GB2209911A

GB2209911A - Bite indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2209911A
Application number: GB8721921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Luis Cruz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-17
Filing date: 1987-09-17
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-17
Also published as: GB2209911B; GB8721921D0

Abstract

A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line comprises a thin resilient support 5, adapted to carry the line 6 in frictional contact, and coupled to an electrical sensing means adapted convert the vibrations caused by the movement of the line against the support into electrical signals. The electrical sensing means is a vibration detector, such as a piezo-electric detector, which is mechanically coupled to the resilient support and senses vibrations induced in it by the movement of the line. The thin resilient support is made of a material having sufficient thickness to support the line and sufficient hardness to resonate when stimulated by the frictional movement of the line in contact with it. The alarm system is triggered when the line moves over the support faster than a preset rate and provides an audible and/or visual warning. <IMAGE>

Description

BITE INDICATOR This invention relates to a method of indicating a bite by a fish on bait attached to a fishing line and to apparatus for use with the method.

When angling for fish using a rod and line it is customary for the angler to keep a close watch on the tension and movement of the line. A rapid change in tension or line movement usually denotes a bite on the bait by a fish.

Visual indicators are very tiring to watch particularly in situations where the angler is using two or more rods and watching a number of indicators. When the angler is unable to view the indicator for instance, when called away from the rod, when blind or when asleep an audible indicator is essential. Devices have been proposed for indicating bites which give either audible or visual alarms.

Mechanical devices have been proposed for indicating a bite which use springs or levers to operate electrical warning devices which sound an alarm in response to changes in the tension of the line. Devices of this type are described in GB A 1 596 260 and GB A 2 086 701. GB A 2 025 741 proposes that the line should run in frictional contact with a wheel containing a small magnet. Movement of the line causes the wheel to rotate producing magnetic field variations which are detected by a sealed reed detector.

A variation on this device has been proposed in GB A 1 503 596 in which the wheel carries a serrated disc which passes through the light path between a light source and a photodetector. Line movement provides a series of electrical pulses from the photodetector. Either system produces a series of low frequency electrical pulses when the line moves which can be used to generate a series of audible pulses, or a visual signal, as a warning to the angler. For satisfactory operation a very low inertia wheel running on a low friction bearing is essential.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bite indicator which senses line movement rapidly and reliably without the use of wheels or levers. It is a further object to provide a robust bite indicator which can withstand the rigorous conditions on a river bank. It is also an object to provide a bite indicator system providing a continuous signal when line movement exceeds a preset threshold regardless of the direction of line movement.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for indicating the movement of a fishing line comprising a thin resilient support, adapted to carry the line in frictional contact, which is coupled to an electrical sensing means adapted convert the vibrations caused by the movement of the line against the support into electrical signals.

The electrical sensing means is a vibration. detector which is mechanically coupled to the resilient support and senses vibrations induced in it by the movement of the line. The vibration detector may be any of the types customarily used in microphones and gramophone pick-ups.

Piezo-electric detectors using quartz, Rochelle salt, or other piezo-electric material are particularly suitable.

Alternatively moving iron, moving magnet, electret or carbon granule detectors may be used. Piezo-electric detectors are preferred as they provide electrical signals of a suitable amplitude and do not require any energising source.

The thin resilient support is made of a material having sufficient thickness to support the line without bending and sufficient hardness to resonate when stimulated by the frictional movement of the line in contact with it. Steel wire is particularly suitable for the support however other materials having a suitable hardness and resilience, including hard synthetic polymers, other metals, glass and ceramic fibres, may be used. It is important that there is sufficient frictional resistance between the support and the line to stimulate vibrations in the support. The support is preferable formed from a material which is resistant to corrosion in the presence of water.

In a preferred embodiment the resilient support is attached at one end to surface of a detector by solder, brazing or a rigid adhesive. The resilient support may be straight or bent through an angle to form a support for the line.

The electrical signals from the sensing means consist of a complex mixture of noise and a complex signal generated when the line passes over the support. The level of the signal increases rapidly according to the rate at which the line moves over the support regardless of direction. The increase in signal above a predetermined threshold, usually after amplification, is used to trigger an alarm system.

The trigger may cause an audible alarm to sound providing a continuous or pulsed signal. Alternatively, or at the same time, the trigger may activate a visual alarm such a light or a flag. The alarm system, whether audible or visual, may be located close to the electrical sensing means or connected to a remote location such as a tent.

The alarm system can be powered from a small battery of the type commonly used in potable radio and electronic apparatus. Alternatively the system may be powered by a solar generator, preferably with a rechargeable battery back up. The system may carry a socket or other connecting means to allow a remote alarm to be operated instead of or as well as the alarm on the bite detector assembly.

Fixing means can be used to allow the bite detector to be mounted on a bank stick.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a bite detector according to the invention, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the bite detector shown in Figure 1 through the line X-X, Figure 3 is a schematic rear view of the bite detector shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the thin resilient support and electrical sensing means used in the detector shown in Figures 1 to 3, and Figure 5 is a block diagram of an alarm system for use with the electrical sensing means shown in figure 4.

A bite detector according to the invention, see Figures 1 and 2, consists of a case 1 having an upper portion with inwardly sloping sides, 2 and 3, which act as a rod rest and a guide means to a slot 4. A thin resilient support 5 crosses the slot and supports a line 6 which runs between the bait carrying hook (not shown) and the top guide of a rod (not shown).

The bite detector carries a switch 7 for controlling the power supply to the sensing and alarm system, a sound outlet 8 to allow an internally located sound generator to be heard and a light 9 for visually indicating when a bite has occurred. The base of the bite detector carries fixing means 11 which enables the bite detector to be attached to a bank stick (not shown). Recesses 12 and 13 below the sides 2 and 3 allow beta lights or other luminous sources to be fitted when the bite detector is to be used under conditions of low ambient illumination.

In use the line at the end of the fishing rod, or at any position along the rod length and the water, is directed into the slot 4 so that it rests on the resilient support 5. Any forward or backward motion of the line across the support 5 will operate the detector alarm system.

Internally, see Figure 3, the thin resilient support 5 is mechanically fixed to the upper, sound sensing, surface 14 of electrical sensing means consisting of a piezoelectric detector. The electrical output of the sensing means is supplied to a circuit board 15 which carries all the necessary components to activate a sound generator 16 and a light 17. The necessary power is supplied by a battery 18. In use the internal components are protected by a weatheproof back (not shown) which is fixed to the case 1.

The thin resilient support and electrical sensing means, see Figure 4, consists of thin piece of steel wire 21 having a straight, support, portion 22 and a connection portion 23 attached to the upper surface 24 of a piezoelectric sensor 25. The surface 24 is made from brass and the connection portion 23 of the wire 21 is attached by means of a lead/tin alloy solder joint 26. Electrical signals from the sensor 25 are carried by wires 27 and 28 to the alarm system (not shown) when a line 29 moves across the portion 22 of the wire 21.

In the alarm system a piezo-electric sensor 31, see Figure 5, is connected to a high gain amplifier 32. The output of the amplifier 32 is fed to a trigger unit 33. The unit 33 provides an electrical signal when the output of the amplifier 32 exceeds a preset level for a predetermined duration. The trigger unit 33 can cause a light emitting diode (LED) 34 to be illuminated and also activate a low frequency oscillator 35. The low frequency oscillator 35 gates a high frequency oscillator 36 which is connected to a sound generator 37. The low frequency oscillator 35 runs at a frequency of about 0.5 to 4 hertz and the high frequency oscillator 36 at a frequency about 1 kHz to 4 kHz. When the line moves across the bite detector using the above described alarm system the LED will be illuminated and a series of short squeaks will be heard from the sound generator.

The exemplified embodiment indicates line movement as a series of audio pulses when the movement exceeds a preset rate. This rate is determined by the electrical parameters of the trigger unit 33. ' Variations on this detection system may be achieved using electronic signal processing methods well known in the art. For instance audible or visual indications may be provided whose outputs differ according to the rate of movement of the line over the sensor. Such a system would differentiate between fast and slow bites.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line characterised in that a thin resilient support, adapted to carry the line in frictional contact, is coupled to an electrical sensing means adapted convert the vibrations caused by the movement of the line against the support into electrical signals.

2. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the thin resilient support is made from steel wire.

3. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the electrical sensing means is a piezo-electric vibration detector.

4. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that resilient support is resistent to corrosion in the presence of water.

5. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electrical signals are amplified and fed to a trigger unit which provides an electrical signal when the output of the amplifer exceeds a preset level for a predetermined duration.

6. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the signal from the trigger unit activates an oscillator.

7. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the oscillator operates at a low frequency and gates a second oscillator operating at a high frequency.

8. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in any of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the signal from the trigger unit activates a light.

9. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that electrical sensing means and resilient support are contained within a housing and the support passes across an upwardly facing slot adapted to receive the fishing line.

10. A device for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the upper surface of the housing slopes inwardly towards the slot that can be used as a rod rest.

11. Devices for indicating the movement of a fishing line as claimed in Claim 1 and as herein described.

12. Devices for indicating the movement of a fishing line as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of indicating the movement of a fishing line characterised in that line is placed in frictional contact with a thin resilient support coupled to an electrical sensing means whereby the vibrations caused by the movement of the line against the support are converted into electrical signals which indicate any line movement.

14. A method of indicating the movement of a fishing line characterised in that line is placed in frictional contact with the thin resilient support of a device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 12.