WO1998015175A1

WO1998015175A1 - Forearm casting device

Info

Publication number: WO1998015175A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000670
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Francis Rich
Original assignee: John Francis Rich
Priority date: 1996-10-09
Filing date: 1997-10-07
Publication date: 1998-04-16

Abstract

A forearm casting device (100) having a body (101) adapted to receive a fishing reel. Straps (102 and 103) secure the body (101) to the forearm of a user. Mounted on the body (101) is an eyelet (104) which guidably receives a fishing line wound about the reel. The reel has a spool and hood located over the spool. A guideline pin is also provided which acts as a bail arm line guide.

Description

FOREARM CASTING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to fishing tackle and in particular relates to a casting device adapted to be secured to the forearm.

Background of the Invention

Conventional fishing devices typically comprise either a simple hand held reel or a reel attached to a fishing rod. Hand held reels require some skill to cast effectively with as the reel must be held at a particular orientation to allow the fishing line to unspool freely from the reel. Manual retrieval of the line is also difficult, often resulting in tangling of the line. Fishing rods, whilst eliminating some of the difficulties associated with casting and retrieval using hand held reels are typically bulky. Both hand held reels and fishing rods usually require constant vigilance and need to be hand held whilst fishing.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to provide a forearm casting device.

Summary of the Invention

In a broad form the present invention provides a forearm casting device comprising: a body adapted to receive a fishing reel, securing means for securing said body to a forearm of an operator, a guide secured to said body for guiding fishing line onto and off said fishing reel.

Typically, said body is adapted to receive said fishing reel towards a first end thereof and said guide is secured towards a second end thereof such that, in use, said fishing line extends from said fishing reel generally parallel to said forearm towards a hand of said operator. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the casting device further comprises said fishing reel, said fishing reel being a closed face type reel having a spool, a hood located over said spool and a line guide pin adapted to pass between a retracted position substantially within said hood and a protruding position protruding from said hood for guiding said fishing line onto said spool.

Preferably the casting device further comprises a cover adapted to substantially enclose said closed face type reel. The cover and a portion of said body adjacent to said hood may functionally replace a closure member normally provided with closed face type reels by defining an annular space with said hood in which said line guide pin travels as said hood rotates, said cover and adjacent body portion preventing said fishing line from slipping over a free end of said line guide pin when said line guide pin is in said protruding position. Alternatively the fishing reel may include a closure member substantially enclosing said hood, said closure member defining an annular space with said hood in which said guide pin travels as said hood rotates, said closure member preventing said fishing line from slipping over a free end of said line guide pin when said line guide pin is in said protruding position, said closure member having an aperture in an end face thereof through which, in use, said fishing line extends.

In an alternative embodiment, said fishing reel is a centre axle type reel comprising a spool adapted to be mounted on a centre axle and a handle mounted on said spool for winding thereof. The centre axle type reel is typically adapted to be received on a housing unit including said centre axle, said housing unit being hingedly mounted on said body such that, in use, it can pass between a casting position wherein said centre axle extends towards said body second end generally parallel to said forearm such that fishing line on said spool is free to cast and a winding position wherein said centre axle extends generally perpendicularly from said forearm for feeding and retrieval of said fishing line by rotation of said reel. A locking device may also be provided to secure said housing unit in either of said casting and winding positions.

In another alternative embodiment, said fishing reel is an open face type reel. A handle may be provided at said second end of said body for gripping by said hand. Said handle may be detachable and adjustable in position. Said handle may be hollow and act as said guide. The securing means may comprise at least one strap secured at opposing ends to said body and adapted to pass around said forearm.

The reel can preferably be reversed to allow either clockwise or anti clockwise operation of a handle thereof. 5 The body may be padded on an underside thereof adapted to abut said forearm.

The reel preferably employs a drag system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: ι o Figure 1 is a perspective view of a forearm casting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 1 without securing straps.

Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 2. 15 Figure 4 is a perspective view from underneath the rear of the forearm casting device of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 2 with the cover removed.

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 2 20 including hidden detail of the reel hood and cover.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a modified form of the forearm casting device of the first embodiment with the cover removed.

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of another modified form of the forearm casting device of the first embodiment with the cover removed. 25 Figure 9 is a plan view of a forearm casting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the reel housing unit in a casting position.

Figure 10 is an inverse plan view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a right side elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a left side elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9. Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9.

Figure 15 is perspective view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9 with the reel housing unit in a winding position.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the forearm casting device of Figure 9 with a centre axle type reel mounted on the housing unit in a casting position.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the forearm casting device and centre axle type reel of Figure 17 with the housing unit in a winding position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The forearm casting device 100 of the first embodiment as depicted in Figures 1 to 6 has a body 101 adapted to receive a fishing reel 150. In this embodiment the fishing reel 150 is in the form of a closed face type fishing reel 150 which is depicted mounted in the body 101. The forearm casting device 100 would typically be supplied with the closed face type fishing reel 150 already mounted, but may also be supplied separately for the owner to mount a standard reel after purchase. Securing means are provided for securing the body 101 to the forearm of an operator, the securing means here taking the form of first and second straps 102, 103 secured at opposing ends to the body 101 and adapted to pass around the operator's forearm. Alternatively a single wider strap may be provided. The closed face fishing reel 150 is here received in the body 101 towards a first end

101a thereof. An eyelet 104, for guiding fishing line 151 onto and off the closed face fishing reel 150, is secured toward a second end 101b of the body 101. This arrangement results in fishing line 151 extending from the fishing reel 150, which in use is positioned on the upper forearm of the operator, generally parallel to the forearm towards the operator's hand.

The first and second straps 102, 103 are secured to the body 101 through slots 105, 106, 107 and 108 provided on tabs extending from the sides of the body 101 at the first and second ends 101a, 101b thereof. The straps 102, 103 may be fastened around the forearm using standard fastenings such as pronged clip fasteners 109, as depicted in Figure 1 , or hook and loop fastening tape such as Velcro . The straps 102, 103 should be adjustable to allow securing to various sized forearms. Alternatively the body 101 may be secured to the forearm by other means such as an elasticised sleeve. As a further possible alternative, opposing sides of the body 101 may extend to partially wrap around the operator's forearm, so that the body 101 is essentially clipped onto the forearm.

The underside of the body 101 is concave so that it will generally follow the contour of the forearm and is padded to increase the comfort of the operator.

A handle 110 may be provided at the second end 101b of the body 101 which extends generally forwardly of the body 101. The handle 110 can be gripped by the hand of the operator on the arm to which the body 101 is secured. Utilising the grip stabilises the casting device 100 when fighting and bringing in a large fish. Gripping the handle 110 reduces the load on the straps 102, 103 or other securing means and reduces any possible discomfort caused by the straps 102, 103 rubbing on the forearm as a fish pulls against the casting device 100. The handle 110 is preferably detachable and adjustable in position to cater for preferred configurations of different operators. The handle 110 may be bent in a dog leg fashion such that the end of the handle extends at an angle to the forearm to facilitate an improved grip. Such a handle can preferably be detached from the body 101 and reattached by a snap-on fitting with the end of the handle extending in the opposite direction so that it may be utilised by left or right handers. The end of the handle 110 may be provided with a moulded grip to increase the comfort and grip available.

A further eyelet 112 may be secured to the body 101 between the eyelet 104 and reel 150 to further guide the fishing line 151 onto and off the reel 150.

Closed face type fishing reels 150 have a spool 152, a hood 153 located over the spool 152 and a line guide pin 154. The line guide pin 154 acts as the equivalent of the bail arm line guide of an open face reel and passes between a retracted position where the line guide pin 154 is substantially within the hood 153 and a protruding position as shown in Figures 5 and 6 where the line guide pin 154 protrudes from the hood 153. When the reel is wound by the handle 155 with the line guide pin 154 in the protruding position, the line guide pin 154 catches on the fishing line 151 and acts to guide the fishing line 151 onto the spool 152. In a regular fishing rod installation a closure member 159 encloses the hood 153 and provides an annular space around the hood 153 in which the line guide pin 154 travels as the hood 154 rotates on winding of the handle 155, with the closure member 159 closely surrounding the locus of movement of the free end of the line guide pin 154 such that the fishing line 151 is prevented from slipping over the free end of the 5 line guide pin 154 when it is in its protruding position. The fishing line 151 extends out of the closure member 159 through an aperture 160 provided in the centre of its end face 161.

Whilst the body 101 may be configured such that the entire closed face reel 150, including the closure member, is received in the body 101 , as depicted in Figure 8, the ι o closure member may be removed, with it being functionally replaced by a portion 101c of the body 101 which is adjacent to the hood 153 when the reel 150 is installed and a cover 111 which substantially encloses the closed face reel 150. This configuration is depicted in Figures 5 through 7. The inner surface I l ia of the cover 111 and the adjacent body portion 101c define with the hood 153 the annular space within which the line guide pin

15 154 travels to guide the fishing line 151 onto the spool 152. The annular space may be defined by other equivalents to the closure member 159. It may be preferable to retain the original closure member 159, as the end face 161 of the closure member 159, closing off the annular space helps to prevent tangling of the fishing line 151 in the elongated cavity defined by the body 101 and cover 111 when the fishing line is slack, retention of the

20 closure member 159 will also simplify the manufacture of the body 101 and cover 111. If the closure member 158 is retained, the cover 111 need not necessarily be fitted to the body 101.

If fitted, the cover 111 may be formed to include tackle compartments in the sides thereof for storing spare hooks and sinkers and the like.

25 The closed face reel 150 is preferably provided with a drag system which is adjusted via the drag control 156 to increase or decrease the drag force required to cause the fishing line 151 to gradually unspool as a fish fights. As well as reducing any occurrence of line breakage the drag system will reduce the load on the arm of the operator.

To cast the fishing line 151 , the reel release button 157 of the closed face reel 150 is

30 depressed, disengaging the spool 152 from the internal gears of the reel 150 and retracting the line guide pin 154 into the hood 153, enabling the fishing line to freely unspool. A left hander would typically fit the forearm casting device 100 to his right forearm, press the reel release button 157 with his left hand, take the fishing line 151 in his left hand and hand cast the fishing line 151. Winding the handle 155 re-engages the spool 152 and moves the line guide pin 154 back into the protruding position such that further winding will retrieve the fishing line 151 and, hopefully, a fish on the end thereof. To enable use by both left and right handers it is preferable that the reel 150 is reversible to allow winding of the handle 155 in the preferred direction.

In a variation of the first embodiment as depicted in Figure 7, the handle 110' is hollow and acts as a guide in place of, or in addition to, the eyelet 104 in guiding the fishing line 151. With the fishing line 151 guided through the hollow handle 110' , the hook at the end of the line is kept clear of the body 101 and the operator's hand when the line is retrieved. Guiding the fishing line 151 through the hollow handle 110' also makes it easier for the operator to "feel" the line by supporting the line on an extended forefinger immediately in front of the handle 110' .

A forearm casting device 200 according to a second embodiment is depicted in Figures 7 to 15. This forearm casting device has a body 1 which is adapted to receive a centre axle type fishing reel 250 (see Figure 17) comprising a spool 252, handles 253 and a central aperture 254 for mounting the reel 250 on a central axle 18. As in the first embodiment, the centre axle type fishing reel 250 is received on the body 1 towards a first end thereof, and guides in the form of eyelets 7, 8 are secured toward a second end of the body 1. The underside of the body is concave and has padded material 2 adhered thereto for the comfort of the operator.

Adjustable straps 9, 10 are secured to the body 1 through slots 5, 6, 7, 8 and are here fastened to the forearm of the operator utilising hook and loop fastening tape.

The centre axle type fishing reel 250 is received on a housing unit 23 by passing its central aperture 254 over the centre axle 18 . The centre axle 18 is secured to the body of the housing unit 23 by a locking nut 25. The reel 250 is secured to the centre axle 18 via a bolt 16 having an enlarged head which is screwed into the end of the centre axle 18. A washer 17 here separates the spool 252 from the bolt 16 to reduce any friction therebetween.

The housing unit 23 is hingedly mounted on the body 1 such that, in use, it can pass between a casting position, as depicted in Figure 15, where the centre axle 18 extends towards the second end of the body 1 generally parallel with the forearm of the operator and a winding position, as depicted in Figure 16, where the centre axle 18 extends generally perpendicularly from the operator's forearm for feeding and retrieval of fishing line by rotating the reel 250. In the casting position, fishing line 251 on the spool 252 is free to unravel during casting. In the winding position, fishing line is guided onto and off the spool 252 as it rotates without allowing it to unravel.

The housing unit 23 is hingedly mounted onto the body 1 via a hinge member 13 which includes a protruding catch portion 13a which extends parallel to the centre axle 18. The hinge member 13 is secured to the body via an axle 11 passing through axle brackets 14, 24 mounted on the body 1. Other typical hinge arrangements may also be employed. When the housing unit 23 is in the casting position, a pivoting latch 12 is pivoted about its mount 27 and engages the protruding catch portion of the hinge member 13 to lock the housing unit 23 in the casting position. A catch member 15 is mounted on the housing unit 23 and extends generally perpendicular to the centre axle 18. When the housing unit 23 is in the winding position, the pivoting latch 12 is pivoted to engage the catch member 15 thereby locking the housing unit 23 in the winding position. Other known locking mechanisms may also be used to secure the housing unit 23 in either of the casting and winding positions.

A gear selector 21 may be provided to allow the operator to select between winding the fishing line 251 in and feeding it out. The gear selector 21 passes through a hole 26 in the housing unit 23, with movement of the gear selector 21 causing gear lock 20 to pivot about a tension screw 28. The free end of the gear lock 20 engages a gear (not shown) on the lower surface of the spool 252 with a spring 19 forcing the gear lock 20 against the gear such that rotation of the spool is inhibited in one direction. Movement of the gear selector 21 changes the inhibited direction by rotating the gear lock such that it engages the alternate side of the gear. The gear selector 21 is mounted in a gear selector housing unit 22. The gear selector also enables reversing of the reel 250 to suit left or right handers.

The fishing line 251 is cast in a similar manner with the forearm casting device 200 of the second embodiment as that of the first embodiment. The body 1 is first secured to the right forearm of a left handed operator, the housing unit 23 rotated to the casting position, and the fishing line 251 cast with the left hand. The housing unit 23 is then rotated into the winding position where the fishing line may be further fed out or wound in by making the appropriate selection with the gear selector 21 and rotating the handles 253. As per the first embodiment, a handle and / or a drag system may also be employed. The forearm fishing devices 100, 200 of the embodiments described allow the operator to fish with his hands free (except during casting and retrieval) and can even be used by an operator having an amputated hand. Casting with the preferred devices is more effective that with regular hand held reels, and tangles and cut hands associated with hand reels can be largely eliminated. If so desired, the preferred casting devices can be removed from the forearm once cast and secured to a boat, jetty, tree branch, chair or similar allowing the operator freedom to temporarily leave his fishing line unattended without fear of losing his entire tackle.

Whilst the first and second embodiments have been described in relation to closed face and centre axle type fishing reels, the forearm fishing device of the present invention can also be utilised with other types of fishing reels such as open face fishing reels.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A forearm casting device comprising: a body adapted to receive a fishing reel, securing means for securing said body to a forearm of an operator, a guide secured to said body for guiding fishing line onto and off said fishing reel.

2. The casting device of claim 1 wherein said body is adapted to receive said fishing reel towards a first end thereof and said guide is secured towards a second end thereof such that, in use, said fishing line extends from said fishing reel generally parallel to said forearm towards a hand of said operator.

3. The casting device of claim 2 further comprising said fishing reel, said fishing reel being a closed face type reel having a spool, a hood located over said spool and a line guide pin adapted to pass between a retracted position substantially within said hood and a protruding position protruding from said hood for guiding said fishing line onto said spool.

4. The casting device of claim 3 further comprising a cover adapted to substantially enclose said closed face type reel.

5. The casting device of claim 4 wherein said cover and a portion of said body adjacent to said hood functionally replace a closure member normally provided with closed face type reels by defining an annular space with said hood in which said line guide pin travels as said hood rotates, said cover and adjacent body portion preventing said fishing line from slipping over a free end of said line guide pin when said line guide pin is in said protruding position.

6. The casting device of claim 3 wherein said fishing reel includes a closure member substantially enclosing said hood, said closure member defining an annular space with said hood in which said guide pin travels as said hood rotates, said closure member preventing said fishing line from slipping over a free end of said line guide pin when said line guide pin is in said protruding position, said closure member having an aperture in an end face thereof through which, in use, said fishing line extends.

7. The casting device of claim 2 wherein said fishing reel is a centre axle type reel comprising a spool adapted to be mounted on a centre axle and a handle mounted on said spool for winding thereof.

8. The casting device of claim 7 wherein said centre axle type reel is adapted to be received on a housing unit including said centre axle, said housing unit being hingedly mounted on said body such that, in use, it can pass between a casting position wherein said centre axle extends towards said body second end generally parallel to said forearm such that fishing line on said spool is free to cast and a winding position wherein said centre axle extends generally perpendicularly from said forearm for feeding and retrieval of said fishing line by rotation of said reel.

9. The casting device of claim 8 wherein a locking device is provided to secure said housing unit in either of said casting and winding positions.

10. The casting device of claim 2 wherein said fishing reel is an open face type reel.

11. The casting device of any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein a handle is provided at said second end of said body for gripping by said hand.

12. The casting device of claim 11 wherein said handle is detachable and adjustable in position.

13. The casting device of claim 11 wherein said handle is hollow and acts as said guide.

14. The casting device of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said securing means comprises at least one strap secured at opposing ends to said body and adapted to pass around said forearm.

15. The casting device of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said reel can be reversed to allow either clockwise or anti clockwise operation of a handle thereof.

16. The casting device of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said body is padded on an underside thereof adapted to abut said forearm.

17. The casting device of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said reel employs a drag system.