A DEVICE FOR USE IN SEA FISHING

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus for the temporary storage of a length of a fishing line, the apparatus comprising:

a support plate 6;

a drum 4, about which a length of the fishing line can be wound, the drum 4 being non-rotatably mounted on the support plate and having a proximal end 4a and a distal end 4b wherein the drum 4 is secured to the support plate 6 at its proximal end 4a;

at least one retaining element 28, 30 for releasably holding a section of the fishing line; and a mounting arm pivotably 8 connected to the support plate 6.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the temporary storage of a length of a fishing line, the apparatus comprising: a support plate; a drum, about which a length of the fishing line can be wound, the drum being non-rotatably mounted on the support plate and having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the drum is secured to the support plate at its proximal end; at least one retaining element for releasably holding a section of the fishing line; and a mounting arm pivotably connected to the support plate.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising two retaining elements.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the retaining element(s) are attached to the support plate.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the retaining element(s) take the form of clips, each clip having a pair of arms configured to be movable between a closed position, in which the fishing line can be held between the arms, and an open position in which the fishing line when present can be released from the arms.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each clip is configured to provide a restoring force for moving the arms back from the open position to the closed position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the arms is formed from a resilient material.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein both arms are formed from a resilient material.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drum comprises an end plate, which forms the distal end of the drum and a hollow tubular body, which forms a body of the drum.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drum is formed from carbon fibre and the support plate and mounting arm are formed from aluminium.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drum has a radially outwardly extending flange around the circumference of its distal end.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drum is cylindrical.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support plate has a slot for use as a carry handle.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting arm is mounted via a bracket on the support plate to allow for pivoting movement.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting arm is receivable in a tubular rod holder.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 1 in combination with a tubular socket and one or more securing elements to allow the tubular socket to be mounted on a fixed structure.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein there is a locating element inside the socket which engages with a formation on the base of the mounting arm.

17. (canceled)

18. A fishing chair comprising: a first socket having mounted therein an apparatus according to claim 1; one or more securing elements to allow the first socket to be mounted on the chair; and optionally a tubular container in which bait can be kept; and/or a second socket, in which a fishing rod can be mounted.

19. A fishing chair according to claim 18 comprising a first socket having mounted therein an apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprising two retaining elements.

20. A fishing chair according to claim 18 comprising a first socket having mounted therein an apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drum has a radially outwardly extending flange around the circumference of its distal end.

21. A fishing chair according to claim 18 comprising a first socket having mounted therein an apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is a locating element inside the first socket which engages with a formation on the base of the mounting arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a view from the rear and to one side of the apparatus with the retaining clips removed.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a view from the rear and to the other side of the apparatus with the retaining clips removed.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus

[0066] FIGS. 6 and 7 shows a fishing chair fitted with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] The invention will now be illustrated but not limited by reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, according to one embodiment of the invention apparatus 2 comprises a drum 4 and a support plate 6 mounted upon a mounting arm 8.

[0069] Drum 4 is cylindrical in shape and has of a proximal end 4a (see FIG. 3), to which support plate 6 is attached, and a distal end 4b. A threaded shaft extending from the distal end of the drum through its hollow body then passes through holes in support plate 6 and bracket 12 to allow these three components to be secured together by a nut 13 (see FIG. 5).

[0070] The distal end of the drum 4b has a radially, outwardly extending circumferential flange 10 with a larger diameter than the body of the drum itself. Circumferential, radially outwardly extending flange 10 prevents the stored line from inadvertently sliding off the end of the drum, but is small enough to allow the line to unravel off the end of drum 4 so not to cause significant friction in the line when the user wishes to release the line after the fish has caught the bait.

[0071] Bracket 12 is L-shaped and one limb of the bracket is attached to the support plate 6 as described above and the other arm has a hole through which the mounting arm 8 can be secured.

[0072] Mounting arm 8 is of tubular construction and has a profile selected so that it can be inserted into various pole or rod holders around a fishing boat. The pole or rod holders may be located adjacent or on the user's fishing chair or on the deck or gunwale of the boat.

[0073] To the end of the arm remote from the support plate is attached a foot piece 14 having a cross-shaped slot engageable with a complementary formation in the pole or rod holder.

[0074] At its upper end, the mounting arm 8 is provided with a shoulder piece 20. The shoulder piece has a spigot formation which is secured in place inside mounting arm 8 by means of a one or more grub screws 23 through the wall of the mounting arm 8.

[0075] Extending from a flat face of the shoulder piece 20 is a threaded shaft (not shown), which extends through a hole in bracket 12 and is secured by an internally threaded knob 22. The angle between mounting arm 8 and support plate 6 may be adjusted by loosening knob 22, adjusting the angle between the two components and retightening knob 22 to hold support plate 6 and mounting arm 8 in the desired position.

[0076] The support plate 6 has two threaded holes, 24 and 26, both located above drum 4, into which clips 28 and 30 are screwed.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, each clip 28 and 30 comprises an insert 32, with a threaded tail section 32a and two resilient arms 32b, and a sleeve 34. Both of the two arms are bent in such a way as to form an S-shape. The tail of insert 32 is threaded through the sleeve before being screwed into the threaded hole 24 or 26 in support plate 6. When inserted, the sleeve fits tightly around the insert so that the two S-shaped arms are in contact with each other to prevent the line from falling out of the clip, unless the user applies sufficient force on the line to separate the arms.

[0078] The support plate 6 has a slot 36, of a sufficient size to accommodate a user's hand, which may be used as a carry-handle to allow for easy transportation of the apparatus. The slot is generally of a rounded-oblong shape, with four grooves 36a on its upper edge to accommodate each of the user's fingers to assist with carrying the apparatus.

[0079] In the embodiment shown, the drum 4 is formed from carbon fibre or aluminium and the support plate 6 and mounting arm 8 are constructed from aluminium. It will be appreciated however that other durable and generally corrosion resistant materials such as plastics, stainless steel and other corrosion resistant metals and alloys may be used instead.

[0080] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fishing chair fitted with the apparatus for the temporary storage of a length of fishing line as described above. The mounting arm 8 is held in a socket 40. The socket comprises a tubular body with a closed lower end, the opening of the tubular body being of a diameter large enough to receive the mounting arm 8. The socket is secured to a side plate 42 located at the side of the chair, underneath one of the arm rests.

[0081] In the embodiment illustrated, the chair is provided with a container 52 for holding a baited hook. The container 52 has a tubular body with a closed base and hangs via a looped element around an arm (not shown) connecting the socket 40 to the side plate 42.

[0082] In use a length of line is unwound from the reel of a fishing rod and a section of the line close to the end of the fishing rod is held in clip 30. The excess length of free line (e.g. approximately 70m) is then wrapped around the body of drum 4 before being clipped in clip 28 to prevent premature unravelling. The free end of the line is then attached to a hook, such as a circle hook, and the drag on the reel on the road is set to a low drag setting. A suitable bait is then attached to the end of the hook and the baited hook is stored in the container 52 which is filled with water.

[0083] Once a fish has been sighted and lured in, the line is disengaged from clip 28 and the baited hook is pitched into the water. A length of the pre-stored length of line can then be released in a controlled manner. Once a desired length of the line has been released, the user can prevent further releasing of the line by placing his palm on the outer face of the flange 10 and holding the line between thumb and forefinger.

[0084] When the fish is judged to have taken the bait, the user will release the line from between his thumb and forefinger to allow the remainder of the stored line to be released from the drum with no resistance. This free-release of the line means that the fish will not detect any tension in the line before swallowing the hook.

[0085] Once the fish has swallowed the hook any excess line can be taken up on the rod and any further tension applied to the line will cause the hook to set in the mouth of the fish.

[0086] During release of a length of the fishing line by the user, the user can, after having released a certain length of line, reattach the line to one of the clips. This allows a length of the line to be reserved on the spool.

[0087] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations could be made to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 without departing from the principles underlying the invention and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.