GB2310350A - Fishing rod - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described a fishing rod having a distal end (10) and comprising one or more light emitting diodes (20,22,24) mounted close to the distal end (10) and means (26) for electrically connecting the light emitting diodes (20,22,24) to a source of electrical power (42). The arrangement may form a kit for attachment to a fishing rod.

Description

FISHING ROD The present invention relates to a fishing rod, a kit for attachment to a fishing rod and to rod section for a fishing rod. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fishing rod, kit and rod section which provides an angler with bite registration means in low lighting conditions, such as at night.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term bite registration is used herein to refer to the means by which an angler is alerted to the fact that there is movement of the fishing rod due to a fish taking the bait.

At present, anglers wishing to fish rivers, lakes and beaches after sunset have four basic means of bite registration at their disposal. Firstly, they could use an electronic bite alarm. This device monitors line movement and activates an audible signal when the line movement reaches a predetermined level. However, a major disadvantage associated with electronic bite alarms is that their use is limited to still water fishing.

Secondly, anglers may use a beta light. Beta lights comprise a vacuum tube filled with tritium gas.

The vacuum tube is provided with a phosphorous coating which, when exposed to the tritium gas, emits a faint glow. In use, the beta light is fitted to the tip of a fishing rod where it can be observed by the angler.

In this way the angler is able to monitor movement of the tip. Beta lights however, have a number of disadvantages. They have a half life of ten years and consequently their light output diminishes with time.

Furthermore, they are relatively delicate, they often catch on the line, are difficult to see unless viewed from a specific angle and are relatively expensive.

In addition, because of their low light output, they are difficult to see unless it is pitch black.

A Third option available to anglers is the chemical reaction light. This takes the form of a plastic tube filled with two or more chemicals. When the plastic tube is squeezed, the chemicals are brought into contact with one another and react with the emission of light. However, chemical reaction lights suffer from all the disadvantages of beta lights and in addition can only be actuated once, after which they must then be thrown away.

Finally, the fourth option open to anglers is to position a torch so that it shines light along the length of the rod. It will be appreciated however, that this is not only difficult to achieve in practice but also that light of the torch may scare the fish and distract other anglers.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to address some of the problems of the prior art and provide a fishing rod with improved bite registration means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fishing rod having a distal end and comprising one or more light emitting diodes mounted close to the distal end and means for electrically connecting the light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power. For example, the distal end might comprise a quiver or swing tip and in this way the angler will be provided with a means of bite registration indicated by both large and small movements of the rod tip which would be visible on all lighting conditions.

Advantageously, the light emitting diodes are spaced longitudinally of the rod close to the distal end. Preferably, the most proximal of the light emitting diodes is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength from that of the other light emitting diode or diodes.

Advantageously, the light emitting diodes have a height of less than 2mm. In this way the light emitting diodes will not readily foul the line.

Advantageously, the light emitting diodes have a viewing angle of between 900 and 1800. In this way the distal end of the rod will be visible from all practical angles.

Advantageously, the fishing rod may include a source of electrical power mounted to the rod.

Preferably the source of electrical power comprises a battery. Preferably the battery is rechargeable.

Advantageously, switch means may be provided in association with the source of electrical power so as to enable the light emitting diodes to be selectively actuated.

Advantageously, means may be provided in association with the source of electrical power so as to control the brightness of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes.

Advantageously, the means for electrically connecting the light emitting diodes to the source of electrical power may comprise a membrane or sheath attached to the rod.

Advantageously, the rod may comprise two or more interconnecting rod sections, at least one of the lighting emitting diodes being mounted on the most distal of the rod sections. Preferably, a source of electrical power is mounted to one of the rod sections and at least one of the light emitting diodes is mounted on another of the rod sections in which case the means for electrically connecting the light emitting diodes to the source of electrical power includes means for electrically connecting the rod sections when the rod sections are interconnected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for attachment to a fishing rod and comprising one or more light emitting diodes for attachment to a distal end of the rod, and means for electrically connecting the light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a rod section for a fishing rod, the rod section comprising one or more light emitting diodes mounted thereto and means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which there is shown a schematic illustration of a two part fishing rod.

In Figure 1 there is shown a fishing rod comprising a distal tip section 10 and a proximal body section 12. For the sake of clarity, the tip section 10 and body section 12 have been shown separated from one another.

As is well known, the tip section 10 is of a generally conical shape having a proximal end 14 of substantially circular cross-section and tapers towards a distal end 16. Again, as is entirely conventional, a plurality of rod rings 18 are attached to the tip section 10 and spaced longitudinally at regular intervals between the proximal end 14 and the distal end 16. However, in addition to the rod rings 18, the tip section 10 is also provided with three surface mounted, light emitting diodes 20,22 and 24.

These light emitting diodes are also spaced longitudinally between the proximal end 14 and the distal end 16 and might, for example, span the last 45 to 60cm depending on the rod action. Preferably the light emitting diodes 20,22 and 24 are located on a surface of the tip section 10 which is spaced by 1800 from the line of rod rings 18. Each of the surface mounted, light emitting diodes 20,22 and 24 preferably has a length within the range from 1 to 5mm and a width of between 1 and 3mm. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the light emitting diodes have a length of 2mm and a width of 1.25mm although clearly the actual dimensions used in any particular instance will depend on the length and diameter of the rod concerned.

One of the most significant properties of surface mounted, light emitting diodes is their height.

Preferably each of the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 has a height of less than 2mm and in a particularly advantageous embodiment, a height of approximately l.lmm. In this way the chances of the line snagging on the light emitting diodes is significantly reduced.

Another property of surface mounted, light emitting diodes is their increased viewing angle compared with more traditional, albeit low profile, light emitting devices. Typically the viewing angles of the surface mounted, light emitting diodes lie in the range from 900 to 1800. However, one device having the preferred dimensions outlined above and which is currently available from RS Components Limited of P.O.

Box 99, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 9RS, United Kingdom has a viewing angle of 1550. Viewing angles of this order enable the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 to be easily visible to an angler at night without the need for the angler to constantly adjust his viewing position.

The light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 may be secured to the distal tip section 10 in any convenient way such as by adhesive or mechanical fastening means.

In addition, the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 are connected together in series by an electrical coupling 26 which extends from the proximal end 14 to each of the diodes in turn before then returning to the proximal end. At the proximal end 14, the two ends of the electrical coupling 26 terminate in respective first and second contacts 28 and 30. These contacts 28,30 may be formed of any electrically conducting material but are preferably formed of copper, gold or silver.

The three surface mounted, light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 may emit light of any preferred wavelength. For example, the emitted light may be red, orange, yellow or green. However, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the most proximal of the light emitting diodes 20 preferably emits light of a different wavelength from those of the other light emitting diodes which preferably each emit light of the same wavelength. Thus, the most proximal light emitting diode 20 might emit a red light while each of the other light emitting diodes 22,24 might emit yellow light. In this way, even at night, an angler viewing the light emitting diodes 20,22 and 24 is provided with a sense of perspective.

Unlike the distal tip section 10, the proximal body section 12 is of generally frustoconical shape and comprises, at a proximal end 32, a portion of substantially circular cross-section which is adapted to be gripped by an angler and, at a distal end 34, another section of reduced but nevertheless, substantially circular cross-section, which is adapted to mate with the proximal end 14 of the distal tip section 10. Between these two ends 32 and 34 the proximal body section 12 tapers in a substantially uniform manner.

Focusing attention particularly on the distal end of the proximal body section 12, it will be seen from Figure 1 that the distal end 34 is provided with an axial recess 36 which is so sized as to be capable of receiving the proximal end 14 of the distal tip section 10 in a push fit type arrangement. By connecting the two sections 10 and 12 in this way it is possible to provide a fishing rod of a greater overall length thereby facilitating the fishing of waters far removed from where the angler either sits or stands. Conversely, by providing a fishing rod comprising two or more detachable sections 10,12 it is possible for even the longest rods to be stored or transported in a convenient manner.Likewise, by providing a fishing rod in which the distal tip section 10 is separable from the remainder of the fishing rod it is possible to provide a tip section which is made of a different material from that of the body section 12 and whose properties can be chosen purely for the task it has to perform rather than being compromised by the structural requirements of the remainder of the rod.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the provision of a fishing rod made up of two or more interconnecting sections is not in itself new and that the example shown is just one of a large number of possible arrangements. Nevertheless, the purpose of the present description is to illustrate one arrangement whereby a power supply mounted on one of the rod sections can be electrically connected to the light emitting diodes mounted on the distal tip section, it being understood that the present invention is not limited solely to this arrangement, neither is it limited to an arrangement whereby the various sections of the fishing rod are adapted to be interconnected by means of a push fit type arrangement.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the axial recess 36 is provided with two electrical contacts 38 and 40 which are in turn connected to a power supply 42 by means of a second electrical coupling 44. The power supply 42 may be of any convenient type and may be mounted either on the rod or adjacent the rod as is convenient. In particular, the power supply 42 may comprise a battery which is mounted on the proximal body section 12 close to the proximal end 32. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such as that shown in Figure 1, the battery may be re-chargeable.

In use, the act of inserting the proximal end 14 of the distal tip section 10 into the axial recess 36 causes the first and second contacts 28 and 30 to be brought into engagement with the two electrical contacts 38 and 40, thereby completing the circuit to the power supply 42.

In a particularly advantageous arrangement a switch 46 is provided as part of the circuit and is located close to that portion of the proximal body section 12 which in use is held by the angler. In this way, by operating the switch 46, the angler is able to selectively actuate the light emitting diodes 20,22 and 24.

In another advantageous arrangement a variable resistor 48 is also located close to that portion of the proximal body section 12 which in use is held by the angler. By adjusting the variable resistor 48 the angler is able to adjust the brightness of the light emitting diodes to suit particular background lighting conditions.

In order that the fishing rod may be used in the conventional way during the hours of daylight, the power supply 42, if mounted on the rod, is preferably mounted in such a way that it can be readily detached therefrom. Thus the power supply 42 might comprise a clip 50 capable of releasably engaging the rod.

In order to protect the first and second electrical couplings 26 and 44, the couplings may be coated with one or more layers of a protective material, such as a varnish, which is applied once the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 have been connected together and secured to the rod.

Alternatively, the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 may be mounted within a membrane or sheath complete with electrical coupling 26 so that all that is required is for the membrane or sheath to be applied to the distal tip section 10. This represents a particularly advantageous arrangement where the tip section is made of an otherwise electrically conducting material, such as graphite, since the membrane or sheath can serve not only to protect the electrical coupling 26 from accidental damage but also to insulate it from the underlying tip section. The provision of the light emitting diodes 20, 22 and 24 in a ready-to-apply membrane or sheath also facilitates the upgrading of existing fishing rods with the present means of bite registration.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to the use of surface mounted, light emitting diodes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of opto-electronic devices might be equally applicable. For example, the surface mounted devices of the present embodiment could be replaced by standard Tl3A/Smm light emitting diodes although these devices are recognised as having several disadvantages when compared with their surface mounted counterparts. For example, even the low profile versions are relatively bulky and increase the possibility of interference with the line. Their increased size also makes it more difficult for them to be mounted close to the end of the distal tip section 10 which might have a diameter of only, say, lmm. Added to this they have relatively narrow viewing angles of between 200 and 800 and tend to require a comparatively high supply current of perhaps 50mA as compared with 20mA for surface mounted devices.

Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in terms of a fishing rod or a kit of parts for attachment to a fishing rod, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention might also comprise a rod section, and in particular a distal tip sect ion, for attachment to one or more other rod sections, the rod section comprising one or more light emitting diodes and having some means of electrically connecting the light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:

1. A fishing rod having a distal end and comprising one or more light emitting diodes mounted close to said distal end and means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

2. A fishing rod in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light emitting diodes are spaced longitudinally of the rod close to said distal end.

3. A fishing rod in accordance with claim 2, wherein the most proximal of said emitting light diodes is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength from that of the other light emitting diode or diodes.

4. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said light emitting diodes have a height of less than 2mm.

5. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said light emitting diodes have a viewing angle of between 900 and 1800.

6. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim and including a source of electrical power mounted to the rod.

7. A fishing rod in accordance with claim 6, wherein said source of electrical power comprises a battery.

8. A fishing rod in accordance with claim 7, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

9. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein switch means are provided in association with said source of electrical power so as to enable said light emitting diodes to be selectively actuated.

10. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein means are provided in association with said source of electrical power so as to control the brightness of the light emitted by said light emitting diodes.

11. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to said source of electrical power comprises a membrane or sheath attached to the rod.

12. A fishing rod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the rod comprises two or more interconnecting rod sections, at least one of said lighting emitting diodes being mounted on the most distal of said rod sections.

13. A fishing rod in accordance with claim 12, wherein a source of electrical power is mounted to one of said rod sections and at least one of said light emitting diodes is mounted on another of said rod sections, said means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to said source of electrical power including means for electrically connecting said rod sections when said rod sections are interconnected.

14. A fishing rod substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

15. A kit for attachment to a fishing rod and comprising one or more light emitting diodes for attachment to a distal end of said rod and means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

16. A kit for attachment to a fishing rod, the kit being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

17. A rod section for a fishing rod, the rod section comprising one or more light emitting diodes mounted thereto and means for electrically connecting said light emitting diodes to a source of electrical power.

18. A rod section for a fishing rod, the rod section being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.