GB2238939A

GB2238939A - Fishing floats

Info

Publication number: GB2238939A
Application number: GB9027165A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Kenneth Middleton
Original assignee: MIDDY FLOATS Ltd
Current assignee: MIDDY FLOATS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-12-15
Filing date: 1990-12-14
Publication date: 1991-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-14
Also published as: GB2238939B; GB8928392D0; GB9027165D0

Abstract

A fishing float has main body pan 10 and a float eye 12, the latter being provided with an eyelet 14. A brass weight in the form of a collar 16 can fit on the float eye 12 to expose the eyelet 14, and is retained in position by a silicone sleeve 17 which is push fitted on the eye 12. The weight is shaped to offer maximum resistance to the water after casting and the use of the sleeve 17 enables the weight to be fitted to the float without risking damage thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

Fishing Accessories This invention relates to fishing accessories and is particularly concerned with fishing floats and weights to be used therewith.

Fishing floats are often of the type having a main body part with a reduced dimension part at one end thereof defining an eyelet at the outer end. The fishing line is passed through the eyelet and the float is trapped in position on the line by split lead shot at either side of the float.

The size of lead shot used is determined by the weight which is required to retain the particular size of float in a desired position in the water for fishing. However, due to entironmental requirements, it is now necessary to avoid use of the heavier split lead shots, for example by using nontoxic weights, possibly of plastics materials. Such nontoxic weights tend to be bigger in order to meet the weight requirements and also harder than lead. The non-toxic weights have been known to break the fishing line and are also difficult to re-position on a fishing line because of the problems in opening the material along the split.

Although it is still allowable to use light lead shot on a fishing line, the requirements for such use are limited.

It has also been proposed to produce a fishing float with a built-in weight, but such loaded floats are expensive to produce and do not provide the angler with the ability to adjust the weight.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use with a fishing float of the type having a body part and an eye part at one end of the latter defining an eyelet, the apparatus comprising a device having a through bore adapted to co-operate with the eye part of the float whereby the device can be located on and surround the eye part with the eyelet exposed, and means for retaining the device on the eye part.

Preferably the retaining means comprises a sleeve for locking the device on the eye part. The sleeve may be a push fit on the eye part and may be formed of silicone.

The device is advantageously removably located on the eye part and may be formed to have a predetermined weight. The device may be formed for example of brass, and preferably has a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

The invention further provides apparatus for use with a fishing float of the type having a body part and an eye part at one end of the latter defining an eyelet, the apparatus comprising a device having a through bore adapted to co-operate with the eye part of the float whereby the device can be located on and surround the eye part with the eyelet exposed, the device having a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

The invention also provides a fishing float having a body part, an eye part at one end thereof defining an eyelet, and apparatus comprising a device mounted on the eye part by means of a through bore of the device whereby the device is retained on and surrounding the eye part with the eyelet exposed, and means for retaining the device on the eye part.

Alternatively the bore may be internally threaded and the eye part externally threaded for interengagement. The device is advantageously removably located on the eye part and may be formed to have a predetermined weight. The device may be formed for example of brass, and may have a cross section increasing in size from the end at the body part of the float towards the eyelet.

The invention may also comprise a fishing float having a body part, an eye part at one end thereof defining an eyelet, and apparatus comprising a device mounted on the eye part by means of a through bore of the device whereby the device is retained on and surrounding the eye part with the eyelet exposed, the device having a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fishing float and a weight device, in section, for attachment thereto; and Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the weight device attached to the fishing float.

Referring to the drawings, a fishing float formed of any suitable conventional material and of a suitable length, has a main body part 10 and a reduced dimension part 12 at one end of the body part 10, the section 12 being known as the float eye. At the outer end of the float eye 12 there is provided an eyelet 14.

A weight in the form of a collar 16 is provided for attachment to the float, the collar 16 being formed for example of brass and having a weight for example equivalent to the combined weight of two lead shots (not shown) which normally would have been selected for use with the float. The collar 16 has a through bore 18 which is profiled to be substantially complementary in cross section to the cross section of the float eye 12. The collar 16 can fit on the float eye 12 to extend over at least part of the length thereof but expose the eyelet 14, and is retained in position by a sleeve 17, which is push fitted on the eye 12 to locate the collar 16 against a shoulder 20 defined between the body part 10 and the float eye 12, but leave the eyelet 14 exposed.

The collar 16 increases in cross sectional area from the shoulder 20 towards the eyelet 14, the resultant bulbous shape providing more weight towards the eyelet 14, which is advantageous when casting. Presenting the larger end surface of the collar 16 towards the eyelet 14 also means that maximum resistance is available when the weight hits the water after casting. Other shapes of weight, such as those of constant cross section and those decreasing in cross section towards the eyelet, would have the effect of plunging the float deeper into the water, with the result that the float would take longer to recover to a position for indicating a bite.

Providing for a push fitting of the sleeve 17, as opposed to the collar 16, avoids the problem inherent in a weight which is push fitted, i.e. the tendency to damage the float eye 12 on fitment, and also enables the collar 16 to be utilised for different sizes of float eye. The sleeve 17 also functions as a buffer, stopping any inadvertent movement of the collar 16 which might otherwise damage the line.

In use, when the collar 16 and sleeve 17 are mounted on the float, the fishing line can pass through the eyelet 14.

The line prevents any inadvertent displacement of the collar 16 and sleeve 17 from the float and the float can be positioned on the fishing line by the use of light lead shots, such use still being allowable by the environmental restrictions.

Thus there is provided a float having a suitable weight attached thereto which meets environmental requirements. It will be appreciated that collars 16 of different sizes and therefore different weights can be used as required and the angler therefore has the desired ability to adjust the weights used.

In a modification, the float eye 12 may be tapered towards its free end, with the collar 16 through bore having a complementary taper. In this case the collar 16 can be a push fit without the need for a locking sleeve. It will be appreciated that other types of interconnection between the collar and the float eye may be utilised.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the collar need not of course be profiled to follow the body part of the float and may be made of any other suitable material.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a fishing float of the type having a body part and an eye part at one end of the latter defining an eyelet, the apparatus comprising a device having a through bore adapted to co-operate with the eye part of the float whereby the device can be located on and surround the eye part with the eyelet exposed, and means for retaining the device on the eye part.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a sleeve for locking the device on the eye part.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the sleeve is a push fit on the eye part.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the sleeve is formed of silicone.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is removably located on the eye part.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the device is formed to have a predetermined weight.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the device is formed of brass.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the device has a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

9. Apparatus for use with a fishing float of the type having a body part and an eye part at one end of the latter defining an eyelet, the apparatus comprising a device having a through bore adapted to co-operate with the eye part of the float whereby the device can be located on and surround the eye part with the eyelet exposed, the device having a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

10. A fishing float having a body part, an eye part at one end thereof defining an eyelet, and apparatus comprising a device mounted on the eye part by means of a through bore of the device whereby the device is retained on and surrounding the eye part with the eyelet exposed, and means for retaining the device on the eye part.

11. A float according to Claim 10, wherein the retaining means comprises a sleeve for locking the device on the eye part.

12. A float according to Claim 11, wherein the sleeve is a push fit on the eye part.

13. A float according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the sleeve is formed of silicone.

14. A float according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the device is removably located on the eye part.

15. A float according to any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the device is formed to have a predetermined weight.

16. A float according to any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein the device is formed of brass.

17. A float according to any of Claims 10 to 16, wherein apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the device has a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

18. A fishing float having a body part, an eye part at one end thereof defining an eyelet, and apparatus comprising a device mounted on the eye part by means of a through bore of the device whereby the device is retained on and surrounding the eye part with the eyelet exposed, the device having a cross section increasing from one end to the other.

19. Apparatus for use with a fishing float, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

20. A fishing float, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

21. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.