GB2505462A

GB2505462A - Compression tool with limiter means

Info

Publication number: GB2505462A
Application number: GB201215474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mike Corcoran; Adam John Yates
Original assignee: Salamander Precision Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Salamander Precision Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2012-08-30
Filing date: 2012-08-30
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Also published as: GB201215474D0; WO2014033468A2; WO2014033468A3

Abstract

The tool 100, which may be hand-operated, is adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector. The tool includes an upper jaw portion 106 and a lower jaw portion 108 mutually opposing the upper jaw portion; the upper and/or lower jaw portions being moveable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position. A limiter means 400 is positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between the jaw portions when in the closed position. The limiter means may include at least two interchangeable spacer members 400 of various thicknesses to provide different predetermined gaps between the jaws. The tool may be used for connecting an item of fishing tackle to a fishing line, which may be monofilament, braid or wire. An alternative compression tool includes opposing upper and lower jaw portions and a ratchet mechanism to move the jaw portions from an open position to a closed position upon manual actuation of a handle.

Description

COMPRESSION TOOL

The present invention relates generally to the field of compression tools, and in particular, though not exdusively, to the field of compression toots suitable for compressing a compressiNe connector such as may be provided for attaching an item of fishing tackle to a fishing line, for example.

Fishing lines are a critical link between the angler and fish. Fishing line commoffly includes, though is not limited to, filaments used for fishing and materials such as monofilament, braid, wire and fluorocarbon and any and all such materials will be commonly referred to herein as "fishing line".

liltrocluction Since man started fishing he has had to consider how to attach a fishing hook to fishing line. Whilst many different methods have been employed, the most common'y used is to provide the fishing hook with an eye through which the line is passed. A knot is then tied in the line to secure the hook to the line. Other methods include simply whipping the line onto the shank of the hook. The shank of the hook may include a splayed end or not However, attaching the hook to the line using these ktter techniques requires considerable skill, experience and knowledge otherwise the hook is likely to be pulled off the line. Knots in particular are the weakest link of such a set-up as they are inconsistent, they weaken themse'ves under tension and tying them damages the line.

Therefore, the use of knots to attach a hook to line presents a number of challenges.

Firstly, the act of tying a knot in line often weakens the line. Hence, a fisherman may think that he is using the appropriate strength of line for the type of fishing he is undertaking but if tying a knot in the line reduces the line's strength by 50% [which is not unusual in a poorly tied knot] his line may be too weak. If the fisherman has tied a number of knots in his line, for examp'e to either end of a swivel, his rig may contain a number of weak points. Secondly, from the perspective of catching fish) it is desirable that the line should be as unobtrusive as possible, i.e. as thin as possible.

However, in order to be able to tie a knot effectively in a length of fishing line, it is necessary for the line to have a certain thickness.

Also, the fact that fishing line is expected to be knotted, places a compromise on the manufacture of the line in that the fishing line is subjected to a drawing process which increases its strength, but there is a point beyond which further drawing, while continuing to increase the linear strength of the line, reduces the knot strength of that line.

In order to overcome certain of the disadvantages associated with using knots and/or glue, a fishing tackle attachment tool and a method for joining or attaching tackle to fishing lines, as described in the international patent application no. PCT/GB2O1O/052147, may be used. The tool described in PCT/GB2O1O/052147 comprises, inter alia, a pair of jaws that can be closed such that a gap of predetermined size remains in order to prevent over-compressing the compressible connector and compromising the integrity of the fishing line. Each of the pair of jaws has a plurality of different sized grooves to accommodate a finite range of different line diameters.

The performance of a monofilament line, such as, for example a fishing line, greatly depends on its mechanical properties [i.e. tensile strength, flexibility, elongation etc.), which are defined, inter a/ia, by its dimensions [i.e. diameter). Therefore, the accuracy of the line dimensions is imperative to its properties and predictable performance. Fishing tackles from different manufactures may vary greatly in their dimensions.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a compression tool that is capable of compressing variable sized connectors, such as compressible fittings, to variable sized fishing lines in a controlled and precise manner, in order to provide maximum attachment strength at maximum line integrity.

Summary of the Invention

Preferred embodiments of the invention seek to overcome one or more of the above

disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention) there is provided a compression tool adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector, the compression tool comprising: an upper jaw portion; a lower jaw portion mutually opposed to said upper jaw portion; the upper and/or lower jaw portions being moveable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position; and a limiter means positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between the upper and lower jaw portions in the closed position.

The limiter means is adapted to provide a gap of predetermined width between the upper and lower jaw portions when same are in the closed position. The width of the gap between said upper and lower jaw portions when same are in said closed position is determined by the width of the limiter means. In this way, the lower and upper jaws are moveable from the open position to a closed position. In the closed position a gap exists between the jaws) the distance between the upper and lower jaws when in the closed position being defined by the dimensions of the limiter means. The limiter means, therefore, determines the maximum extent of a compression force applicable by the jaws to a compressible element located therebetween.

The limiter means is adapted to predetermine the maximum extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions in the closed position thereof More specifically, the limiter means ensures that the upper and lower jaw portions remain spaced apart by the width of the limiter means when in the closed position.

In preferred embodiments, the compression tool is a hand-operated compression tool. In such embodiments, the compression tool preferably comprises: an upper handle, having an upper jaw portion; a lower handle, having a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion, and operatively coupled to said upper handle so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion between an open position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are separated, and a closed position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are in a mating engagement; and a limiter means positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between the upper and lower jaw portions in the closed position Preferably, the compressible connector is or, is part of, an item of fishing tackle.

More specifically, the item of fishing tackle may be a terminal component of fishing tackle, a hook, a swivel, a line-to-line connector, a weight or the like comprising a compressible connector for attachment to a fishing line. Exemplary items of fishing tackle comprising a compressible connector are described in international patent Advantageously, the limiter means may comprise at least one spacer member mountable between said upper and lower jaw portions. This provides the advantage that the minimum gap provided between the upper and lower jaw portion of the compression tool is the closed position can be adjusted /modified by a user to accurately accommodate an indefinite range of connector and/or monofilament line dimensions (i.e. diameter], therefore providing a controlled and precise compression for variable connectors and/or monofilament lines. The

S

accurate and controlled compression of the connector ensures maximum integrity of the monofilament line (e.g. fishing line) and maximum strength of the connector attachment to the line. In particular, the compression tool of the present invention allows the minimum gap between the upper and lower jaw portion in the closed position to be defined by the at least one spacer member.

Preferably the limiter means comprises at least two, interchangeable, spacer elements. Each of the interchangeable spacer members may have a different thickness which, when mounted between the upper and lower jaw portions of the compression tool, defines the minimum gap provided when the jaws are in the closed position. Due to the modular and interchangeable character of the spacer members, any desired gap size can be achieved to accurately match the connector and line.

Advantageously, the limiter means may comprise a plurality of interchangeable spacer members, each one adapted to provide a different predetermined gap between said upper and lower jaw portion when in said closed position. This provides the advantage of having an array of different spacer members available allowing for simple and rapid adjustment of the compression tool.

The limiter means may further comprise a support member. More specifically) the support member may retain the at least one spacer element The support member may comprise a spacer element carrier moulding to retain the spacer element In certain embodiments, the support member and at least one spacer element assembly is mountable to said upper and lower jaw portion. In such embodiments, the compression tool may comprise a spacer mount socket adapted to receive said support member and at least one spacer element assembly and to position said at least one spacer element between said upper and lower jaw portions. This arrangement provides the advantage of a "plug-socket" arrangement ensuring the correct positioning of the, or each, spacer member.

Advantageously, the limiter means may comprise a guide portion. More specifically, the support member of the limiter means may comprise a guide portion configured to direct a fishing line into the centre of a compressible element in readiness for compression of the element by the compression tool of the invention. In embodiments wherein the support member comprises a spacer element carrier moulding, the guide portion may be formed in the carrier moulding. More specifically, the guide portion may be a scoop on the side of the spacer carrier moulding configured to direct a fishing line into the centre of a compressible element in readiness for compression of the element by the compression tool of the invention.

By providing a guide portion, a fishing line may be guided towards and/or through a compressible connector when same is in situ i.e. operatively placed between said upper and lower jaw portion. This provides the advantage of improved ease of use when threading, for example, a fishing line through a connector, such as a compressible hollow tube fitting.

Preferably, the guide portion may be any one of a recess, groove, notch or funnel adapted to operatively align with a compressible connector when the connector is in situ, i.e. operatively placed between said upper and lower jaw portions.

The limiter means may be colour coded and/or labelled with indicia according to a size/type. More specifically, the limiter means may be colour coded and/or labelled with indicia to indicate a line size or type for the convenience of an angler. This provides the advantage that the user can easily recognise the correct spacer size required for a given line size or type.

Advantageously, the upper and lower jaw portion may comprise respective upper and lower compression dies having a predefined die width. In various embodiments, the upper and lower compression dies form a pair of dies. In various embodiments, the width of the pair of compression dies may be 6mm, 8mm, 10mm or 12mm. The width of a pair of compression dies is the dimension of the die parallel to the longitudinal axis of a compressible connector mountable in the pair of dies in readiness for compression thereof.

Advantageously, the upper and lower compression dies may be releaseably mountable to respective upper and lower jaw portions. The compression tool may comprise a plurality of upper and lower compression dies. The compression tool may comprise a plurality of interchangeable upper and lower compression dies.

The width dimension of each pair of compression dies in the plurality of interchangeable compression dies will differ and will be selectable by the user. This provides the advantage that the compression tool can accommodate various lengths of the compressible connector (e.g. fittings, tackles].

The compression tool may further comprise a retainer element adapted to locate and retain a compressible connector between said upper and lower jaw portions during compression. Advantageously, the retainer element may be a spring clip. This provides the advantage that the compressible connector is correctly positioned between the jaws and does not move out of position when placed under a compression force.

When present) the upper handle of the hand-operated compression tool may be a fixed handle and said lower handle may be moveable with respect to said upper handle. In such embodiments, movement of the lower handle with respect to the upper handle facilitates movement of the upper and lower jaws with respect to one another.

Preferably, the compressible connector may be an element of compressible fishing tackle and the end portion is the end portion of a monofilament fishing line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compression tool adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector) the compression tool comprising: an upper jaw portion; a lower jaw portion mutually opposed to said upper jaw portion; the upper and/or lower jaw portions being moveable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position; and a ratchet mechanism adapted to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position upon manual actuation of said lower handle. Preferably, the ratchet mechanism may be further adapted to automatically move said upper and lower jaw portion from said closed position into said open position at a predetermined condition.

In preferred embodiments, the compression tool is a hand-operated compression tool. In such embodiments, the compression tool preferably comprises: an upper handle, having an upper jaw portion; a lower handle, having a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion, and operatively coupled to said upper handle so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion between an open position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are separated, and a closed position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are in a mating engagement; and a ratchet mechanism adapted to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position upon manual actuation of said lower handle. Preferably, the ratchet mechanism may be further adapted to automatically move said upper and lower jaw portion from said closed position into said open position at a predetermined condition.

Advantageously, the predetermined condition may be a predefined distance between said upper and lower jaw portion. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be a predefined compression force between said upper and lower jaw portions.

The compression to& comprises an upper and a lower jaw portion which are configured such that a gap of predefined distance exists between the opposing jaws in the closed position thereof.

This provides the advantage of automatically controlling the minimum gap and/or maximum compression force provided by the upper and lower jaws onto a connector and/or monofilament line during compression allowing improved ease of use to the user. In particular, the upper and tower jaw portions automatically open at a predefined condition, such as gap size or force exerted to the connector) so that the user does not have to worry about over-and/or under-compressing the connector (e.g. fitting) when actuating the hanifie of the hand tool.

Advantageously, the ratchet mechanism may comprise at least one cam member adapted to engage said tower jaw portion so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position A compression tool according to the second aspect may further comprise any one or all of the features of the compression tool of the first aspect of the present invention.

Most preferably, the compression tool of the second aspect is a compression tool adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector of an item of fishing tackle onto a portion of fishing line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the compression tool of the present invention, including a ratchet mechanism, an interchangeable spacer and jaw cover having spacer socket and retainer clip; Figures 2a and 2b shows top view and side view of the compression tool shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a sectional side view (along B-B in Figure 2) of the compression tool shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2; Figure 4 shows (a) a top view, (b) a sectional side view (along E-E in (a)) of the compression tool of Figure 1, and a close-up view (F) of the jaw portion in (c); Figure S shows an isometric exploded view of the compression tool in Figure 1 and two removed interchangeable spacer; Figure 6 an isometric exploded view of the compression tool in Figure land two removed interchangeable compression dies of different size and respective fastening bolts, and Figure 7 shows (a) a side view of the compression tool in Figure land (b) a close-up view (B) of the support jaw cover and (c) a removed retainer clip.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and in relation to a hand-operated compression tool for attaching fishing tackle to a monofilament fishing line. However, it should be appreciated that, in general, a compression tool of this invention will work equally well for any other types of compression fittings, connectors and connectable elements, such as cables, cords, fibres and the like.

The compression tool of the present invention may be a handheld tool but may also be a piece of apparatus which may be electrically or pneumatically operated. The apparatus may be fully automated to provide an apparatus which is efficient, significantly increases productivity output and consistency, requires minimal operator training and reduces waste.

Referring now to Figure 1 and 2, there is shown a hand-operated compression tool 100 comprising an upper handle 102 and a lower handle 104 that are operatively coupled via a ratchet mechanism 200. The upper handle portion 102 has a hardened steel upper handle profile which forms the back-bone of the hand-operated compression tool 100. The hand-operated compression tool 100 further comprises an upper jaw portion 106, a lower jaw portion 108, front and back side plates 110 and a jaw support member 112 (i.e. a durable plastic cover) fitted over the upper and lower jaw portion 106, 108.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a sectional view of the hand-operated compression tool 100 is shown in order to describe the ratchet mechanism and its functionality. The ratchet mechanism 200 comprises a drive pin 202 (pivot axis) located through the lower handle 104 and connecting the lower handle 104 with the upper handle 102 via front and back side plates 110. Profiled cams 204 (only one shown) and ratchet cogs 206 (only one shown) are concentrically sitting on the drive pin 202, fixed to the pin by, for example, mating flat surfaces or splines.

However, any other fixture suitable to secure the cams 204 and ratchet cogs 206 to the drive pin 202 may be used. For example, the ratchet cogs 206 and cams 204 may be fixed to the drive pin 202 via interference fit. The ratchet cog 206 is located adjacent to its respective cam 204 and is fixed so as to rotate in unison with the drive pin 202 and cam 204. A first set of sprung (biased] pawls 208 is pivotably coupled to the upper handle (one on each side) and a second set of sprung (biased) pawls 210 is pivotably coupled to the lower handle 104 (one on each side). Two bearing rings 212 (one on each side of the handle 104) are pivotably coupled to the lower jaw portion 108 so as to engage with respective cam surfaces.

During operation (i.e. when squeezing the lower handle 104 towards the upper handle 102), the second set of sprung pawls 210 engages respective ratchet cogs 206 so as to drive the cam 204 in the same rotational direction as the lower handle 104. The first set of sprung pawls 208 prevents respective cams 204 from moving back in the opposite direction. The rotating cams 204 act progressively on respective bearing rings 212 or surface on the lower jaw so as to pivot the lower jaw portion about its pivot pin 114 and moving the lower jaw portion 108 towards the upper jaw portion 106 closing the mouth of the compression jaws, for example, around a compressible fitting 300, providing a considerable mechanical advantage.

Successive squeezes of the lower handle 104 advances the jaws 106, 108 towards each other until the cam 204 provides full compression (i.e. cam surface profile provides maximum distance from drive pin centre). At this point, the cam surface profile reduces the distance to the drive pin centre and subsequently releases the jaws 106, 108 from its engagement with the connector / fitting 300, i.e. the jaws 106, 108 are moved back from its closed position to its open position.

Referring now to Figure 5, an interchangeable spacer member 400 is mounted in a spacer socket 120 provided by the jaw support member 112. The spacer socket 120 is positioned such that the spacer member 400 is operatively located between the upper and lower jaw portion 106, 108, i.e. the spacer member 400 prevents the upper and lower jaw portions 106, 108 from closing completely, retaining a predefined gap suitable for respective connector and/or monofilament line by acting as a limiter. An array of spacer members 400 of various thicknesses will ensure that any suitably sized connector and/or monofilament line is precisely matched with the correct gap between the upper and lower jaws 106, 108, compensating for manufacturer variations and imperfections of the compressible connectors 300 and/or monofilament lines. Preferably, the spacer member 400 is made of hardened steel to ensure high accuracy of the thickness.

The spacer member 400 may be retained by a support member in the form of handle portion 402 having a guide 404 that is suitable for easily threading a monofilament line into engagement with the connector 300. The guide 404 may be a simple groove) scoop, funnel or any other recess suitable for guiding a monofilament line. In addition, the handle portion 402 retaining the spacer member 400 may be colour coded and/or marked with characters allowing the user to easily detect the desired spacer size.

Referring now to Figure 6, differently dimensioned interchangeable compression dies 116 may be fitted to the upper and lower jaw portion 106, 108 in order to accommodate for differently sized compressible connector fittings 300 and mono-filament lines. In particular, the interchangeable compression dies may provide different die widths to accommodate various lengths of the fishing tackle and/or connector/fitting 300. The interchangeable compression dies 116 may be coupled to respective upper and lower jaw portions 106, 108 via screws 118.

Referring now to Figure 7, the jaw support member 112 may be made of a durable plastic cover [e.g. moulded], shaped such that it accurately positions the connector/fitting 300 between the upper and lower jaw portions 106, 108, as well as) preventing the connector/fitting 300 from moving during compression. The jaw support member 112 may further comprise a retainer 122, such as a spring clip, located in the mouth of the jaw support member 112. The retainer 122 is adapted to retain the connector/fitting 300 in the correct position in relation to the compressing upper and lower jaw portions 106, 108 prior, during and after compression.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A compression tool adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector, the compression tool comprising: an upper jaw portion; a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion; the upper and/or lower jaw portions being moveable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position; and a limiter means positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between said upper and lower jaw portions in said closed position.
2. A compression tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is a hand-operated compression tool.
3. A compression tool according to claim 2, comprising: an upper handle, having an upper jaw portion; a lower handle, having a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion, and operatively coupled to said upper handle so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion between an open position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are separated, and a closed position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are in a mating engagement; and a limiter means positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between said upper and lower jaw portions in said closed position.
4. A compression tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said limiter means comprises at least one spacer member mountable between said upper and lower jaw portions.
5. A compression tool according to claim 4, comprising at least two interchangeable spacer members.
6. A compression tool according to claim 4 or claim 5, comprising a plurality of interchangeable spacer members, each one adapted to provide a different predetermined gap between said upper and lower jaw portions when same are in said closed position.
7. A compression tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said limiter means further comprises a support member.
8. A compression tool according to claim 7, wherein the support member retains the at least one spacer element.
9. A compression tool according to claim 8, wherein the support member and the at least one spacer element assembly is mountable to said upper and lower jaw portion.
10. A compression tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said limiter means comprises a guide portion.
11. A compression tool according to claim 10, wherein said guide portion is any one of a recess, groove, notch or funnel adapted to operatively align a fishing line with a compressible connector when operatively placed between said upper and lower jaw portions.
12. A compression tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper and lower jaw portions comprise respective upper and lower compression dies having a predefined die width.
13. A compression tool according to claim 12, wherein said upper and lower compression dies are releaseably mountable to respective upper and lower jaw portions.
14. A compression tool according to claim 12 or claim 13, comprising a plurality of upper and lower compression dies.
15. A compression tool according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of upper and lower compression dies are interchangeable.
16. A compression tool according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retainer element adapted to locate and retain a compressible connector between said upper and lower jaw portions during compression.
17. A compression tool according to cdaim 16, wherein said retainer &ement is a spring clip.
18. A compression tool according to any one of the claims 3 to 17, wherein said upper handle is a fixed handle and said tower handle is movable with respect to said upper handle.
19. A compression tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressible connector is, or is part of, an item of compressible fishing tackle.
20. A compression to& adapted to compress the wall of a compressible connector, the compression tool comprising: an upperjaw portion; a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion; the upper and lower jaw portions being moveable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position; and a ratchet mechanism adapted to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position upon manua' actuation of said lower handle.
21. A compression to& according to claim 20, wherein the to6l is a hand-operated compression tool.
22. A compression tocil according to claim 21 comprising: an upper handle, having an upper jaw portion; a lower handle, having a lower jaw portion mutually opposing said upper jaw portion, and operatively coupled to said upper handle so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion between an open position, where said upper and lower jaw portion are separated, and a closed position, where said upper and tower jaw portion are in a mating engagement; and a ratchet mechanism adapted to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position upon manua' actuation of said tower handle.
23. A compression tocil according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said ratchet mechanism is further adapted to automatically move said upper and lower jaw portion from said closed position into said open position at a predetermined condition.
24. A compression tool according to claim 23, wherein said predetermined condition is a predefined distance between said upper and lower jaw portion.
25. A compression tool according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein said predetermined condition is a predefined force between said upper and lower jaw portion.
26. A compression tool according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein said ratchet mechanism comprises at least one cam member adapted to engage said lower jaw portion so as to move said upper and lower jaw portion from said open position into said closed position.
27. A compression tool according to any one of claims 20 to 26, further comprising a limiter means positioned and adapted to delimit the extent of closure between the upper and lower jaw portions and thereby to provide a gap of predetermined distance between said upper and lower jaw portions in said closed position.
28. A compression tool according to claim 27, wherein said limiter means comprises at least one spacer member mountable between said upper and lower jaw portion.
29. A compression tool according to claim 28, comprising at least two interchangeable spacer members.
30. A compression tool according to claim 28 or claim 29, comprising a plurality of interchangeable spacer members, each one adapted to provide a different predetermined gap between said upper and lower jaw portions when same are in said closed position.
31. A compression tool according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein said limiter means further comprises a support member.
32. A compression tool according to claim 31, wherein the support member retains the at least one spacer element.
33. A compression tool according to claim 32, wherein support member and the at least one spacer element assembly are mountable to said upper and lower jaw portion.
34. A compression tool according to any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein said limiter means comprises a guide portion.
35. A compression tool according to claim 34, wherein said guide portion is any one of a recess, groove, notch or funnel adapted to operatively align a fishing line with a compressible connector when operatively placed between said upper and lower jaw portions.
36. A compression tool according to any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein said upper and lower jaw portions comprise respective upper and lower compression dies having a predefined die width.
37. A compression tool according to claim 36, wherein said upper and lower compression dies are releaseably mountable to respective upper and lower jaw portion.
38. A compression tool according to claim 36 or claim 37, comprising a plurality of upper and lower compression dies.
39. A compression tool according to claim 38, wherein the plurality of upper and lower compression dies are interchangeable.
40. A compression tool according to any one of claims 20 to 39, further comprising a retainer element adapted to locate and retain a compressible connector between said upper and lower jaw portions during compression.
41. A compression tool according to claim 40, wherein said retainer element is a spring clip.
42. A compression tool according to any one of the claims 22 to 41, wherein said upper handle is a fixed handle and said lower handle is movable with respect to said upper handle.
43. A compression toot according to any one of claims 20 to 42, wherein the compressible connector is, or is part oL an item of compressible fishing tackle.