GB2475075A

GB2475075A - Fishing line retrieval and storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2475075A
Application number: GB0919358A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Mark Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-05
Filing date: 2009-11-05
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Also published as: GB0919358D0

Abstract

A fishing line retrieval and storage device 10 comprises a housing 11 and a member detachably coupled to the housing (19, fig 5) which is arranged to rotate with respect to the housing to cause fishing line to become wound thereon. The device further comprises means such as a handle 18 and drive shaft 16 for causing the member to rotate. Preferably the member is a spindle or an elongate sleeve 22 attached to a spindle. The housing may comprise two hinged halves and an aperture (13, fig 1) for the introduction of fishing line may be provided. Means 14, such as a zinger clip, may be provided for attaching the device to a fisherman's coat or the like.

Description

Fishing Line Retrieval and Storage Device The present invention relates to a fishing line retrieval and storage device.

When fishing, it is common for fishing line to become entangled on branches, reeds and the like. Such entanglement often renders the line unsuitable for subsequent fishing and often, even the retrieval of the line using the reel on the fishing rod. In these circumstances, the line is cut and the entangled length is often discarded within the water or left at the shore line. This creates a hazard for wildlife and generally detracts from the overall appearance of a location.

Some anglers and fishermen however, retrieve the line and wind the line into a knotted ball for storage in a pocket, for example. However, this prevents any further items from being placed within the pocket, since the items would also become tangled with the line.

I have now devised a fishing line retrieval and storage device which alleviates the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fishing line retrieval and storage device, the device comprising a housing, a member detachably coupled to the housing and which is arranged to rotate with respect to the housing to cause fishing line to become wound thereon, the device further comprising means for causing the member to rotate.

The device thus enables fishing line to retrieved by winding the line upon the member, and further retains the line within the housing, thereby preventing the line from becoming tangled with other items. When it is desired to dispose of the fishing line, the member is simply detached from the housing and disposed of with the line.

Preferably, the member comprises a spindle, which is arranged to couple with the means for causing the member to rotate.

Alternatively, the device preferably further comprises a spindle disposed within the housing which is coupled with the means for causing the member to rotate, such that the spindle cannot be removed from within the housing. In the alternative arrangement, the member preferably comprises a sleeve that is arranged to extend over the spindle and which is preferably arranged to rotate with the spindle.

The sleeve preferably forms an interference fit on the spindle.

The member preferably comprises means for securing a free end of the fishing line thereto.

Preferably, the housing comprises a first section and a second section which are reconfigurable between an open housing configuration and a closed housing configuration.

The first section and second section are preferably hingedly coupled together.

A first end of the member is preferably coupled to the first section and a second end of the member is preferably arranged to engage with the second section when the housing is arranged in the closed configuration.

Preferably, the means for causing the member to rotate comprises a gear arrangement.

Preferably, the gear arrangement is driven by rotating a handle.

The housing preferably further comprises an aperture for receiving fishing line into the housing. Preferably, the housing further comprises means for securing the fishing line thereto.

Preferably, the housing comprises at least one drainage aperture to allow any water within the housing to drain therefrom.

The device preferably further comprises attachment means for attaching the device to a fisherman's coat, for example. Preferably, the attachment means comprises a zinger clip.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the housing arranged in a closed configuration; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the device of figure 1, with the housing arranged in an open configuration; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1 taken across a longitudinal axis A-A, as illustrated in figure 2; and Figure 6 is a sectional view of the device of figure 4 taken across a longitudinal axis A-A, as illustrated in figure 2.

Referring to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings there is illustrated a fishing line retrieval and storage device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device comprises a housing 11 comprising a first section or lid ha, which is pivotally coupled to a second section or body lib via a hinge 12. The housing 11, defines an interior space and the lid 11 a can pivot with respect to the body 11 b to open and close the housing 11, and thus provide access to the space. The lid ha further comprises a catch or similar (not shown) which is arranged to engage with the body 11 b to hold the lid ha upon the body hIb in a closed configuration, and thus prevent the lid ha from inadvertently pivoting away from the body 11 b.

The housing 11 further comprises an aperture 13 disposed at a frontal region thereof for admitting fishing line (not shown) into the housing 11 and a clip 14, such as a zinger clip, disposed at a rear of the housing 11 for detachably coupling the device 10 to a fisherman's coat (not shown), for example.

Referring to figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, the housing 11 further comprises an aperture disposed in a side wall thereof through which extends a drive shaft 16. The drive shaft 16 is rigidly coupled at a first end, within the housing, to a gear arrangement comprising a plurality of drive wheels 17 (only one of which is illustrated), and at a second end, outside of the housing, to a handle 18. The handle 18 extends to one side of the drive shaft 16 and can rotate about the drive shaft 16 to cause the drive shaft 16 to rotate.

The device 10 further comprises an elongate member or spindle 19, which is rotationally coupled at a first end 19a within the housing, to the body lib of the housing 11 and which is arranged in communication with the gear arrangement. The first end 19a of the spindle 19 comprises a first frusto-conical projection 20, the diameter of which is arranged to increase in a direction that is away from the first end I 9a of the spindle 19. A second end 19b of the spindle 19 is arranged to engage with a second frusto-conical projection 21 disposed upon the underside of the lid ha when the housing 11 is arranged in the closed configuration. The projection 21 disposed on the lid ha is rotationally coupled thereto and is orientated such that the diameter of the projection 21 decreases along the projection 21, in a direction away from the lid ha.

The spindle 19 is arranged to receive an elongate sleeve 22, such as a tube, which is arranged to extend along the length of the spindle 19. The sleeve 22 is sized such that a proximal end of the sleeve 22 provides an interference fit over the first projection 20 disposed at the first end 19a of the spindle 19 and a distal end of the sleeve 22 forms an interference fit with the second projection 21 disposed upon the lid ha, when the lid ha is closed upon the body 11 b. The sleeve 22 further comprises a notch or slit 23 formed therein which is arranged to receive a proximal end of a fishing line (not shown), for readily securing a fishing line (not shown) thereto.

In an alternative configuration (which is not illustrated), it is envisaged that a distal end section of the sleeve 22 is flared or otherwise comprises a diameter which increases toward a distal end thereof. This obviates the requirement for a frusto-conical projection 21 on the lid 11 a. In these circumstances, it is envisaged that the distal end of the sleeve 22 disposed adjacent the lid ha may be supported thereto by a projection (not shown) which simply locates within the sleeve 22 to prevent any flexing of the sleeve 22 upon projection 20.

In use, a proximal end of a length of fishing line (not shown) to be retrieved is secured within the slit 23 on the sleeve 22 and the sleeve 22 is placed upon the spindle 19 and pushed onto the first projection 20 to form an interference fit therewith. The lid ha is then closed so that the second projection 21 engages with the second end 19b of the spindle 19 and forms an interference fit within the sleeve 22, and so that the fishing line (not shown) extends out through the aperture 13 disposed at the front of the device 10.

The handle 18 is then rotated to cause the drive shaft 16 to rotate which, via the arrangement of drive wheels 17, causes the spindle 19 to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The intimate fit of the sleeve 22 upon the first projection 20 causes a simultaneous rotation of the sleeve 22 and thus causes the fishing line (not shown) to become wound upon the sleeve 22. The frusto-conical shape of each projection 20, 21 ensures that the line (not shown) which becomes wound close to the end of the sleeve 22 does not fall off the sleeve 22 or otherwise become tangled upon the spindle 19; the increased diameter of the projections 20, 21 compared to the sleeve 22 forces the line (not shown) to take up a position away from the ends thereof.

Once the fishing line (not shown) has been suitably wound upon the sleeve 22, the distal end of the line (not shown) is then forced into a slit or notch 24 formed in the periphery of the aperture 13 within the body lib, so that if it becomes necessary to retrieve a further line (not shown), the distal end of the line (not shown) can be readily tied or otherwise secured to a proximal end of the further line (not shown). When the length of fishing line (not shown) on the sleeve 22 reaches a given length, such as when the space within the housing 11 becomes suitably filled with fishing line (not shown), the lid ha can be opened and the sleeve 22 can be pulled from the first projection 20 off the spindle 19 to remove the fishing line (not shown) from within the housing 11. The sleeve 22 and fishing line (not shown) can then be disposed of in a waste disposal bin (not shown), for example, and a further sleeve secured within the housing for subsequent use of the device.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, which is not illustrated, the spindle (not shown) is detachably coupled to the gear arrangement within the housing 11 thereby permitting the spindle (not shown) to be removed from the housing 11 and replaced with a different spindle (not shown), as required. In this case, the fishing line (not shown) is wound directly onto the spindle (not shown) thereby obviating the requirement for a sleeve 22.

The spindle (not shown) of the second embodiment comprises a notch or slit (not shown) formed therein, similar to the slit 23 formed within the sleeve 22 of the first embodiment, for readily securing a proximal end of a fishing line (not shown) thereto. The spindle (not shown) further comprises a flared proximal and distal end, analogous to the projections 20, 21 of the first embodiment, to ensure that the line (not shown) that becomes wound thereon does not pass off the spindle (not shown) and become tangled with the gear arrangement. To further prevent any flexing of the spindle (not shown) it is envisaged that the distal end of the spindle (not shown) of the second embodiment locates around a projection (not shown) on the underside of the lid ha, similar to the alternative configuration described above with reference to the first embodiment.

In use, a proximal end of a length of fishing line (not shown) to be retrieved is secured within the slit (not shown) on the spindle (not shown) and the spindle (not shown) is coupled to the gear arrangement within the housing. The lid ha is then closed so that the projection (not shown) disposed on the underside of the lid ha locates within the spindle (not shown) and so that the fishing line (not shown) extends out through the aperture 13 disposed at the front of the device 10. The handle 18 is then rotated to cause the drive shaft 16 to rotate which, via the arrangement of drive wheels 17, causes the spindle (not shown) to rotate about its longitudinal axis and thus causes the fishing line (not shown) to become wound upon the spindle (not shown). The frusto-conical shape of the proximal and distal end of the spindle (not shown) ensures that the line (not shown) which becomes wound close to the end of the spindle (not shown) does pass over the end of the spindle (not shown) or otherwise become tangled within the gear arrangement.

Once the fishing line (not shown) has been suitably wound upon the spindle (not shown), the distal end of the line (not shown) is then forced into a slit or notch 24 formed in the periphery of the aperture 13 within the body hIb, so that if it becomes necessary to retrieve a further line (not shown), the distal end of the line (not shown) can be readily tied or otherwise secured to a proximal end of the further line (not shown). When the length of fishing line (not shown) on the spindle reaches a given length, such as when the space within the housing 11 becomes suitably filled with fishing line (not shown), the lid ha can be opened and the spindle (not shown) can be pulled from the gear arrangement to remove the fishing line (not shown) from within the housing 11. The spindle (not shown) and fishing line (not shown) can then be disposed of in a waste disposal bin (not shown), for example, and a further spindle (not shown) secured within the housing for subsequent use of the device.

It is envisaged that the fishing line (not shown) that becomes drawn into the housing 11, will be wet and as such, it is likely that any residual water on the line (not shown) will fall off the line (not shown) and collect within the housing 11. Accordingly, the body 11 b of the housing 11 further comprises a plurality of drainage apertures 25 disposed therein to allow any water that becomes collected within the housing 11, to pass out therefrom.

While the operation of the gear arrangement of above embodiments have been described with reference to the use of a hand operated mechanism, it is also envisaged that the gear arrangement may be operated by a motor (not shown) disposed within the housing 11. In these circumstances, it is envisaged that the motor may be selectively powered from a battery supply (not shown) also disposed within the housing 11, using a control switch (not shown) disposed on the housing 11.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the device of the present invention provides a simple yet effective means of retrieving and storing waste fishing line for

suitable disposal.

Claims

Claims 1. A fishing line retrieval and storage device, the device comprising a housing, a member detachably coupled to the housing and which is arranged to rotate with respect to the housing to cause fishing line to become wound thereon, the device further comprising means for causing the member to rotate.
2. A device according to claim I wherein the member comprises a spindle, which is arranged to couple with the means for causing the member to rotate.
3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a spindle disposed within the housing, which is coupled with the means for causing the member to rotate.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the member comprises a sleeve that is arranged to extend over the spindle and which is arranged to rotate with the spindle.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve forms an interference fit on the spindle.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the member comprises means for securing a free end of the fishing line thereto.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a first section and a second section which are reconfigurable between an open housing configuration and a closed housing configuration.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the first section and the second section are hingedly coupled together.
9. A device according claim 7 or 8, wherein a first end of the member is coupled to the first section and a second end of the member is arranged to engage with the second section when the housing is arranged in the closed configuration.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for causing the member to rotate comprises a drive gear system that is arranged to engage with the member.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the drive gear system is driven by rotating a handle.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises an aperture for receiving fishing line into the housing.
13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises means for securing the fishing line thereto.
14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises at least one drainage aperture to allow any water within the housing to drain therefrom.
15. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising attachment means for attaching the device to a fisherman's coat, for example.
16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the attachment means comprises a zinger clip.