Teaser

Abstract

A trolling teaser for trolling and attracting fish, the teaser comprising: an elongate body extending between a frontal end and a rear end, the front end wherein the front end comprises a tethering attachment to tether the body to a towline and allow the teaser to be towed; one or more light sources mounted to the body for radiating light and attracting fish; and, a light source controller housed within an internal volume of the body for controlling operation of the at least one light source.

Claims

1. A trolling teaser for trolling and attracting fish, the teaser comprising: an elongate body extending between a frontal end and a rear end, wherein the front end comprises a tethering attachment to tether the body to a towline and allow the teaser to be towed; one or more light sources mounted to the body for radiating light and attracting fish; and, a programmable light source controller housed within an internal volume of the body for controlling operation of the at least one light source.

2. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body of the teaser is positively buoyant in water when the teaser is not being towed by the tow line and wherein the tethering attachment attaches the tow line at an attachment location to substantially lower the body of the teaser into water when the teaser is being towed by the towline behind a vessel pulling the towline.

3. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tethering attachment enables attachment of the towline at a plurality of attachment locations thereby allowing the body of the teaser to be towed by the towline at varying depths in the water.

4. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the centre of buoyancy of the body is above the centre of mass of the body thereby allowing the body to be positively buoyant when not being towed by the towline.

5. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tethering arrangement is located along an upper portion of the body at or adjacent the front end of the body to enable the body to be lowered into the water during towing.

6. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body comprises a top wall having a length extending between the front and rear ends and a width extending between opposed side walls, the side walls extending downwardly from the top wall; wherein the body further comprises a bottom wall extending downwardly and inwardly from a lower portion of the side walls towards a central longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the width of the top wall is greater than the height of the side walls to present a flattened and streamlined structure for the body of the teaser.

7. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 6, wherein the body comprises two body portions connected to an internal body frame, each body portion comprising respective portions of the top wall, side wall and bottom wall.

8. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a hydroplane that is attached at or adjacent the front end of the body; wherein the hydroplane is removably attached to the body to locate the hydroplane below the centre of buoyancy of the body; wherein the hydroplane is attached below the tethering attachment preferably along a bottom wall portion of the body to counter pull of the towline and enable the body to trail in a substantially horizontal position.

9. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 8, wherein the hydroplane is adjustably mounted along the body to vary the angle of the hydroplane relative to a lower portion of the body and thereby adjust the wading depth of the teaser body when towed.

10. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an upper mounting arrangement located along an upper portion of the body for mounting accessories to the body.

11. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a lower mounting arrangement located along a lower portion of the body for mounting additional weights to the body for lowering the centre of mass of the body during towing.

12. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body comprises a vertical tail fin located along the rear end of the body and extending upwardly from an upper portion of the body and further comprises opposed horizontal fins located at the rear end of the body, the horizontal fins extending laterally and outwardly from the body in a transverse direction relative to the direction of movement of the teaser body.

13. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more programmable microprocessors to control operation of said light sources for mimicking bait fish.

14. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more microprocessors include executable instructions which instruct the at one or more light sources to flash in a predetermined pattern, at a predetermined rate, and/or at a predetermined intensity.

15. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body comprises elongate channels extending along the length and/or width of the body, the channels being configured to receive said one or more light sources therein.

16. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more liquid receiving portions adapted to fill up with liquid when the body is submerged in liquid; and wherein the body comprises drainage apertures to allow liquid in the liquid receiving portions to drain out of the body.

17. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources are covered by lenses to bend the light emitted by the light sources.

18. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a power cord extending outwardly from the body for connecting the teaser to an external power source; and wherein the power cord extends from the front end of the body.

19. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of groups of lights, each group of light being arranged along a specific region of the body such that respective segments of a hemisphere of water surrounding the submerged teaser body receive light from a corresponding group of lights.

20. The trolling teaser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is programmable to reduce overheating of the lights by detecting an over-temperature condition and in response to detecting the over-temperature condition, reducing power consumption of the lights thereby reducing brightness of the lights during use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

[0067] The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a front, isometric view of a fish teaser 100 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a back, isometric view of the fish teaser 100.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the fish teaser 100.

[0071] FIGS. 4A and 4B show left and right side views of the fish teaser 100.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the fish teaser 100.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a first back view of the fish teaser 100 without the camera 109.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a second back view of the fish teaser 100 with the camera 109.

[0075] FIG. 8 shows a first front view of the fish teaser 100 with the towline attached.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows a front, isometric view of a fish teaser in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the fish teaser 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] FIGS. 1 to 10 show a teaser 100 for attracting fish in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Teaser 100 comprises a body 102, and at least one light source, in the form of lights 104, for attracting fish.

[0079] In the preferred embodiment shown, teaser 100 is positively buoyant. As such, teaser 100 is adapted to rise to the surface of a body of water when not being towed. Advantageously, if teaser 100 is separated from a boat during use, then the teaser will simply float to the surface of the body of water for easy retrieval.

[0080] As previously discussed, the teaser 100 includes the body 102. In the preferred embodiments shown, body 102 is a unitary body made from a rotomolded material, such as high density urethane or Polyethylene (PE). A skilled person would understand that in alternative embodiments, body 102 may be formed using any known manufacturing technical, such as injection moulding, and from any other material suitable for exposure to a body of water, particularly salt water.

[0081] As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, body 102 is substantially elongate, and includes a front end 106, a rear end 108, and a side wall 110 extending in between the front end and the rear end. A camera mounting location 114 is formed in rear end 108 for locating camera 109 (best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7). A skilled person would understand that a sonar or other similar device may located in the camera mounting location 114 instead of or in addition to camera 109.

[0082] Side wall 110 defines an opening for accessing a cavity for receiving electrical components of teaser 100. The opening is defined by a lower portion of body 102.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 3 to 5, the elongate body 102 comprises a first side portion 102A, a second side portion 102B and central frame portion 102C. In this embodiment, each side portion (102A or 102B) includes an upper surface 101, a pair of opposite side surfaces 103, a lower surface 105, a rear facing surface 107 and a forward-facing surface 109. Side surfaces 103 extend relatively downward from outer edges of upper surface 101. Lower surface portions 105 extend relatively from a lower edge of the opposite side surfaces 103 respectively, diverging inwardly towards central portion.

[0084] Referring once again to FIG. 10, teaser 100 further includes a fastening arrangement for fastening the first side portion 102A and second side portion 102B to frame portion 102C. The fastening arrangement includes screws 111 which partially extend through the width body 102. Each screw 111 is adapted to be received within apertures formed in either the first side portion 102A or second side portion 102B and secure each of the respective side portions to frame portion 102C. As can be best seen in FIG. 10, each screw 111 is fastenable to frame portion 102C.

[0085] The teaser 100 includes a rear mounting arrangement 140 for mounting camera 109, and a front mounting arrangement 136 for mounting tether 138 and hydroplane 130 relative to body 102.

[0086] Lights 104 extend along recessed portions of the upper and lower side surfaces 103 and 105. An array of lights is formed from lights 104 grouped together and spaced apart along the length of the upper and lower side surfaces 103 and 105 within channels provided on these side surfaces. In the preferred embodiment shown, the array of lights may be programmed to operate and/or flash in multiple different patterns and/or at different flashing rates using a microprocessor located in the cavity of body 102. Advantageously, lights 104 are programable to flash or alternate in different patterns to depict different bait species, bait balls, and/or larger bait fish to attract different predatory fish species.

[0087] In use, groups of light emitting diode (LED) lights operate in voltage mode whereby the LEDs operate at a supplied voltage. MOSFETS are preferably used for controlling the operation of the LEDs. The hemisphere of water that teaser 100 is emersed in is divided into several solid angles each of which will be associated with a group of LED lights in series. The groups of LED lights in series flash the same pattern in a staggered fashion. Advantageously, the load on the power supply will be more evenly disturbed, thus minimizing peak load and maximising effect.

[0088] In the preferred embodiment shown lights 104 are connected to a power source, in the form of an external 12V or 24V power source, via power cord 126. A skilled person would understand that any suitable power source, for example a 36V or 48V power source, may be used. In most preferred embodiments, the power source will be less than 48V for safety purposes. Power cord 126 extends from front end 106 of body 102. In alternative embodiments, lights 104 may be connected to an internal power source located in the cavity of the body 102.

[0089] Teaser 100 further includes the front mounting arrangement, in the form of a rib 136, for detachably mounting tether 138 and hydroplane 130 to body 102. Rib 136 extends from a frontal outer surface of body 102, and includes multiple apertures, each for receiving a fastener for example a D-shackle, bolt, pin or similar, for fastening tether 138 and/or hydroplane 130 thereto.

[0090] As best shown in FIG. 2, teaser 100 further includes rear mounting arrangement, in the form of a protrusion 140, for mounting a camera, sonar or similar electronic device. Protrusion 140 includes an aperture for receiving a fastener for fastening camera 109 to rear end 108 of body 102.

[0091] Teaser 100 further includes fins, in the form of an upper fin 146 and a pair of lower fins 148, 150. Fins 146, 148 and 150 extend from the outer surface of body 102. Each fin 146, 148 and 150 is substantially elongate and extends along the length of body 102 starting at or towards rear end 108 and extending towards front end 106. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, upper fin 146 extends upwardly from an upper surface of body 102, while lower fins 148, 150 extend outwardly from side surfaces of body 102 in opposite directions to one another. Advantageously, fins 146, 148 and 150 assist in stabilizing teaser 100 when being towed by a boat.

[0092] As best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each of rib 136, protrusion 140 and fins 146, 148 and 150 are integrally formed with body 102 of teaser 100. However, the ribs 136, the protrusion 140 and the fins 146, 148 and 150 may be attached to the body 102.

[0093] Teaser 100 further includes hydroplane 130. Advantageously, hydroplane 130 forces body 102 under water when teaser 100 is being towed by a boat. Hydroplane 130 is mounted below tether 138 to the lower side surface 105 of the body 102 using a fastener, in the form of a bolt (best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0094] Teaser 100 further includes tether 138 (or tow line) for tethering the body to a water vehicle, for example a boat, jet ski, or other similar fishing vessel. In preferred embodiments, tether 138 may be in the form of a rope, wire, line or similar. Advantageously, teaser 100 can be towed behind a boat using tether 138. While not shown, tether 138 may be used to support power cord 126.

[0095] Tether 138 is mounted to rib 136 using fastener, in the form of D-shackle 154, and includes a first end for mounting the tether to housing 102 and a second end for mounting to the tether to a boat. In the preferred embodiment shown, at least the first end includes an eyelet for receiving the fastener for fastening tether 138 to rib 136.

[0096] In the preferred embodiment shown, both tether 138 and hydroplane 130 are securable to mounting structures 136 and 137 via any one of apertures provided on the mounting structures. Advantageously, teaser 100 may be configured to be towed at different depths.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, teaser 100 includes a power cord 126 for connecting lights 104 to an external power source (not shown). Power cord 126 extends from front end 106.

[0098] The teaser 100 may further include reflecting panels 156. In the embodiment shown, panels 156 are reflecting panels for reflecting light. Each reflector panel 156 may be positioned on the outer surface of an upper portion of housing 102 for reflecting sunlight from above. Each reflector panel 156 is made of any material suitable for reflecting light. A skilled person would understand that panels 156 are not limited to being reflective panels. In alternative embodiments, panels 156 can be non-reflective panels. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, panels 156 can be any predetermined colour.

[0099] The teaser further may include drainage holes 121. Drainage holes 121 may be formed in upper and lower surfaces side surfaces 103 and 105 of for each body part 102A and 102B. The drainage holes 121 may be spaced apart along the length of body 102. A skilled person would understand alternative embodiment may include any number of drainage holes without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0100] Turning to FIG. 10, a more detailed view of frame portion 102C is shown therein. Frame portion 102C includes an internal wall extending along the length and width of body 102, and a rib that extends around the periphery of the wall. The rib extends substantially perpendicular to wall in both directions to form an outwardly extending lip on either side of wall.

[0101] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, teaser 100 may further comprises an upper mounting arrangement 184 for mounting an accessory, for example a bracket (not shown) or float (not shown) to body 102, and a lower mounting arrangement 186 for mounting another accessory, for example one or more weights (not shown) to body 102.

[0102] In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, side portions 102A, 102B are made from a closed cell foam material. Advantageously, the closed cell foam material provides buoyancy and/or absorbs shock if an external item impacts the body. Further, frame portion 102C is made from a rigid plastic material. Advantageously, frame portion 102C provides structural support to other portions of the body.

[0103] The teaser 100 described above and shown in the accompanying Figures includes a set of operational buttons or switches (not shown), including an ‘on/off’ button and a ‘mode’ button for changing modes. In the preferred embodiments, the buttons are located on a control box located on the boat/vessel. The mode button is used to cycle through different modes, such as low power mode and/or power saver mode and/or one or more operational modes, once teaser 100 has been turned on. In alternative embodiments, a single ‘on/off’ button can act to turn the teaser on, switch between modes, and to turn the teaser off.

[0104] Use of the teaser 100 will now be described below.

[0105] When teaser 100 is switched on using the ‘on/off’ button, teaser 100 switches from off to on. Once on, teaser 100 automatically enters a full brightness mode in which the lights operate at their full brightness capacity. In some instances, the teaser 100 may be left on for a variety of reasons which can cause overheating of the circuit-boards on which the LEDs are mounted. Each circuit-board comprises a temperature sensor that can sense such overheating. The sensors report the temperature back to the microcontroller and when the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold/pre-set temperature, then the power supplied to the LEDs is reduced (by up to 50%) which results in the dimming of the LEDs. Just like the on/off button, a “dim mode reset” button may be provided to reset the microcontroller to toggle the dim mode back to the normal full power working mode and restore the LEDs to full brightness.

[0106] As discussed earlier, when in use, teaser 100 is adapted to automatically switch to the low power mode, i.e. with dimmed lights, or to a power saver mode, i.e. wherein the lights are dim but the device is still on and operating at 50% power, when the temperature of the device is raised beyond a predefined temperature. Advantageously, the device is allowed to cool down, thus minimising the risk of a user picking up a hot device and/or overheating the device. To prepare the device for redeployment into the water, the reset button is pressed which changes the mode from a power saver mode to a fully operational mode.

[0107] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[0108] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0109] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.