AU2017100531A4 - A fishing digit protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fishing digit protector. The protector includes a single receptacle for receiving a digit of the hand. Advantageously, the digit protector may prevent line burn from friction and stop pressure cuts on the finger.

Description

r- ο (N AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990

m o o r- o (N

INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION

A FISHING DIGIT PROTECTOR

The following statement is a full description of this invention:

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A FISHING DIGIT PROTECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a fishing digit protector.

BACKGROUND

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[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Recreational fishing involves catching fish for either food or sport. Big game fishing is a form of recreational fishing, targeting large fish renowned for their sporting qualities, such as tuna and marlin.

[0004] In practice, big game fishing is extremely arduous work. The Applicant has perceived that the fingers and thumb (i.e. hand digits) are often damaged by line friction, hooks and swivels.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides a fishing digit protector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fishing digit protector including: a single receptacle for receiving a digit of the hand.

[0007] Advantageously, the digit protector may prevent line burn from friction and stop pressure cuts on the finger. Further, the protector may increase the line stopping power, improve line breaking power and stop the line from slipping when releasing a fish.

[0008] The receptacle may be tubular. The tubular receptacle may be open at both ends. The receptacle may include a cylinder. The receptacle may be tapered. The receptacle may have a wall thickness linearly tapering from about 3.5mm to 2 mm. ο (N S' in

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[0009] The receptacle may include an exterior gripping surface. The receptacle may include exterior gripping ribs. The ribs may extend longitudinally. The ribs may be parallel. The ribs may be spaced 1 mm apart. The ribs may be about 0.5 mm high. Alternatively, the exterior of the the receptacle may be smooth.

[00010] The receptacle may be integrally formed. The receptacle may be molded. The receptacle may be resilient. The receptacle may be firm. The receptacle may be formed from rubber. The rubber may be compound 281 natural grade rubber.

[00011] The receptacle may have a varying outer and/or inner diameter. The receptacle may have a constant inner diameter. The inner diameter may be about 21 mm. The receptacle may have a ribbed interior to facilitate finger grip. The ribs may form rings. The rings may be spaced about 10mm apart. The ribs may be about 0.5 mm high. Alternatively, the receptacle interior may be smooth.

[00012] The digit may be an index finger. The receptacle may be dimensioned to substantially cover the index finger. The receptacle may be about 80mm long.

[00013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fishing digit protection system including: disconnected receptacles for receiving respective digits of the hand.

[00014] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00015] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [00016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

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[00018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00019] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

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[00020] Figure 5a is an end view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00021] Figure 5b is a plan view of the fishing digit protector of Figure 5a; [00022] Figure 5c is a perspective view of the fishing digit protector of Figure 5a; [00023] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [00024] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fishing digit protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fishing digit protector 100 as shown in Figure 1. The protector 100 includes a single receptacle 102 for receiving an index finger (i.e. digit) of the hand.

[00026] Advantageously, the protector 100 prevents line burn from friction and stop pressure cuts on the finger. Further, the protector 100 increases the line stopping power, improves line breaking power and stops the line from slipping when releasing a fish.

[00027] The receptacle 100 is tubular and open at both ends. The receptacle 100 is tapered and has a wall thickness B linearly tapering from about 3.5mm to 2 mm. The thick end of the taper can be used to better handle the line. Although the receptacle 100 has a constant inner diameter F of about 21 mm, the receptacle 100 has a varying outer diameter.

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[00028] The receptacle 100 includes an exterior gripping surface with exterior longitudinal gripping ribs about 0.5 mm high C. The ribs are parallel and spaced about 1 mm apart D.

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[00029] The receptacle 100 is integrally formed. In particular, the receptacle 100 is molded from compound 281 natural grade rubber. Accordingly, the receptacle 100 is resilient and firm, although able to flex with the finger. The receptacle 100 is about 80mm long E and so is dimensioned to substantially cover the index finger.

[00030] The interior A of the receptacle 100 is smooth. In contrast, the interior of the receptacle 200 in Figure 2 is ribbed to facilitate finger grip. The interior ribs A of the receptacle 200 form endless rings. The rings are spaced about 10mm apart and are about 0.5 mm high.

[00031] The receptacle 300 of Figure 3 has a ribbed interior and smooth exterior. In contrast, the receptacle 400 of Figure 4 has both a smooth interior and exterior.

[00032] The receptacles 500, 600, 700 of Figures 5 to 7 are cylindrical, and not tapered, with a constant longitudinal wall thickness B of about 2.5mm. As can best be seen in Figure 5a, the receptacle 500 includes four interior longitudinal ribs 502 to impede rotation of the receptacle 500 on the finger.

[00033] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00034] In practice there is provided a fishing digit protection system including multiple disconnected receptacles for receiving respective digits of the hand. In particular, two receptacles can be used to receive the two index fingers.

[00035] Alternatively, a receptacle can be dimensioned to receive a thumb.

[00036] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the ο Η Ο (Ν m ο ο r- ο (Ν invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00037] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims (2)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:
2. 1. A fishing digit protector including: a single receptacle for receiving a digit of the hand.