WO1997047189A1

WO1997047189A1 - Float

Info

Publication number: WO1997047189A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/000798
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leif SWÄRD; Sune Sahlen
Original assignee: Exess Fiske I Söderhamn Ab
Priority date: 1996-06-11
Filing date: 1997-05-15
Publication date: 1997-12-18
Also published as: SE9602294L; SE506831C2; AU3197397A; SE9602294D0

Abstract

A float comprises a hull (2) from which upper and lower, shaft-like parts (3, 4) extend. The upper shaft part is in the shape of a tine (3) which, in the area of a free end distanced from the hull (2), has a member (11) for connection of a line (12). The lower shaft part (4) has a sinker (7) which serves as a counterweight for the pulling force which a lower part of the line, together with components (13, 14) associated therewith, exert on the rod, the float at a bite initially being brought to oscillate around the hull without any pulling force being applied to the same from the lower part of the line.

Description

FLOAT

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a float comprising a hull from which upper and lower, shaft-like parts extend.

Background of the Invention

Floats of the kind generally mentioned above is used for fishing purposes, more precisely for angling in the form of conventional angling as well as casting angling. A fishing-line is then connected to the float, one end of which line is asso¬ ciated with an angling or casting rod and the opposite end of which has a sinker and a hook for a bait, e.g. a worm. Conven¬ tional angling floats comprise a hull or buoyant body in the form of an approximately spherical or drop-shaped cork or cel¬ lular plastic body in which a through hole is recessed for a long narrow peg-shaped clamp element, by means of which the float may be locked in the desired position relative to the line. In modern so called pen floats the hull is of an elon- gated shape, but still comprises a through hole for an even thinner clamp element, which enables adjustment of the depth of the bait. In all cases, the lower portion of the line extends downwards from the lower part of the hull at the same time as the upper part of the line, connected to the rod, extends upwards from the upper part of the hull, the weight of the line sinker, the hook and the bait guaranteeing that the float floats in an upright state.

A well-known phenomena is that it often happens that biting fish, after initially having swallowed the bait and started to draw down the float below the water surface, spits out said bait again without properly biting on the hook. The explanation of this phenomena is that the fish experiences an explicit resistance from the bait at the same moment as the float starts to be drawn down in the water. This is something which is inevitable as a consequence of the fact that the lower part of the line is directly connected with the hull. Objects and Features of the Invention

The present invention aims at creating an improved float which manages the above-mentioned disadvantage in connec¬ tion with angling fishing. Thus the object of the invention is to create a float which gives a minimally biting resistance during the short, sensitive stage when the fish has swallowed the bait and is to bite on the hook.

According to the invention, this object is attained by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are furthermore defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Appended Drawings In the drawings : Fig 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a float according to the invention observed obliquely from below, Fig 2 is a similar perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the float, Fig 3 is a perspective view showing the float according to fig 1 during casting in the water, Fig 4 is a view showing the float floating on the surface of the water in an initial state, and Fig 5 is a similar view showing the float in two different functional states.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The float shown in figure 1 includes, in addition to a hull or buoyant body 2, upper and lower shaft-like parts 3 and 4, respectively. The lower shaft part 4 comprises an outer shell or sleeve 5, which at the bottom widens into a shirt-like portion 6, and inside which there is a tube (not visible) , which at the lower end thereof has a sinker 7 in the form of a cylindrical body of metal, e.g. brass. Inside the sleeve 5, there is a second tube in which a tablet may be inserted which is of the nature that it emits gas and/or scent agents when it gets in contact with water. In this way, the float in its entirety may be set in a tilting motion in order to keep a bait in motion even when the surface of the water is glassy. An L-shaped element 8 formed at the outside of the sleeve 5 comprises a first shank 9 which is applied to the out¬ side of the sleeve and a second shank 10 which extends down¬ wards from the shank 9, preferably parallel to the longitudinal extension of the shaft part.

The upper shaft part 3 has the shape of a relatively thin and long tine which at the upper, free end thereof has a loop or a ring 11. In practice, the tine 3 and the lower shaft part, in its entirety designated 4, may be made in one single piece of plastic, the hull 2 being made as a separate component which is applied to the tine afterwards. The hull may either consist of a solid, porous body, e.g. cellular plastic, or an air-filled shell, suitably of plastic. Irrespective of the choice of material, the hull may be permanently or fixedly united to the shaft parts so as to always assume the same posi¬ tion in relation thereto.

In fig 2, an alternative embodiment is shown, according to which the lower shaft part 4' of the float is in the form of a simple tube which at the lower end thereof has a sinker 7' . In figures 3 to 5 , the float according to fig 1 is shown in connection with casting angling. Then, the float is arranged on a fishing-line 12 which at the free end thereof has a hook 13 and a sinker 14 in the form of one or more balls, e.g. leaden. The opposite end of the line 12 is rolled up on a reel of a casting rod by means of which a bait, e.g. a worm, fixed on the hook may, together with the float, be thrown out rela¬ tively far away from the fisherman. As may be seen in figures 3 to 5, a stop member 15 is applied to the line 12 at a suitable distance from the sinker and the hook. The stop member 15 is at least somewhat larger than the diameter of the tine ring 11 so that said member cannot pass the ring.

The Function and Advantages of the Float According to the Invention When the bait and the float are to be thrown out, as shown in fig 3, the line-sinker 14 is applied in connection with the L-element 8 serving as a holder, more precisely in such a way that at least one ball is placed on one side of the L-element and with the part of the line extending inwards from the sinker running over to the opposite side of the L-element. In this way, it is guaranteed that the float cannot move fur¬ ther out towards the hook and the bait than what is settled by the distance between the hook and the sinker. When the float lands in the water, as shown in fig 4, the sinker 14 will auto¬ matically be released from the holder element 8 and drag the bait together with the line in the downward direction. The low¬ ering of the bait continues until the stop member 15 is in con¬ tact with the tine ring 11, the desired depth for the bait being obtained. When this happens, the float will assume an oblique position as shown with full lines in fig 5. In prac¬ tice, the angle of inclination of the tine is determined by a balance between, on one hand, the weight of the sinker, the hook and the bait and, on the other hand, the lever effect which is exerted by the weight of the lower shaft part 4. In practice, these weights should be so balanced that the tine gets an angle within the range of 30-60° relative to the sur¬ face of the water.

When a fish swallows the bait and sets it in motion, no immediate resistance arises from the hull 2 in the float according to the invention, in that the line is connected to the free end of the relatively long tine 3. Therefore, ini¬ tially this will oscillate around a centre which is constituted by the hull without the hull being exerted to an immediate pulling force from the line. In other words, the possibilities are considerably improved that the fish has time to bite into the hook before the hull is affected and causes a resistance for the fish.

At the embodiment according to fig 1, the float can be automatically set in a tilting motion in connection with angling when it is calm. This cannot be achieved at the float according to fig 2, but in regard to the reduced biting resis¬ tance, this float works in the same way as the float according to fig 1.

Claims

1. Float comprising a hull (2) from which upper and lower, shaft-like parts (3, 4) extend, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the upper shaft part is in the shape of a tine (3) which, in the area of a free end distanced from the hull (2) , has a member (11) for connection of a line (12) , and that the lower shaft part (4) has a sinker (7) which serves as a counterweight for the pulling force which a lower part of the line, together with components (13, 14) associated therewith, exert on the rod, the float at a bite initially being brought to swing around the hull (2) without any pulling force being applied to the same from the lower part of the line.

2. Float according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the hull is fixedly united to and assumes a given position relative to the upper tine part (3) as well as the lower shaft part (4) .

3. Float according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the upper tine part (3) and the lower shaft part (4) are made in one single continuous piece of material to which the hull (2) is permanently united afterwards.

4. Float according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the connection member (11) of the tine consists of a ring or loop through which the line (12) may run and that an element (8) is arranged on the lower shaft part (4) for temporarily retention of a sinker (14) applied to the line in relation to the float in connection with casting thereof in the water.

5. Float according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said element (8) is L-formed and has a first shank (9) applied to the outside of the lower shaft part (4) and a second shank (10) extending downwards from the first one.