GB2396542A

GB2396542A - A platform for affixing to a pier rail for the support of fishing rods and other tackle.

Info

Publication number: GB2396542A
Application number: GB0229914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Colin Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-19
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Also published as: GB0229914D0

Abstract

A platform device 2 comprises a support member 4 affixed at both opposing ends to attachment means 6. The attachment means are in the form of a hook and allow for the platform to be suspended from the rail 18 of a pier. The support member has at least one fishing rod location port which is in the form of an aperture, a recess or a channel. The support member may also be provided with a ruler or measuring stick, and with one or more hooks for the hanging of fishing tackle, equipment, baited hooks or weighing scales. A chopping board may be integrally formed with the support.

Description

Fishing Device The present invention relates to a fishing device.

There are a number of different types of fishing, such as sea fishing and river fishing and whilst the following description

refers almost exclusively to sea fishing of the type undertaken on boats, piers or on sea front promenades, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used for any type of fishing.

Conventionally, fishermen (hereinafter referred to as user's) typically rest or lean their fishing rods against the railings of the promenade on which they are located, both when the rod is in use and when not in use. There is nothing to prevent the rods from slipping or from becoming damaged if they knock against the railings. Since fishing rods can be expensive items of equipment, this is obviously undesirable. In addition, the rods present a safety problem to other user's of the promenade. For example, pedestrians may trip up over the rods and/or fishing equipment which may cause harm to themselves and/or damage to the fishing equipment.

It is known to provide tripod devices in which to support the rod in a substantially horizontal arrangement during fishing but such devices typically result in the fishing rod extending a distance behind the user and often results in the rod being more of an obstruction to other user's/pedestrians.

Further problems associated with promenade fishing is that the wooden slats forming the walkway of the promenade may have gaps therebetwccn and fishing items, such as baited hooks, bait, knives and/or the like may drop thercbetween and become lost.

Users often require a cutting surface on which to cut catch or

bait and they typically use the wooden slats of the promenade.

This can cause damage to the slats and any debris or waste created may be difficult to clean from the slats which may be unpleasant for other promenade users.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a device which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fishing device, said fishing device including at least one support member for supporting one or more fishing items and one or more attachment means for allowing attachment of the fishing device to a structure.

The fishing device typically allows the one or more fishing items to be provided a spaced distance apart from said structure, thereby preventing damage to said items caused by contact of the items against the structure during use.

Preferably the one or more attachment means allows the fishing device to be suspended or hung from the structure.

In one embodiment two attachment means are provided on the fishing device for attaching the device to a structure.

Preferably attachment means are provided at each end of the at least one support member.

In one embodiment the attachment means is in the form of a hook for hooking over a suitable part of the structure. The provision of a hook allows easy attachment and detachment of the device to the structure.

l The hooks can be formed of substantially resilient material, thereby allowing the hooks to be snap fitted to structure of different sizes.

Preferably securing means arc provided in addition to the attachment means for securing the attachment means to the structure. Securing means may be required, for example, to limit or prevent movement of the device when a fish is being caught using a fishing rod supported by the device.

In one embodiment the securing means is in the form of one or more detachable straps which are secured around a part or whole of the device and the structure in use and are detachable therefrom when use of the device is no longer required.

Preferably the or each strap is secured between the device and the structure by conventional fastening means including any or any combination of VELCRO, press studs, buckle, clips, ties and/or the like.

-lhc structure to which the device is attached is typically a frame member of a railing, such as a seaside promenade railing, a canal railing, the side of a boat and/or the like. However, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the fishing device of the present invention can be attached to any suitable stable and typically rigid frame or structure, such as the side of a rowing boat and/or the like.

Preferably the support member has at least one fishing rod location port for location of a fishing rod thereagainst, thereon or therewith.

In a preferred embodiment the fishing rod location port is in the form of an aperture, recess or channel defined in the at least one support member for location of a hshing rod therethrough.

Preferably the aperture is shaped in such a manner so as to allow the fishing rod to be angled, typically at an acute angle to the vertical, in a required orientation. For example, the openings of the aperture/channel defined in the top and bottom surfaces of the support member may be out of alignment.

Further preferably the openings of the aperture on the top surface of the support member is closer to the structure in use than the opening of the aperture on the bottom surface, thereby allowing a fishing rod to be angled over the structure or railings and into the body of water beyond.

In one embodiment the fishing rod location port is provided with an insert for location in the aperture or channel. The fishing rod is located in or through a channel in the insert. The channel of the insert can be provided in any required shape or size to allow a fishing rod of a required size to be located therein. The insert can be integrally formed with the support member or can be detachable therefrom to allow washing, replacement and/or repair. For example, depending on the size of the user's rods to be supported by the device, the user can change the insert to provide the appropriate size channel to fit the appropriate size rod therein.

Preferably the at least one support member is provided with measuring means thereon, such as a ruler or a measuring stick, thereby allowing any catch made by a user to be easily measured.

Further preferably the at least one support member is provided with one or more hooks for allowing fishing tackle, fishing equipment, baited hooks, weighing scales and/or the like to be hung therefrom. One or more hooks can also be provided on the attachment means.

In one embodiment a chopping board or surface is provided on said support member. The chopping board can be integrally formed with the support member or detachably attached therewith to allow replacement, washing and/or repair.

The chopping board can be detachably attached to the support member by the provision of an appropriately sized recess on a top surface of the support member which the chopping board is located therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, one or more clips of fastenings can be provided to clip or secure the board in the place.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a fishing device, said fishing device including at least one support member for supporting one or more fishing items and one or more attachment means for allowing attachment of the fishing device to a structure, and, in addition, said support member including at least on fishing rod location port for supporting a fishing rod therein during use.

l'referably said at least one support member includes at least one compartment to locate said fishing items therein during use.

The fishing device of the present invention has the advantage that it is a unitary device performing a plurality of possible functions. As such, a user only has to remember to take a single device when fishing, rather than a plurality of separate devices, thereby saving on space and cost. 'lithe device of the present

G invention orientates the rods in a required position, thereby preventing the rods from being damaged due to them being leant against railings or being located on the floor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, whcrcin: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a is a side view of attachment means according to an embodiment of the present invention; l-igure 2b is an end view of attachment means in figure 2a; and Figure 3 is a simplified view showing the device of the present .. invention in use.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a fishing device 2 comprising a support member 4 and attachment means 6.

The attachment means 6 are in the form of two arm members 8 which are connected to support member 4 at ends 10 and 12 via hinges 13. A hook shaped recess 14 is provided at the free end 16 of each arm member 8.

In this embodiment the hinge 13 is provided in a crenallated arrangement. The hinges provide the arm members with some degree of flexibility and allows the spacing between the arms to be changed according to the railing space available and to balance the device in use.

In use, the hook shaped recess 14 is located over a railing 18, such as a promenade railing if the fishing device is being used

for sea fishing. However, it is noted that the device can be located over any type of railings or framework, such as a boat railing, canal, or river railing, conventional tripod and/or the like. Flange portions 20 are provided on the arc 22 of the shaped recess portion 14 to provide a larger surface area in contact with the railing, thereby providing the device 2 with greater stability and strength.

The support member 4 is typically in the form of a substantially horizontal platform located between the two arm members 8 and acts as a shelf for locating fishing items thereon. The support member has a top surface 24, front wall 26, back wall 28 and end walls 10, 12. In use the front wall 26 typically faces the user and the back wall 28 faces the sea or body of water 29 being fished. Fishing rod location ports 30, 32, in this embodiment, are integrally formed with support member 4 and comprise a channel 34 with a first end 36 defined in top surface 24 and a second free end 38 located beneath the top surface 24.

The channel members 34 are provided at an angle with the ends 36, 38 offset from each other (i.e. the ends 36, 38 are not in vertical alignment). This is to ensure that a fishing rod 35, when located through the channel 34, has one end 37 angled over the promenade railing 18, with the fishing line 39 attached thereto located in the water 29 below. The other end 41 of the rod is located on the ground 43. Alternatively, the other end 41 of the rod is located in an extension channel portion 40, the extension channel portion 40 being located on the ground.

Extension channel portions 40, as shown partially in figure 1, can be provided which have a htst end for location over and engagement with the free ends 38 of the channel members 34, typically by frictional engagement. The other end of the extension channel portion 40 is typically located on a ground surface, located in sand, soft earth and/or the like, to provide the fishing device 2 with extra support and stability.

The extension portions are typically detachably attached to the channel members 34, thereby allowing the fishing device to be dismantled for ease of transport and storage.

A recess (not shown) is defined in top surface 24 of the device and a chopping board 44 is located therein. The chopping board can be removed from the recess to allow washing, repair and/or replacement thereof.

A magnetic pad or strip 45 is provided adjacent the chopping board to provide a means for securing hooks and other fishing equipment, such as a knife, to the device. This prevents loose equipment from falling off the device and becoming lost.

A ruler 46 is provided on top surface 24 adjacent front wall 26.

The ruler 46 can be used to measure the user's catch, thereby allowing the user to return any fish back into the water which do not meet the size requirements specified by i.e., DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), NFSA (National Federation of Sea Anglers) and/or the like.

Hooks 48 can be provided along front wall 26 to allow already baited fishing hooks or other pieces of fishing equipment to be suspended therefrom. Further hooks can be provided at any other suitable location on the support member and arm members as required. For example, apertures 50, 52 are defined in arm

members 8. Hooks or other forms of attachments can be provided in the apertures to allow fishing equipment to be hung therefrom. For example, weighting scales for weighing the user's catch can be suspended therefrom.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the apertures 50, 52 can be used to attach securing means in the form of a strap, therethrough.

The strap also passes around the promenade railing 18, thereby providing further securement of the device to the railings. This additional securement may be required in the event of a fish being caught on the end of the fishing line 39 since this may result in movement of the device.

Portions of the strap can be secured together via VELCRO or some other form of conventional fastening.

The fishing device is typically made from a plastics material which is waterproof, sufficiently robust and durable to withstand the weight of items located thereon and which can be easily cleaned.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the device can be provided in any required shape and size and can include any number of hooks, chopping board(s) and rod location ports. In addition, the positioning of the hooks, chopping board(s) and rod location ports on the device is arbitrary and is dependent on the requirements of the user.

However, they are typically positioned in such as manner so as not to unbalance the device.

l bus, the present invention provides a unitary device which performs a plurality of functions including support of fishing rods, location of equipment, measuring the size of catch, weighing of catch and allowing the cutting up of bait and catch

thereon. The device is compact, inexpensive and is easily transported and stored.

Claims

ll CLAIMS

I A WORKING PLATFORM NOTCH IS TO BE SUSPENDED FROM HANDRAIL ROPE ROD

BAR CHAIN OR SlvfILAR 2 AS CLAIlv;ED EN CEALMl 1 HA'VNG AN'CLEn ROD HOLDERS TO REnucE DAMAGE TO

RODS WHILST THE RODS ARE IN A FISHING POSITION

3 AS CLAIMED IN CI,ALN1S I AND 2 WITH FEATURES SUCH AS A CHOPPING BOARD FOR

BAIT PREPARATION AND REBATED SIDE OR EDGE FOR SUSPENDING BAITED HOOKS

AND TRACES

4 AS CLAIfED IN CLAWS l 2 AND 3 WITH RECESSED FLUSH FITTING MAGNETS TO ArD THE ASSEMBLY OF FISHING RIGS OR TRACES

AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS I 2 3 AND 4 WITH A MEASURING DEVICE INCORPARATED TO

ACCURATELY MEASURE THE CATCH IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEFRA AND EC SIZE

LIMITS OR LOCAL RULE REGULATION BYE LAW

6 AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS I 2 3 4 AND 5 THE SUSPENSION DEVICES ARE HINGED TO

AND FROM THE WORKING PLATFORM AND HAVE APERTURES OF A SUFFICIENT SIZE

TO ENABLE BUCKLED STRAPS VELCRO STRAPS BUNGEE CORDED HOOKS STRING OR

WHATEVER TO BE PASSED THROUGH THE APERTURE AND AROUND AN ADJACENT

POST BAR OR FITTING THEREBY PROVIDING SECURITY AND RIGIDITY AS WELL AS

PREVENTING THE DEWCE TILTING ORROTATG AROUND THE ITEM IT IS SUSPENDED

FROM 7 AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS l 2 3 4 5 AND 6 A WEIGHING DEVICE MAY BE SUSPENDED FROM A PEG LOCATED IN THE BASE OF THE SAID APERTURE IN THE SUSPENSION

DEVICE

8 AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS I 2 3 4 5 6 AND 7 A CIRCULAR HOLE IS CORPARATED IN

THE PLATFORM OF A SUFFICIENT SIZE TO HOLD A DISPOSABLE DRINKS CUP THE

CUPHOLDER MAY ALSO USED TO HOLD BAIT

AL Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I A 'hi (amp TiC- S i red 4 C r.. Li- C - S rc as_ S up; pi tar _ ink-l C-l-N J>_ -.|_S h( If; A ETA,- pro. rT Patty;- Or B - -i C OR CiT;T;;.m< ajar r; j-xy7T -OR 2A:-\i<?l)WCL \l 16 x7.-NGTC_0 03 EICi_=RSTO6-iL?P37)S -me it. O C4AIT ' Yll H By' \j.l= -AT,:Nii^]C I- UP-

0\I . 3 AS CI,AL>L C 41>Y!S 1 NT;D 9 F2:E VYQPG S<FACE TO -.4 T/EB _ TE5 O1NJ

1 SLLE x:EA. ST,_ ^. N iL-R Yt N r I I S=i TO A (_11 - r 4 1 h STOT1 A t=L 0 P 2EPA.WL) BA.],3 OOKS I:R4 Có) PLG OR SO.)N.AR 4 AS t:LAL7vlEI) NT C_ iS 1 2 ND 3 -NTY1TT fSSED TJ8H FIT LG MAGNETS TO TL]6 ASSE:bYLY O/F FLSTLLTO 130S AC.S.f.GS 08. S'v'L 5 AS CLARY'D CLAlv$ 1 -- 3 Ai7 4;-, \'ITH 4 NLEASI)MNG DEVICE:-iC:O: '-R\TED TO LALEAST T ENTRvF; D LrTr TTL!, I ETTS TO _I'1 h NS-.f L-1.. H t,r-4r1 ACCORD A Ri CE.tIH DFFRi: A:h 7 EC AN LiOCAL B\-LAWS AND REGlJ - ATIOl'-S ,. AS CLrlMEI) T CLAIS 1 2 3 4 TD 5 1 I-ISlC- DEN]CE CONSISTS OF IEE MT PARTS TWO OE WT[CH THE SUSPENSIJN DEVICES ARE IDENTICA1 ND -

>r1-h RCtLNC.T/LE EAC: SUSPENSIC,N DEN/ICE IAS AN hER]E OF SEFFTCEN r St= TO ENABLE BUCKLED STRA=PS VELCRO STRAPS BTJNGEE CORDED HOOKS STRL\TG CORD OR r>NlTEV=R TO BE PASSLD TTiROUGH iE APERTUE APOUND AN ADJACENT POST EAR OR FITT.Tll-G THLlS PROVII)INCi SEC7ITY M1\ll XIGIDITY AS ELL AS PREVFNT& 1; DErVICE TILTG TOW=DS THE AN&LER.l7AD RC}TNTLNG AROUND TI3E ITElvI II IS SUSPEIx,TDED;FOM N-\F=IEN LE3v]T.RAGE IS APPLIED TO THE FISir-T, \! (5r.rx.>rD 7 AS CLA13';IEt) r AQ<IS 1 2 3 4 ArD 6 A r7EICrTil&:DENlICE 1!LAy BE SUSPEND FROM TPE PEG LS)CATED 7LN T1HE 13ASE OF 1 SrA>ID APERTURES LOCATED N EACH SUSPFNSION DEVICE