Patent Application
20140237886
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a line release clip for holding fishing line, and more specifically, a line release clip suitable for use in flat line, kite and outrigger fishing line applications.
2. Background
Line release clips, such as outrigger clips, kite release clips and flat line clips, are generally utilized to hold fishing line in a location remote from the rod tip in a manner that releases the fishing line from the clip once a fish strikes a bait or lure. The primary manufactures of these types of clips are RUPP MARINE, INC., of Port Salerno, Fla., AFTCO MFG. CO. INC., of Irvine, Calif., BLACKS MARINE, and MALIN COMPANY INC., of Cleveland, Ohio. Conventional clips have adjustable tension releases that control the amount of line pull required to release the fishing line from the clip. The fishing line must be inserted into the clip as the tension release is closed. This often is difficult particularly for clips used on outriggers where a person must lean outward over the rail of the rocking boat while holding the line being pulled through the water in one hand while both holding the clip and closing the tension release in the other. Additionally, the sound of the clip opening against the tension release is not audible at a level sufficient to be heard by persons in the boat, particularly when the boat is underway.
Thus, there is a need for an improved line release clip.
In one embodiment, a line release clip is provided that generates an alert signal upon opening independent of a release tension adjustment. In one embodiment, the line release clip includes a body, a line retainer coupled to the body, a release adjustment mechanism and a release alarm. The line retainer is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The release adjustment mechanism is operable to control force required to move the line retainer from the closed position. The release alarm is operable to produce an alert signal in response to the line retainer moving from the closed position, thereby alerting fisherman of the release of the fishing line from the clip. The alert signal may be an electronic alert signal detectable from a cockpit of a fishing vessel. The alert signal may be in the form of one or both of an audible electronic sound and a visual (i.e., light) signal. The alert signal may be in the form a communication signal which may be received on board the vessel.
The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention generally provides a line release clip having an electronically generated alert signal which is independent of the tension adjustment utilized to release a line from the clip. The alert signal may be in the form of an audible report (e.g., sound) and/or light which is not the mechanical noise generated by the release clip opening. The alert signal advantageously allows the tension adjustment of the clip to be set to allow slight line pulls to release the fishing line retained by the clip while providing an alert signal that the clip has opened. The mechanical noise generated by conventional release clips opening typically cannot be heard when opening under light tension adjustments.
Continuing to refer to
In one embodiment, the audible signal of the release alarm 108 is over and above the sound of any sound that may be generated by the release adjustment mechanism 106 and/or the line retainer 104 hitting the body 102. Advantageously, the release alarm 108 operates independently of the release adjustment mechanism 106, such that adjustments to the release adjustment mechanism 106 will not change the audible signal generated by the release alarm 108. This is particularly advantageous when the release adjustment mechanism 106 is set to allow the fishing line 114 escape the clip 100 with a very slight line pull, conditions wherein the opening of conventional clips often cannot be heard. Additionally, the release alarm 108 serves to notify the angler that the fishing line 114 has been pulled from the clip 100 even when line is not pulled from the fishing reel, such as when a small amount of weed is picked up on a lure.
In one embodiment, the body 102 has a generally elongated form, with a mounting aperture 132 disposed at opposite ends 118, 120. The mounting aperture 132 facilitates coupling the body 102 to a halyard of the outrigger, center rigger, kite line or other mounting location, such the transom of the boat (i.e., used to hold a flat line). The mounting aperture 132 may be a hole formed through opposite ends 118, 120 of the body 102, a wire loop, or other suitable halyard attachment point.
The body 102 may be fabricated from any material suitable for use in a marine environment. In one embodiment, the body 102 is fabricated from plastic material. Alternatively, the body 102 may be fabricated from other plastic or metal materials.
The body 102 has a recess 122, such as a slot, which accepts a portion of the line retainer 104. In the embodiment depicted in
The tabs 126 also comprise part of the release adjustment mechanism 106. The release adjustment mechanism 106 includes an adjustment screw 128 that sets the distance between the tabs 126. In the embodiment depicted in
The captured end 130 of the line retainer 104 is rotatably coupled to the body 102. In one embodiment, the captured end 130 is deposed in the recess 122 defined between the two tabs 124 formed at the first end 118 of the body 102. In one embodiment, the captured end 130 is secured in a bushing 170 disposed between the tabs 124. The bushing 170 has an aperture 134. A shaft 136 is disposed through the aperture 134 and the two tabs 124 and defines an axis 162 upon which the line retainer 104 rotates. The shaft 136 may be a threaded rod, spring pin, dowel pin, rivet or fastener, and in the embodiment depicted in
While the line retainer 104 is shown as a wire form, the line retainer 104 may alternatively be in the form of a roller. The line retainer 104 may also be configured to rotate about an axis aligned with the orientation of the body 102, similar to Nok-Outs® release clips, available from Rupp Marine.
Referring primarily now to the cut-away view of the release clip 100 depicted in
As discussed above, the release alarm 108 operates to provide an audible signal when the distal end 110 the line retainer 104 moves from the closed position to the open position when the fishing line 114 escapes the clip 100.
The release alarm 108 may include a switch 180 which operates to set the mode of release alarm 108. The modes may release alarm 108 may include one or more of the on and off state of the release alarm 108, the type of the alarm generated by the release alarm 108, and the magnitude of the alarm generated by the release alarm 108, among others. The switch 180 is exposed to an exterior of the body 102, and in one embodiment, the switch 180 is in the form of a button disposed through an aperture 190 formed through the body 102. The button may be depressed to sequence the release alarm 108 through its modes. Alternatively, the mode of the release alarm 108 may be set remotely, for example, via a wireless signal, such as Bluetooth, RF, infrared or other wireless communication.
In one embodiment, the release alarm 108 is disposed in a housing 182. The housing 182 may be secured to the body 102, for example, by one or more screws 194. The housing 182 may be secured to the body 102 by other methods, such as snap fit or adhesive.
Continuing to refer to the cut-away view of the release clip 100 depicted in
In embodiments wherein the release alarm 108 emits a visual signal in response to the line retainer 104 moving from the closed position, the visual signal may be a strobe, flash, LED light or other light emitter. In embodiments wherein the release alarm 108 emits an audible signal in response to the line retainer 104 moving from the closed position, the audible signal may be a chirp, beep, siren, or other sound signal. Optionally, the release alarm 108 may emits both an audible signal and visual signal that operates substantially independent of the release adjustment mechanism 106.
The release alarm 108 may alternatively, or in conjunction with generating one or both of audible and visual signals, generate a communication signal in response to the line retainer 104 moving from the closed position. The communication signal may be via a wireless signal, such as Bluetooth, RF, infrared or other wireless communication for triggering an alarm on a nearby, i.e., on-board the vessel, on a remote receiver 500, as further discussed below with reference to
In one embodiment the electronic circuit 300 of the release alarm 108 that includes a battery 310, the switch 180, the sensor 312 and at least one electronic signal generator 314. The sensor 312 may be a proximity sensor, limit switch, hall-effect sensor, encode accelerometer or other sensor suitable for detecting an indicia of the position and/or movement of the line retainer 104. The circuit 300 may optionally include a logic circuit 316 that controls the mode of the release alarm, which may also include the sound and/or light created by the signal generator 314 such that one line release clip 100 may be set to be different than another release clip utilized on the boat so the angler may know which clip has released when a number of clips are being utilized in a conventional trolling situation. For example, the logic circuit 316 may be set to cause the signal generator 314 of one line release clip to generate a signal different than that of another line release clip, for example, different audio signals, different color lights, different light flashing rates, and the like.
In one embodiment, the at least one signal generator 314 may include an electronic audio signal generator 360. The audio signal generator 360 may be a speaker, buzzer, vibrator or other electronic sound generator. In another embodiment, the at least one signal generator 314 may include an electronic visual signal generator 362. The visual signal generator 362 may be a strobe, flash, LED light or other light emitter. In embodiments wherein both a sound and visual alert signals are desirable, both signal generators 360, 362 may be operably coupled to the logic circuit 316 and selectively actuated in response to the state of the sensor 312. It is contemplated that simpler designs may omit the logic circuit 316 and may have the sensor 312 directly interfaced with the signal generator(s) 314.
In yet embodiment, the at least one signal generator 314 may include an electronic communication signal generator 366. The communication signal generator 366 may be in the form of a transmitter configured to communicate over short distances with a remote electronic device. For example, the communication signal generator 366 may generate a signal in response to the opening of the line retainer 104, wherein the signal is a Bluetooth signal, an RF signal, an infrared signal or other signal suitable for communicating with a nearby remote receiver 500 on board the vessel. The logic circuit 316 may be set to allow the remote receiver 500 to identify and differential each unique release clip 100 so that fisherman know from which clip 100 the signal is coming from when multiple clips 100 are in use.
In embodiments wherein one or both of both a sound and visual alert signals are desirable in addition to generation of a communication signal, one or both of the signal generators 360, 362 along with the communication signal generator 366 may be operably coupled to the logic circuit 316 and selectively actuated in response to the state of the sensor 312.
In the embodiments depicted in
When the distal end 110 of the line retainer 104 is moved from the closed position, the sensor 312 changes state which causes power from the battery 310 to be provided signal generator 314, thereby creating an electronic audible and/or visual alert signal that the fishing line 114 has been released from the clip 100. As discussed above, the alert signal provided by the release alarm 108 is generated substantially independently from the setting to the release adjustment mechanism 106. For example, the tension on the release adjustment mechanism 106 may be tightened or loosened without changing the operation of the release alarm 108.
As discussed above, the release alarm 108 may alternatively or in addition to providing an audible and/or visual signal, provide a communication signal in response to the change in state of the sensor 312. In such embodiments, the change in state of the sensor 312 may causes power from the battery 310 to be provided to the communication signal generator 366, which transmits a signal to the remote receiver 500, as further discussed below, which may be located in a convenient location on a fishing vessel.
Referring now to the schematic diagram of
Thus, when the release clip 100 on the port long rigger opens, the indicator 508A will activate, thus indicating a fish, strike, weed, or the like on a specific fishing rod on port long rigger. Likewise, activation of indicator 508F will indicate activity (i.e., opening of the line retainer 104) on the starboard short rigger, and so on.
Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiment that still incorporate these teachings.
