which overlies said face of said guide portion, said retaining means being movable relative to said opening to permit release of said first line from said recess.

Further, according to this invention there is provided a connector referred to in the preceding paragraph wherein said retaining means is a closure means adapted to retain said first line in said recess in its first position, and which may be biased from said first position to permit release of said first line from said recess.

The invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will now be described by way of example only, 194843 and with particular reference to one preferred embodiment only of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: is an enlarged representation of a plan view of one preferred embodiment of the connector according to this invention, and Figure 2: is a side view of the enlarged connector shown in Figure 1.

The connector apparatus may preferably be comprised of lightweight wire, for instance of gauge 16, and in one embodiment of the invention be of approximately 3-5cm in length. However, this is not to be considered as any limitation of the nature of the invention, but merely as one possible range of size of the connector for a preferred use of the invention.

Now, with particular reference to the drawings, there is disclosed an enlarged view of one preferred connector including a body portion generally indicated by arrow 1, which may be capable of receiving a second or snood line. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the body portion is formed as an elongate loop, which in the preferred form of the invention may be provided to include a substantially straight back-bone portion 2, the lower portion of which is formed in a coil 3 with a resilient clip portion 4, extending upwardly from said coil and substantially in parallel with said back-bone portion 2, so as to form the elongate loop of which the body 1 is comprised. In one preferred form of the invention, the snood line may be secured in or to the body portion, and preferably within the hole 3a provided in the coil 3 at the base of the body portion. Thus, the snood line will be adapted to depend from the lower portion of the body of said connector. The snood line may of course be connected by any known means including tying, or by the use of known rings, or disengage-able connectors or fastenings as are known in the art. Further, it will be appreciated that the shape of the body portion may be modified as may be required for use with other types of second line.

Now, the back-bone 2 of the body portion extends upwardly to provide a head portion generally indicated by arrow 5. The head portion may be preferably comprised by shaping the upper portion of the back-bone 2 of the connector by turning that portion of the connector back upon itself so as to provide a recess 6. The connector may furthermore be shaped such that the recess has a restricted entry 7, which may in the preferred embodiment of the invention be of a diameter only slightly greater than the diameter of the main line 8 which may be positioned in said recess 6 according to the invention. Further, the recess is provided with a feeder portion 9 which is shaped from the now downwardly depending portion. The arrangement is such that the feeder portion 9 may extend outwardly from the opening 7 into the recess 6, such that it will define a jaw into which the main line 8 may be readily positioned. Further, the feeder portion 9 extends outwardly of the resilient clip portion 4 of the connector. It will then be appreciated that the connector may be initially positioned for connection on to the main line 8, by placing the main line 8 in the jaw portion 10, 194843 such, that the main line 8 would he in the position shown in dotted lines in figure 1 of the drawings.

Finally, the apparatus provides a retaining means generally indicated by arrow 11, which retaining means may be preferably positioned between the feeder portion 9 and the recess 6. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining means 11 may preferably be located adjacent the restricted entry 7 to the recess 6. The retaining means indicated by arrow 11, may in the preferred form of the invention be comprised as a gate or stop means which may preferably be integrally formed with the outer end of the clip portion 4. In the preferred embodiment, the gate or stop means of which the retaining means is comprised may be provided as a substantially 'U' shaped end portion for the clip portion 4, which lU' shaped portion may be formed substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of the clip portion and so as to depend on either side of the connector adjacent the entry to the recess 6. Thus, in the preferred form of the invention, the substantially 'U1 shaped member comprising the retaining means 11 will pass about the upper portion of the backbone 2 of the connector.

The arrangement is such that the substantially 'U' shaped retaining means 11 which is provided on the clip portion 4, may be biased from its natural position as shown in the drawings, in a direction indicated by arrow 14, this bias being possible by the resilient springing in the clip portion 4. It will be appreciated that the resilient springing in the clip portion 4 is provided by the spring coil loop 3 in the lower body portion of the connector. 194843 Thus, by this arrangement, the connector may be placed over the main line 8, such that the main line is positioned within the jaw 10, by the feeder portion 9. Thereafter, downward movement of the connector in the direction indicated by arrow 15, will mean that the main line 8 will bias the retaining means 11 in the direction indicated by arrow 14 such that the main line 8 will itself open the retaining means, so that it may pass through the entrance 7 and into the recess 6 to be located therein. It will be appreciated that immediately the main line 8 passes over the ridge 11a on the retaining means, the retaining means will be returned to its natural position (as shown) so as to close the recess and prevent the disconnection of the connector from the main line 8. Thus, by the connector the second line 20 is connected to the main line 8 (or first line). It will be appreciated that this method of connection requires no other operation than the downward movement of the connector in the direction indicated by arrow 15, such that the connector may be very conveniently and efficiently placed on the first line.

Further, the connector apparatus permits the removal of the main line 8 by the application of thumb or finger pressure to clip portion 4 so as to bias the retaining means 11 in the direction indicated by arrow 14. Then, the connector may be moved in the direction opposite to arrow 15 so that the line 8 will pass outwardly through the opening 7 of the recess 6 and be released from the 194843 connector. It will also be appreciated that this movement is a quick and convenient movement for the release of the connector from the main line (or first line).

Further, according to preferred embodiments of the invention the dimensions of the recess 6 may be such as to prevent stops 30 which may be provided on the main line 8 from passing through the recess. By this arrangement, the connector may be suitably positioned within a desired section of the main line.

Thus, by this invention there is provided a connector particularly adapted for removable connection of a second line with a first line in which in one preferred embodiment may be adapted for use in relation to long line type fishing apparatus.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the apparatus has been described by way of example only, and that modifications, alterations and additions may be made to the apparatus without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (11)

-9- WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A connector adapted to removably connect a second line with a first line including a body portion for receiving a second line, a head portion, a guide portion forming an extension to the head portion and having a face for guiding the first line to a restricted opening in the head portion leading into a recess for receiving the first line, and a retaining means provided adjacent said opening to retain said first line in said recess against release (other than longitudinally of said first line), said retaining means comprising a first portion positioned at least partially about said head portion and adjacent said opening and a second portion joining said first portion to said body portion and disposed on one side only of said guide portion and which overlies said face of said guide portion, said retaining means being movable relative to said opening to permit release of said first line from said recess.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retaining means is biased to a closure rest position and can be moved against the bias from the rest position to permit release of the first line from said recess.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the body portion includes a resilient coil at a base of the said second portion to provide the bias for the retaining means.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said first portion includes a gate means provided as a substantially U-shaped member extending about the back and on both sides of the connector adjacent the restricted opening. 194843 -10-

5. A connector as claimed In any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide portion extends as a continuation of the head portion outwardly and at an angle to the body portion to provide a wide opening adjacent and outwardly of the restricted opening leading to said recess.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 wherein said body portion is elongate and in the form of a loop, the second line being connectable adjacent one end of said elongate body portion and the head portion being located at the opposite end of said body portion.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 3 wherein the second line is engageable with said resilient coil.

8. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims constructed of resilient stainless steel wire.

9. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second lines are snood lines and wherein said first lines are long line fishing lines.

10. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the recess in the head portion is of a lesser size than stops or floats provided on the long or main line.

11. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and as described herewith in reference to the accompanying drawings. A ov