WO2019116265A1

WO2019116265A1 - Netting needle

Info

Publication number: WO2019116265A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/059947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Birgir Kristmannsson
Original assignee: Birgir Kristmannsson
Priority date: 2017-12-12
Filing date: 2018-12-12
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Also published as: GB201720677D0

Abstract

A netting needle is of a plastics material tube (1), conveniently 300mm long, 30mm outside diameter and 2mm wall thickness, with a central void (2). A front end (3) is chamfered at 30°, to form a point (4). Set back from the point, a 10mm circular cut out (5) with a clevis (6) extending towards a back end (7) of the tube. The back end of the tube is partially flattened to receive a flat stainless-steel insert (11) of 1mm sheet. It is laser cut 40mm wide with teeth (12), to grip the inside of the tube, an end clevis (13) and lateral notches (14). The clevis (13) is open at the end of the insert away from the tube, with radii (15) at its orifice for ready engagement with cord. Cord becomes gripped in the clevis as it is drawn into it longitudinally of the tube. The insert has the laterally open notches (14) are arranged flush with the end of the tube. Just outside the end of the tube at the notches (15), a blade (16) is fixed to the insert. The blade enables cord introduced laterally of the tube into the notches (14) to be cut. For use a hank (21) of netting cord is introduced into the tube at the front end. The working end (22) of the cord passes out of the tube beside the insert for use in network. The standing end (23) of the cord is passed through the cut out (5) and secured in the clevis (6).

Description

NETTING NEEDLE

The present invention relates to a netting needle.

Fishing net is traditionally made with a line of loops to which a further line of loops is attached by a netting knot, also known as a sheet bend, at each loop in the first line. Formation of the further line of loops and the netting knots requires the cord from which the net is being made to be passed up through each loop, around behind its two limbs and back under itself where it emerges from the loop. Needles for holding the line and passing it through the loop and under itself are tools which have had the same basic form for centuries.

They are generally flat, with a point at one end and a recess the other.

Towards the pointed end they have a cut-out, including a projection towards the point. The netting cord is wound around the projection and the recess in the end away from the point. An appreciable length of cord can be wound on the needle. However, it has to be remembered that in finished nets, the loops become squares. To pass from one square to the same position on the next, i.e. along a diagonal of the square, the cord must follow two sides of the square. The ratio of these distances is fl. In other words some 40% more cord is needed than the width of the net. So the needle is required to carry a considerable length of cord.

Fishing nets are easily damaged and their repair is a cold, wet, tiresome job, made the more tiresome by the need to wind the cord on the needles in the first place.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved netting needle and a winding device for it.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a netting needle for holding a hank of cord and threading the cord through a loop of a net being made or repaired, the needle comprising:

• a central void:

• means for retaining the hank of cord in the central void, • a pointed front end for passing the cord through the loop in the net and

• an open rear end through which a working end of the cord can be drawn out.

The needle could be cut off from a length of plastics material pipe tube to form a shorter tube. It could also be a purpose-designed, injection-moulded tube. Further the tube could be metallic or of waxed paper or regular paper or cardboard. In the latter instance, the tube could be disposable. Again it could be an at least partially skeletal moulding to economise on material.

The back end could be plain, with the cord being tightened manually.

However, the needle preferably includes a clevis at the rear end for gripping the cord for netting knot tightening.

Whilst the clevis could be formed in the material of the tube, it is preferably formed in an insert in the rear end of the tube. In the preferred embodiment, the insert has a blade for cutting the cord.

Preferably the clevis is arranged on a central longitudinal axis of the netting needle.

Where the clevis is formed in the tube, the hank of cord can be introduced into the tube from the rear end. However in the preferred embodiment, the front end is open for introduction of the hank of cord.

The insert can comprise the means retaining the cord in the device, with the hank being pulled against the insert in use. However, it is preferred to provide a grip for the standing end of the hank of cord. Conveniently, the grip is at the pointed end of the device. In the preferred embodiment, the grip is an aperture. It can be plain, but advantageously has a clevis extending towards the rear end for gripping the cord.

Where, as is preferred, the needle is in the form of a tube, conveniently it is cut obliquely at its front end to point it. Also in the preferred embodiment, the tube is slit from the oblique cut to allow it to taper for action as a marlin spike. Alternatively to the tube being cut obliquely, the front end can have a pointed cone closing it. The cone can have a light for assisting netting repairs after dark. The cone can also be configured to grip the standing end of the hank of cord. Where a cone is provided, it can engaged with the front end of the tube after the cord has been placed in the tube.

The netting needle of the invention can be used with a conventionally wound hank of cord, that is with loops continuously formed round a single pair of pegs, or a plain two-edged former, and then the loops wrapped around with the standing end of the cord. With the working end protruding somewhat, the hank is inserted into the needle and the standing end gripped. The working end can be progressively drawn out, past the clevis.

However, with a conventional hank there is some risk of entanglement as the working end is being drawn out with successive netting loops being formed.

Entanglement is inconvenient, requiring knotting off, discarding of the tangled hank and starting afresh.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the hank of cord for the needle of the invention has a pair of bights at each end, two on one side of hank and two on the other, with the wound cord passing at least substantially from one side to the other and a wrapping of the standing end of the cord around the loops, whereby the wrapping and the loops are compact for insertion into the needle and on drawing of the cord from within its wrapping the loops are drawn substantially from one side and then the other.

It is preferred that the looping is in figure of eight form from one side to the other, although loops formed at one side, or the other, only can be formed amongst the figure of eight loops.

Normally the cord will be wound as a single cord. However, it can be wound as a doubled-up cord for greater strength of netting repair. Where a front cone is provided for pointing the tube as opposed to the latter being cut obliquely, the tube can be of disposable paper or card. In such form, each tube can be provided with a hank of cord pre-inserted. The cone and the clevis insert can then be attached to the tube for use.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a jig for winding a hank of the second aspect of the invention, the jig comprising:

• a first pin carrier rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a central axis of a wrapped hank,

• a pair of first pins for cord to be wound around, the pins extending next to each other from the first pin carrier at least substantially radially of the rotation axis,

• a second pin carrier rotatable about the rotation axis and spaced from the first pin carrier along the axis,

• a pair of second pins for cord to be wound around, the pins extending next to each other from the second pin carrier at least substantially radially of the rotation axis.

In winding, the working (in use) end of cord extends away from one pair of pins and is passed to the other where it is wound around one of the pins, preferably from between them. It is then passed around the corresponding pin of the other pair from the outside and then back to the other pin of the first pair. The winding is continued in this pattern forming figures of eight loops. The carriers are then rotated about their axes for wrapping the standing end around the loops for much of their length.

The pins can be arranged to extend from a proximal end fast with their carrier eccentric of the rotation axis, inwards past the rotation axis and then outwards to free proximal ends. This arrangement allows the hank to be formed with a central axis at the rotation axis. However in the preferred embodiment, the pin carriers are arranged on the rotation axis, spaced from each other and parallel with each other, whereby the hank is arranged eccentric from the rotation axis The hank can include equal numbers of loops at one side only as the other side only interspersed with the figure of eight loops.

Normally at least one of the carriers will be provided with means for driving the other for the wrapping. This can be a strip laid between the pins prior to winding and temporarily engaged with the carriers for transferring drive from one carrier to the other.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an netting needle in accordance with the invention, prior to be loaded with a hank of cord;

Figure 2 is a side view of the needle of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a hank of cord in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of the needle of Figure 1 loaded with the hank of cord of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a machine in accordance with the invention for winding the hank of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 5 with the hank being wound; and

Figure 7 is a side view of the machine with the hank being wrapped.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the netting needle thereshown is of a plastics material tube 1, which is conveniently 300mm long, 30mm outside diameter and 2mm wall thickness and providing a central void 2. A front end 3 is chamfered at 30°, to form a point 4. Set back from the point, a 10mm circular cut out 5 with a clevis 6 extending towards a back end 7 of the tube. A slit 8 extends back 100mm from the chamfer opposite from the point 4, allowing the forward part 9 of the tube to be squeezed down in diameter for working into a tight netting loop.

Behind the slit, the tube is provided with a warm to touch grip 10 of tape in prototype form. An over-moulding can be envisaged in production. The back end of the tube is partially flattened to receive a flat stainless-steel insert 1 1 of 1mm sheet. It is laser cut 40mm wide with teeth 12, to grip the inside of the tube, an end clevis 13 and lateral notches 14. The clevis 13 is open at the end of the insert away from the tube, with radii 15 at its orifice for ready engagement with cord. The cord becomes gripped in the clevis as it is drawn into it longitudinally of the tube. The insert has the laterally open notches 14 are arranged flush with the end of the tube. Just outside the end of the tube at the notches 15, a blade 16 is fixed to the insert. The blade enables cord introduced laterally of the tube into the notches 14 to be cut.

For use a hank 21, see Figures 3 and 4, of netting cord is introduced into the tube at the front end. The working end 22 of the cord passes out of the tube beside the insert for use in net-work. The standing end 23 of the cord is passed through the cut out 5 and secured in the clevis 6.

In use, the needle, with its hank of cord carrier inside at the central void, is passed up through successive netting loops, around the back and between the loop and the up-passing cord to form a netting knot at the loop. To tighten the knot, the cord at either or both sides of the knot can be engaged in the clevis 13 and pulled tight. Once the net has been repaired and the cord finally knotted off, it can be cut with the blade 16.

The hank is formed as its word suggests of cord loops 24 wrapped around by the standing end of the cord. The working end extends from the within the wrapping W at the end of the hank opposite from a finishing hitch 25.

To mitigate against any possibility of fouling of the cord and to provide a compact hank, the loops are formed as figures of eight 26 between opposite end bights. This provides left and right individual bights 27,28 at the standing end and left and right individual bights 29,30 at the working end. It should be noted that left and right refer to the side of the hank when held upright with four loops bights.

As shown in Figures 5,6 & 7, a machine 31 for winding the hank has two shafts 32,33 aligned on a rotation axis A and set in bearings 34. One of the shafts has an extension 35 via which it can be driven. The shafts act as pin carriers. Adjacent the bearings single pins 36 extend from the shafts. At their inner ends they carry U- form double pins 37,38 equally extending from the shafts in the same direction. A connecting plate 39 engages between the double pins and onto the single pins, where drive from the extension is transferred to both shafts/pin carriers. In prototype form, the shafts are threaded with the pins 36,37,38 held between nuts 40 tightened against them.

The cord C for the hank is wound in its figure of eight format, with the runs from left to right sets of pins coming from between them and the runs from left to left and right to right passing outside them. The bights are formed against the pins 37,38. Once the requisite number of loops, typically four or five per side, have been wound the extension 35 is driven, as by an electric drill, for wrapping the standing end. The hank and the connecting plate 39 are withdraw from the pins and the plate is drawn out of the hank. It has been found that this form of hank can have the working end drawn out with reliably low chance of fouling.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the clevis could be formed in the tube itself, conveniently with chamfering of the back end and forming the clevis in a position equivalent to the front end point. The cut out for the standing end could be W formed with a double clevis, whereby the very end of the standing cord remains in the needle during net-work. The insert could be bent to triangular tube form, with the working end of the cord emerging centrally. A clevis can be formed at each angle of the triangular tube. A light can be incorporated in the front end of the needle, conveniently fitting between the point and the hank of cord. The light can be provided in a cone (not shown) engaged in the front of the tube, which can then be plain. The cord can be provided in varying sizes and lengths.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A netting needle for holding a hank of cord and threading the cord through a loop of a net being made or repaired, the needle comprising:

• a central void:

• means for retaining the hank of cord in the central void,

• a pointed front end for passing the cord through the loop in the net and

• an open rear end through which a working end of the cord can be drawn out.

2. A netting needle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the needle is tubular and cut from a length of pipe of plastics material, metal, waxed or ordinary paper or cardboard.

3. A netting needle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the needle is tubular, preferably at least partially skeletal, and injection moulded.

4. A netting needle as claimed in claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, including a clevis at the rear end for gripping the cord for netting knot tightening, the clevis preferably being arranged on a central longitudinal axis of the netting needle.

5. A netting needle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clevis is formed in the material of the tube, preferably with the rear end of the needle being open for introduction of the cord.

6. A netting needle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clevis is formed in an insert fitted in the rear end of the tube, preferably with the front end of the needle being open for introduction of the cord.

7. A netting needle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the insert preferably having a blade for cutting the cord.

8. A netting needle as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the insert provides the means for retaining the hank of cord in the central void.

9. A netting needle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for retaining the hank of cord in the central void is a grip for a standing end of the hank of cord, preferably at the pointed front end of the needle.

10. A netting needle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the grip is an aperture, preferably with a clevis extending towards the rear end for gripping the cord.

11. A netting needle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the needle is in the form of a tube and is cut obliquely at its front end to point it, preferably with the tube being slit from the oblique cut to allow it to taper in action.

12. A netting needle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the front end is provided with a pointed cone closing it, the cone preferably having a light for assisting netting repairs after dark and/or the cone being configured to grip the standing end of the hank of cord.

13. A netting needle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein

• the central void is formed in a disposable tube having a hank of cord preinserted,

• a front cone is provided for fitting to and pointing one end of the tube and

• a clevis insert is provided for fitting to the other end of the tube.

14. A netting needle as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a hank of cord with loops continuously wound in one direction and wrapped around with the standing end of the cord.

15. A netting needle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, in combination with a hank of cord having a pair of bights at each end, two on one side of hank and two on the other, with the wound cord passing at least substantially from one side to the other and a wrapping of the standing end of the cord around the loops, whereby the wrapping and the loops are compact for insertion into the needle and on drawing of the cord from within its wrapping the loops are drawn substantially from one side and then the other.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the looping is in figure of eight form from one side to the other, with loops formed at one side, or the other, being formed amongst the figure of eight loops.

17. The hank of cord of claim 15 or claim 16.

18. A jig for winding the hank of cord of claim 17, the jig comprising:

• a second pin carrier rotatable about the rotation axis and spaced from the first pin carrier along the rotation axis, • a pair of second pins for cord to be wound around, the pins extending next to each other from the second pin carrier at least substantially radially of the rotation axis.

19. A jig as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pins are arranged to extend from a proximal end fast with their carriers eccentric of the rotation axis, inwards past the rotation axis and then outwards to free proximal ends, whereby the hank is formed with a central axis at the rotation axis.

20. A jig as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pin carriers are arranged on the rotation axis, spaced from each other and parallel with each other, whereby the hank is arranged eccentric from the rotation axis.

21. A jig as claimed in claim 18, claim 19 or claim 20, wherein at least one of the carriers will be provided with means for driving the other for the wrapping, the means preferably being a strip laid between the pins prior to winding and temporarily engaged with the carriers for transferring drive from one carrier to the other.

22. A method of winding the hank of cord of claim 17 a jig of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein:

• a working (in use) end of cord is extended away from one pair of pins and is passed to the other where it is wound around one of the pins, preferably from between them,

• it is then passed around the corresponding pin of the other pair from the

outside, then

• it is passed back to the other pin of the first pair,

• the winding is continued in this pattern forming figures of eight loops and then

• the carriers are further rotated for wrapping the standing end around the loops for much of their length.