A device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks

Abstract

To attach a device (10) for reducing depredation of fish by sharks, the device includes a connection mechanism for connecting the device body (20) to a fishing line (70), the connection mechanism comprising a plurality of fins (30) extending radially outward from the body, a gap (40) provided in at least one of the fins for receiving the fishing line, and a gripping means (50) having an arm (60) arranged to be removably attachable at least partially around the body and in between two adjacent fins, such that in use with a fishing line placed in the gap, and the gripping means attached to the body, the arm presses the fishing line against the body.

Description

A device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks and a method of attaching such a device to a fishing line and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in longline fishing.

[0002] To prevent sharks from removing fish caught by longline fishing methods, before the fish have been hauled aboard a boat, it is known to use devices which produce electrical pulses in the water. These electrical pulses are known to deter sharks. However, the bodies of these devices tend to be longer than wider in size and can cause entanglement of the fishing lines. It is therefore desirable to be able to attach these devices to fishing lines in a relatively simple manner, which takes relatively little time, and which reduces the risk of entanglement.

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks, the device comprising a body, a power source within the body, and electrodes, the device configured to supply a sequence of electrical pulses between the electrodes to deter sharks, wherein the device includes a connection mechanism for connecting the body to a fishing line, the connection mechanism comprising a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the body, a gap provided in at least one of the fins for receiving a fishing line, and a gripping means having an arm arranged to be removably attachable at least partially around the body and in between two adjacent fins, such that in use with a fishing line placed in the gap, and the gripping mean attached to the body, the arm presses the fishing line against the body.

[0004] In use, a fishing line may be placed in the gap, and then the gripping means may be attached such that it presses the fishing line against the body. In this way the device may be immovably held in place on the line. However, it is also possible that the gripping means is arranged such that the device may be moved along the length of the line by application of sufficient force by hand. The attachment of multiple devices to one or more line may be effected all in a relatively simple manner in a relatively short space of time. As such lines tend to have many hundreds of these devices attached and the devices need to be removable, for such reasons as maintenance, the present invention allows for relatively fast attachment and removal which is desirable in the fishing industry.

[0005] The body between at least two adjacent fins may have a circular cross-section, and the arm may be configured such that when attached to the body, in between the at least two adjacent fins, the arm has an inside surface the distance from which to an outer surface of the body may vary along a portion of the length of the arm, and the gripping means may be arranged to at least partially rotate around the body, such that in use with a fishing line placed in the gap, and the gripping means attached to the body, the force exerted by the inside surface of the arm onto the fishing line, as it lies against the outer surface of the body, may be varied, dependent on the rotational position of the gripping means relative to the body.

[0006] This force may be varied by varying the gap, between the inner surface of the arm and the outer surface of the body, at the position where the line lies against the body. This may allow the device to immovably hold fishing lines, having a range of diameters, onto the body. Alternatively, this may allow the device to be move longitudinally along the length of a fishing line, to which it is attached, by application of sufficient force. It may also address any issues of any wear (such as reduced thickness) of the line, and / or arms, and / or body.

[0007] The distance between the inside surface of the arm and the outer surface of the body may vary between zero and 3mm. Other dimensions are contemplated.

[0008] The arm may extend less than 360 degrees around the body, a discontinuity being provided between the two ends of the arm, the device configured such that the discontinuity may be alignable with the gap provided in at least one of the fins so as to permit the fishing line to be placed against the body, in use.

[0009] In the case where the gripping means is at least partially rotatable around the body, the gripping means may be rotated, after being attached to the body, to align the discontinuity and the gap. With the gripping means in this position, the device may be regarded as being unlocked. After placement of the fishing line in the aligned discontinuity and gap, the gripping means may be rotated to move the discontinuity and gap out of alignment so that the fishing line is trapped between the inside surface of the arm and the outer surface of the body. With the gripping means in this position, the device may be regarded as being locked.

[0010] In the case, where the gripping means is not rotatable relative to the body, the discontinuity provided between the two ends of the arm may allow the gripping means to be attached to the body. This may allow the gripping means to press the line against the body.

[0011] The gripping means may have two arms arranged in a radial plane, and the two arms may be configured to fit between the at least two adjacent fins, wherein a discontinuity may be provided between the ends of the two arms, and wherein the device may be configured such that the discontinuity may be alignable with the gap provided in at least one of the fins so as to permit the fishing line, in use, to be placed against the body, the gripping means may be further configured so that after rotation of the gripping means, relative to the body, the fishing line may be pressed against the body.

[0012] The fishing line may be pressed against the body by rotation of the gripping means so as to move the discontinuity and gap out of alignment with one another so that the fishing line is trapped between the inside surface of the arm and the outer surface of the body.

[0013] The radial plane of the arms may be arranged on the body such that they are transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0014] In this case, the two arms may have a common radial plane and meet at a central support. The gripping means may be rotated, after being attached to the body, to align, or misalign, the discontinuity and gap.

[0015] The gripping means may have a plurality of arms, wherein at least a first arm is arranged in a first radial plane lying transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body, and at least a second arm is arranged in a second radial plane lying parallel to, but distal from, the first radial plane.

[0016] In each radial plane, either a single or a pair of arms may be arranged. The discontinuity provided between the ends of each single arm, or between the ends of each pair of arms, in each radial plane, may be aligned with one another such that they all lie in a single plane being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body and transverse to the first and second radial planes. In the case where the gripping means is at least partially rotatable around the body, the gripping means may be rotated, after being attached to the body, to align the discontinuities with the gap provided in at least one of the fins. After placement of the fishing line in the aligned discontinuities and gap, the gripping means may be rotated to move the discontinuities and gap out of alignment so that the fishing line is trapped between the inside surface of the arms and the outer surface of the body.

[0017] In the case, where the gripping means is not rotatable relative to the body, the discontinuity provided between the ends of each single arm, or between the ends of each pair of arms, in each radial plane may allow the gripping means to be attached to the body. In other words, the gripping means may be attached to the body such that the discontinuity or discontinuities and gap(s) is / are out of alignment.

[0018] The gripping means may be configured to be arranged on the body such that with the fishing line, in use, pressed against, and secured to, the body, the longitudinal axis of the fishing line may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. In this way, the projection of the body away from the line is minimal thus reducing the likelihood of entanglement of the line.

[0019] The body may be substantially cylindrical along its length. The body may have a circular cross-section although shapes are contemplated such as octagonal or polygonal.

[0020] The gripping means may include knurling on at least part of its outer surface. This knurling may be arranged on at least part of the outer surface of one or more of the arms.

[0021] The fins may be equally spaced apart longitudinally, or non-equally spaced apart.

[0022] The device may comprise acetal plastics.

[0023] The multiplicity of relatively closely spaced arms may prevent the line from bowing out away from the body which could cause the lone to snag objects. Also, the bowing of the line may prevent the arms to rotate correctly around the body such that the line is not trapped against it.

[0024] In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching a device, for reducing depredation of fish by sharks, to a fishing line comprising the steps of providing a fishing line, providing the device of the first aspect, placing the fishing line in the gap provided in at least one of the fins, and attaching the arm of the gripping means at least partially around the body and in between two adjacent fins, such that the arm presses the fishing line against the body.

[0025] The method may comprise the step of rotating the gripping means to press the fishing line against the body. The method may comprise the step of moving the gripping means from a first unlocked position to a second locked position.

[0026] The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

[0027] is a perspective partial view of a device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks with a separate gripping means;

[0028] Figures 2 to 4 are perspective partial views of the device ofwith the gripping means attached thereto; and

[0029] Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks.

[0030] The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence.

[0032] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0033] It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0034] Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

[0035] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0036] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0037] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0038] In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0039] The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and / or “each” in certain circumstances.

[0040] The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0041] Ina device 10 for reducing depredation of fish by sharks is depicted with part of its cylindrical body 20 shown. At the near end of this body 20, a series of fins 30 radiate away from the body 20. The fins are planar in shape and extend away from the body in a plane which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the body 20. The fins 30 are arranged in four rows, longitudinally, and equally, spaced away from one another, leaving annular slots 24 between each row. The fins 30 do not extend around the complete circumference of the body. Rather, they extend in an arc of approximately 160 degrees around the body. A gap 40 is formed in each fin 30 and each gap is aligned radially with the gap in the adjacent fin such that a continuous gap is formed lying approximately parallel to the longitudinal length of the body.

[0042] Two other fins 32, 34 are provided, one at each end of the series of four fins 30, also spaced longitudinally away from the other fins 30 so as to form slots 24 between them and the adjacent fin 30. These end fins 32, 34 extend completely around the circumference of the body 20, but each also has a gap 40 aligned with the other gaps discussed above such that all the gaps 40 are aligned to form a continuous gap lying approximately parallel to the longitudinal length of the body.

[0043] The body 20 may contain the electronics and power source (not shown) to produce electrical pulses in water, in use, so as to deter sharks.

[0044] Also shown inis a separate gripping means 50. This comprises ten arms 60 grouped into five rows of pairs of arms. Each arm in each pair of arms extends in an arc away from a central node 52. The two arms in each pair extend in opposite directions away from the central node 52. Gaps 65 are provided between each pair of arms due to each pair of arms being spaced apart from each other. The combined arcuate length of each pair of arms forms a partial, substantially circular, structure with a gap 68 between the ends of each pair of arms. At least one arm in each pair of arms may be resiliently deformable such that the resiliently deformable arms may be temporarily bent, by application of a force, to increase the gap 68 between the ends of each pair of arms. This allows the gripping means 50 to be placed around the body 20 of the device 10. When the force is removed, the temporarily deformed arms may spring back into their original shape so that they grip the outside surface of the body 20.

[0045] The gripping means 50 is placeable around the body 20 such that the fins 30 extend through the gaps 65 between the arms, and the arms 60 sit in the slots 24 between the fins 30, 32, 34. In this manner, the gripping means 50 is at least partially rotatable around the circumference of the body 20. It is not rotatable through 360 degrees because the central node 52 will prevent that from occurring as it encounters the circumferential ends of the fins 30.

[0046] The two end fins 32, 34 are not essential but ensure that the gripping means 50 is located such that a pair of arms is present between each fin 30, 32, 34.

[0047] Although not shown, it is to be understood that the gripping means may comprise an alternative node with only five arms extending therefrom. The shape of the arms may be the same as shown inincluding aligned gaps between the end of each arm and the node so that the gripping means may be placed around the body 10. In this regard, the arms may also be resiliently deformable to grip the body 20 of the device 10.

[0048] In, the gripping means 50 is shown having been placed around the body 20. The gripping means 50 has been rotationally positioned concentrically around the body such that the gap 68 between the ends of each pair of arms 60 is aligned longitudinally (with reference to the body 20) with the gaps 40 in the fins 30, 32, 34. Accordingly one continuous gap is produced which runs longitudinally along a portion of the body 20.

[0049] Into this continuous gap 40, 68, a fishing line 70 is placed, as shown inThe line 70 is shown positioned such that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 20. The line 70 is positioned such that it lies substantially immediately adjacent the body 20. This is effected because there are no fins in the way.

[0050] In use, the gripping means 50 is then rotated around the body 20 such that the arms move around and through the slots 24 between the fins 30, 32, 34. The arms 60 are arranged such that they do not press against the outside surface of the body 20 along all of their lengths, as will be explained below. This allows the arms 60 to be rotated relative to the body 20 such that they trap the line 70 between their inner surfaces and the outside surface of the body 20, as shown in

[0051] It is observable inthat the gripping means 50 has been rotated around the body 20 by approximately 80 degrees. Accordingly, the gap 68, between the ends of each pair of arms 60, which was aligned longitudinally with the gap 40 provided in the series of fins, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is now out of alignment therewith. Accordingly, the arms 60 now lie over the line 70.

[0052] The shape of the arms, in one example, is shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6 which shows cross-sectional views of the body in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 20.

[0053] One pair of arms 60 is visible in concentric position around the outside surface 25 of the body 20. A fin 30 is visible behind the arm 60. A line 70 is shown in the gap 40 in the fin 30. The arms 60 extend clockwise and anti-clockwise around the body 20 extending away from the central node 55. The arm 60 extending anti-clockwise around the body has a thickness, measured radially, such that the inside radial surface of the arm 66 rests against the outside surface 25 of the body 20. However, the arm extending clockwise around the body 20 tapers in thickness away from the central node 55 such that the distance between its inside radial surface 66 and the outside surface 25 of the body 20 increases with arcuate distance from the central node 55. This creates a void 62 between the inside radial surface 66 of the arm 60 and the outside surface 25 of the body 20.

[0054] Accordingly, as the gripping means 50 is rotated clockwise around the body 20 the arm extending clockwise around the body 20 is able to pass over the line 70 such that the line 70 passes into the void 62 between the inside radial surface 66 of the arm 60 and the outside surface 25 of the body 20.

[0055] By continued clockwise rotation of the gripping means 50, the void 62 becomes smaller as the distance between the inside radial surface 66 of the arm 60 and the outside surface 25 of the body 20 decreases due to the tapering of the arm.

[0056] In use, the gripping means 50 is rotated until the line is held firmly between the arm and body. This may be determined as the rotational position where the device 10 will not move along the line 70.

[0057] In, a different (smaller) diameter line 71 is shown. To grip the line correctly such that the line 71 does not move relative to the body 20, the arm 60 has had to be rotated in a clockwise direction, further than that shown in, to further reduce the distance between the inside radial surface 66 of the arm 60 and the outside surface 25 of the body 20.

[0058] It is to be understood that the gripping means may be rotated to a position such that the device may be held against the line, but also movable along the line by application of sufficient force, such as by hand, so that the device may be considered to be slidably connected, or attached, to the line.

Claims

A device for reducing depredation of fish by sharks, the device comprising a body, a power source within the body, and electrodes, the device configured to supply a sequence of electrical pulses between the electrodes to deter sharks, wherein the device includes a connection mechanism for connecting the body to a fishing line, the connection mechanism comprising a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the body, a gap provided in at least one of the fins for receiving a fishing line, and a gripping means having an arm arranged to be removably attachable at least partially around the body and in between two adjacent fins, such that in use with a fishing line placed in the gap, and the gripping mean attached to the body, the arm presses the fishing line against the body.The device of claim 1, wherein the body between at least two adjacent fins has a circular cross-section, and wherein the arm is configured such that when attached to the body, in between the at least two adjacent fins, the arm has an inside surface the distance from which to an outer surface of the body varies along a portion of the length of the arm, and the gripping means is arranged to at least partially rotate around the body, such that in use with a fishing line placed in the gap, and the gripping means attached to the body, the force exerted by the inside surface of the arm onto the fishing line, as it lies against the outer surface of the body, is varied, dependent on the rotational position of the gripping means relative to the body.The device of claim 2, wherein the distance between the inside surface of the arm and the outer surface of the body varies between zero and 3mm.The device of any preceding claim, wherein the arm extends less than 360 degrees around the body, a discontinuity being provided between the two ends of the arm, the device configured such that the discontinuity is alignable with the gap provided in at least one of the fins so as to permit the fishing line to be placed against the body, in use.The device of either one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the gripping means has two arms configured to fit between the at least two adjacent fins, wherein a discontinuity is provided between the ends of the two arms, the device configured such that the discontinuity is alignable with the gap provided in at least one of the fins so as to permit the fishing line, in use, to be placed against the body, the gripping means further configured so that after rotation of the gripping means, relative to the body, the fishing line is pressed against the body.The device of any preceding claim, wherein the gripping means has a plurality of arms, wherein at least a first arm lies in a first radial plane lying transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body, and at least a second arm lies in a second radial plane lying parallel to, but distal from, the first radial plane.The device of claim 6, wherein the gripping means is configured to be arranged on the body such that with the fishing line, in use, pressed against, and secured to, the body, the longitudinal axis of the fishing line is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.The device of any preceding claim, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical along its length.The device of any preceding claim, including knurling on at least part of the outer surface of the gripping means.The device of any preceding claim, wherein the gripping means may comprise resiliently deformable material.A method of attaching a device, for reducing depredation of fish by sharks, to a fishing line comprising the steps of providing a fishing line, providing the device of any preceding claim, placing the fishing line in the gap provided in at least one of the fins, and attaching an arm of the gripping means at least partially around the body and in between two adjacent fins, such that the arm presses the fishing line against the body.

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