Clip assembly

Abstract

A clip assembly (100) for releasably securing a weight (40) to a fishing line (20) has a main body (110) with a proximal end (110b) and a distal end (110a). An arm (130) extends from the main body and receives the weight. The clip assembly has a recess (111) defined within the main body and an aperture (112) disposed at the distal end (110a) of the main body. The aperture receives a flexible tube (160) surrounding a length of the fishing line. A bung (150) is received in the recess. An end portion (161) of the flexible tube (160) is secured in the recess (111) by the bung (150). Also disclosed is a method of assembling a fishing rig.

Description

[0001] CLIP ASSEMBLY

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a clip assembly for use in angling, in particular for clipping a weight to a fishing line.

[0004] Background

[0005] Lead clips are used in fishing to releasably attach a weight (such as a lead weight) to a fishing line. Such clips are designed to eject the weight in the event of a take from a fish, for example a carp.

[0006] United Kingdom Patent 2,394878 discloses a hooklink and lead discharge system having an elongate body with means for attachment to a hook line at one end, means for attachment to a rod line at the other end, and a clip arm extending alongside the body between its ends to form a clip with said body, where the clip is closed at the hook line end and openable at the rod line end.

[0007] In some environments, it is desirable or even required to include a length of tubing around the naked fishing line. This can prevent or reduce the likelihood offish being injured by the fishing line lifting scales off the fish. Some designs use a tail rubber, which is a flexible sleeve designed to provide a degree of resistance to the weight being released from the lead clip, together with flexible tubing, which is inserted into the flexible sleeve.

[0008] United Kingdom Patent 2,508,032 discloses a bead comprising a body formed of first and second parts mated to define a through bore for receiving a swivel at one end; and an antitangle tube at the opposite end. A clip is provided on the exterior for releasable attachment of a weight. The first part of the bead includes a tube having an axially extending slot of less width than the bore-diameter.

[0009] United Kingdom Patent 2,475,603 discloses a lead clip including a two part inner core designed to be closed around a connecting element such as a swivel connecting a fishingrig to the main fishing line. The two parts are preferably hinged and a peg provided to help locate the swivel therein. The fishing rig comprises a flexible tube through which runs the hook length line. When closed, the inner core anchors the connecting element against escape and grips the flexible tube to prevent movement thereof.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an improved clip assembly.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] Aspects of the disclosure are set out in the independent claims and optional features are set out in the dependent claims. Aspects of the disclosure may be provided in conjunction with each other and features of one aspect may be applied to other aspects.

[0013] An aspect of the disclosure aims to provide a clip assembly for releasably securing a weight to a fishing line, the clip assembly comprising any or all of the following features: a main body comprising a proximal end and a distal end; an arm extending from the main body and configured to receive the weight; a recess defined within the main body; an aperture disposed at the distal end of the main body and configured to receive a flexible tube surrounding a length of the fishing line; and a bung configured to be received in the recess; wherein the clip assembly is configured such that an end portion of the flexible tube is secured in the recess by the bung.

[0014] The clip assembly may be configured to retain the end portion of the flexible tube in the main body. This may be contrasted to prior devices in which the flexible tube is not secured within the clip such that it is pushed along the fishing line in the event of a take, thereby exposing naked fishing line which can injure the fish. The clip assembly is configured such that the bung retains the end portion of the flexible tube in the recess. As such, the clip assembly may be configured such that, without the bung, the end portion would be able to slide out of the aperture.

[0015] The bung may comprise a plug portion. The plug portion may be configured to be inserted into the end portion of the flexible tube. The bung may comprise a head portion. The plug portion may extend from the head portion. A diameter of the head portion may be greaterthan a diameter of the aperture. The bung may be configured to be threaded onto the fishing line. The bung may comprise a lumen. The lumen may extend through the bung. The lumen may be configured to receive the fishing line.

[0016] The aperture may have a first diameter and the recess may have a second diameter. The first diameter may be smaller than the second diameter.

[0017] The main body may comprise a shoulder between the recess and the aperture. The shoulder may be arranged to inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture. The shoulder may be arranged to engage with the bung to inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture. The shoulder may be arranged to sandwich the flexible tube between the shoulder and the bung to thereby inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture.

[0018] The distal end of the main body may be configured to releasably secure a flexible sleeve around the aperture. The main body may comprise a plurality of ribs around the distal end. The plurality of ribs are configured to engage with the flexible sleeve, for example to provide increased resistance to removing the flexible sleeve from the main body.

[0019] The proximal end of the main body may be configured to receive a swivel for connecting to a hookline. The proximal end may comprise a cavity for receiving the swivel.

[0020] The clip assembly may further comprise a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may be configured to secure the swivel in the proximal end. The fastening mechanism may comprise a push-fit or a snap-fit. The fastening mechanism may comprise a pin and a hole. The pin may be configured to receive a closed loop of the swivel. The pin may be configured to be received by the hole. The hole may be configured to receive the pin in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis to the main body.

[0021] The clip assembly may further comprise a cover. The cover may be configured to be removable from the main body. The recess may be at least partially defined by the cover. The aperture may be partially defined by the cover. The cover may comprise the pin. The hole may be defined in the main body.The swivel may be configured to be received in the proximal end of the main body. The swivel may be a quick-change swivel. The swivel may comprise an open loop and a closed loop. The opened loop and the closed loop may be connected by a body portion. The swivel may be arranged such that the body portion is received by a cavity in the main body such that the closed loop is located in the recess.

[0022] The arm may be connected to the main body at the proximal end. The arm may be configured to flex away from the main body to permit a weight to slide on or off the arm. The arm may extend towards the distal end of the main body. The arm may comprise a free end at the distal end. The free end may be configured to receive a flexible sleeve. For example, the free end may be arranged with the main body such that a flexible sleeve can surround the free end of the arm and the distal end of the main body.

[0023] The arm may be fixedly connected to the main body.

[0024] The arm and the main body may be formed of the same integral component.

[0025] The arm, the main body, and the aperture disposed in the main body may all be formed of the same integral component.

[0026] A free end of the arm may comprise a plurality of serrations.

[0027] The clip assembly may comprise the flexible tube. The flexible tube may be configured to be received in the aperture such that the end portion of the flexible tube is located in the recess. The bung may be configured to be inserted into the flexible tube to flare the end portion and thereby inhibit the end portion from sliding out of the recess via the aperture. The clip assembly may further comprise a flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve may be configured to surround at least a portion of the distal end of the main body. The flexible sleeve may be configured to surround at least a portion of the arm so as to releasably secure the weight on the arm. The flexible sleeve may be configured to be threaded onto the flexible tube. The flexible sleeve may be slidable along the flexible tube. The clip assembly may be configured such that ejection of the weight from the arm pushes theflexible sleeve off the arm.

[0028] Another aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a method of assembling a fishing rig, the method comprising any or all of the following steps: threading a fishing line through a flexible sleeve and a flexible tube; and threading the fishing line through a clip assembly, wherein the clip assembly is configured to releasably secure a weight and comprises: a main body comprising a proximal end and a distal end; an arm extending from the main body and configured to receive the weight; a recess defined within the main body; an aperture disposed at the distal end of the main body; a bung configured to be received in the recess; wherein threading the fishing line through the clip assembly comprises threading the fishing line through the bung; wherein the method further comprises: inserting the flexible tube into the aperture such that an end portion of the flexible tube is located in the recess; and inserting the bung into the end portion to secure the end portion in the recess.

[0029] The method may comprise attaching a cover to the main body. The cover may comprise a pin. The main body may comprise a hole. Attaching the cover to the main body may comprise inserting the pin into a hole. The method may further comprise inserting a swivel into a cavity of the clip assembly. The swivel may be a quick-change swivel. The swivel may comprise an open loop. Inserting the swivel into the cavity may comprise aligning a closed loop of the swivel with the hole before inserting the pin into the hole, so that the pin extends through the closed loop to secure the swivel to the main body.

[0030] The method may comprise securing a hook line to the proximal end of the main body. Securing the hook line may comprise securing the hook line to the swivel, for example to the open loop of the swivel.

[0031] The clip assembly in the method may have any of the features described hereinabove.

[0032] An aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a fishing rig comprising the clip assembly as described hereinabove. The fishing rig may include a fishing line to which a weight is attached using the clip assembly. The fishing line may be threaded through the clip assembly and attached (e.g. tied) to the swivel, in particular to a closed loop of a quickchange swivel. The fishing line may be a mainline. The fishing rig may comprise a hookline. The hookline may be attached to the clip assembly, for example to a swivel of the clip assembly, in particular an open loop of a quick change swivel. The hookline may comprise a fishing hook.

[0033] Brief description of the drawings

[0034] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fishing rig including a clip assembly, with the cover detached, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0036] Fig. 2A is an exploded diagram showing further detail of the main body and the cover of the clip assembly of Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 2B is an enlarged perspective view showing a bung and a flexible tube in the clip assembly of Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 3A is an exploded sectional view showing the main body, the cover and a swivel of the clip assembly of Fig. 1;

[0039] Fig. 3B is a front perspective view of the clip assembly of Fig. 1 with the cover attached to the main body;

[0040] Fig. 3C is a rear perspective view of the clip assembly of Fig. 3B;

[0041] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the fishing rig of Fig. 1;

[0042] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the clip assembly of Fig. 1 with the flexible sleeve in a removed configuration; and

[0043] Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the clip assembly of Fig. 1 with the flexible sleeve attached.

[0044] Detailed description of the drawings

[0045] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a clip assembly for releasably attaching a fishing weight to a fishing line. The clip assembly has a main body having an aperture arranged to be threaded onto the mainline. The main body has an arm or a hook onto which a weight can be releasably attached. A flexible sleeve is also threaded onto the mainline and surrounds the arm and a distal end of the main body to resist the weight slipping off thearm. When a fish has been hooked, the weight pushes the flexible sleeve off the arm so that the weight can be ejected from the clip assembly.

[0046] The aperture is also arranged to receive flexible tubing around the mainline, which can protect fish from being injured by the naked mainline. The main body has a recess in which an end portion of the flexible tubing is held securely by a bung. In particular, the bung is arranged in the recess to prevent the end portion of the flexible tubing from sliding out of the aperture. This can be achieved by inserting the bung into the end of the flexible tubing to flare the tubing, thereby rendering the flared tubing too wide to fit through the aperture. In this way, the flexible sleeve can slide along the flexible tubing during ejection of the weight, while the flexible tubing can be held by the clip assembly such that the mainline remains unexposed.

[0047] Figures 1 to 5B illustrate a clip assembly 100 according to embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 1 shows the clip assembly 100 in the context of a fishing rig 10, which also includes a mainline 20 and a hookline 30. The clip assembly 100 is configured to releasably secure a weight 40 (see Figures 5A and 5B) to a fishing line, for example between the mainline 20 and the hookline 30. The clip assembly 100 comprises a main body 110, an arm 130, a cover 140, a bung 150, a flexible tube 160, a flexible sleeve 170, and a swivel 180.

[0048] The main body 110 has a generally tubular or cylindrical shape. The main body 110 may comprise or may be formed of plastic. The main body 110 has a distal end 110a and a proximal end 110b. The main body 110 is at least partially hollow such that an interior space is defined within the main body 110. The interior space may be at least partially defined by the recess 111 and the aperture 112 (see Figure 2A). The wall of the main body 110 (e.g. the tubular wall) has a cutout, which may be located at an intermediate region of the main body 110 between the distal end 110a and the proximal end 110b. The cutout has a shape corresponding to that of the cover 140, such that when the cover 140 is coupled to the main body 110, the cover 140 closes the cutout, and such that when the cover 140 is removed from the main body 110, the cutout reveals the interior space within the main body 110. The main body 110 may also comprise a hole 118. The hole 118 may extend through the wall of the main body 110 (e.g. the tubular wall). The hole 118 may be positioned in the intermediate region of the main body 110. The hole 118 may be adjacentto the proximal end 110b.

[0049] The distal end 110a, as shown in Figure 1, may comprise a plurality of ribs 114. The ribs 114 may extend around at least a portion of, for example a majority portion of, the distal end 110a of the main body 110. The plurality of ribs 114 may comprise at least five ribs. The distal end 110a of the main body 110 is configured to receive a flexible sleeve 170, for example concentrically around the ribs 114. The ribs 114 may be configured to provide a selectable level of resistance to the removal of the flexible sleeve 170. In other words, the further onto the distal end 110a the flexible sleeve 170 is pushed, the more ribs 114 will be engaged by the flexible sleeve 170 such that it is more difficult (e.g. requires more force or energy) for the flexible sleeve 170 to be removed from the ribs 114, thereby providing a greater resistance to ejecting the weight 40.

[0050] The arm 130 is fixedly connected to the main body 110, and may be an integral component to the main body 110. The arm 130 may comprise or may be formed of plastic. The arm 130 is connected to the main body 110 at the proximal end 110b. At the opposite end of the arm 130, that is the end of the arm 130 which is closest to the distal end 110a of the main body 110, the arm 130 may comprise a free end. For example, the arm 130 may extend from the proximal end 110b of the main body 110 towards the distal end 110a. In the arrangement shown, the arm 130 extends away from the proximal end 110b and then curves towards the main body 110 in a direction towards the distal end 110a. Towards the distal end 110a, the arm 130 extends along the main body 110 substantially parallel thereto. The arm 130 terminates in the free end. As such, a gap may be provided between the arm 130 and the main body 110. The arm 130 is configured to receive the weight 40. The free end is configured to facilitate the weight 40 being attached and removed from the arm 130 via the gap. The arm 130 is configured to flex away from the main body 110 in order to allow the gap to be temporarily expanded so that the weight 40 can slide on or off the arm 130.

[0051] The arm 130 may comprise serrations 131. The serrations 131 may be located at the free end of the arm 130. The serrations 131 may extend outwardly from the arm 130. In other words, the serrations 131 may project from the arm 130 in a direction away from the main body 110, as opposed to an arrangement in which the serrations 131 project towards themain body 110 in the gap between the arm 130 and the main body 110. The serrations 131 may correspond to the ribs 114 on the distal end 110a of the main body 110. The number of serrations 131 may be the same or similar to the number of ribs 114. Each one of the serrations 131 may be arranged at a corresponding position along the longitudinal axis 103 at a corresponding rib of the plurality of ribs 114. The free end of the arm 130 is configured to receive the flexible sleeve 170. In particular, the ribs 114 and the serrations 131 may be configured to provide a selectable level of resistance to the flexible sleeve 170.

[0052] The cover 140 comprises a removeable part of the main body 110. The cover 140 may comprise or may be formed of plastic. The cover 140 may comprise a part-cylindrical outer surface. The clip assembly 100 comprises a fastening mechanism configured to releasably attach the cover 140 to the main body 110. The fastening mechanism may comprise a pin 148 and a hole 118. The cover 140 comprises the pin 148, which is configured to be received in the hole 118, as will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 3A. The cover 140 is configured to be releasably connectable to the main body 110. The cover 140 is configured to provide a cylindrical surface that is flush with the main body 110 when the cover 140 is attached to the main body 110, in particular when the cover 140 is arranged with the cutout so as to close the interior space. The cover 140 is configured to be removed from the main body 110 to provide access to the interior of the main body 110.

[0053] The swivel 180 is configured to connect the mainline 20 to the hookline 30. In the arrangement shown, the swivel 180 is received in the main body 110 at its proximal end 110b. As will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 3A, a loop of the swivel 180 is aligned with the hole 118 so that the swivel 180 can be kept in place by the pin 148 fitting into the hole 118. In the example shown, the swivel 180 is a quick change (QC) swivel having a closed loop 182 and an open loop 183.

[0054] The flexible sleeve 170 may comprise a cone-shaped sleeve, which may comprise an elastomeric material such as a rubber. The flexible sleeve 170 may also be referred to as a tail rubber. The flexible sleeve 170 may have a tubular section 171 and a conical or tapered section 172. The flexible sleeve 170, in particular the tubular section 171, may have a similar diameter to the distal end 110a of the main body 110. The flexible sleeve170 comprises a channel (not shown) through which a flexible tube 160 can be received. The flexible sleeve 170 is configured to slidably engage with the main body 110, for example by sliding over the distal end 110a. As shown in Figure 1 , the flexible sleeve 170 can be connected to the distal end 110a by sliding the tubular section 171 over the ribs 114 and the serrations 131, such that the tubular section 171 surrounds the distal end 110a and the free end of the arm 130.

[0055] The flexible tube 160 may be made of an elastomeric material, such as a rubber. The flexible tube 160 is configured to receive a fishing line so as to provide a sheath over a fishing line. In the arrangement shown, the flexible tube 160 is configured to surround the mainline 20 and to be threaded through the flexible sleeve 170 and into the main body 110. As shown in Figure 1, the flexible tube 160 has an end portion 161 which is received in the interior of the main body 110. As will be described in more detail, the clip assembly 100 also comprises a bung 150, which can be seen in Figures 1 and 2B engaged with the flexible tube 160 so as to retain the end portion 161 within the main body 110. The bung 150 also has a lumen configured to facilitate the fishing line (such as the mainline 20) being threaded therethrough so that the mainline 20 can be threaded through the flexible tube 160 and connected to the swivel 180.

[0056] Figure 2A shows the clip assembly 100 wherein the bung 150, flexible tube 160, flexible sleeve 170, and the swivel 180 have been omitted to show more detail of the main body 110. Figure 2A also illustrates the longitudinal axis 103 of the main body 110. The main body 110 comprises a recess 111. The recess 111 is defined in the intermediate region of the main body 110. The recess 111 may have a cylindrical wall as shown in Figure 2A. The recess 111 is configured to provide a space within the main body 110 which is configured to receive the bung 150.

[0057] The main body 110 also comprises an aperture 112. The aperture 112 may extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis 103. The aperture 112 may extend partially through the main body 110 from the distal end 110a towards the recess 111. At least part of the aperture 112 may be comprised in the interior space defined by the cutout. The aperture 112 comprises a cylindrical wall which may at least partially surround the longitudinal axis 103. The aperture 112 may have a diameter which is similar or slightly larger (for example,approximately 5% or 10% larger) than the diameter of the flexible tube 160. The recess 111 may have a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the aperture 112. The main body 110 may comprise a shoulder 113 which may be located between the recess 111 and the aperture 112, and may be formed by a step-change in the diameters of the recess 111 and the aperture 112. The aperture 112 is configured to receive the flexible tube 160.

[0058] The main body 110 may also comprise a slot 115. The slot 115 may be arranged adjacent to the aperture 112. The slot 115 may be an axial cutout (i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis 103) of the main body 110 from the interior space towards the distal end 110a. The slot 115 may be configured to receive a portion of the cover 140.

[0059] Figure 2A also illustrates the inside surface of the cover 140. It will be appreciated that part of the recess 111a and part of the aperture 112a may be defined by the cover 140. As such, the recess 111 may be defined by a cylindrical wall configured to surround the longitudinal axis 103 when the cover 140 is attached to the main body 110. Similarly, at least part of the aperture 112 (i.e. the part in the intermediate region of the main body 110, as opposed to the part within the distal end 110a) may be defined by a cylindrical wall configured to surround the longitudinal axis 103 when the cover 140 is attached to the main body 110. Therefore, the cover 140 may be configured to provide a part of the recess 111a in which the bung is configured to be received. Similarly, the cover 140 may be configured to provide part of the aperture 112a in which the flexible tube 160 is configured to be received.

[0060] The cover 140 may comprise a tab 145. The tab 145 may comprise an extension of the cover 140. The tab 145 may be configured to extend along the longitudinal axis 103 towards the distal end 110 when the cover 140 is coupled to the main body 110. The tab 145 may at least partially define the part of the aperture 112a defined by the cover 140. As such, the tab 145 may have an inner surface that is part-cylindrical (e.g. in the shape of a half pipe). The tab 145 is configured to be received in the slot 115. The tab 145 may be configured to define the aperture 112 when the cover 140 is assembled with the main body 110. The tab 145 and the slot 115 may be configured to mate so as to align and / or secure the cover 140 with the main body 110. The tab 145 and the slot 115 are configured to prevent rotation of the cover 140 about the axis of the pin 148.The main body 110 also comprises a cavity 116. The cavity 116 may be defined as a cylindrical bore at the proximal end 110b of the main body 110. The cavity 116 may be provided around the longitudinal axis 103. The cavity 116 may be configured to receive the swivel 180, in particular a body portion of the swivel 180.

[0061] Figure 2B shows the recess 111, the aperture 112 and the bung 150 in more detail, together with the end portion 161 of the flexible tube 160 shown in dashed lines for clarity. The bung 150 may comprise or may be formed of plastic. The bung 150 comprises a head 151 and a plug portion 152. The head 151 may be substantially cylindrical. The diameter of the head 151 may be smaller than the diameter of the recess 111. The diameter of the head 151 may be larger than the diameter of the aperture 112. As such, the head 151 may have a diameter that is between the diameters of the recess 111 and the aperture 112. The plug portion 152 extends from the head 151 along a longitudinal axis of the head 151. In the arrangement shown, the plug portion 152 comprises a constant diameter portion and a tapered portion, wherein the constant diameter portion is between the head 151 and the tapered portion. The tapered portion of the plug portion 152 may taper from a first diameter to a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter may be smaller than the diameter of the aperture 112. The bung 150 also has a lumen 153 which extends along the axis of the bung 150. The lumen 153 is configured to receive a fishing line, for example to allow the mainline 20 to be threaded through the bung 150.

[0062] Given that the flexible tube 160 is flexible, it will be appreciated that the bung 150 is configured to flare (for example, radially stretch) the end portion 161 of the flexible tube 160 when the bung 150 is inserted therein. As such, the bung 150 is configured to cause the end portion 161 to deform such that its diameter is larger than that of the aperture 112, meaning that the end portion 161 is blocked from sliding out of the aperture 112.

[0063] Figure 3A shows how the cover 140, the main body 110 and the swivel 180 are arranged. The pin 148 extends from an internal surface of the cover 140 in a direction which is transverse to the longitudinal axis 103. The diameter of the pin 148 may be smaller than the diameter of the hole 118. The pin 148 may comprise at least one bump 149. In thearrangement shown, the pin 148 comprises two bumps on radially opposite sides of a distal end of the pin 148. The pin 148 may be configured to provide a push-fit or a snap-fit with the hole 118. In this way, the cover 140 is configured to be releasably connectable to the main body 110, for example by a push-fit or a snap-fit connection. The hole 118 is configured to receive the pin 148. The hole 118 and the pin 148 are configured to facilitate coupling of the cover 140 with the main body 110.

[0064] The swivel 180 comprises a closed loop 182 and an open loop 183 connected by a body portion 181 (see Figure 4). The main body 110 comprises a slit 117. The slit 117 may provide a substantially rectangular aperture. The slit 117 may be arranged between the cavity 116 and the cutout of the main body 110. The slit 117 may be provided by a wall 117a between the cavity 116 and the interior space, wherein the wall 117a has a rectangular aperture defining the slit 117. The slit 117 may have a shape and size corresponding to a loop of a swivel. For example, the slit 117 may be shaped and sized to receive the closed loop 182 of the swivel 180 when the swivel 180 is inserted into the cavity 116 along the longitudinal axis 103.

[0065] The slit 117 may be configured such that when the swivel 180 is inserted into the cavity 116, the closed loop 182 is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 103 so that the pin 148 can be inserted into the closed loop 182. In other words, the slit 117 can ensure that the axis of the closed loop 182 (which may be defined by the centre of the closed loop 182) is approximately parallel to the axis of the pin 148. It will be appreciated that if the swivel 180 were inserted into the cavity 116 such that the closed loop 182 was not aligned with the slit 117, then the swivel 180 would be blocked from further insertion by the wall 117a. By rotating the swivel 180 about the longitudinal axis 103 until the closed loop 182 fits through the slit 117, the swivel 180 can be fully inserted so that the closed loop 182 is aligned with the hole 118. The wall 117a may also be configured to limit the insertion of the swivel 180 along the longitudinal axis 103. In particular, the wall 117a may be arranged to block further insertion of the body portion 181 into the cavity 116 once the closed loop 182 is aligned with the hole 118.

[0066] In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the clip assembly 100 is arranged such that, when the swivel 180 is inserted, the closed loop 182 is aligned with the hole 118 suchthat the swivel 180 can be secured by the connection between the pin 148 and the hole 118.

[0067] Figure 3B shows the clip assembly 100 with the cover 140 attached to the main body 110. As can be seen in the illustrated arrangement, the outer surface of the cover 140 may form a cylindrical surface with the main body 110.

[0068] Figure 3C shows the back of the main body 110, which is the opposite side of the main body 110 to the cutout. In the illustrated arrangement, the cover 140 is attached to the main body such that the pin 148 and the corresponding bumps 149 can be seen emerging through the hole 118.

[0069] Figure 4 shows how the clip assembly 100 can be assembled as part of a fishing rig 10. As such, Figure 4 illustrates a method of preparing a fishing rig 10, wherein the method comprises providing a clip assembly such as the clip assembly 100 described herein. The method includes threading a fishing line, such as the mainline 20, through the flexible tube 160. For the avoidance of doubt, it is noted that the length of the flexible tube 160 illustrated in Figure 4 is not to scale, and may be longer or shorter relative to the flexible sleeve 170 or other components of the clip assembly 100. The method may further comprise threading the mainline 20 through the flexible sleeve 170. It will be appreciated that these steps may be performed in any order, for example because the flexible sleeve 170 can slide over the flexible tube 160 and over the mainline 20. The method comprises threading the mainline 20 through the aperture 112 and towards the recess 111. The method may further comprise threading the mainline 20 through the lumen 153 of the bung 150 and then through the cavity 116, for example via the slit 117. The method may further comprise tying the mainline 20 to the closed loop 182 of the swivel 180. The method may further comprise fastening (e.g. tying) a hookline 30 to the open loop 183 of the swivel 180. It will be appreciated that this method may provide the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 in which the mainline 20 is threaded through the flexible tube 160, the flexible sleeve 170, the aperture 112, the bung 150, the recess 111 and the cavity 116 (e.g. via the slit 117), and is connected to the swivel 180.

[0070] In order to arrange the components as illustrated in Figure 1 , the method further comprisesthreading the flexible tube 160 through the flexible sleeve 170 and through the aperture 112 and into the recess 111. The method may further comprise inserting the bung 150 into the end portion 161 of the flexible tube 160. The method may further comprise positioning the head 151 of the bung 150 in the recess 111 with the plug portion 152 (which is surrounded by the end portion 161 - see Figure 2B) in the aperture 112. The method may further comprise removing the slack in the mainline 20 and positioning the swivel 180 inside the cavity 116 so that the closed loop 182 is aligned with the hole 118. It will be appreciated that these method steps may provide the arrangement shown in Figure 1 in which the bung 150 is arranged such that the head 151 resides in the recess 111 while the plug portion 152 extends into the aperture 112. The method may further comprise applying the cover 140 to the main body 110 by inserting the tab 145 into the slot 115 and pushing the pin 148 through the hole 118 so that the pin 148 passes through the closed loop 182 of the swivel 180.

[0071] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate how the weight 40 can be attached to and removed from the clip assembly 100. The weight 40 may comprise a weight hook 41 or other means for the weight to be attached to the clip assembly 100. In the arrangement shown, the weight hook 41 comprises a ring configured to surround the arm 130. Starting from the configuration in Figure 5A wherein the flexible sleeve 170 is not covering the free end of the arm 130, it will be appreciated that the weight 40 can be slid onto the free end of the arm 130. The arm 130 may flex outwards in order to accommodate the weight hook 41 in the gap between the arm 130 and the main body 110. Figure 5B shows the clip assembly 100 in a configuration in which the weight 40 has been slid onto the arm 130 and the flexible sleeve 170 has been slid over the distal end 110a of the main body 110 and over the free end of the arm 130, such that the tubular portion 171 of the flexible sleeve 170 at least partially surrounds the ribs 114 and the serrations 131. By sliding the flexible sleeve 170 further along the main body 110, it will be appreciated that more ribs 114 and serrations 131 will be engaged by the flexible sleeve 170 such that a greater resistance to removing the flexible sleeve 170 (and therefore ejecting the weight 40) will be created.

[0072] In operation, starting from the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the cover 140 is secured onto the main body 110 (to the arrangement shown in Figure 3B) and the weight 40 is attached to the main body 110 as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. When the line is cast andthe rig 10 enters the water, the weight 40 allows the fishing rig 10 to sink. In the event of a take on the hookline 30, the fish will, for example, shake its head, and this force will cause relative movement between the weight 40 and the main body 110, such that the weight hook 41 is pushed along the arm 130 to dislodge the flexible sleeve 170 from the arm 130, resulting in ejection of the weight 40 from the clip assembly 100. Despite the flexible sleeve 170 sliding along the flexible tube 160 and the resulting friction between these two components, the flexible tube 160 will remain in the recess 111 in view of the securing of the end portion 161 of the flexible tube 160 by the bung 150. Therefore, the mainline 20 remains protected by the flexible tube 160 to avoid exposing naked line to the fish.

[0073] It will be appreciated from the above description that many features of the different examples are interchangeable and combinable. The disclosure extends to further examples comprising features from different examples combined together in ways not specifically mentioned. Indeed, there are many features presented in the above examples and it will be apparent to the skilled person that these may be advantageously combined with one another.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A clip assembly for releasably securing a weight to a fishing line, the clip assembly comprising:a main body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;an arm extending from the main body and configured to receive the weight; a recess defined within the main body;an aperture disposed at the distal end of the main body and configured to receive a flexible tube surrounding a length of the fishing line; anda bung configured to be received in the recess;wherein the clip assembly is configured such that an end portion of the flexible tube is secured in the recess by the bung.

2. The clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bung comprises a plug portion configured to be inserted into the end portion of the flexible tube.

3. The clip assembly of claim 2, wherein the bung comprises a head portion from which the plug portion extends.

4. The clip assembly of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the head portion is greater than a diameter of the aperture.

5. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bung is configured to be threaded onto the fishing line.

6. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the aperture has a first diameter and the recess has a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.

7. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the main body comprises a shoulder between the recess and the aperture, the shoulder being arranged to inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture.

8. The clip assembly of claim 7, wherein the shoulder is arranged to engage with thebung to inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture.

9. The clip assembly of claim 8, wherein the shoulder is arranged to sandwich the flexible tube between the shoulder and the bung to thereby inhibit the flexible tube from sliding out of the aperture.

10. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the distal end of the main body is configured to releasably secure a flexible sleeve around the aperture.

11. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the proximal end of the main body is configured to receive a swivel for connecting to a hookline.

12. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured to secure the swivel in the proximal end.

13. The clip assembly of claim 12, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a pin and a hole, wherein the pin is configured to receive a closed loop of the swivel, and wherein the pin is configured to be received by the hole.

14. The clip assembly of claim 13, wherein the hole is configured to receive the pin in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main body.

15. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover configured to be removable from the main body, wherein the recess is at least partially defined by the cover.

16. The clip assembly of claim 15 as dependent on any of claims 13 or 14, wherein the cover comprises the pin and wherein the hole is defined in the main body.

17. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the arm is connected to the main body at the proximal end.

18. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the arm is configured to flex- 19 -away from the main body to permit a weight to slide on or off the arm.

19. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the arm extends towards the distal end of the main body.

20. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises a free end at the distal end and wherein the free end is configured to receive a flexible sleeve.

21. The clip assembly of claim 20, wherein the free end comprises a plurality of serrations.

22. The clip assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising the flexible tube, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be received in the aperture such that the end portion of the flexible tube is located in the recess;wherein the bung is configured to be inserted into the flexible tube to flare the end portion and thereby inhibit the end portion from sliding out of the recess via the aperture.

23. The clip assembly of claim 22, further comprising a flexible sleeve configured to surround at least a portion of the distal end of the main body and at least a portion of the arm so as to releasably secure the weight on the arm.

24. The clip assembly of claim 23, wherein the clip assembly is configured such that ejection of the weight from the arm pushes the flexible sleeve off the arm.

25. A method of assembling a fishing rig, the method comprising:threading a fishing line through a flexible sleeve and a flexible tube; and threading the fishing line through a clip assembly, wherein the clip assembly is configured to releasably secure a weight and comprises:a main body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;an arm extending from the main body and configured to receive the weight;a recess defined within the main body;an aperture disposed at the distal end of the main body;- 20 -a bung configured to be received in the recess;wherein threading the fishing line through the clip assembly comprises threading the fishing line through the bung;wherein the method further comprises:inserting the flexible tube into the aperture such that an end portion of the flexible tube is located in the recess; andinserting the bung into the end portion to secure the end portion in the recess.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising attaching a cover to the main body, wherein the cover comprises a pin and the main body comprises a hole, and wherein attaching the cover to the main body comprises inserting the pin into the hole.

27. The method of claim 25 or claim 26, further comprising inserting a swivel into a cavity of the clip assembly.

28. The method of claim 27 as dependent on claim 26, wherein inserting the swivel into the cavity comprises aligning a closed loop of the swivel with the hole before inserting the pin into the hole, so that the pin extends through the closed loop to secure the swivel to the main body.

29. The method of any of claims 25 to 28, further comprising securing a hook line to the proximal end of the main body.

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