WO2022053788A1 - Storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig has a first housing part (7) and a second housing part (8). Each housing part forms a cavity filled with an open cell foam conformable element (19, 20). The housing parts are connected by hinge features (31, 32) which allow the housing parts to be closed around a carp fishing rig (27, 28, 29, 30, 31), keeping the components of the rig in the same physical relationship as when they are laid onto the conformable element. The closed storage apparatus is adapted by straps (39) and ribs (35, 36) to be secured to a fishing rod (1) securing the rig to the rod in a ready to use condition.

Description

STORAGE APPARATUS FOR A CARP FISHING RIG

Technical Field

[oooi] The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing a carp fishing rig in a ready to use condition while attached to a fishing rod.

Prior Art

[ooo2] Carp fishing is undertaken by anglers using equipment comprising: a rod, reel, line, rig and bait. The rod is commonly separable into two or more sections or in some cases may be formed of telescopically engaged sections which allow the rod to be reduced in length for transport and storage. The handle is at the bottom of the rod, and the reel is attached to the rod by means of a reel keeper at a point just above the handle end of the rod. The reel carries a line, which in use is threaded through guides secured to the rod sections above the reel. The rig is attached to the end of the line extending from the most remote guide. The rig may vary in its components and assembly according to the preferences of the angler but invariably includes; a fishing hook, a bait attachment, a weight and line elements connecting the other components. There will also commonly be further components included such as line weights, swivels and floats according to the preferences of the angler and the particular location at which the angler intends to fish. The object of the rig is to present a bait to the carp in an acceptable manner. The rig commonly takes significant time to prepare from its components and it is important that the rig does not become tangled.

[ooo3] Many coarse anglers are opportunistic anglers, liking to take an hour or two to enjoy their sport when the opportunity arises. Accordingly they are likely to carry their equipment with them in a rigged, ready to use condition, usually in a car or van. The conventional way to configure such equipment is to attach the hook to a guide on the rod or to a hook keeper forming part of the rod and to apply tension to the line in an effort to keep it secure. With a coarse fishing rig this leaves several rig components hanging loosely, particularly the weight and bait attachment. The motions of a vehicle or even manual carriage may result in the loose components becoming entangled leading to kinks forming in the connecting line elements. Disentangling and repairing the rig is a significant labour. A coarse fishing rig, particularly a carp fishing rig consists of a weight, often attached to the main line extending from the reel via a weight or lead clip, a hook length (sometimes known as a link line) connects the hook to the lead clip. It is common for anglers to treat the hook length so that it takes up a particular shape, usually a curve. Storing the hook length under tension removes this curve, consequently carrying a line by attaching the hook to a hook holder, under tension is not desirable.

[ooo4] US3199243 Figure 10 discloses a hook rod a line holder comprising a sleeve of a flexible materials adapted to wrap around a fishing rod. The sleeve forms a generally flat surface which supports a first pad. A flap extends from the sleeve to form a hinge region and support a second pad capable of being folded into opposition to the first pad. The second pad can be retained in intimate contact with the first pad by a snap fastener. A fishing hook can be retained under tension in a hook like clip between the pads when the flap is in a closed condition. Thus the pads and surrounding wallet protect the environment from the hook. This apparatus is ill suited to retain and protect the elongate and complex carp fishing rig because the carp fishing rig includes several components of widely varying dimensions which can be spaced laterally and longitudinally in the plane of the pads and requires tension to be applied to the main line to keep the hook engaged with the clip.

[ooo5] CA2524935 discloses an enclosure which envelopes a two or three pointed fishing hook, such as is commonly used in association with a lure. The enclosure prevents the hook from contacting and injuring anything nearby. However, the enclosure is also of little value in keeping a carp fishing rig in good order, to the contrary the enclosure would tend to encourage the rig to become entangled as a result of close confinement and mechanical disturbance and as previously requires tension to be applied to the main line.

[ooo6] NL1042414 discloses a storage apparatus having upper and lower rigid housing parts hingedly connected together along one elongate edge. Cushion elements are disposed one each in the cavities of each of the housing parts so that the cushion elements are in an opposing relation when the housing parts are closed. In the closed condition a gap is formed between the cushion elements. The cushion elements can thus grip a fishing weight of a rig laid between them. However the hook of the rig must be secured to around an anchor rod which spans a first housing part with the hook length extending between the weight and the hook under tension to maintain engagement. The tension will tend to pull the weight from the cushion elements and where the hook length has been worked to a particular shape will undo the worked shape. The axial distance from the cushion elements to the anchor is fixed which predetermines the length of the hook length which will work with the apparatus.

[ooo7] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig capable of storing the rig in a ready to use condition, while attached to a rod even when subject to mechanical disturbance.

Statement of Invention

[ooo8] Accordingly the present invention provides a storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig comprising: a first elongate rigid housing part; a second elongate rigid housing part; a first conformable element supported by the first housing part; a second conformable element supported by the second housing part; means to secure the first housing part to the second housing part so that the second housing part is pressed against the first housing part wherein, when the first housing part is pressed against the second housing part a gap is formed between the first and second conformable elements whereby a rig comprising multiple differently sized components can be laid onto the first conformable element and gripped by the second conformable element such that the hook and hook length, can be laid on one of the conformable elements and can be gripped by the opposable surfaces of the conformable elements to be retained without tension on the hook length or hook.

[ooo9] Preferably the first and second conformable elements present flat parallel opposing surfaces. The conformable elements are preferably made of an open cell foam which resiliently deforms to closely conform to the surface of the components of the rig. [ooio] The first and second housing parts may each comprise a base with upstanding side walls and end walls forming an open topped elongate internal cavity. The internal cavity may be divided into an long cavity and a short cavity by a solid partition spanning the cavity laterally. Each of the first and second conformable elements may then be divided into a first long conformable element filling the long cavity and a first short element filling the short cavity. A similar arrangement may be found in the second housing part. The partition and the conformable elements terminate beneath the rim of the walls so that when the opposing rims of the opposing first and second housing parts engage a gap is formed between the first and second conformable elements and the partitions.

[OOH] Preferably a depression is formed in a rim of an end wall of one or each of the first and second housing parts which, when the housing is closed, to form a through passage able to receive a fishing line. The aperture is formed around a central axis of the housing.

[0012] Means is provided to secure the first housing part to the second housing part. Preferably the means is provided by one or more co-operable hinge components disposed on complementary sides of the first and second housing parts whereby the first housing part can be rotated around a longitudinal hinge axis to one side of the side walls to open or close with respect to the second housing part. The apparatus may also include one or more clasps to secure the housing parts in the closed condition. Preferably the clasps comprise complementary clasp parts formed on each side wall opposite the hinge parts. Preferably the housing parts including the hinge parts and the clasp parts are integrally moulded from a durable plastics wherein each of the complementary hinge parts and the complementary clasp parts engage and in the case of the clasp parts disengage by resilient deformation.

[0013] The apparatus can be secured to one or more sections of a fishing rod when in use. To secure the apparatus to the fishing rod one or preferably two straps can be provided which can wrap around the or each section of the rod, Preferably the straps are arranged to wrap around the first and second housing parts when wrapped around the rod sections to further ensure that the apparatus does not spring open. A pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced projections may be provided by ribs projecting out from the base of the first housing part to partially envelop each segment of the rod during use. The rails help to ensure that the apparatus remains longitudinally aligned with the rod sections thereby preventing the fishing line projecting from the rod from kinking due to relative movement of the apparatus and rod. A resiliently deformable element may be located on the outer surface of the first housing part, between the ribs, which resiliently deforms to conform to the shape of a rod section in order to further discourage relative movement of the rod and apparatus.

[ooi4] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of storing a carp fishing rig ready for use on a fishing line of a fishing rod comprising the steps of, providing an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention; providing a carp fishing rig attached to the fishing line of a fishing rod; opening the apparatus to expose the surface of each of the first and second conformable elements; laying the components of the carp fishing rig onto the exposed surface of one of the conformable elements, with the components of the rig spaced to extend over substantially the whole length of conformable element with the fishing line extending through an aperture formed in an end of the housing parts; closing the second housing part against the first housing part; securing the apparatus to the fishing rod above the reel.

[0015] A method according to the second aspect of the invention wherein the components of the rig comprise at least a hook, a weight and lengths of fishing line connecting the weight and the hook.

Brief Description of Figures

[0016] An embodiment of the storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig constructed according to the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:-

Figure 1 is an isometric SE view of a fishing rod assembled with the apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric SE view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a an isometric SE view of the apparatus in an open condition and holding a rig;

Figure 4 is a sectional view from the left through the apparatus shown in figure 3 without the rig,

Figure 5 is a sectional front view of the storage apparatus;

Figure 6 is a front elevation; and

Figure 7 I a sectional view on the line VII-VII Detailed Description of Figures

[ooi7] The figures show a fishing rod 1 of conventional design, having a tip end which is not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity and a handle 2 opposite the tip end. A conventional reel 3 is attached by a conventional reel seat located above the handle (towards the tip end). A fishing line 4 is coiled onto the reel 3 and fed through guides 5 secured to the rod at spaced intervals above the reel. A storage apparatus 6 is secured to the rod 1 above the reel 3 so that the line extends from the reel over the storage apparatus and onto the first guide 5. In practice several more guides each spaced at longitudinal intervals along the rod will receive the line to the tip of the rod. The line then returns from a guide at the rod tip at 4.1 to enter the apparatus where it is attached to a rig as illustrated in figure 3.

[0018] The storage apparatus comprises a first elongate rigid housing part provided by a bottom 7 and a second elongate rigid housing part provided by a top 8. The base 7 comprises an elongate generally rectangular bottom 9 and side walls 10, 11 are upstanding from the base and meet upstanding end walls 12, 13 to form a cavity. The top 8 has a lid 14 of generally rectangular shape with opposing side walls 15, 16 upstanding from the longitudinal edges of the lid. End walls 17, 18 extend from the ends of the top to join the side walls and form a cavity. The base cavity is partitioned by a partition 19 extending laterally from side wall to side wall but having a top edge 19.1 spaced from the top edge of side walls 10 and 11. The top cavity is similarly partitioned by a partition 20 which extends from side wall 15 to side wall 16 and has a top edge 20.1 spaced from the corresponding top edge of the side walls 15, 16. The base cavity is partitioned into upper and lower parts by the partition 19 and the cavity formed in the top 8 is partitioned into upper and lower parts. The base cavity parts are filled with a conformable element provided by open cell foam modules 21 , 22 and the top cavity parts are filled with open cell foam modules 23, 24. The opposable surfaces of the foam modules 21 , 23 and foam modules 22, 24 are flush with the opposable edges of the partitions 19.1 and 20.1 so that when the upper and lower housing are brought together in opposition as shown in figures 2 and 5 a gap 25 is formed. In a variant of the apparatus the partitions 19.1 and 20.1 may be omitted and a single foam module fills either or each of the first and second housing parts uninterrupted from end to end.

[0019] A typical carp fishing rig comprises a lead clip 26 which secures a lead 27 to the rig by way of a swivel 28. The main line 4.1 is secured to the lead clip. A hook length 29 (sometimes known as a link line) is tied to a swivel 30 secured to the lead clip and extends to be tied to a hook 31 . It is common for the hook length to be treated to take up a particular shape, for example the hook length may be treated by steaming to take up a curved shape as illustrated. A bait attachment (not shown) may then be tied to the eye of the hook. The gap 25 allows the lead and lead clip to be retained relatively located as they are laid into the storage apparatus despite the disparate dimensions of the lead clip and lead. Without the gap the opposable surfaces of the conformable elements would be so deformed by the lead such that the lead clip will be free to move when subject to vibration or shock forces during transport. The hook and hook length, which may carry small line weights (not shown) can be laid to any location on the surface of a conformable element and retained between the conformable elements without tension on the hook length or hook and can be gripped by the opposable surfaces of the conformable elements 21 , 23 without any additional structure. There is no need to hook the hook into any material or loop or to drive the point into any matter. The gap may be sized to grip the eye of the hook without pressing on the shank, bend or point.

[0020] The bottom and top housing parts 7 and 8 are secured together by cooperating hinge features 32, 33 formed onto the outside of respective side walls 10 and 15. Cooperable snap engaging clasp elements 34, 35 are formed on side wall 11 and 16 respectively so that the apparatus can be retained in a closed condition and readily opened when required.

[0021] Projections are provided by parallel elongate longitudinally extending ribs 36, 37 which extend from the top 14. The ribs 36, 37 begin and end spaced from the ends of the apparatus. A resiliently deformable mat 38 may be secured to the outside of the top between the ribs. The projections prevent the apparatus from twisting when it is secured to a fishing rod. The base includes two pairs of laterally spaced strap apertures 39 in the bottom 9. Each pair of strap apertures 39 receives one of two straps 40.

[0022] The end walls 17, 12, 18 and 13 are each arcuate to avoid any sharp edges being presented to the main line as it is lead around the apparatus. Sharp edges may kink and damage the main line. 10023] The end wall 12 includes a cut out 41 which provides a hole for the passage of the main line 4.1 . Laterally spaced features 42 project from the inside of the end wall 17 to engage, one to each side of the cut out 41 so that the join between the top and bottom is obscured. This helps to prevent the main line from snagging in the join if it is forcefully tugged sideways as can occur if the main line snags.

[0024] The apparatus is used by opening the top and bottom out to lie substantially flat. The rig is then laid into the top and bottom as shown in figure 3. The top is the closed around the hinge elements and secured using the clasps. The apparatus is then presented with the deformable mat against the rod above the reel. The main line from the reel passes over and around the arcuate end wall 18 and between the ribs 36,37 before extending off to the rod tip. The apparatus is secured in place using the straps 40. In this example the straps are of hook and loop fabric which secures through buckles, which facilitate tensioning the straps. Freeing the rig ready for use involves the reverse of the above described process.

Claims

Claims A storage apparatus for a carp fishing rig comprising: a first elongate rigid housing part (7); a second elongate rigid housing part (8); a first conformable element (21 ) supported by the first housing part; a second conformable element (22) supported by the second housing part; means to secure the first housing part to the second housing part so that the second housing part is pressed against the first housing part wherein, when the first housing part is pressed against the second housing part a gap (25) is formed between the first and second conformable elements whereby a rig comprising multiple differently sized components can be laid onto the first conformable element and gripped by the second conformable element such that the hook and hook length, can be laid on one of the conformable elements and can be gripped by the opposable surfaces of the conformable elements to be retained without tension on the hook length or hook. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second conformable elements present flat parallel opposing surfaces with the gap sized to grip the eye of the hook without pressing on the shank, bend or point. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the conformable elements are made of an open cell foam which resiliently deforms to conform to the surface of the components of the rig. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first and second housing parts each comprise a base with upstanding side walls and end walls forming an open topped elongate internal cavity. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the internal cavity is divided into a long cavity and a short cavity by a solid partition spanning the cavity laterally. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second conformable elements is divided into a long conformable element filling the long cavity and a short element filling the short cavity. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each partition and each conformable element has an upper edge spaced from the rim of the side walls so that when the opposing rims of the opposing first and second housing parts engage the gap is formed between the first and second conformable elements and the partitions. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a depression is formed in the rim of at least one pair of opposable end walls, whereby an axially aligned aperture is provided to receive a main line when the apparatus is closed. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second housing parts are secured together by cooperating hinge features which allow the first and second housing parts to hinge between an open and a closed condition. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more cooperable clasp features are formed on each of the first and second housing parts 14 which allow the first and second housing parts to be secured into the closed condition and are releasable to allow the apparatus to be opened. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which includes fastening means to secure the apparatus to a fishing rod in the closed condition. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the securing means comprises at least one strap. Apparatus according to one of claims 11 or 12 wherein laterally spaced projections extend from one of the housing parts to prevent the apparatus from twisting when it is secured to a fishing rod. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a resiliently deformable mat is provided to act between the housing parts and the fishing rod to prevent movement between the apparatus and the fishing rod. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the end walls is shaped to present an arcuate profile to a main fishing line when the apparatus is attached to a fishing rod and the main line is guided around the end wall to the tip of the rod. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conformable elements extend from end to end of each housing part. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a coarse fishing rig. Apparatus according to claim 17 in combination with a carp fishing rig. 15 Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18 wherein the coarse fishing rig comprises; a lead clip, a weight and a hook length connecting a hook to the lead clip. A method of storing a fishing rig on a fishing rod, wherein the rig comprises a lead clip connected to a main fishing line, a lead weight clipped to the lead clip, and a hook length connecting the lead clip to a hook comprising the steps of, providing a storage apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 19, laying the rig onto one conformable element so that the lead clip, lead weight and hook are in a spaced relationship, and securing the first housing part such that it presses against the second housing part with the conformable elements in opposition to grip and secure the place of each of the components of the rig without tension on the hook length. A method according to claim 20 comprising the step of providing an apparatus according to claim 5 comprising the steps of laying the hook into the long cavity and laying the weight and lead clip into the short cavity such that no tension is applied to the hook length. A method according to claim 20 or 21 comprising the steps of providing an apparatus according to claim 8, laying the main line into one depression so that the main line passes through the aperture when the second housing part is pressed against the first housing part to achieve a closed condition. A method according to one of claims 20 to 22 comprising the steps of providing an apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14 and fastening the apparatus to a fishing rod.