GB2304265A

GB2304265A - Bait feeder device

Info

Publication number: GB2304265A
Application number: GB9616238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Thomas Sanderson
Original assignee: PINDER JAMIE
Current assignee: PINDER JAMIE
Priority date: 1995-08-19
Filing date: 1996-08-01
Publication date: 1997-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-01
Also published as: WO1997006674A1; GB9616238D0; GB2304265B; AU6750596A

Abstract

A feeder device (10) for use in fishing comprises a bait container (13, 14) capable of travelling between near and far ends of a fishing pole. The container is adapted to automatically release a quantity of bait on reaching a predetermined position along the pole. Means (30) is provided to allow controlled release of bait at a predetermined rate. A bait delivery apparatus comprises such a feeder device (10), a bait release activation device (11) and a catapult (12) (Fig. 18) for propelling the feeder device along a fishing pole.

Description

INPROVZXHNTS IN FISHING BAITING METHODS The invention relates to the field of fishing, and particularly although not exclusively to an improved baiting method for use in coarse fishing.

In coarse fishing, it is known to use a roach pole which may have a length in the range 8-16m. When fishing with a roach pole, there are various methods of delivering feed bait to the water area to be fished. The known methods include throwing the bait onto the water, which has the disadvantage of poor accuracy and dispersal of bait over a relatively wide area.

Another known bait or feed delivery method uses a device known as a pole pot or bait dropper which is fitted onto the end of a roach pole, the pole pots or bait dropper being a container which may be inverted by rotating the roach pole, so that the bait drops out of the container into a relatively small area underneath the end of the roach pole.

With the pole pot/bait dropper, there is a need to draw in the pole for attachment of the pole pot/bait dropper and then manually feed out the pole to deliver the bait to the water surface. Since the pole can have length 8-16m, drawing in and extending the pole by this method is time consuming and cumbersome, especially for longer poles. Another disadvantage with pole pot/bait droppers is that in windy conditions, bait in such containers is frequently blown out.

Specific embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an efficient and accurate method of delivering bait or feed to a relatively small area of water, at an extended distance from the river bank or waterside, for example in the range 8-16m.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a feeder device comprising a bait container capable of travelling between near and far ends of a fishing pole, the container adapted to automatically release a quantity of bait on reaching a predetermined position along the pole.

The feeder device may be capable of controllably releasing the quantity of bait at a predetermined rate.

Preferably, the feeder device is adapted for sliding along a length of the pole. Preferably, the feeder device is adapted to release the bait on contact with an activation member placed at a pre-determined position along the pole.

Preferably the pre-determined position is substantially at the far end of the pole.

The feeder device may be capable of being thrown or propelled along the pole.

Typically, the near end of the pole is held by fishermen situated on the riverbank or the like and the far end of the pole is held over a region of water, the length of the pole extending over the water. The feeder device may be thrown or propelled along the length of the pole, towards the far end, from a position at the near end.

Preferably, the feeder device is capable of sliding along the pole under gravity when the pole is inclined to horizontal. Thus, preferably if the feeder device is propelled or thrown along the pole with insufficient momentum to reach the end of the pole, the feeder device can be returned by the angler at the near end of the pole, simply by tilting the pole upwardly, the feeder device sliding back along the length of the pole to the angler.

Preferably, the feeder device comprises a loop or ring adapted for extending around the pole such that said bait container can be attached to the pole by the loop or ring.

Preferably, said loop or ring can be opened to allow the bait container to be released from the pole. Preferably, in use said bait container is suspended from said loop or ring. Preferably, said loop or ring is of sufficient length in a direction along a main central axis of said loop or ring such that when the feeder device is propelled or thrown along the pole the main central axis of said loop or ring, remains substantially coaxial with a main length axis of said pole.

Preferably, the loop or ring comprises a plastics web or band. The loop or ring may have one or more apertures therein to reduce wind resistance when, in use, the loop or ring travels along the fishing pole. The loop or ring may comprise aerodynamic means to facilitate travel along the pole. For example, the loop or ring may comprise one or more wings which may be arranged transverse to the direction of travel of the loop or ring or to the main central axis thereof. Such wings may comprise an elongate wing member for example of standard aerofoil design, typically extending radially from the loop or ring. Thus, in use, the differential flow rates of air over the top and bottom surfaces of the wing member may provide lift to the feeder device as it travels along the length of the pole thereby reducing the friction force of the loop or ring with the pole.As well as providing lift, the wing member may act as a directional stabiliser preventing the feeder device from rotating around the pole when it travels along the pole length. Preferably the wing member is detachable from the loop or ring by any suitable means such as, by a clip or slot arrangement. Alternatively, the wing member and the loop or ring may be formed as an integral unit, made for example from plastics material, by moulding or otherwise.

Preferably, said bait container comprises a door which is automatically releasable on reaching the predetermined position along the pole. Preferably, said door is adapted to release by cooperation with the activation member. Preferably, said door is retained in a closed position by a trigger member, the arrangement being that when the trigger member engages the activation member, the trigger member releases the door to an open position.

The container may comprise a means for retaining a proportion of the bait in the container for a predetermined time after reaching the predetermined position. The container may comprise a grille or grid having one or a plurality of apertures of a size such as to allow the gradual release of bait from the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bait delivery apparatus comprising a feeder device of the invention. Preferably the bait delivery apparatus comprises an activation means for activating said feeder device to release bait.

Preferably, said activation means comprises an elongate member which, in use extends in a direction transverse to a main length of the pole. Preferably, said activation means comprises a clip for attaching to a pole.

The bait delivery may comprise means for propelling said feeder device along a pole. Preferably, said means for propelling the feeder device comprises a catapult.

Preferably, said catapult comprises a sling member adapted to engage an engagement tab of the feeder device, the arrangement being that the sling may be tensioned by grasping the engagement tab and drawing the feeder device relative to the catapult.

The invention includes a device comprising a bait container which may be of a conical shape, a nose section, means for releasing the underneath of the bait container flap and two parallel circular rows of detachable rotational beads which allows the device to freely slide up and down the length of the fishing pole. In addition there may be a triangular attachment fixed to the end of the pole which acts as a trigger for releasing the bait when it comes into contact with the nose section of the device.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the underside of a bait container of a first feeder device open ready to accommodate bait; Figure 2 shows the underside of the first bait container closed and secured by means of a locking pin; Figure 3 shows a means by which a main body of the bait container can be attached to and removed from a fishing pole; Figure 4 shows a shuttle attached to the fishing pole inside view, the shuttle ready to be propelled along the fishing pole;; Figure 5 shows a feeder device in use having travelled down a length of the fishing pole, a nose section of the feeder device making contact with a triangular pole attachment depressing the securing pin releasing the bait from the bait container into the water; Figures 6 and 7 show side views of the first feeder device; Figures 8 and 9 show respective front and rear views of the first feeder device; Figures 10 and 11 show respective underneath and plan views of the first feeder device; Figures 12 and 13 show side views of an activator device; Figures 14 and 15 show respective front and rear views of the activator device; Figures 16 and 17 show respective underneath and plan views of the activator device; Figures 18 and 19 show schematically a fishing pole fitted with a bait delivery apparatus according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention;; Figure 20 shows an exploded view a second feeder device comprising the bait delivery apparatus; Figure 21 shows in close up, the catapult device engaged with the second feeder device.

Figure 22 shows a side view of an alternative feeder device; Figure 23 shows a front view of the feeder device of Figure 22; Figure 24 shows a perspective view of an alternative activation device; Figure 25 shows a side view of part of the alternative activation device of Figure 24; and Figure 26 shows an exploded view of an alternative housing and base plate of a feeder device.

Referring to Figures 1 to 17 of the accompanying drawings, a feeder device comprises a bait container 1 with a hinged container flap 2 which can be released/secured by means of a securing pin 3. In addition, a means of attaching the feeder device to a fishing pole is provided which can be in the form of two parallel circular rows of rotational beads 4 which may be released by unhooking the beads from a mounted pin 5. The circular rows of rotational beads 4 enable a device to freely slide up and down the length of the fishing pole to deliver bait. In addition, there are means to provide tension for the securing pin which may be in the form of a rubber tubing, a spring or similar means 6.

When the device is attached to the fishing pole, it can be propelled along the length of the pole using various methods. By imparting kinetic force to the rear of the bait container through the use of a catapult, spring or similar means, the device is propelled along the length of the fishing pole until a nose section 7, or end mounts 8 make contact with a triangular attachment 9, depressing the securing pin 3 and releasing the bait.

In order to return the device to the starting position, the far end of the fishing pole needs to be slightly raised to allow the device to freely slide back so that the process can be repeated.

Referring to Figures 18 to 21 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a bait delivery apparatus which comprises a second feeder device 10 shown in exploded view in Figure 20, the feeder device capable of sliding along a length of an elongate fishing pole, eg a roach pole of length 8-16m; an activation device 11 attachable at a predetermined position along the length of the pole and optionally, the bait delivery apparatus may comprise a propelling device, such as a catapult 12 as shown in Figures 18, 19 and 21, for propelling the feeder device along the pole at sufficient velocity to impact the activator device 11, which is advantageously placed at the end of the pole.

Referring to Figure 20, the second feeder device 10 comprises a bait container consisting of a housing 14 of a size suitable for containing an amount of maggots, ground bait or the like, the housing 14 having a downwardly facing aperture closed by a door 13, the door 13 being attached to the housing 14 by a hinge arrangement 15, 15' at a forward end of the housing such that the door may swing forwardly of the housing as the feeder device is propelled or thrown in a forward direction along the pole; a loop or ring 16, the loop or ring suitably being of a flexible plastics web or band, having at one end 17 thereof a hinged attachment to a base plate 18 and having at another end thereof, a clip mechanism 19 for releasable opening or closing the loop to the base plate 18, such that the combined loop 16 and base plate 18 form an openable and closable ring for fitment around a roach pole; and a moveable trigger member 20 the trigger member comprising a forward nose portion 21 arranged to project beyond the bait container as the feeder device moves in a forward direction, the trigger also comprising first and second rail members 22, 23 spaced apart from each other and extending between the nose portion 21 and a door catch portion 25 of the trigger, the door catch portion arranged in use to hold an end of the door, opposite to the hinge 15' in a closed position secured to the housing 14.

The housing 14 of the bait container attaches rigidly to the base plate 18 of the ring, such that the bait container is suspended underneath the loop or ring 16.

The loop or ring 16 may include one or more apertures 26 which make the loop lighter and reduce the effect of wind resistance in use.

The trigger member is resiliently biased with respect to the base plate by a spring 28, between the base plate 18 and the trigger, and is moveable with respect to the housing and door, such that urging the trigger member in a direction relatively rearwards of the bait container causes the catch portion 25 to release the opposite end of the door 13, thereby allowing the door to swing in a downward direction and releasing the bait contained within the housing 14, which falls out of the housing under the influence of gravity. The upper surface of the nose portion 21 and the rail members 22, 23 may be inclined to the horizontal in use, for example sloping about 10 to 15 degrees downwardly, so that when the feeder device is fired the nose portion or rail members don't catch on the pole which may have slightly raised pole sections.This avoids premature activation of the trigger and consequent premature release of bait.

The bait container may comprise attached across the aperture in the housing 14, a grid or grille 30 having a plurality of apertures 31, each of a size suitable for passing a bait item, eg a live maggot, therethrough. The grid 30 retains some of the bait once the door is opened, releasing the bait gradually over a period of time.

The sub frame 18 may be reversible with respect to the loop or ring 16, to enable the clip mechanism 19 to be present on either the left or right side of the pole, for use by either left handed or right handed anglers. The grid 30 has an accurate notch 33, through which bait may be placed, when filling the bait container. The door is inclined to horizontal in use, and the housing is deeper at the end next to the opposite end of the door than at the hinged end.

The activator device 11 comprises a clip member 40, for attaching to the pole and an elongate member in the form of a substantially triangular wire loop 42, extending in a direction transverse to the main length of the tubular clip 40. The nose portion 21 of the trigger engages the activator device, in order to release the door of the bait container.

Operation of the feeder device is as follows.

At a near end of the fishing pole, as held by an angler at a riverbank or the like, when the angler wishes to place bait or feed in a particular area of water, the feeder device may be inverted, and the hinged door 13 opened up. Bait is placed in the housing 14. If a single drop of bait or feed is required in the water the grid 30 is not installed in the housing. If a trickle feed of bait is required, such as to release bait over a period of time, the grid 30 is placed over the bait. The door is then closed, and the door catch portion 25 of the resiliently biased trigger member 20 holds the door in closed position. The feeder device is then left to fall under gravity, such that the bait container is suspended underneath the loop 16.

A propelling device such as a catapult 12 may then be used to fire the feeder device along the length of the roach pole such that the nose portion 21 of the trigger and the hinged portion 15, 15' of the bait container travel in a forward direction along the pole. To propel the feeder device, a sling 100 of the catapult 12 may be engaged with a projecting engagement tab 101 on the rear of the housing. The tab 101 extends through ring piece 102 centrally in the sling, and between the upright forks 103, 104 of the catapult, such that by grasping the tab 101 and pulling the feeder device back relative to the forks, the sling can be stretched, storing energy to propel the feeder along the pole when the sling is released. The sling makes no significant contact with the loop or ring 16, but makes contact with the bait container.

When the nose portion 21 impacts the activation device 11, the travel of the feeder device is stopped, and the impact with the nose portion 21 of the trigger 20 causes the trigger member to move in a rearward direction relative to the bait container, thereby disengaging the door catch portion 25 with the opposite end of the door 13. The momentum of the device, preferably together with gravity, causes the door 13 to swing open in a downward direction, thereby releasing bait from the housing 14.

Depending upon the speed of impact of the feeder device with the activator 11, the bait may be either thrown forward of the position of the activator as the door swings open, or, if at the point of reaching the activator 11, the feeder device has only low momentum, the bait may drop substantially vertically downwards.

By using the feeder device in the above mode, a spatially controlled release of bait over a relatively small area at a distance of 8 to 16 metres distance from the angler may be achieved.

If the grid 30 is used in the housing 14, in another mode of operation, a relatively small water area may be trickle fed or fed over a prolonged predetermined period.

Live maggots wriggling around on top of the grid 30 may fall through the apertures 31 at a substantially predetermined rate, the rate selected by the volume of the housing 14 and the number, spacing and size of the apertures 31. A range of grids 30 each having different numbers of apertures and/or different sizes and/or different arrangements of aperture may be supplied, to give different rates of feeding.

On reaching the activation device 11, when the grid 30 is used, a proportion of the bait may fall out of the container immediately, attracting fish. There may follow a steady trickle of bait out of the grid 30. The grid 30 may be left in situ whilst filling/re-filling the bait container, thereby reducing the amount of time needed to re-fill the container.

Whilst the above method shows the feeder device being propelled along the length of the pole by a catapult, a similar result may be achieved by manually throwing the feeder device along the length of the pole. For shorter length poles, e.g. around 8 metres, throwing the feeder device may be sufficient. For longer length poles, in order to ensure that the feed device travels the full length of the pole, the catapult may be necessary. The amount of force imparted by the catapult may be varied by varying the thickness and resilience of the sling 100, and thereby some controllability of the speed of impact of the feeder device with the activator, and consequently controllability of the distance the bait is thrown forward and the area of dispersion of the bait on leaving the container, may be achieved.

If the feeder device should be propelled or thrown along the pole with insufficient force to reach the activator device 11, as the loop 16 is arranged to be of low friction relative to the pole, e.g. a hard flexible plastics material, by raising the far end of the pole, tipping the pole to the horizontal the feeder device may slide back under the influence of gravity to the angler at the near end of the pole.

Further controllability of the drop region of the bait may be achieved by reversing the bait container with respect to the direction of travel of the feeder device along the pole, such that the inclined face and hinged end of the door trails the direction of travel, instead of leads the direction of travel.

The inclination of the grid 30 and aperture which is closed by the door, may aid in controlling the rate of feed release.

Referring to Figures 22 and 23, an alternative feeder device is provided with a wing member 50 at the upper region thereof and extending outwardly on either side of the loop or ring. The wing member has a conventional aerofoil shape and, in use, air passing over the upper and lower surfaces thereor provides lift to the feeder device.

Referring to Figures 24 and 25, an alternative activation device 11 comprises a triangular member 42 and a substantially symetrical clip 44 having a curved portion 46 extending transversely to and on either side of the triangular member 42. The curved portions 46 are adapted to clip onto or attach to a fishing pole. Each curved portion has a tapered cylindrical bore 48 which can accomodate tubing (not shown) already pre-disposed on the pole tip. The arrangement is such that the tubing is placed flush with the activation device and coupled thereto by fitting the tubing into the tapered bores 48.

The tubing is compressed within the bore by forward longitudinal movement of the activation device relative to the tubing. The tubing, by virtue of co-action with the tapered bore 48, exerts a greater gripping force on the pole if an attempt is made to pull the activation device off the far end of the pole.

Similarly, when the feeder device impacts the activation device, stored energy may cause forwards longitudinal movement of the activation means on the pole which translates into a greater gripping force on the pole.

Referring to Figure 26, a housing 14 of the feeder device comprises a slot 60 and the base plate 18 comprises a similar slot 62. The base plate and housing are secured together by locating a suitably shaped key member 64 into the slots 60, 62 and turning the key member so that part of the key member 66 locates beneath the housing 14. The base plate and housing are thereby locked together. This arrangement allows the relative arrangement of the base plate and container to be changed to facilitate left handed or right handed use and also allows different size containers to be attached, for example if more or less bait is required.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A feeder device comprising a bait container capable of travelling between near and far ends of a fishing pole, the container adapted to automatically release a quantity of bait on reaching a predetermined position along the pole.

2. A feeder device according to claim 1, which is capable of controllably releasing the quantity of bait at a predetermined rate.

3. A feeder device according to claim 1 or 2, which is adapted for sliding along a length of the pole.

4. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to release the bait on contact with an activation member placed at a pre-determined position along the pole.

5. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims, capable of travelling along the pole by being thrown or propelled along the pole.

6. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims, capable of sliding along the pole under gravity when the pole is inclined to horizontal.

7. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a loop or ring adapted for extending around the pole such that said bait container can be attached to the pole by the loop or ring.

8. A feeder device according to claim 7, in which said loop or ring can be opened to allow the bait container to be released from the pole.

9. A feeder device according to claim 7 or 8, in which in use, said bait container is suspended from said loop or ring.

10. A feeder device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which said loop or ring is of sufficient length in a direction along a main central axis of said loop or ring such that when the feeder device is propelled or thrown along the pole, the main central axis of said loop or ring remains substantially coaxial with a main length axis of said pole.

11. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said bait container comprises a door which is automatically releasable on reaching the predetermined position along the pole.

12. A feeder device according to claim 11 as appendant to claim 4, in which said door is adapted to release by cooperation with the activation member.

13. A feeder device according to claim 12, in which said door is retained in a closed position by a trigger member, the arrangement being that when the trigger member engages the activation member, the trigger member releases the door to an open position.

14. A feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container comprises a means for retaining a proportion of the bait in the container for a predetermined time after reaching the predetermined position.

15. A feeder device according to claim 14 comprising a grille or grid having one or a plurality of apertures of size such as to allow the gradual release of bait from the container.

16. A feeder device according to any preceding claim comprising aerodynamic means to facilitate travel along the pole.

17. A feeder device according to claim 16 wherein the aerodynamic means comprises one or more wings.

18. A bait delivery apparatus comprising a feeder device according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A bait delivery apparatus according to claim 18, comprising an activation means for activating said feeder device to release bait.

20. A bait delivery apparatus according to claim 19, in which said activation means comprises an elongate member which, in use extends in a direction transverse to a main length of the pole.

21. A bait delivery apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, in which said activation means comprises a clip for attaching to the pole.

22. A bait delivery apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising means for propelling said feeder device along a fishing pole.

23. A bait delivery apparatus according to claim 22, in which said means for propelling the feeder device comprises a catapult.

24. A bait delivery apparatus according to claim 23, in which said catapult comprises a sling member adapted to engage an engagement tab of the feeder device, the arrangement being that the sling may be tensioned by grasping the engagement tab and drawing the feeder device relative to the catapult.

25. A feeder device or bait delivery apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.