GB2244725A

GB2244725A - Loop tying device

Info

Publication number: GB2244725A
Application number: GB9109349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick William Rich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-09
Filing date: 1991-05-01
Publication date: 1991-12-11
Also published as: GB9109349D0; GB9010446D0

Abstract

A device for tying a loop e.g in a fishing line 11, comprises two spaced apart members for temporarily supporting the loop such as parallel posts 2, 3 on a base plate and having rubber sleeves 8, 9, 14 at or near the upper ends thereof providing resilient slits 10, 15 for receiving and frictionally retaining fishing line 11 extending therebetween. In use, a loop 11a formed in the line is temporarily secured between the posts 2, 3 leaving an end portion free which is wound around the secured portion and then threaded through itself by means of a longitudinal groove 12 in the post 3 to tie a loop in the line. <IMAGE>

Description

LOOP TYING DEVICE This invention relates to tying lines, especially fishing lines.

Anglers, both professional and amateur, frequently have to attach a hook to their fishing lines. This usually requires the use of both hands and is often a difficult, time consuming operation, particularly where manual dexterit is reduced by cold or wet conditions or is restricted by physical disability. The very thin nylon line now used by many anglers adds to the problems ana difficulties of attaching the hook.

A device is known from UK Patent No.1,180,976 which facilitates whipping a line around the shank of a hook and tying a knot to secure the hook.

Devices are also known from UK Patent No .1,564,599 and from US Patent No.4,4C0,025 which facilitate tying two lengths of line together.

Such devices may be used to attach a length of line having a hook secured thereto to a rod line.

These known devices are of complex construction with relatively movable parts requiring the use of both hands and considerable manual dexterity to operate.

Another method of joining two lengths of line involves tying a loop in each line and then tying the loops together. This method produces a strong reliable connection which may also be used to attach a hook line to a rod line.

Tying a loop in a line can, however, still be a difficult, time consuming operation and the present invention has for its object to provide a device and method which facilitates such loop tying.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such device and method which does not require the use of both hands to tie a loop.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such device which is of simple construction and is easy to use.

These and other objects and advantages of the invented device and method will be explained and understood from the description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention later herein.

According to one aspect of the present invention, I provide a device for use in tying a loop in a line comprising first means adapted for line holding to secure temporarily a loop formed in the line, and second means spaced from the first means and adapted for loop threading to tie the loop.

According to another aspect of the present invention, I provide a method of tying a loop in a line comprising the steps of forming a loop in a line and holding the line at a first position te secure temporarily the loop, extending the loop between the first position and a second position spaced from the first position a distance less than the length of the loop, winding the loop around that portion of the loop extending between the first and second positions, and threading the loop through an opening at or near the second position to tie the loop.

Advantageously, the first and second means comprise first and second spaced apart parallel posts respectively.

Preferably, each post has respective means for holding releasably the line.

Each holding means is conveniently arranged to hold the line by friction and is preferably adapted to accommodate different thicknesses of line such as may be used by anglers.

Preferably, each holding means comprises a slit in which the line is received and held. Each slit is preferably defined by at least one elastomeric element.

Advantageously, the second post has a formation for use in loop threading.

Ccnveniently, the formation comprises a longitudinally extending groove, preferably semi- cylindrical.

Preferably, the device further includes a base connecting the first and second means and adapted for mounting the device on a support.

Conveniently, the base has a threaded fastener for releasably mounting the device on a support.

Advantageously, tne first and second means are formed integrally with the base, for example a plastics moulding.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device for tying a loop in a line according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1 and illustrating use of the device to tie a loop; and FIGURE 3 shows a guide pin for the tip of the loop.

The loop tying device shown in the accompanying drawing comprises a flat base plate 1 having a pair of parallel spaced apart posts 2,3 on one side with a reinforcing gusset or web 4 extending therebetween.

Extending from the underside of the plate 4 is a screw threaded spigot 5 for mounting the device 1 on a suitable support (not shown).

One of the posts 2 has two spaced apart parallel cylindrical pegs 6,7 projecting from the upper end.

Mounted on the Fegs 6,7 are respective cylindrical rubber sleeves 8,9 which contact one another along their length and define a vertical slit 10 therebetween.

In use of the device, line 11 is received and retained in the slit 10 by friction and the resilience of the sleeves 8,9 enables different thicknesses of line 11 to be secured.

To facilitate insertion of the line 11 into the slit 10, one peg 7 and associated sleeve 9 is longer than the other peg 6 and associated sleeve 8.

The otner post 3 is of C-shaped cross-section defining a semi-cylindrical groove 12 extending the entire axial length of the post 3.

As shown in Figure 2, the semi-cylindrical post 3 is slightly longer than the post 2 being approximately equal in length to the overall length of the post 2 and the longer peg 7.

At the upper end of tne post 3 on the side remote fro the post 2 there is an upwardly extending cranked arm 13.

Mounted on the upper end of the arm 13 is a cylindrical rubber sleeve 14 which contacts and defines with the post 3 a vertical slit 15 at approximately the same height above the base plate 4 as the slit 10.

In use of the device, line 11 is received and retained in the slit 15 by friction and the resilience of the sleeve 14 enables different thicknesses of line to be secured.

Insertion of the line 11 into the slit 15 is facilitated by the location of the sleeve 14 below the top of the post 3.

Use of the device to tie a loop in fishing line 11 will now be described with particular reference to Figure 2.

Firstly, the end portion of the line 11 is formed into a loop lla having a length greater than the distance between the posts 2,3.

The loop lla is then temporarily secured by inserting the line 11 into the vertical slit 10 between the sleeves 8,9 at the upper end of the post 2.

Next, the loop lla is pulled tight around the outside of the semi-cylindrical post 3 and secured b inserting the line 11 into the vertical slit 15 between the sleeve 14 and the post 3.

The loop lla is then wound around that secured length of the loop extending between the posts 2,3 any[ desired number of times.

Finally, the loop 11a is threaded through itself by passing down the groove 12 in the post 3, released from the device 1 and pulled to tie a loop at the end of the line 11.

To assist loop tying, a tool may be attached to the loop 11a formed by securing the line in the slit 10 to add weight to the tip of the loop for the subsequent steps in the loop tying operation with the tool being detachable from the finished loop. One suitable tool for this purpose is a guide pin such as the safety pin 16 shown in Figure 3 but other tools may be used. To prevent loss of the tool when not in use, the web 4 is formed with a hole 17 for releasably mounting the tool.

As will be unders tood, the above loop tying operation can be carried out using only one hand and enables anglers of all classes including disabled to tie a loop quickly and efficiently with far less loss of line than one tied by use of both hands. Such operation is facilitated by the simple construction of the device with no moving parts requiring manual dexterity on the part of the user.

Reducing the time lost tying loops in fishing line for attaching a hook or joining new or broken line or any other purpose is of particular benefit for competition fishing and can make the difference in catch between winning and losing.

The device can be fabricated from individual components of metal or plastics connected by any suitable means. More preferably, however, the simple construction facilitates manufacture of the device as a one piece body, preferably a plastics moulding, with the exception of the rubber sleeves. The latter are conveniently cut to length from a suitable extrusion and mounted on tne body.

The device is of compact, lightweight construction which can be easily mounted at any convenient position for the user and detached when required for storage and transport with other fishing tackle. For example, the device may be mounted on a wheelchair.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described and modifications and changes within the scope of the Claims are possible. For example, the posts may be of any suitable size and shape with any desired spacing therebetween The slits may be resilient for holding the line or otherwise adapted for holding different thicknesses of line. For example, each slit may be formed by a V-shaped groove in the post or a part secured thereto. Alternatively, any other suitable means may be provided for securing releasably the line such as clamps.

The opening by means of which the loop is threaded through itself to tie the loop may be povied by any suitable formation such as the longitudinal groove described or a longitudinal ri. A ditionally, this formation may extend the entire length of the posts as described or may extend over part of the length only sufficient for threading the loop; Any suitable means may be provide for securing the device to a support. For example, the base plate may be provided with one or more holes for screws or the like releasable fasteners.

Alternatively, the base plate may be adapted to be hand held, for example by the provision of G suitable grip.

Finally, although the invention has been described with particular reference to use of the invented device and method for tying a loop in fishing line, it will be understood that the invention has application to the tying of a loop in any type of line for any desired use.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for use in tying a loop in a line comprises first means adapted for line holding to secure temporarily a loop formed in the line, and second means spaced from the first means and adapted for loop threading to tie the loop.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second means comprise first and second spaced apart parallel posts respectively.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein each post has respective means for holding releasably the line.

4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein each holding means is arranged to retain the line by friction and/or adapted to accommodate different thicknesses or line.

5. A device according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein each holding means comprises a resilient slit in which the line is received and held.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the second post has a formation for use in loop threading.

7. A device according to Claim 6 wherein the formation comprises a longitudinally extending groove or rib.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the device further includes a base connecting the first and second means and having means adapted for mounting the device on a support.

9. A device according to Claim 8 wherein the mounting means is releasable for detachably mounting the device on a support.

10. A device according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the first and second means are formed integrally with the base, for example a plastics moulding.

11. A device for use in tying a loop in a fishing line comprises a base connecting two spaced apart parallel posts, respective means associated with each post for holding a line, and one of the posts having means for threading the line to tie a loop, the arrangement being such that, in use, the device can be used to hold temporarily a locp formed in a line at two spaced apart positions remote from the end of the loop whereby the end of the loop can be wound around that part extending between the two positions and threaded through itself to tie the loop on removal from the device.

12. A device according to Claim 11 wherein each holding means is arranged to receive and retain the line by friction.

13. A device according to Claim 12 wherein each holding means comprises a slit defined by at least one elastomeric element.

14. A device according to any one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein the threading means comprises a longitudinal groove in the associated post.

15. A device according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 wherein the base is adapted for mounting the device on a support.

16. A device according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 wherein the base is adapted to be hand held, for example by means of a suitable grip.

17. A device according to any one of Claims 11 to 16 wherein the base and posts comprise a unitary body.

18. A device according to any one of Claims 11 to 17 including a guide pin or like tool for assisting the loop tying operation.

19. A device for use in tying a loop in a line substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

20. A method of tying a loop in a line comprising the steps of forming a loop in a line and holding the line at a first position to secure temporarily the loop, extending the loop between the first position and a second position spaced from the first position a distance less than the length of the loop, winding the loop around that portion of the loop extending between the first and second positions, and threading the loop through an opening at or near the second position to tie the loop.

21. A method of tying a loop in a line substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.