NZ199839A - Fishing on continuously circulating looped long line - Google Patents

Description

If98 39 Priority Date(s): Complete Specification Fiied: Pt^F.'P. Class: If!/#?.

Patents Form No.5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 19 53 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION " A DEVICE FOR FISHING BY TRAWL-LINE " I7WE ATELIERS ET CHANTIERS DE LA MANCHE of 29, rue de Marignan, 75 008 Paris France, and GROUPEMENT D ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES NAVALES, of Anse du Lin 29, 183 Concarneau, Franc e, hereby declare the invention, for which -iywe pray that a patent may be granted to ree/us, ,and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- (fc!lowe«£ by page I A.) 1A 199839 The invention refers to a device for fishing by trawl-line.

The invention likewise refers to a pulley as well as a driving mechanism intended especially for equipping this fishing device.

A trawl-line comprises a main line to which are attached in a distributed fashion a certain number of individual lines equipped each at the end of it with a fishhook.

Traditional fishing by trawl-line consists in immersing such a line over a great length and then taking it out of the water afterwards, collecting the fish which have been caught.

A fishing device is known, which comprises a trawl-line the main line of which is returned back on itself - or a trawl-line in a loop. The device comprises in addition a carriage rolling on the bottom of the sea substantially directly underneath the fishing boat. This carriage carries uprights which emerge at the surface of the sea and by which it is pushed along by the boat. The trawl-line in a loop is driven in the manner of a belt between the boat and the undersea carriage.

This device enables one to fish continuously by trawl-line. However, it presents a number of disadvantages. Thus the carriage is a complicated and heavy device subject to damage in numerous ways. Fishing by means of this device can be carried out only in locations where the depths are small. In addition the developed length of the trawl-line is very short so that the time of immersion of the fishhooks during each cycle is short and at any given instant the fishing 2 1.99839 affects only a very short distance along the sea bottom. Now the advantages that one is seeking when on proceeds to fishing by trawl-line are those of fishing with a large number of fishhooks simultaneously and over a distance which may reach several kilometres.

The aim of the invention is to correct these disadvantages by providing a device for continuous fishing by trawl-line which is simple and reliable and which enables prolonged simultaneous immersion of a large number of fishhooks distributed over an appreciable distance in the sea.

Thus the invention is aimed at a device for continuous fishing by trawl-line, this trawl-line comprising a main line along which are distributed lines carrying fishi«g^ hooks, a boat for ensuring the running out of the trawl-line and an undersea tackle arranged to be dragged along by the boat by way of the trawl-line, the tackle including means arranged to brake its forward motion in the water.

Thus the developed length of the trawl-line may be as long as one likes, and thanks to the invention, fishing by trawl-line in a loop offers the same advantages as traditional fishing by trawl-line as far as the duration of immersion of the fishhooks and the number of fishhooks immersed is concerned. The undersea tackle being independent of the boat, the fishing may be carried out at an ordinary depth within the frame of fishing by trawl-line.

One of the important problems within the frame of fishing by trawl-line and above all the trawl-line in a loop where above 3 13S(S39 all one is seeking automation is to succeed in making the trawl-line pass over guide or driving pulleys without the individual lines and above all the fish caught by these lines being damaged by the pulleys.

Thus, in accordance with another object of the invention the pulley of the device of the invention comprises two half-pulleys separated by a gap perpendicular to the axle of this pulley, this gap being of a width less than the diameter of the trawl-line and at least equal to the diameter of the lines of fishhooks. In service the trawl-line is supported by the neck defined by the two half-pulleys, whilst the lines carrying fishhooks pass between the two half-pulleys so that the object suspended on the wires, such as the fish which has bitten the hook, passes underneath the pulley without being damaged by the latter.

In accordance with a third object of the invention, the driving device for the trawl-line of the invention is characterized in that it comprises two drums having substantially parallel axles, these drums being each lined at least at its periphery with a tyre of elastomer, one of these drums being coupled to a motor, the two drums being intended for pinching between their tyres the trawl-line and driving it by the resulting adhesion.

The drums pinch the trawl-line and the portion of the lines for the hooks adjacent to the cable. On the other hand the free end of the lines onto which is hooked the object being •.transported, such as the fish which has been caught, passes 's underneath the drums.

Other special features and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description below.

In the attached drawings given by way of non-restrictive examples: Figures 1 to 4 are diagrammatic side elevations of four embodiments of the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic side elevations showing two ways of using the device as Figure 4 with a view to fishing for tunny; Figure 7 is a plan of the device as Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan of another way of using the device in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 is a plan of the device in accordance with the invention, mounted on a boat of catamaran type; Figure 10 is a perspective of the means of guidance of the trawl-line; Figure 11 is a front view of a pulley for driving the trawl-line; - Figure 12 is a diagrammatic front view of a boat equipped with another device for driving the trawl-line; Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 but more detailed, the drums being slackened; and Figure 14 is a side view of one of the drums.

In the embodiment as Figure 1 the device for fishing 1 in accordance with the invention is in service on a fishing boat.

X99S3S The device for fishing 1 comprises a trawl-line formed of a main line 3 to which are attached lines 4 by their one ends and in a distributed manner, for example, at every six metres, the lines 4 each carrying a fishhook 6 at their other ends. Preferably fishhooks 6 of different sizes are distributed along the line 3.

The trawl-line is formed as a closed loop. The boat 2 carries means 7, such as a driving pulley, for guiding and driving the trawl-line in a motion similar to that of a belt. Such means will be described in detail later.

In accordance with the invention the device 1 comprises in addition an undersea tackle 8 carrying in a rotary return pulley 9 for the trawl-line. Hence in service the trawl-line is mounted after the manner of a belt around the means 7 and the return pulley 9.

The tackle 8 is intended to be dragged by the boat 2 by means of the trawl-line.

The undersea tackle 8 includes means 11 providing a braking effect for its forward motion in the water 12. In the example shown, the tackle 8 is a sledge which rests on the bottom 13 of the sea and said braking effect is provided by the bottom 11 of tackle 8 rubbing against the bottom 13 of the sea when the boat 2 drags it along.

The direction of rotation of the trawl-line around the pulleys 7 and 9 represented by the arrows F (Figure 1) is such that the portion of the loop which descends from the boat 2 towards the sea bottom 13 is the forward portion, that is to say, that which is nearer to the bow of the boat 2.

The pulley 9 is associated with braking means which allow rotation of the pulley 9 only upon production of a sufficient force to overcome the passive resistance of said means.

Thus the rising portion of the loop of the trawl-line is stretched between the pulleys 9 and 7. The descending portion of the loop is on the contrary slack and rests partially on the bottom of the water 13. The speed of the pulley 7 for moving the trawl-line is such that the portion of the trawl-line resting on the bottom of the sea is stationary on the sea bottom. In practice this result is obtained if the linear velocity of the periphery of the pulley 7 with respect to its axle is equal to the velocity of the boat.

The main line 3 is preferably composed of a number of sections attached to one another, enabling its length to be varied. One may, for example, provide for the tackle 8 to move three kilometres behind the boat 2. If the latter is moving forward at 3km/h, each line 4 carrying fishhooks 6 remains stationary on the bottom 13 for about one hour.

Light or sound lures may be attached to the lines 3, 4 or the hooks in order to attract the fish and other animals.

The device which has just been described operates as follows: When the boat 2 moves forward and the means 7 drive the trawl-line, the hooks 6 which leave the boat 2 fall slowly ,7 199833 down to the sea bottom 13. Already at this stage they may attract and catch certain fish. Then the hooks remain stationary on the bottom 13 for a certain time. At this stage they may attract other types of fish but also crustaceans.

Next, the hooks having reached the tackle 8 move on again abruptly towards the boat 2 at a speed of about 6 kilometres/ hour. This abrupt new movement of the bait and then its steady movement towards the boat 2 strongly attracts the fish, especially if lures have likewise been provided.

Upon arrival on the boat 2 the fish which has been caught is freed from the hooks 6 and passed to storage, then the hooks 6 are made ready (placing of another bait, etc.) and the fishing cycle recommences.

The device described above is particularly advantageous since each portion of the trawl-line is aimed at different categories of marine animals. Thus one achieves simultaneously nearly fixed fishing by hook at the time of the lowering of the hooks, bottom fishing with a view to capturing molluscs and bottom fish, and trail fishing in the phase of raising the hooks again. From the examination of the animals caught in a continuous manner, the personnel of the boat 2 can appreciate which are the predominant species in a given sector, and call up, by radio, boats specially equipped for fishing these species. Finally, the device may easily be adapted to a boat of ordinary type, even of small size.

The example of Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 but an attempt has been made to avoid having recourse to the use of tackle rubbing on the bottom of the sea. 199*33 ;Thus the sledge 8 is replaced by a tackle 28 which, like a ;the sledge 8 carries/return pulley 9, but is intended to float at an intermediate depth. ;The tackle 28 comprises a mount 29 for the pulley 9. The mount 29 is substantially horizontal and directed away from the boat 2 and carries a deflector 31 intended for braking the forward movement of the tackle 28 in the water. The deflector 31 which is conical, is attached to the mount 29 by its apex. ;The means of braking the pulley 9, comprise a paddlewheel (not shown) driven in rotation by the pulley 9 and ensuring hydrodynamic braking of the pulley 9. ;The tackle 28 is connected by a cable 32 to a surface float 33 upon which is mounted a winch 35 for the cable 32. The float carries in addition an antenna 34 for radio control of the winch 35, which cooperates with an antenna 36 installed on the boat 2 for the transmission towards the antenna 34. ;Preferably the tackle 28 likewise carries means of regulating the lateral alignment of the deflector 31 so as to enable if necessary a certain drift of the tackle 28, in other words, so as to enable it to move aside from the wake of the boat 2. These means of alignment of the deflector 31 may likewise be controlled by radio. ;The operation of the device is similar to that of Figure 1 as far as the feeding out of the trawl-line is concerned. ;199833 ;Depending upon whether it is found that one is catching more or less surface species or bottom species, the winch 35 may be controlled by radio so that the portion of the trawl-line running from the tackle 28 to the boat 2 is moving at the depth which has the most fish. ;If the deflector 31 is given a sideways tilt with respect to the boat 2, the fishing then affects a wide band of sea instead of being limited to a narrow band in the wake of the ship. ;The example of Figure 3 is similar to that as Figure 2 except that the tackle 28 carries two return pulleys 9 mounted in series. The distance between the return pulleys 9 is adjustable, the means of adjustment comprising if necessary a radio-controlled motor. ;Furthermore, the deflector 31 is produced in the form of a dihedron the generatrices of which in service are substantially vertical. This deflector 31 may likewise be able to be aligned sideways. ;In addition the float 33 is connected by a cable 37 to the tip of a mast 38 carried by the boat 2. The cable 37 carries signalling balls 39 spaced at long intervals. ;The device as Figure 3 enables fishing quite close to the surface by means of the portion of the trawl-line returning towards the boat 2 without the portion of the trawl-line which must rest on the bottom 13 being raised too soon after arriving at the tackle 28. ;10 ' ;199839 ;The device as Figure 4 comprises means of guidance of the trawl-line when it leaves the boat 2. This means of guidance, which comprises two pulleys 41 having parallel axles and having a common mount 42 is suspended from the boat 2 by 5 means of a rope 43. The latter passes over a pulley 44 ;mounted to be able to rotate at the end of a bowsprit 46. ;Thus the length of the rope 43 between the pulley 44 and the pulleys 41 is adjustable from the boat 2 by acting upon the end of the rope 43 which is brought back to it. ;10 The trawl-line is trapped between the two pulleys 41 and the mount 42 which exerts tension upon the trawl-line because of their weight, which tension is directed obliquely downwards and towards the bow of the boat 2 in the direction of the arrow G (Figure 4) . ;15 These guide means 41, 42 prevent the trawl-line floating for a certain length of time at an intermediate depth before reaching the bottom 13. One is thus assured that the trawl-line remains stationary on the bottom 13 during the desired period. ;20 In addition the means of braking of the pulley 9 are mechanical, ;In order to balance the torque of reaction generated by this braking, the tackle 28 carries a weight 81 attached to the end of a support 82 directed towards the bottom 13 and slightly towards the rear. The weight 81 may carry a ;25 proximity detector which ensures servocontrol of the winch ;35 in order to keep the tackle 28 at a constant distance ?£rom the bottom 13. ;10SEPJ985; ;< ;11 ;193S3S ;In the example shown in Figure 5, the device of Figure 4 is shown employed after having released the braking in rotation of the pulley 9. ;Thus the tackle 28 is located at such a distance from the boat 2 that all of the portions of the trawl-line are stretched simultaneously respectively between the boat 2 and the pulleys 41, between the pulleys 41 and the tackle 28, and between the tackle 2 8 and the boat. No portion of the trawl-line is resting on the bottom. ;This way of using the device is advantageous when fishing for tunny. ;Another advantageous way of use is represented in Figures 6 and 7. It is known that tunny have a tendency to gather under boats which have stopped in the open sea. In this location they are generally very difficult to catch. But the invention enables this to be done in a very simple way, simply by letting a very much shortened loop of trawl-line to hang on a diagonal under the boat 2. ;In the example as Figure 8, a trawl-line of the species of that shown in Figures 2 or 3 is mounted upon both sides of the boat 2. The deflectors 31 are given alignments tilted with respect to the wake of the boat so that the two trawl-lines move apart from one another, each on its own side of the wake of the boat 2. This mode of use is very suitable for trawlers which are moving above sea bottoms 13 which forbid the use of the trawl. ;k \ ;12 139S39 ;In the example as Figures 9 and 10, the device is adapted to a boat 2 of catamaran type. In this case it is advantageous that the point of entry and of leaving of the trawl-line is effected at the stern of the boat. The trawl-line arrives over one of the hulls 2a of the catamaran 2 and leaves from the other hull 2b. ;In arriving over the hill 2a the trawl-line first of all crosses over a guide device 51 and then a driving device 52. ;The guide device 51 comprises a stirrup 53 the central portion of which carries a rotary roller 54 against the underside of which the line 3 bears. A pulley 56 is mounted to rotate freely between the arms of the stirrup 51 and supports the trawl-line 3. ;The pulley 56 is of a type suitable for the guidance of the trawl-line but also more generally for the guidance of any cable serving for the conveyance of objects suspended from wires attached to this cable. ;In accordance with an important characteristic, this pulley 56 comprises two half-pulleys 57 separated by a plane gap 58 perpendicular to the axle of this pulley 56. This gap 58 is of a width less than the diameter of the main line 3 (which forms the conveyor cable), but greater than that of the lines 6 carrying hooks (which form the suspension wires). ;This pulley 56 supports the line 3 which is too thick to penetrate into the gap 58. The lines 4 carrying hooks, on the contrary, pass between the two half-pulleys 57 through the gap 58 so that the hooks and the fish which may have been caught pass under the pulley 56. ;13 193*39 All of the pulleys serving for the guidance or the driving of the trawl-line may be realized thus as two half-pulleys or even in the form of a complete guide device 51, especially the return pulley or pulleys 9 carried by the undersea 5 tackle 8 or 28, and the guide pulleys 41 as Figures 4 to 6.

Thus there is no risk of the hooks and the animals which have been caught being crushed between the main line 3 and the neck of & pulley.

In Figure 11 there is shown a device for driving the trawl-10 line, this device employing a pulley 56 similar to that described above.

The pulley 56 is carried by a stirrup 61 directed substantially upwards from the axle 62 of the pulley 56. The axle 62 is of course realized in two half-axles 63 separated by the 15 gap 58. One, 64, of the arms of the stirrup 61 is hinged at 66 in order to be able to be moved away from the other arm of the stirrup and to enable the putting of the line 3 in place between the half-pulleys 57 and the stirrup 61.

The half-pulleys 57 cooperate to define the neck of the 2 0 pulley 56. For this purpose they each exhibit a frustoconical peripheral face 67 of such a taper that in service the line 3 is sufficiently wedged between these faces 67 for the driving of the line 3 by the pulley 56 to be able to take place.

The half-pulleys 57 each have a set of gear teeth 68 at the 25 edge Of greatest diameter.

Then again a pinion 69 having a fixed axle mounted in , x o^rotation with respect to the stirrup 61 about an axis parallel V i: 10SEP1585 14 199S39 with the axis 62 of the pulley, meshes simultaneously with the two sets of teeth 67 above the line 3.

In accordance with a first variant, the pinion 69 is coupled to a motor 71 intended to ensure the driving of the line 3 by way of the pinion 69. In accordance with another variant the pinion 69 is mounted freely in the stirrup 61 and the motor 71 is associated with one of the half-shafts 63. In this case the pinion 69 serves to transmit the driving motion from one of the half-pulleys 57 to the other.

The driving device 52 as Figure 9 is in turn applicable to any type of suspension conveyor and it is shown in greater detail in Figures 12 to 14.

It comprises two rotary drums 71a, 71b having substantially parallel axles carried by a bracket 72 carried by the hull 2a. The drums 71a, 71b are produced from elastomer. One of these drums 71a is coupled to a motor 73.

The other drum 71b can be moved between a driving position (Figure 12) in which its tyre is applied against that of the first drum 71a, and a position in which it is separated from the first drum 71a (Figure 13) in order to enable the passing of the line 3 between the two tyres.

The profile of the tyre of each drum 71a or 71b is preferably curved in a concave and symmetrical manner with respect to the median plane perpendicular to the axle of these drums.

This driving device operates as follows: After having introduced the line 3 between the two drums 71a, 71b, the second drum 71b is put in the driving position. The line 3 is thus pinched between the two tyres of elastomer. 198839 The motor 7 3 is started up and it drives the line 3 by adhesion of the latter between the drums 71a, 71b.

If a line 4 carrying hooks presents itself, the upper portion is pinched between the drums 71a, 71b, but the hook 6 passes 5 underneath these drums and remains intact, and also the fish which it has possibly managed to catch.

As the tyres are curved, the area of contact between the two drums 71a, 71b (in the absence of the line 3) is that shown at 7 6 in Figure 14. This form of the tyres has the 10 effect that the line 3 remains substantially in the middle of the drums and does not tend to escape from them, in particular downwards.

Of course the invention is not restricted to the examples which have just been described and numerous arrangements 15 may be applied to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, for instance, by extension of the principle of fishing by trawl-line in a loop described above, the loop may be formed alternatively between two boats, or further between 20 one central boat and two others moving toward parallel to said central boat, both of them being piloted or radio controlled with a speed regulation. In this case, the area explored by the lines is more important.

In accordance with another variant of the device, the return JZ~5rrr~ pulley may be conceived so as to be secured to a steady point ""\i. oN^(buoy) , which the boat will move around. 10SEP1985; 16 19SS39 It must be understood that one object of the invention is to keep continuously into the sea as much hooks as possible.

According to another embodiment, the trawl-line will not 5 be conformed as a loop, but as a line being moved to and fro respectively from one side of the boat to the other, around a return pulley secured on the boat.

In this particular case, the two free ends of the line are fitted with means of braking its forward motion in the 10 water such as (11, 31).

An asymmetry is generated in the line by every suitable means such as: motor and reversing device on the pulley, loose pulley with a control on the braking means, 15 - drag anchors on each line, with always one anchor more on one line.

Thus while one of the branches of the trawl-line is moving downwards in the sea, the other one moves upwards towards the boat where the fish is collected as previously described. 2 0 This device further allows the level to vary on a line in opposition to the other, being conducive to fishing at differential levels and avoiding the tangling of the lines.

According to another variant and in order to further improve the yield, the free ends of the trawl-line may be 25 brought up near to the surface of the sea by winding the line up on means secured on a float. This winding up may well be controlled. 17 In order to prevent any undesired blocking up of the hooks at the level of the return pulley on the boat, the latter will be fitted with a disc having peripheral notches, which allow the lines (4) to be engaged and therefore rejected from the inclined axle of the pulley. This may be further performed by providing simple or double slideways. 18 1$ 9t39 iws°I

Claims (27)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS;

1. A device for continuous fishing by trawl-line, this trawl-line comprising a main line along which are distributed lines carrying fishhooks, a boat for ensuring the running out of the trawl-line and an undersea tackle arranged to be dragged along by the boat by way of the trawl-line, the tackle including means arranged to brake its forward motion in the water.

2. A device claimed as in claim 1 in which the trawl-line is in a loop, and the tackle further comprises at least one return pulley for directing the trawl-line back to the boat.

3. A device claimed as in claim 2, characterized in that the trawl-line arranged to be fed such that the descending portion of the loop is the forward portion of it.

4. A device claimed as in claim 3, characterized in that the speed of feeding out the trawl-line on the boat is arranged such that the bottom portion of the loop formed by the trawl-line can rest stationary on the sea bottom.

5. A device claimed as in any one of the claims 2 to 4, in which the return pulley is associated with means of braking its rotation.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the tackle is a sledge intended for resting on the sea bottom.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 5, in which the tackle is connected by a cable to a surface float, this tackle being intended to float at an intermediate depth. « III » 19 19*839

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the length of said cable is adjustable.

9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the means of braking the forwaird motion of the tackle in the water comprise a deflector attached to the tackle.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the deflector can be realigned.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the tackle includes two return pulleys mounted in series, the axles of which are of adjustable pitch.

12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the float is connected to the boat by a cable carrying signalling devices.

13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that it includes guide means arranged in the vicinity of the boat, intended for guiding the trawl-line as it leaves the boat, these guide means being suspended from a bowsprit attached to the bow of the boat.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the suspension of the aforesaid guide means is of adjustable length.

15. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the means intended for ensuring the running past of the trawl-line on the boat are arranged so that the entry and the leaving of the trawl-line are effected at the stern of the boat. 20 1W839

16. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which said pulley comprises two half-pulleys separated by a gap perpendicular to the axle of this pulley, the gap being of a width less than a diameter of the trawl-line and at least equal to the diameter of the lines carrying the hooks.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 in which the half-pulleys are carried by a stirrup one arm of which, carrying one of the half-pulleys is hinged between a locked operating position and a position in which the half-pulley in question is separated from the other in order to enable the passing of the cable over the pulley.

18. A device as claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the edges of the half-pulleys have teeth, and in that a pinion having a fixed axle meshes with these two toothed edges.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the shaft of the driving motor is coupled to the pinion.

20. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a driving device for driving the trawl-line, characterized in that it comprises two drums having substantially parallel axles, these drums being each lined at least at its periphery with a tyre of elastomer, one of these drums being coupled to a motor, the two drums being intended for pinching between their tyres the trawl-line and driving it by the resulting adhesion.

21. A device as in claim 20, characterized in that one of the drums is movable between a driving position in which it is forced towards the other drum, and a position in which it is separated from the other drum in order to enable engagement of the trawl-line.

22. A device as claimed in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the profile of the tyre of at least one of the drums is concave.

23. A device as in claim 1, wherein the running out of the trawl-line is arranged to be performed in a to and fro motion around a return pulley secured to the boat.

24. A device as in claim 23, wherein the pulley is driven by a motor provided with reversing means.

25. A device as in claim 23, wherein the pulley is loose, said device further comprising means for generating an asymmetry on one of the branches of the trawl-line.

26. A device as in claim 2, wherein the return pulley is secured on a second boat moving forward parallel to boat.

27. A device for fishing by trawl-line substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. ATELIERC^t CHANTIERS DE LA MANCHE DyETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES NAVALES