Bait dispening device

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of equipment used for sport fishing, in particular for carp fishing. In detail, the invention concerns a bait dispensing device (1) for use in a sport fishing trip, adapted to be cast with a line and to open, interacting with the water, to allow the bait contained therein to be dispersed, comprising: - a container (2) divided into at least two sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adapted to house therein said bait during casting and to open, interacting with the water, where said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprise a first tip end and a second tail end; - means for securing said container (2) to said line; - reversible closing means for said container (2), using an attractive force of a magnetic field active between said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) along the respective joining planes; - divaricating means for said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) using an elastic repulsive force, adapted to facilitate opening of said container (2) and hold it open during the recovery phase. The bait dispensing device comprises a base (3) axially provided with a hole, and said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are rotatably associated with said base (3) by means of hinge means (10) to allow opening and closing of the bait dispensing device (1). Said divaricating means (20) comprise a plurality of elastic elements, each arranged between one of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and said base (3).

Description

[0001] BAIT DISPENING DEVICE

[0002] Technical field of application

[0003] The invention relates to the field of equipment used for sport fishing.

[0004] In detail, the invention concerns a bait dispensing device adapted to distribute bait and usable in a rod fishing trip, in particular in the discipline called carp fishing.

[0005] Background art

[0006] According the carp fishing technique, in addition to the principle bait positioned next to the hook, it is crucial to release other bait, known as boilies, onto the riverbed to generate a strong attraction.

[0007] For this purpose, special devices for distributing bait have been designed over the years, known as bait dispensers in jargon, i.e., devices for containing bait, which are then cast into the water.

[0008] Therefore, bait dispensers are devices that are used to contain the bait temporarily and release it into the water at the suitable time, to attract bottom-dwelling and surface fish.

[0009] In carp fishing, it is very important for the bait dispenser to retain the bait within it during casting with the fishing rod and to open only when it hits the water, thus allowing the bait to be dispersed in a limited and specific area of the water, before starting to fish.

[0010] The patent application no. WO 2009 / 098507 A1 discloses a bait dispenser comprising:

[0011] - a container, adapted to house therein the bait during casting,divided into two half-cylinders joined by a hinge;

[0012] - means for securing said container to said line comprising two threadlike elements of cord type;

[0013] - reversible closing means for said container that use the attractive force of a magnetic field active between said two half-cylinders;

[0014] - means for controlling opening of said two half-cylinders of spring type arranged in the tip portion of the container, which can be activated by impact with the water.

[0015] Upon impact with the water, the two half-cylinders pivot to open partially, remaining joined to each other at the hinge means.

[0016] A single leaf spring, comprising two threadlike arms each adapted to act on a respective half-cylinder, is provided to hold the two halfcylinders open during recovery of the line.

[0017] A bait dispenser as described above has some limits and defects. The first limit occurs during loading of the bait dispenser, above all if dry bait is used.

[0018] Dry bait generally consists of small balls that do not stick to one another and therefore must be positioned inside the container with the utmost care, occupying only one of the half-cylinders, held in a perfectly horizontal position. The second half-cylinder acts only as a cover, but cannot contain bait.

[0019] Therefore, the bait dispenser operates just over half full, with evident drawbacks for the fisher, who distributes less bait with the same number of casts.

[0020] Instead, if the bait is moist, such as of sticky fluid type, problemscan occur during opening and release of the bait into the water: the concave shape of the half-cylinders tends to retain the bait without allowing it to slide into the water.

[0021] Unfortunately, pivot opening does not facilitate total and homogeneous release of the bait; there is the risk of part of the bait remaining inside the container, in the lower portion of the two halves, dragged and dispersed by the mutual movement of the two halves jerked by the line during the operation to recover the bait dispensing device.

[0022] Moreover, during recovery the half-cylinders are slack and do not guide the bait dispenser, which bounces uncontrollably on the water creating a source of disturbance for the fish located along its trajectory.

[0023] These limits and defects have been partially overcome by the patent application no. WO 2019 / 097558 A1, which describes a bait dispensing device whose container is divided into four sectors and which thus offers a larger volume for containing the bait: in fact, only one sector requires to be opened to allow insertion of bait that can occupy over % of the total volume available in the bait dispenser; in fact, the three sectors that remain closed act as side walls.

[0024] The means for securing said container to said line comprise four flexible threadlike elements, one for each sector, made of plastic so that said bait dispensing device remains in the open configuration, also during recovery of the bait dispensing device, thanks to the elastic memory effect deriving from the nature of the threadlikeelements.

[0025] This bait dispensing device further comprises movement limiting means for said sectors when said bait dispensing device is in the open configuration: said movement limiting means, composed of a core of elongated shape and of a truncated cone shaped wedge that slides thereon under the thrusting action exerted by a spring, hold the sectors at a distance when the device, now open, is recovered by the fisher, without the risk, in particular abnormal conditions of the water, of the bait dispensing device closing incorporating water inside it.

[0026] Although this bait dispensing device is an improvement, it still has some defects and drawbacks.

[0027] The flexible threadlike elements made of plastic material are subject to wear over time: in the long term, their continuous deformation during the opening and closing cycles of the bait dispensing device can cause fatigue of the plastic material until it no longer ensures correct opening of the container or until the sectors break.

[0028] A further drawback concerns the arrangement of the limiting means inside the container: occupying part of the volume inside the bait dispensing device, the space for the bait is reduced. Moreover, the wedge and the spring are in direct contact with the bait: soft and sticky bait can adhere to the wedge and to the spring, solidifying over time and cause jamming.

[0029] Finally, the prior art bait dispensers described above cannot be disassembled and reassembled directly by fisher: in case of breakageof even only one part, the whole bait dispenser must be replaced. Presentation of the invention

[0030] Therefore, the object of the invention is to produce a bait dispensing device that is easy to load with bait and easy to use, both during casting and during recovery.

[0031] Another object of the invention is to produce a bait dispensing device that can be mounted and removed directly by the user, also to facilitate any maintenance or replacement operations of parts, if damaged.

[0032] The objects are achieved with a bait dispensing device for use in a sport fishing trip, adapted to be cast with a line and to open, interacting with the water, to allow the bait contained therein to be dispersed, comprising:

[0033] - a container divided into at least two sectors adapted to house therein said bait during casting and to open interacting with the water, where said sectors comprise a first tip end and a second tail end;

[0034] - means for securing said container to said line;

[0035] - reversible closing means for said container, using an attractive force of a magnetic field active between said sectors along the respective joining planes;

[0036] - divaricating means for said sectors using an elastic repulsive force, adapted to facilitate opening of said container and hold it open during the recovery phase,

[0037] characterized in that:

[0038] - said bait dispensing device comprises a base axially provided with ahole, and said sectors are rotatably associated with said base by means of hinge means to allow opening and closing of said container; - said divaricating means comprise a plurality of elastic elements, each arranged between one of said sectors and said base.

[0039] Further features of the invention are contained in the secondary claims.

[0040] The bait dispensing device according to the invention has numerous advantages.

[0041] Rotation of the sectors around the base allows optimal opening of the bait dispenser for complete dispersal of the bait during release; moreover, the hinge means with rotating pivot in specific housings are not subject to breakage and fatigue of the plastic material, as in prior art bait dispensing devices.

[0042] The elastic divaricating means are small in size, protected in specific cavities, and do not encumber the inside of the container: no space is stolen from the bait and there is no risk of residues of solidified bait forming and causing jamming.

[0043] In general, the bait dispensing device according to the invention is highly efficient in terms of range, very practical and smooth during recovery, easy to use and load, durable and not subject to wear and malfunctions, precise, lightweight and inexpensive.

[0044] Finally, thanks to its modular design, the single components of the bait dispensing device can be assembled and disassembled directly by the fisher for cleaning operations or to replace worn or damaged components.Brief description of the drawings

[0045] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description set forth below with the aid of the figures, which represent some preferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0046] Fig. 1 represents, in a side plan view, a bait dispensing device according to the invention;

[0047] Figs. 2, 3 and 4 represent, in an axonometric view, a bait dispensing device according to the invention, in a closed casting configuration, in a bait loading configuration and in an open configuration for releasing the bait, respectively;

[0048] Fig. 5 and 6 represent, in a longitudinal section along a vertical plane, the bait dispensing device according to the invention, in a closed configuration and in an open configuration, respectively;

[0049] Figs. 7 and 8 represent, in an overall and detail exploded axonometric view, the bait dispensing device according to the invention;

[0050] Fig. 9 represents, in section, part of Fig. 6.

[0051] Detailed description of the invention

[0052] With reference to the figures, a bait dispensing device 1 is illustrated, hereinafter in the description also defined simply as bait dispenser, for use in a sport fishing trip, adapted to contain within it a certain amount of bait, to be cast with a line and to open, interacting with the water, to allow said bait to be dispersed directly into the water.Said bait dispensing device 1 essentially comprises:

[0053] - a container 2, adapted to retain said bait internally during casting, which takes place with a line by means of a fishing rod (not illustrated), divided into four sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, each comprising a first tip end and a second tail end;

[0054] - reversible closing means for said container 2, using an attractive force of a magnetic field active between said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d along the respective joining planes;

[0055] - divaricating means 20 for said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, using an elastic repulsive force, comprising helical compression springs 4, adapted to facilitate opening of said container 2 and hold it open during the recovery phase;

[0056] - means for securing said container 2 to said line.

[0057] Although all the figures illustrate a bait dispensing device 1 with four sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, it is clear that the number of the sectors could also differ, being smaller than or greater than four, always achieving the same results and advantages.

[0058] The container 2 is made completely of plastic material, lightweight and strong, with a reduced specific weight, lower than that of water, which facilitates its floating during recovery. In particular, the container 2 is made of polypropylene.

[0059] The partially tapered shape of said container 2 reproduces a rotation solid with an ovoid-shaped head portion and a pointedshaped tail portion.

[0060] Said reversible closing means allow the container 2 containing thebait to be securely closed, to then yield, interacting with the water, and allow separation of the four sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and total opening of the container.

[0061] The four sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are adapted to separate totally from one another thanks to the ovalization of the container 2 with radial deformation of each sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, which occurs upon impact with the water causing elimination of the magnetic field that holds them together.

[0062] In the variant illustrated, said reversible closing means comprise magnets 27 suitably arranged on said container 2, so as to generate an attractive force between the four sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and thereby ensure their total closing, with the bait inside. In particular, the magnets 27 are arranged close to the head portion of the bait dispensing device 1 and are active on the joining planes of the sectors. The magnets 27 are inserted into protective structures 28 that also hold the bait confined.

[0063] The intensity, position and number of the magnets 27 may in any case be advantageously selected based on the size of the container 2, the weight of the container once it is full of bait, and on the range to be reached with the bait dispensing device 1.

[0064] Said bait dispensing device 1 comprises a base 3 axially provided with a hole, and said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d which can rotate associated with said base 3 by means of hinge means 10 to allow opening and closing of said bait dispensing device 1.

[0065] The second tail end of each sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises a tooth5 that extends longitudinally and having a first free end.

[0066] Said tooth 5 comprises, at said first free end, a pin 6 that passes through it transversely; said pin 6 is adapted to act as rotation pivot for the corresponding sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0067] Said base 3 comprises four housings 7; each housing 7 is adapted to accommodate the pin 6 of one of said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to produce said hinge means 10.

[0068] Said tooth 5 comprises, at a second distal end with respect to said pin 6, a peg 8 projecting toward the concave part of the corresponding sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and hence toward the inside of said container 2. A first end 4’ of a helical spring 4 is adapted to be fitted on said peg 8, said helical spring being adapted to be preloaded in compression when the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the container 2 are closed. Said peg 8 acts as pilot to guide insertion of the end 4’ of the spring 4.

[0069] Said base 3 comprises four cavities 9; each cavity 9 is adapted to house a second end 4” of one of said helical springs 4.

[0070] Said helical springs 4 thus act between said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and said base 3 as divaricating means 20: when the bait dispenser 1 is closed, manually armed by the fisher, said helical springs 4 are compressed, inside the cavities 9 of said base 3; when the bait dispensing device 1 opens, and the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d rotate around the base 3, the helical springs 4 are released and thrust the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to separate and divaricate so as to prevent, during recovery, the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d from moving toward each other beyond the threshold at which the attractive force of themagnetic force is activated and the bait dispenser 1 closes.

[0071] Advantageously, said divaricating means 20 are useful when said bait dispensing device 1 is in the open configuration and must be recovered by the fisher in abnormal and particularly turbulent conditions of the water that can cause it to bounce and jolt.

[0072] As is particularly evident from the exploded view of Figs. 7-8, said base 3 comprises a first 13 and a second 23 shaped crown, each provided with a central hole 14, 24, adapted to cooperated superimposed on each other to define said housings 7, said cavities 9 and said central hole 14, 24.

[0073] In detail, said first crown 13 comprises four first channels 15 arranged radially, where each channel 15 is adapted to house the tooth 5 of a corresponding sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. Each first channel 15 is provided with two symmetrical lateral cavities 16 adapted to each produce half of the housing 7 of the respective pin 6.

[0074] Said second crown 23 comprises four second channels 25 arranged radially and at said first channels 15 so as to together produce guides for the respective teeth 5 to pass through during the respective rotation.

[0075] Said second crown 23 further comprises four bridges 26 arranged radially and at said second channels 25 so as to produce, with said first crown 13, the cavities 9 for the second ends 4” of said helical compression springs 4.

[0076] Said means for securing said container 2 to said line comprise: - a stem 11 having a first threaded male end 11 ’ and a second end11 ” provided with a hole 12 for connection to said line;

[0077] - a nut 17 arranged inside the hole of said base 3 adapted to cooperate with said first threaded male end 11 ’ of said stem 11.

[0078] Said means for securing said container 2 to said line further comprise a ferrule 18, internally hollow and axially perforated, adapted to cooperate with said base 3 so as to isolate a volume of air within it and to be passed through by said stem 11.

[0079] Said volume of air contributes to floating of the empty bait dispensing device 1 during the recovery phase: the specific weight of the volume of air enclosed between the ferrule 18 and the base 3 balances the sum of the specific weights of the magnets 27 and of the whole polypropylene container 2, taking the total specific weight of the bait dispensing device 1 to a value lower than the specific weight of water.

[0080] Said ferrule 18 is interference-fitted onto the base 3, and in particular onto said first crown 23. Moreover, said ferrule 18 comprises four notches 29, arranged radially along a base circumference so as to be superimposed on the guides formed by the channels 15, 25 and create the space for rotation of the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0081] Said stem 11 comprises an intermediate collar 19 adapted to interact in abutment with said ferrule 18 to create, when the male thread 11’ of the stem 11 is screwed to the nut 17 of the base 3, a monobloc between said ferrule 18 and said base 3.

[0082] The outer surface of said ferrule 18 is provided with four stabilizingwings 21, equidistant from one another, having the function of preventing axial rotation of the bait dispenser 1 during casting.

[0083] Said bait dispenser 1 comprises movement limiting means for said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d when said bait dispensing device 1 is in the open configuration and the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are thrust by the helical compression springs 4. The purpose of said limiting means is to adjust the opening width of the container 2.

[0084] In particular, each stabilizing wing 21 is placed at one of said sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and comprises a shoulder 22 to produce said limiting means. Each sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, rotated and thrust by the respective helical spring 4, cooperates in abutment against the respective shoulder 22 of the corresponding stabilizing wing 21 , which blocks its rotation. In a possible variant, one of said shoulders 22 is advantageously deeper, so as to allow a greater rotation of the corresponding sector 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d that will act as hatch for opening the container 2 for loading the bait.

[0085] Said bait dispensing device 1 comprises an anti-tangle system 30 composed of a carbon fibre straw with a hole for the line to pass through, having a very narrow diameter and a specific length. Said anti-tangle system 30 prevents the line, during impact with the water, from sliding forward and becoming tangled around the sectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The line is inserted into the anti-tangle system 30 before it is secured to the bait dispensing device 1.

[0086] The whole bait dispensing device 1, above all thanks to the base 3 divided into two crowns 13, 23, is modular, easily assembled by thefisher, so that in the case of breakages and maintenance operations it is possible to take action directly, to replace even a single piece, without having to change the whole bait dispenser 1.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bait dispensing device (1) for use in a sport fishing trip, adapted to be cast with a line and to open, interacting with the water, to allow the bait contained therein to be dispersed, comprising:- a container (2) divided into at least two sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adapted to house therein said bait during casting and to open interacting with the water, where said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprise a first tip end and a second tail end;- means for securing said container (2) to said line;- reversible closing means for said container (2), using an attractive force of a magnetic field active between said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) along the respective joining planes;- divaricating means for said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) using an elastic repulsive force, adapted to facilitate opening of said container (2) and hold it open during the recovery phase, characterized in that:- said bait dispensing device (1) comprises a base (3) axially provided with a hole, and said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are rotatably associated with said base (3) by means of hinge means (10) to allow opening and closing of said bait dispensing device (1);- said divaricating means (20) comprise a plurality of elastic elements, each arranged between one of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and said base (3).

2. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic elements comprise helical compression springs(4), having a first (4’) and a second (4”) end, and acting respectively between one of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and said base (3).

3. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second tail end of each sector (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprises a tooth (5) that extends longitudinally and having a first free end, where said tooth (5) comprises a pin (6), which passes through it transversely at said first free end and adapted to act as rotation pivot for the corresponding sector (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d).

4. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said base (3) comprises housings (7), each housing (7) adapted to accommodate the pin (6) of one of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to produce said hinge means (10).

5. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said tooth (5) comprises a peg (8), arranged at a distal end with respect to said pin (6) and projecting toward the inside of said container (2), on which the first end (4’) of one of said compression operated helical springs (4) is adapted to be fitted.

6. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said base (3) comprises cavities (9), each cavity (9) adapted to house the second end (4”) of one of said helical compression springs (4).

7. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that said base (3) comprises a first (13) and a second (23) shaped crown, provided with a central hole (14, 24),adapted to cooperate superimposed on each other to define said housings (7) and said cavities (9).

8. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said first crown (13) comprises first channels (15) arranged radially, each channel (15) adapted to house one of said teeth (5) and being provided with two symmetrical lateral cavities (16) adapted to each produce half of the housing (7) of the respective pin (6).

9. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said second crown (23) comprises:- second channels (25) arranged radially and at said first channels (15) so as to allow rotation of the respective teeth (5);- bridges (26) arranged radially and at said second channels (25) so as to produce the cavities (9) for the second ends (4”) of said helical compression springs (4).

10. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for securing said container (2) to said line comprise:- a stem (11) having a first threaded male end (11’) and a second end (11 ”) provided with a hole (12) for connection to said line;- a nut (17) arranged inside the hole of said base (3) adapted to cooperate with said first threaded male end (11 ’) of said stem (11 ).

11. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said means for securing said container (2) to said line comprise a ferrule (18), internally hollow and axiallyperforated, adapted to cooperate with said base (3) so as to isolate a volume of air within it and to be passed through by said stem (11).

12. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said stem (11) comprises an intermediate collar (19) adapted to interact in abutment with said ferrule (18) to create a monobloc between said ferrule (18) and said base (3).

13. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises movement limiting means for said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) when said bait dispensing device (1) is in the open configuration.

14. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said ferrule (18) comprises stabilizing wings (21), each placed at one of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and comprising a shoulder (22) to create said limiting means.

15. The bait dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said magnetic field is generated by a plurality of magnets (27) provided along the edges of said sectors (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) close to their ends.

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