Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TENSION MEASURED FISHING LINE BITE DETECTOR ALARM
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
This is a National PCT patent application which bases
priority on application serial number PCT/US02/25852 filed
S August 14, 2002, publication number WO 03/017758 A1.
Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates mainly to fish bite detectors and
indicators, that are used with fishing rods and the fishing
line of their reels.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
Many anglers are discouraged by the prospect of having to
constantly have their hands on their fishing rods, relying on
physically touching the fishing line, or having to constantly
watch the rod and the fishing line, in order to be able to
anticipate that a fish is going to strike or has struck.
Moreover, having the ability to effectively monitor when using
many fishing rods in order to catch many fish in a short
amount of time, or to be able to set down the fishing rod to
do things, or to improve the odds of catching fish at night is
desirable. This invention comprises a battery powered means
removably mountable on any fishing rod, producing a luminated
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and or audible alarm signal for alerting anglers that a fish
is either nibbling on the bait or has been hooked, that they
might take the proper action necessary in order not to loose
the fish. Over the years there have been many fish bite
indicators developed to be used in combination with a fishing
rod and the line of it's reel in an attempt to solve the
problems and fulfill the desires described above. However,
they suffer from imperfections such as being bulky, heavy, or
fragile, and are made from numerous parts making attaching to
and removing from the fishing rod a discouraging task, some
have been designed so that the fishing line at all times must
pass through some component while retrieving the fish without
any tension relief to that component, or designed so that the
fishing line falls out of a component every time a fish
strikes and has to be reinserted, or designed so that the
components have to be turned off or back on, or readjusted
every time a fish is caught. Others are electrically designed
requiring expensive wiring, with certain electronic designs
requiring expensive components, all cases mentioned above
either being so elaborate that they are too costly for the
average angler, or just ineffective.
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Applicants are aware of the below listed bite detector
alarms used in combination of a fishing rod and the line of
it's reel:
Kuc~ynski, U.S. Pat No. 2,574,333, Patented Nov. 1951.
Weber, U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,055, Patented April 1956.
Collins, U.S. Pat No. 2,755,590, Patented July 1956.
Kravitch, U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,682, Patented February 1960.
Morrison, U.S. Pat. No 3,037,317, Patented June 1962.
Finefield, U.S. Pat No. 3,188,767, Patented June 1965.
Kricksfield, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,135, Patented January 1966.
Riley, U.S. Pat. No 3,599,368, Patented August 1971.
Watts, U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,513, Patented November 1972.
Grosthwait, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,630, Patented March 1974.
Periman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,462, Patented September 1974.
Trosper, U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,635, Patented April 1975.
Fillmen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,255, Patented October 1975.
Montgomery, U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,910, Patented June 1976.
Hope, U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,578, Patented May 1986.
Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,631, Patented August 1983.
Westwood III U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,284, Patented May 1986.
Peck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,678, Patented April 1991.
Brinton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,181, Patented June 1992.
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Meissner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,228, Patented July 1993.
Foster, U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,180, Patented November 1993.
Zepeda, Sr, U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,726, Patented March 1995.
Vickery et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,624, Patented June 1998.
Zepeda, Sr, U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,691, Patented April 1999.
Summary of the Tnvention
Our invention comprises an innovated, compact, and light
weight battery powered bite detector alarm, that quickly and
efficiently connects to and disconnects from a rod and the
line from its reel, and moreover effectively capable of
providing resistance against false alarm signals due to water
conditions, the movement of a live bait fish on a fishing
line, or when the fishing line is being cast from a reel, and
making it necessary to install the fishing line to the bite
detector alarm only once during the course of the day or night
fishing activity. The structure and mechanism design of our
bite detector alarm, utilizes simple and effective technology
improving on the imperfections mentioned above, experienced by
these type of devices in the past.
Various advantages and features of novelty which
characterize our invention are pointed out with particularity
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in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof.
However, for a better understanding of the invention, its
advantages, and objects obtained by its use, reference should
be had to the drawings which forms a further part hereof, and
to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are
illustrated and described certain preferred embodiments of the
invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in
operation on a fishing rod.
Fig 2 is an isometric view of the present invention.
Fig 3 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig 3A is an isolated orthographic view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig 4 is an orthographic assembly view of preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
Fig 5 is a cross sectional view of preferred embodiments
of the present invention along lines 5-5 of Fig 4.
Fig 6 is an orthographic bottom view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig 6A is an orthographic top view of a preferred
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embodiment of the present invention.
Fig 7 is an orthographic back view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig 8 is an orthographic view of preferred embodiments of
the present invention.
Fig 9 is an isometric view of the present invention.
Fig 10 is a cross sectional view of preferred embodiments
of the present invention along lines 10-10 of Fig 9.
Fig 11 is an orthographic assembly view of preferred and
additional embodiments of the present invention.
Fig 12 is an isolated orthographic view of an additional
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig 13 is a schematic diagram of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
Fig 14 is a schematic diagram of the preferred and
additional embodiments of the present invention.
Figs 15 and 16 are cross sectional views of preferred and
additional embodiments of the present invention.
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REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
20 tensioned measured fishing line bite detector alarm.
22 housing lid.
25 vertical side.
S 26 & 26A horizontal lips.
27 battery holder.
27A plurality of parallel vertical sides.
27B 90 degree lip.
28 finger grip protrusion.
29 battery.
30 hinge.
31 battery connector.
32 pole clip.
33 fishing rod.
34 molded gap.
35 reel.
36 housing body.
37 reel bail.
38 fishing line.
40 cylindrical housing bottom.
42 open ended interior section.
42A snap action socket exterior section.
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428 open ended exterior section.
50 round printed circuit board.
51 stationary board pin holes.
52 centered hole.
S 53 stationary board pins.
54 PC board mountable battery holder.
55 plurality of rubber grommets.
56 lamp socket.
57 filamented incandescent screw based lamp.
58 molded lamp hole.
60 electro magnetic buzzer.
62 molded buzzer hole.
64 three position switch.
65 molded switch hole.
66 modified leaf on off switch.
68 switch housing.
72 switch support pins.
74 upper common contact terminal pin.
76 common leaf contact arm terminal pin.
78 switch lever.
79 Tee section.
80 L section.
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84 tension spring clip.
86 common leaf contact arm.
88 upper common contact point.
92 molded top with integral contouring left and right
sides.
94 switch lever stop pin.
96 actuator arm.
98 slotted stem section.
100 top slot.
100A bottom slot.
100B line hole.
102 pivot ball section.
103 pivot pin
104 mid arm section.
106 slotted bottom section.
110 variable sized slit.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 9, and 10 show a bite detector alarm 20 of
the current invention.
Referring Fig. 3, an actuator arm 96 is shown that is a
solid cylindrical injection molded piece comprising, a slotted
stem section 98, having a top slot 100 molded horizontally
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across the center of stem section 98 approximately 90 degrees
in relation to a bottom slot 100A, a variable sized slit 110,
and a line hole 100B, all molded within a slotted bottom
section 106. As shown in Fig. 10, section 98 extends downward
into approximate top center of a spherical pivot ball section
102, a mid arm section 104 extends downward from approximate
bottom center of section 102 and transitions to section 106
(see Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 3A, slot 100A comprises
rounded sides, upwardly tapering until touching together and
transitioning to slit 110, and slit 110 upwardly tapering and
transitioning to hole 100B. In the preferred embodiment, a
lathe turned actuator arm made of pomalux~, provided by
Tropical Plastics of Clearwater Fl, was used to illustrate a
working injection molded arm 96. However, the actuator arm
can be injection molded using pomalux~ and other types of
acetyl copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon,
rubber, or any other material that can be injection molded.
Referring to Fig. 4, a PC board mountable lamp socket 56
is shown receiving a filamented incandescent screw based lamp
57, and a PC board mountable electro magnetic buzzer 60. In
the preferred embodiment, the lamp socket part, ES 544 with
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the E-5 based lamp, 9.6v 0.5A 04.7x15mm, and the electro
magnetic buzzer part FTMB-12, Spl: 85db/lOcm, rated voltage 12
vdc, rated current: 40mA, were provided by Shogyo
International Corp of Plainview NY.
Referring to Figs. 4, 6 and 6A, a PC board mountable
modified leaf on-off switch 66 is shown, containing an upper
common contact terminal pin 74 and a common leaf contact arm
terminal pin 76, both molded in a switch housing 68, terminal
pins 74 and 76 soldering to socket 56, buzzer 60 and a battery
connector 31, on a bottom side of a round printed circuit
board 50. Approximate left and right sides of housing 68
comprise a plurality of molded circular switch support pins
72, extending down and connecting on the bottom side of board
50 at a plurality of points. A switch lever 78 has an L
section 80 molded horizontally outward, then vertically
downward lateral a side of lever 78, a tee section 79
horizontally molded lateral a top end of lever 78, lever 78
being molded to and extending from a front side of housing 68.
Lever 78 integrally connects into slot 100 in arm 96. An
upper common contact point 88 and a common leaf contact arm
86, both run parallel with lever 78. A tension spring clip 84
attaches to L section 80 and contact arm 86. A molded top is
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also provided having integral contouring left and right sides
92, including a switch lever stop pin 94. In the preferred
embodiment, the leaf on-off switch, part # 16P58, rating 30
vdc 1A, mechanical life 300,000 cycles, provided by mouser
electronics of Mansfield TX, was used as a required element in
the alarm 20 prototype, after it was modified by removing the
lower common contact point, shortening lever 78 and adding tee
section 79 to the top of lever 78, downwardly extending stop
pin 94 level with the bottom edge of L section 80, rerouting
terminal pins 74 and 76 from the back to the bottom of housing
68, and adding switch support pins 72 to housing 68.
FIG. 4 and 5 show a battery 29 secured within a battery
holder 27, and connector 31 connected to battery 29.
FIG. 4, 10, 11 and 15 show round printed circuit board 50
having socket 56 receiving lamp 57, buzzer 60, switch 66, and
connector 31 soldered thereto. Board 50 has a centered hole
52. Switch 66 is soldered onto board 50 so that lever 78 is
positioned centrally over hole 52, placing tee section 79 on
approximate edge of hole 52. A face of socket 56, a sound
hole of buzzer 60, and connector 31 are all positioned on
approximate edge of board 50 at a plurality of points.
Included are a plurality of stationary board pin holes 51
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within Board 50 at a plurality of points. In the preferred
embodiment, a circuit board prototype made from perforated
board, cut with a hole saw, the centered hole made with a
drill bit, was hand wired to illustrate a working printed
S circuit board. Another prototype was made to illustrate
production requirements for manufacturing printed circuit
boards for our tension measured fishing line bite detector
alarms by also cutting with a hole saw, a printed circuit
board made from copper, the centered hole also made with a
drill bit. The board was then cleaned, the circuit design
layout transferred to the board then traced with resist ink.
The board was then etched and the holes for all components
drilled, the components then soldered to the board at a
plurality of points.
FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 9, and 10 show an opaque injection molded
cylindrical plastic housing, comprising an operatable housing
lid 22, lid 22 including a vertical side 25 having a molded
horizontal lip 26 lateral an interior surface of vertical side
25. A finger grip protrusion 28 is molded onto an exterior
side of lid 22, at an approximate 180 degree position
referencing rear side of alarm 20. Battery holder 27 is
molded onto an interior side of lid 22, holder 27 comprises a
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plurality of parallel vertical sides 27A, each including a 90
degree lip 27B inwardly molded on a bottom edge of each
vertical side 27A for the entire length. A housing body 36
includes a cylindrical vertical side, having a horizontal lip
26A, molded lateral the exterior circumference of the
cylindrical vertical side, and a hinge 30 molded onto the
exterior side of lid 22 and onto lip 26A lateral the exterior
circumference of the cylindrical vertical side. Housing body
36 also includes a molded lamp hole 58 and a molded buzzer
hole 62 formed therein. Body 36 is molded to a cylindrical
housing bottom 40, having a plurality of stationary board pins
53, molded onto an interior side of housing bottom 40 at a
plurality of points.
FIG. 10 shows an open ended interior section 42 that is
cylindrical, molded in approximate center on the interior side
of bottom 40. A snap action socket exterior section 42A is
cylindrically-shaped and has an interior section that is a
spherical open ended socket contouring to section 102 of arm
96, section 42A molded in the approximate center onto bottom
40. A pole clip 32 that is a tubular piece including a molded
gap 34 in the center on a top side of clip 32 along the entire
length, a bottom side of clip 32 connecting to the center of
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the top exterior side of lid 22. In the preferred embodiment,
the cylindrical plastic housing, part # 251300, provided by LA
CONS of Yorba Linda Ca. was used. Holder 27, sections 42 and
42A, clip 32 and pins 53 were functionally designed and
S integrally attached to the cylindrical plastic housing, to
illustrate a working injection molded alarm 20 prototype.
Hole 58, and hole 62 were drilled into the prototype. All
injection molded elements of alarm 20, with the exception of
arm 96 consist of polypropylene. However, these elements can
consist of any other material that can be injected molded,
such as polyethylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or any other
plastic materials.
As shown in FIG. 2, 8, and 9 a plurality of rubber
grommets 55 install around a circumference of a molded lamp
hole 58 and a molded buzzer hole 62.
FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical
circuit for the preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
Referring to Fig. l, actuator arm 96 is a first means for
initiating completion of the electrical circuit, for holding a
fishing line 38, by slot 100 (see Fig. 3) integrally
connecting to lever 78 of switch 66 as shown in FIGS. 4, 6A,
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and 10, and arm (see Fig. 10). Arm 96 forwardly actuates when
line 38 within arm 96 is being tensioned as shown in FIG. 2,
thus arm 96 operates as the primary element of switch 66. Arm
96 holds line 38, by line 38 installing from the bottom of,
and into arm 96. Section 102 supplies forward and back
rotational movement allowing smooth actuation of arm 96, by
snapping into section 42A contouring to section 102. A small
portion of section 104 protruding from bottom center of
section 102 functions within section 42A, the remaining
portion adds length to arm 96. Section 106 containing slot
100A, slit 110, and hole 100B also adds length to arm 96.
Added length provides for more efficient actuation movement in
relation to the laws of leverage, longer length, least
resistance for actuating, and gives an angler more to hold and
see when installing line 38 into arm 96. Slot 100A installs
line 38 within arm 96, whereas slit 110 enables resistance of
forward and backward line movement to allow actuation of arm
96, by receiving line 38 until restriction of line 38 movement
within silt 110 occurs allowing forward actuation of arm 96
when line 38 is tensioned. Slot 100A and slit 110 prevent line
38 from falling out of arm 96, by allowing line 38 to rest in
a large opening in slit 110, and on top of the touching sides
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of slot 100A, thus also functioning to facilitate use of alarm
20, by making it necessary to install line 38 only once,
during the course of day or night fishing activity. Hole 1008
supplies tension relief to arm 96 while line 38 is held within
S arm 96, by allowing line 38 to be pulled through slit 110 and
into hole 100B, as increased tensioning to line 38 occurs thus
relieving arm 96 of tension from line 38. The large opening
in slit 110 and hole 100B allows line 38 freedom of forward
movement to any desired location when line 38 is cast, by
supplying zero resistance of forward and backward line
movement within slit 110 and hole 100B.
Socket 56 receiving lamp 57, and buzzer 60 are a second
means for luminating and sounding visible and audible alarm
signals respectively, by displaying light and producing sound,
alerting the angler to the presence of a fish that is either
nibbling on a bait or that has been hooked.
Switch 66 comprises of housing 68 for integrally holding
terminal pins 74 and 76, support pins 72, switch lever 78,
contact point 88, contact arm 86, and top 92 including stop
pin 94. Pins 74 and 76 are soldered to lamp 57, buzzer 60,
and connector 31 allowing switch 66 to function as a whole,
for closing and opening the electrical circuit of alarm 20.
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Support pins 72 connect on bottom side of board 50, giving
housing 68 more stability, than just soldered terminal pins 74
and 76 would by themselves. Switch 66 is a third means for
completing the electrical circuit delivering electrical energy
for activating lamp 57 and buzzer 60, by lever 78 connecting
to spring clip 84 that is connected to contact arm 86, and by
lever 78 integrally connecting to top slot 100 in arm 96, as
shown in FIGS. 4, 6A, and 10, allowing contact arm 86 to make
contact with contact point 88 when arm 96 is completely
actuated, resulting from line 38 within arm 96 being fully
tensioned. Tension spring clip 84 eliminates false alarm
signals from lamp 57 and buzzer 60, by supplying resistance
against actuation of arm 96 when line 38 within arm 96 is
semi-tensioned due to water conditions, or movement of a live
bait fish on a hook, or when line 38 within arm 96 is being
cast from a reel 35. Switch lever 78 and tension spring clip
84, enables a self-adjusting unactuated alarm ceasing
position, by allowing arm 96 to automatically return to the
self-adjusting unactuated alarm ceasing position, when line 38
within arm 96 is untensioned or pulled into hole 1008, causing
contact arm 86 to separate from contact point 88, as shown in
FIG. 6, thus ceasing the alarm signals. Tee section 79 and L
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section 80 prevent side to side movement of actuator arm 96,
by tightly fitting on each side of stem section 98. Switch 66
supplies clearance space to allow actuation movement of
actuator arm 96, by supplying space between a bottom side of
tension spring clip 84, and board 50 as shown in FIG. 10 also
by supplying space around top 92 with integral contouring left
and right sides, allowing proper actuation movement of lever
78 integrally connected to arm 96. L section 80 and stop pin
94 create a primary stopping point for actuator arm 96, by
section 80 making contact with stop pin 94, thus stopping
lever 78 from moving too far forward when arm 96 is fully
actuated, and preventing damage to elements of switch 66
caused by over tensioning of line 38 within arm 96, or should
someone attempt to pull arm 96 excessively backward from the
self-adjusting unactuated alarm ceasing position. Top 92
prevents outside sources from interfering with the functioning
of switch 66, occurring with frequent opening of the
cylindrical plastic housing, by covering elements of switch
66.
Battery 29 is a fourth means for supplying electrical
energy to lamp socket 56 receiving lamp 57, buzzer 60, and
switch 66.
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Battery connector 31 is a fifth means for connecting to
battery 29 allowing battery 29 to supply electrical energy to
lamp socket 56 receiving lamp 57, buzzer 60, and switch 66.
Round printed circuit board 50 is a sixth means for
holding and connecting thereto, lamp socket 56 receiving lamp
57, buzzer 60, switch 66, and battery connector 31. Hole 52
supplies actuating space to actuator arm 96, by allowing stem
section 98 adequate forward and back movement within hole 52,
Hole 52 creates a secondary stopping point for actuator arm
96, by causing stem section 98 to stop when making contact
with the edge of hole 52 should the primary stopping point of
switch 66 fail, thus further preventing damage to elements
within switch 66 caused by over tensioning of line 38 within
arm 96, or should someone attempt to pull arm 96 excessively
backward from the unactuated alarm ceasing position. Hole 52
allows integral installation of actuator arm 96 to switch 66,
by supplying slotted stem section 98 access for integrally
connecting to switch lever 78.
An opaque injection molded cylindrical plastic housing is
a seventh means for opening and closing alarm 20, for
enclosing lamp socket 56 receiving lamp 57, switch 66, battery
29, battery connector 31, and circuit board 50, for keeping
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components of alarm 20 safe from weather elements , for
preventing outside sources from interfering with the
functioning of alarm 20, by lid 22 closing onto body 36 with
lips 26 and 26A creating a water tight seal. Battery holder
27 secures battery 29 inside the opaque injection molded
cylindrical plastic housing, by allowing battery 29 to be
snapped securely into place, eliminating the possibility of
battery 29 moving around within alarm 20. Lamp hole 58 and
buzzer hole 62 for allowing allow lamp 57 and buzzer 60 to be
installed and seen and heard externally from alarm 20, by
enabling a screw base of lamp 57 to be installed through lamp
hole 58 and into lamp socket 56, from an exterior side of
housing body 36, leaving the luminating portion of lamp 57
externally exposed from housing body 36, and by aligning the
sound hole in buzzer 60 with buzzer hole 62 in housing body
36, allowing the audible alarm signal to pass outwardly
through buzzer hole 62. Board pins 53 secure printed circuit
board 50 inside housing body 36, by aligning with, and being
received by the plurality of stationary board pin holes 51
within board 50 at the plurality of points. Board pins 53,
and interior section 42 evenly balance and fortify the edge
and center of board 50 when board 50 is installed onto board
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pins 53 and interior section 42, by portions of the board pins
being the same height as open ended interior section 42, and
board pins 53 positioned inward from the outer circumference
of the interior side of housing bottom 40 at the plurality of
points. Exterior section 42A allows arm 96 to rotate freely
with uniform frictional drag by the interior of exterior
section 42A that is the spherical open ended socket contouring
to section 102.
Pole clip 32 is an eighth means for connecting the
cylindrical plastic housing to a fishing rod 33, by snapping a
section of rod 33 through gap 34 and into clip 32, with clip
32 securely contouring to rod 33.
The plurality of stationary board pin holes 51 within
board 50 at the plurality of points is a ninth means for
receiving the plurality of stationary board pins 53 for
securing circuit board 50 inside the cylindrical plastic
housing, by pin holes 51 aligning with, and slipping over
board pins 53.
The plurality of rubber grommets 55 is a means for making
lamp hole 58 water tight after lamp 57 is installed into lamp
socket 56, and for eliminating the loss of the alarm signal
from buzzer 60 heard externally from alarm 20, by installing
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around the circumference of lamp hole 58 creating a water
tight seal after lamp 57 is installed into lamp socket 56, by
installing around the circumference of buzzer hole 62 and
tightly butting against a face of buzzer 60 creating a tight
fit around the sound hole of buzzer 60 when board 50 is
installed inside the cylindrical plastic housing, allowing the
alarm signal from buzzer 60 to be directly projected outwardly
rather than dissipating within the cylindrical plastic
housing.
FIG. 11 shows a three position switch 64, and a PC
mountable battery holder 54 soldered onto board 50.
FIG. 12 shows switch 64 aligning with a molded switch
hole 65 within housing body 36, when board 50 is installed on
the interior side of bottom 40.
FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic
circuit for switch 64.
FIG. 15 shows section 102 contained in an open ended
exterior section 42B, exterior section 42B having an interior
that is non-spherical. Exterior section 42B is molded onto
bottom 40.
Three position switch 64 is a means for diverting
electrical energy between socket 56 receiving lamp 57, and
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buzzer 60, by directing electrical energy to either socket 56
receiving lamp 57, or buzzer 60, or both.
Open ended exterior section 42B is a means for containing
pivot ball section 102, that is free floating, by pivot ball
section 102 not touching the interior of open ended exterior
section 42B, with the functioning of alarm 20 depending on an
integral connection of section 98 to lever 78, allowing arm 96
to rotate when line 38 within arm 96 is tensioned.
Battery holder 54 is a means for securing battery 29 onto
board 50 inside the cylindrical plastic housing, by allowing
battery 29 to be snapped securely into place, eliminating the
possibility of battery 29 moving around within the cylindrical
plastic housing.
Switch hole 65 is a means for allowing access to a switch
lever on switch 64, by allowing the switch lever to protrude
externally from housing body 36.
Alarm 20 is assembled by opening lid 22, installing a
grommet 55 into hole 58, then lowering the assembled board 50
into the cylindrical plastic housing while aligning socket 56
with hole 58, the sound hole of buzzer 60 with hole 62,
centered hole 52 over interior section 42 that aligns with
exterior section 42A, also aligning pin holes 51 within board
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50 with, and slipping over pins 53, then pushing board 50 onto
the bases of pins 53 and interior section 42. Pins 53 are
then melted onto board 50 with a soldering gun, integrally
connecting board 50 to the interior of bottom 40. Arm 96 is
S then installed by first inserting stem section 98 upwardly
inward, from the bottom of exterior section 42A, while
aligning top slot 100 to integrally receive lever 78,
continuing to upwardly install arm 96, until section 102 snaps
securely into section 42A, and slot 100 integrally connects to
lever 78. Battery 29 is installed into holder 27, and battery
connector 31 is attached. Lid 22 is then closed onto body 36,
and lamp 57 is screwed into socket 56 through hole 58. Alarm
is connected in front of reel 35 to rod 33 with clip 32.
Line 38 is threaded through slot 100A to slit 110, a reel bail
15 37 on reel 35 is opened, line 38 is cast and bail 37 is
closed, line 38 is then adjusted leaving enough slack between
the rear of alarm 20 and the front of reel 35 to allow for
forward arm 96 movement as shown in FIG. 1. Line 38 is
inserted further into slit 110 until the desired resistance of
20 forward and backward line movement within section 106 is
achieved. Applied tension to line 38 forces arm 96 integrally
connected to lever 78 to actuate. Tension spring clip 84
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connected to lever 78 and contact arm 86, enables contact arm
86 to be pulled closer to contact point 88 as arm 96 actuates,
until arm 86 touches point 88 thus completing the electrical
circuit activating lamp 57 and buzzer 60. When a fish is
hooked and tries to free itself, increased tensioning to line
38 occurs pulling line 38 through slit 110 and into hole 100B,
releasing the tension placed on arm 96, tension spring clip 84
then allows arm 96 to return to the self-adjusting unactuated
alarm ceasing position, also causing contact arm 86 to break
contact with contact point 88, thus ceasing the alarm signals.
The fish is then reeled in and taken off the hook, and the
whole procedure is repeated.
From the description above, a number of advantages of our
tension measured fishing line bite detector alarm become
evident. The appearance of our bite detector alarm is
pleasing to the eye, making it desirable to use. The
compactness of our assembled bite detector alarm makes storage
very easy, eliminating the need to install and uninstall the
actuator arm, or any other element each time the unit is used.
The integral design of our bite detector alarm secures and
fortifies all components, thus eliminating the need to worry
about losing parts or pieces, that could occur resulting from
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the need to constantly tighten, readjust, and reassemble
elements as some fish bite indicators require, as well as
keeping all components safe from weather elements, and any
other outside interference to their required functions. The
design relationship between the snap action socket exterior
section, and the pivot ball section, provide smooth and even
actuation of the actuator arm when the fishing line within the
actuator arm is tensioned. The integral design relationship
between the upper common contact point, the common leaf
contact arm, the tension spring clip, the switch lever, and
the slotted stem section, further assures the successful
completion of the electrical circuit, as these five elements
integrally work together as a whole, to complete the
electrical circuit, as opposed to a number of elements all
working independently of each other, at the same time and in
sequence, towards the completion of the electrical circuit.
The design relationship between the tension spring clip, the
switch lever, and the slotted stem section, allows the
actuator arm to return to the unactuated alarm ceasing
position, thus automatically ceasing the alarms, without the
assistance from any independently working elements. The design
relationship also automatically gives protection against false
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alarm signal readings when the fishing line is semi-tensioned
from waves, currents, the movement of a live bait fish on the
hook, or when the fishing line is being cast from the reel, by
providing resistance against the actuation of the actuator
arm. The design of the bottom slot and the line hole in the
actuator arm, enables the fishing line to be installed, held,
and cast with complete freedom of forward movement to the
desired location without falling out of the actuator arm, thus
eliminating the need of having to reinsert the fishing line
back into the actuator arm every time after a fish is caught.
The design of the variable sized slit in the actuator arm
gives the fishing line, resistance of forward and backward
line movement to allow actuation movement of the actuator arm,
for completing the electrical circuit activating the alarm
signals, when the fishing line is tensioned. Because the lamp
has a screw base, it can be changed when it burns out, thus
prolonging the life of our bite detector alarm. Our bite
detector alarm can be installed on the top, bottom, left or
right side of the rod, used by left or right handers, used
during the day or at night, and used by the visually and
hearing impaired. The simplicity of the elements along with
the injection molding method for the housing assembly, allows
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the manufacturing and assembly of our bite detector alarm to
be truly cost effective, therefore reasonable to buy. Thus
the reader will see that the bite detector alarm of the
invention provides an esthetically pleasing, simple, compact,
and integral device that is lightweight and highly reliable as
well as economical, that can be used by persons of almost any
age that have an interest in fishing.
While our above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one
preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are
possible. For example: (1) The hinge that integrally connects
the housing lid to the housing body could be eliminated, and
replaced with a threaded lid screwed onto a threaded body. The
current snap lid system could be replaced with a lid latching
system similar to the child resistant lid systems used on
aspirin or medicine containers currently manufactured; (2) The
lamp hole could be made larger or smaller to accommodate a
larger or smaller lamp; (3) The housing lid, housing body, and
housing body bottom, could be integrally injected molded in
the shape of a mammal, fish, bird, insect, amphibian, reptile,
triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or
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any other outward injection molded shape that would
accommodate or contour to any one or all of the required
elements, while allowing them to properly function; (4) The
lid, body, and bottom previously referenced, could also be
constructed as separate parts that would accommodate or
contour to any one or all of the required elements, and could
be fastened together by welding, brazing, riveting, gluing,
nailing, jointing, or with string, wire, clips, clamps,
screws, nuts bolts & washers, hinges, or any other fastening
means that would accommodate the construction of any listed
alternative shape chosen; (5) In addition to being injection
molded, the pole clip, hinge, finger grip protrusion,
stationary board pins, the open ended interior and the snap
action socket exterior sections could also be constructed
separately, and fastened onto the housing lid and housing body
using the same fastening methods as previously described; (6)
The interior of the pole clip could be made larger or smaller,
or different sized sleeves could be made to be inserted into
its interior, to accommodate larger or smaller rods, and "its"
esthetic appearance could be altered to reflect any
alternative shape chosen. Adjustable clamps, strong magnets,
tie downs, or Velcro~ could also be used as pole clips, or
CA 02463123 2005-08-23
using any other connecting means that would accommodate any
listed alternative shape chosen; (7) The stationary board pin
bases and pin portions can be made larger or smaller, taller
or shorter, and in any shape necessary to accommodated the
printed circuit board used for any listed alternative shape
chosen, or any other Connecting means could be made and used
that would secure the printed circuit board to the interior of
the housing body, while fortifying and balancing "its" edge.
More stationary board pins could be added for additional board
support; (8) The exterior of the snap action socket exterior
section could be esthetically altered to reflect any listed
alternative shape chosen; (9) All previously mentioned
elements of the cylindrical plastic housing can be molded from
any injection moldable or poured materials, or constructed as
separate parts using plastic, hard pressed cardboard, wood, or
metal; (10) The printed circuit board could be manufactured to
fit any molded or constructed shapes chosen; (11) The electro
magnetic buzzer could be substituted with a piezo buzzer,
transducer, siren, or sound chip technology; (12) The
filamented incandescent lamp could be substituted with a light
emitting diode or a neon type lamp. The battery could be
substituted with a variety of different sized batteries and a
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variety of voltage ranges, or with solar panel technology;
(13) Heavier tension spring clips within the modified leaf on
off switch could be manufactured to provide greater resistance
against actuation of the actuator arm when manufacturing bite
detector alarms that need to function more effectively in
stronger weather elements and when catching larger fish; (14)
The modified leaf on-off switch could be substituted with a
reed switch, micro switch, snap action switch, or any spring
loaded switch; (15) Any sounding or luminating means, any
source that provides electrical energy, or any contact means
pre assembled or created that can fulfill the true essence of
our invention within 'its' scope, spirit, and discovery can be
used; (16) The slot in the slotted stem section of the
actuator arm could be made larger or smaller to accommodate a
larger or smaller switch lever or, the mid arm section line
holes could be added or deleted altogether, the slotted bottom
section cold be molded 90 degrees from the mid arm section
forming an L with the last portion that holds the slit, the
fishing line hole, and the bottom slot downwardly molded; (17)
If the additional embodiment utilizing an open ended exterior
section having an interior that is non-spherical were used,
the shape of the pivot ball section could be changed or
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eliminated all together, and a pivot pin could be inserted
through the actuator arm and the walls of the open ended
exterior section allowing the actuator arm to swing forward
and back pivoting on the pivot pin; (18) The actuator arm and
the interior of the open ended interior and snap action socket
exterior sections could be processed using an electro
vaporization vacuum plating technique, turning the actuator
arm into a contact arm that is integrally connected to a self
centering spring soldered onto the circuit board, that makes
contact with a contact point also soldered onto the circuit
board, when the arm is forwardly actuated thus completing the
electrical circuit activating the alarm signals; (19) The
alarm signals could also be activated by, the interruption of
the flow of light from a light emitting diode to a photo cell
or a photo transistor, thus inducing an electronic sequence
that arrives back at the same end and activates them, also
through the use of inductive device type switches or
electrical devices using inductance through IC or transistor
switch usage, in conjunction with any resistive device used in
or in place of a switch, together with a transistor, IC chip,
or the combination of the two; (20) The printed circuit board
could be constructed utilizing foil type circuitry, or hand
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wired; (21) Additionally, the bite detector alarm's mechanism
or any modifications to it previously described, could be
miniaturized to be incorporated into a rod handle, or as an
integral part of a fishing reel; (22) The bite detector alarm
may be employed as a counter; (23) An open or closed door
indicator; (24) A position indicator; (25) Used for children's
toys; (26) As a mechanism used in military armament and other
sports related firearms; and (27) The actuator arm by itself
could be used as a fish bite indicator by molding it with a
highly visible translucent glow in the dark material,
inserting a portion of the fishing line in front of the reel,
into the variable sized slit in the slotted bottom section
with the actuator arm hanging downward underneath the inserted
fishing line, the weight of the arm would sag the fishing line
and any fish bites would be indicated and visually seen by the
upward movement of the actuator arm as the fish line is
tensioned.
Therefore without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention, one of ordinary skill in the art can make the
foregoing modifications, and many other changes and
modifications to the bite detector alarm of the present
invention, to adapt it to specific usages and conditions. As
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such, these changes and modifications are properly, equitably,
and intended to be, within the full range of equivalents of
the following claims.
S
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