GB2186171A - Bait dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A bait dispenser comprises an elongate container (12) having a circular sectioned, cylindrical body and conically tapered ends (13) which are a push fit in the body. The casing and ends are each formed with openings (14) to allow the escape of live bait such as maggots. The ends (13) are formed with passages (15) on the longitudinal axis of the container for receiving a fishing line (16) on which the container is located by beads (17, 18). A weight (23) is located against one conical end portion and causes the container to rest with its longitudinal axis at an angle both to the horizontal and the vertical so that it will project above weed or mud on the bottom. Also disclosed is a dispenser with a conical weight positioned within one end of the container and symmetrical about the container axis whereby the container rolls freely on the bottom. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bait dispenser This invention relates to a bait dispenser com- monly known as a 'swim feeder' for dispensing bait when fishing.

Such a dispenser comprises a container which is normally attached to a fishing line in the region of the baited hook and is weighted to locate on the bottom of the water to be fished.

The container has openings through which bait (live or otherwise) gradually escapes and attracts fish to the area round the hook.

Most commonly used swimfeeders have an elongate shape and each has a weight provided attached to the exterior surface of the container along a length of the longitudinal side so that the container lies with that longitudinal side portion resting on the bottom and with its longitudinal axis parallel to the bottom. The unsymmetrically located weight tends to prevent the container from rolling on the bottom. If there is weed or mud on the bottom the bait escapes into the weed or mud without being visible to the fish swimming above the bottom.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispenser in which the container will tend to rest on the bottom in an upright condition (with its axis at an angle to the horizontal) and/or will tend to roll more easily on the bottom moved by the current.

In one form the present invention provides a bait dispenser comprising an elongate container substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis into which bait can be introduced, openings in the container to allow bait to emerge, means for attaching the container to a line and a weight locatable in the container, such that the weight will position in the container substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis, the weight acting to locate the container with a surface thereof resting on the bottom, which surface is shaped to facilitate rolling movement.

The container is preferably circular cylindrical with its lower end conical so that the container will roll along the bottom, moved by the current, and gradually dispense bait over a considerable area.

In another aspect, the invention provides a bait dispenser comprising an elongate container into which bait can be introduced, openings in the container to allow escape of bait, means for attaching the container to a line and a weight located at one end of the container so that the container will tend to rest on the bottom in an upright condition, preferably at an angle to the vertical.

With the container resting on the bottom in an upright condition, bait escaping from the upper part of the container will be above a layer of weed or mud on the bottom and will be visible to fish swimming above the bottom.

There will be an improved current flow through the dispenser to aid escape of bait.

Preferably the container has closure means which can be opened for the introduction of bait.

Where the means for attaching the container to a line comprises axially located passages through the ends for receiving a line, and the weight is inside the container, the weight will preferably have an axial passage therethrough for receiving the line. The weight is preferable of a size to slide easily along the container and is preferably shaped to correspond to the shape of the lower end, for example, conical or part conical.

Because the line will normally extend from the dispenser adjacent the openable upper end of the weight will normally locate at the lower end.

Embodiments of dispenser in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic cross section of one embodiment of dispenser, and Figure 2 is a sketch of another embodiment in use.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the dispenser comprises a circular sectioned, cylindrical elongate casing 12 formed by extrusion or moulded from thin transparent plastics material. End closure members 13 moulded from a similar material are a push fit in the ends of the casing to provide a generally streamlined container which can be opened to insert bait.

The ends of the closure members 13 are conical but may be part spherical or of other curved section to provide a streamlined container and to encourage the dispenser, when resting thereon in an upright position on the bottom, to roll easily. The casing 12 and closure members 13 are each formed with openings 14 to allow the escape of live bait such as maggots.

The ends of the members 13 are also formed with passages 15 on the longitudinal axis of the container and a line 16 extends through these passages along the container and has a small bead 17 tied to one end and a bead, ring or lead shot 18 attached to the other end to locate the container on the line.

A conical shaped weight 19 designed to be a snug fit in the lower end of the container is located in the container and the line 16 passes through an axial passage in the weight.

In use, the bead 17 is attached to the fishing line 21 and when the dispenser is cast, it will come to rest with the cylindrical surface of the casing lying on the bottom 22 so that it can roll easily.

If the weight is sufficiently heavy compared with the casing and bait, the container may rest on the conical surface and roll on that.

The dispenser of Fig. 2 is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that instead of the internal weight, an external weight 23 is fixed to the lower end of the container so that it rests at an angle to the horizontal.

In this position, it will project above a thin layer of mud or weed to dispense bait where the fish can see it.

Claims (10)

1. A bait dispenser comprising an elongate container substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, into which container bait can be introduced, openings in the container such as to allow bait to emerge gradually, means for attaching the container to a line and a weight adapted for location at one end of the container such that the weight will cause the container to rest on the bottom with said axis at an angle to the vertical.

2. A bait dispenser according to Claim 1 in which the weight is shaped to fit in the container located substantially symmetrically about said longitudinal axis.

3. A bait dispenser according to Claim 2 in which the container has a tapered end and the weight is substantially correspondingly tapered.

4. A bait dispenser according to any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the container has a substantially circular sectioned body with one or both ends being conical or curvedly tapered.

5. A bait dispenser according to any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the means for attaching the container to a line comprises axially aligned passages through the container ends for receiving a line to pass through the container and means for retaining the container on the line.

6. A bait dispenser according to Claim 5 in which the weight also has an axial passage for receiving the line.

7. A bait dispenser according to any of Claims 1 to 6 in which the weight and container co-operate in use such that the container will normally rest on the bottom with its axis horizontal and the container in that position is designed to roll.

8. A bait dispenser according to Claim 1 in which the weight is adapted to be attached to an end of the container and to cause the container to rest on the bottom with its axis at an angle to both the horizontal and vertical.

9. A bait dispenser according to Claim 8 in which the weight has a substantially planar portion and a projection extending therefrom, the projection being adapted to engage in an aperture in a tapered end of the container with the planar portion engaging the tapered end, such that in use the other side of the planar portion will rest on the bottom.

10. A bait dispenser substantially as described herein with reference to or as illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.