GB2163031A

GB2163031A - Spool for castable line

Info

Publication number: GB2163031A
Application number: GB08420574A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Stuart Jardine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-08-13
Filing date: 1984-08-13
Publication date: 1986-02-19
Also published as: GB8420574D0

Abstract

A spool for castable line, particularly fishing line, comprises an annulus (4) bearing upon its exterior periphery a pair of outwardly directed flanges (1), (2), said flanges defining therebetween a space for the accommodation of wound line, wherein the first of said flanges (1) forms an angle of between 30 DEG and 40 DEG with the axis of the annulus, said first flange being directed generally away from the operative in use. With an operative's hand passing through the annulus and grasping the exterior periphery of the annulus (4) weighted castable line may be impelled along the axis of the annulus by a suitable movement of an operative's hand and arm, thereby causing the line to unwind over the outer peripheral edge of the flange (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spool for castable line The present invention relates to a spool for castable line, and particularly to a spool for castable fishing line.

Various devices are known for storing fishing line when not in use. One such comprises a generally rectangular frame about which the fishing line is wound when not in use. Whereas such an arrangement is cheap and generally suitable for easy storage the only way line can be cast any distance from the operative is to first unreel the line from the frame and then to cast the line in the desired direction. Unfortunately this often results in the lines becoming tangled and hence requiring unravelling. Spools of this general type are also shown in Australian Registered Design Application Number 44665 which is generally in the form of a cable reel.

Fishing reels are, of course, also known for use with fishing rods but these are expensive and cannot be used in the absence of the rod.

The present invention seeks to provide a means whereby a line can be cast without necessity for a rod, and without a necessity for prior unreeling of the line.

Accordingly the present invention provides a spool for castable line comprising an annulus bearing upon its exterior periphery a pair of outwardly directed flanges, said flanges defining therebetween a space for accommodation of said wound line, characterised in that the first of said flanges forms an angle of between 30 and 40 with the axis of said annulus, said first flange being directed generally away from the operative in use.

The second flange is intended to generally face the operator in use, and can of course extend perpendicular to the axis of the annulus. However, it is preferable that the second flange is raked rearwardly toward the operator to form an angle of between 65 and 55" with the axis of said annulus.

The flanges most preferably conjoin at their innermost edges to define a generally deformed Vshape, the flanges being preferably conjoined to a rearward edge of the annulus which extends forwardly beneath the first flange so that an operator's hand may extend through the annulus and grasp the annulus, preferably via an inturned lip formed at the forward periphery of the annulus so that the operator may obtain a firm grip thereupon.

To assist the firm grip the annulus may be made slightly frusto-conical with the smaller diameter of the frusto-cone being directed forwardly of the operator. Thus, the angle formed between the axis of the annulus and the frusto-cone can be 10 to 20 , and is preferably about 15 .

Where the annulus and the conjoined V-shaped flanges are substantially independent of each other they may be conjoined via a connector portion formed by an extension of the wider diameter end of the frusto-conical annulus and the point of conjunction of the first and second flanges. In such a case the first and second flanges may require bracing against the annulus, in which case this may be effected by a plurality of equally spaced webs disposed between the said annulus and the first and second flanges. Either of said flanges, but preferably the second rearwardlyfacing flange, may be provided with a series of equally spaced apertures to accommodate the fish hook in use whereby the operator may conveniently ensure that the fish hooks disposed at the end of the line can be safely stored.

Accordingly, there is also provided a method of casting a spool stored line which comprises gripping a spool for castable line as hereinbefore set forth, said line being weighted towards its end, impelling the weighted end along the axial line of the annulus thereby to cause the stored line to unwind from the spool over the forward flange.

The invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section through a spool in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of a spool from the rearward side, and Figure 3 shows a plan view of the device from the forward side.

The device as generally shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a generally circular device formed with a large central annulus through which a human hand can be readily passed. The annulus (4) extends forwardly towards its axis to define an angle of 15 therewith, and terminates in an inwardly and downwardly turned lip (5). Extending upwardly from the rearward end of the annulus (4) is a connector portion (3) which connects the annulus (4) with the point of conjunction of the forward flange (1) and the rearward flange (2). The forward flange (1 ) forms the angle of 35 with the axis of the annulus. 35 has been found to be the most preferred angle, although angles of 10 either way can also be used in certain situations.The rearward flange (2) is provided with a plurality of equally spaced apertures (8) to accommodate fish hooks in use. The rearward flange (2) forms an angle of 58 with the axis of the annulus, although of course other angles can be used so long as the flange acts to retain the wound line. Webs (6) and (7) respectively support the forward and rearward flanges (1) and (2) against excessive flexing.

In use for fishing operations line is wound about the space defined between the flanges (1) and (2) until a sufficiency of line has been accommodated.

The line is weighted at its operative end, and the operator places his hand within the annulus (4) gripping his fingers about the lip (5) and locking the frusto-conical portion (4) against the palm of his hand. The weighted line is then impelled along the axis of the annulus and, with practice, unwinds from the forward flange (1 ) depending upon the force imparted from the operator's arm. With practice, effective casting can thereby be achieved without the necessity of utilising a rod.

It will be appreciated that the angle formed between the axis of the annulus and the flange (1 ) tends to be critical. Angles of between 25 and 45" can be used, but if the angle of the flange is too steep effective casting is impaired, whereas if it is too narrow more than one coil tends to be removed overthe remote edge oftheflange (1) during the casting operation and this can lead to tangling.

These angles may be somewhat modified when very heavy or very light line is used since obviously with very heavy line angles of down to 20 may be utilised whereas with very light line angles of above 45 may be utilised.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new method of casting a spool of weighted line, and a spool per se.

Claims

1. A spool for castable line comprising an annulus bearing on its exterior periphery a pair of outwardly directed flanges, said flanges defining therebetween a space for accommodation for said wound line, characterised in that the first of said flanges forms an angle of between 30 and 40' with the axis of said annulus, said flange being directed generally away from the operative in use.

2. Aspool according to Claim 1 wherein a second flange is raked rearwardlytoward said operator to form an angle of between 65 and 55 with the axis of said annulus.

3. A spool according to either one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the flanges conjoin at their innermost edges to define a generally deformed V shape, said flanges being conjoined to a rearward edge of the annulus, which annulus extends forwardly beneath the first flange so that the operatQr's hand may extend through the annulus and grasp the same.

4. A spool according to Claim 3 wherein the annulus comprises an inturned lip formed at the forward periphery thereof.

5. A spool according to any one of the foregoing Claims wherein the annulus is formed with a slightly frusto-conical cross-section, with the smallest diameter of the frusto-cone being directed forwardly of the operator.

6. A spool according to Claim 5 wherein the angle formed between the axis of the annulus and the frusto-cone is between 10 and 20 .

7. A method of casting a spool stored line which comprises gripping a spool for castable line as claimed in any one of the preceeding Claims, said line being weighted towards its end, and in pulling the weighted end along the axial line of the annulus thereby to cause the stored line to unwind from the spool over the forward flange.

8. A spool for castable line substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as iliustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of casting a spool-stored line substantially as hereinbefore set forth.