Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
A 4,
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
REVERSIBLY DISENGAGING SLIDABLE STRIKE INDICATOR, POSITIONING SYSTEM, AND
METHOD OF USING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Aspects of the present invention relate generally to strike indicators for
fishing
5 lines and methods for using same, and more particularly to
novel reversibly disengaging
strike indicators that engage and disengage by novel means upon application of
sufficient
tension to the attendant line (e.g., strike-activated disengagement), and are
thereafter
slidable along the attendant fishing line between, in particular aspects, two
settable
positions (e.g., between hook-distal and hook proximal strike indicator stop
member
10 positions). Additional aspects relate to novel reversibly
disengaging line-stop members
that are reversibly attachable, and thereby adjustable to fix or demarcate a
line position, or
to demarcate a span (e.g., slidable adjustment span) along a line length.
Further aspects
relate to systems and methods comprising the preceding.
15
BACKGROUND
Strike indicators for fishing, including fly fishing and non-fly fishing, are
known in
the art. Typically, strike indicators are comprised of a buoyant material, and
are large
enough, and/or of suitable character (e.g., color, fluorescence, etc.), to be
viewable at a
operational distance by a fisherperson monitoring the indicator. Buoyant
strike indicators,
20 in operation, are designed to attachable to a fishing line,
and thereby serve to suspend the
line, with one or more attached fishing hooks or members at the end thereof,
at a distance
under the water corresponding to the length of line between the hook member
and the
strike indicator attachment point. When a fish strikes the suspended hook(s),
the strike
indicator is correspondingly displaced at the surface, thereby signaling the
fisherperson to
25 respond, typically by 'setting' the hook into the fish
using appropriate rod/line action.
Therefore, such strike indicators function as a strike indicator, and also
may, in particular
instances, serve as a fishing depth positioning means.
To be operationally viewable, strike indicators are typically larger than the
line
'guides' of a fishing rod (particularly the guides of fly rods, which are
relatively small)
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
and are typically attached at a fixed position along the fishing line.
Therefore, without
fisherperson intervention and removal of the attached indicator, the attached
line is only
retrievable through the guides of a fishing rod to the point of attachment of
the strike
indicator. For some fishing situations, this line retrieval limitation may not
present a
problem, because the length of line from the strike indicator attachment point
to the
hook(s) is less than or roughly equal to the rod length, enabling sufficient
retrieval of line
so that a hooked fish can be maneuvered to a position close enough for
effective capture
by the fisherperson. However, the line retrieval problem caused by prior art
strike
indicators is severe in many situations, and particularly in low-profile
constrained contexts
(e.g., boat or float-tube fishing), involving fishing with a hook suspended on
a line from a
strike indicator at depths that significantly exceed that of the rod length.
Specifically,
where the fishing depth exceeds the rod length, the line is not retrievable
beyond the strike
indicator attachment point (the strike indicator cannot pass through the line
guides), and
the distance from the rod tip to a hooked fish may be much greater than the
rod length,
making capture of the fish difficult if not impossible in low-profile and/or
constrained
fishing contexts. This substantial limitation not only reduces the number of
fish catchable
within a given time period because of loss of fish, but often results in harm
to hooked fish
because of the non-optimal capture conditions (hooked fish too far from the
rod tip).
While strike indicators that can be repositioned are known in the art, such
repositioning is
typically done by the fisherperson, and, practically speaking, cannot be
effectively done
once a fish has been hooked and the fisherperson and the fish are
operationally engaged in
an excited state.
One known approach to providing a strike indicator that is more easily
slidable is
the adjustable Frog HairTM EZ-ON indicator (Gamma Technologies, Pittsburg,
PA),
designed to be manually adjustable by sliding along a length of 'tippet'
material. This
approach is based on inserting line 'tippet' consecutively through two elastic
positioning
retainers that are retained at and within opposite ends of the axial bore of a
buoyant
2
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
indicator body (see Figure 9). The elastic retainers enable the indicator to
be forcibly
repositioned along the leader, while providing sufficient gripping pressure
against the
leader to maintain its position. This system, however, has substantial
drawbacks, because,
due to the nature of the elastic positioning retainers, they become worn and
cannot be
reused, and the indicator cannot be reinstalled after removal from the leader
(at least
without obtaining new retainers and threading tippet therethrough using a
special wire-
loop threading tool). Additionally, while being slidably adjustable, these
indicators are not
quick release, and such adjustment is by means of significant force applied by
the
fisherperson, and does not enable, for example, practical repositioning of the
indicator
during a fish 'hook-up' when fish and fisherperson are actively engaged.
Moreover, the
elastic positioning retainers cannot pass over knots (e.g., 'blood' knots)
that are typically
found in most leaders being used, and even if they could their gripping
character would be
degraded, thereby rendering the indicator effectively useless in a short time.
A known approach to providing a releasable and slidable strike indicator is a
quick
release indicator (Waters West, Port Angeles, WA) designed to release in
response to a
fish 'hook-up.' This approach is based on inserting line 'tippet'
consecutively through the
axial bores of an foam-based (StyrofoamTm-based) indicator and a black plastic
stopper,
forming a tippet loop in the tippet at a position between the indicator and
the stopper,
tucking a portion of the tippet loop into a stopper-receiving slot of the
indicator, and
inserting the stopper into the stopper receiving slot, thereby wedging, by
pressure, the
tucked tippet portion between the wall of the receiving slot and the stopper
to reversibly
attach the indicator stopper combination to the line tippet (see Figures 8A
and 8B). With a
fish 'hook-up,' the tension in the line increases and frees the tucked loop,
thereafter
allowing the indicator and stopper to freely slide along the fishing line.
However, there
are substantial drawbacks to this solution, including the fact that it is
difficult, if not
impossible, upon repeated use, to consistently wedge the tippet loop with a
reproducible
amount of force to provide the right amount of tension for triggering release
on 'hook-up.'
3
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
This is because, even if one were able to insert the stopper with consistent
force into the
receiving slot of the indicator, the amount of the tippet loop thereby wedge
varies from
event to event, and even more problematic, the amount of force required to
effectively
wedge the loop is enough to cause the loop material to deteriorate (e.g.,
deform, gouge,
etc.) the wall of the receiving slot, giving rise to inconsistent and
progressively
deteriorating performance of the indicator system. Additionally, there is no
provision for
re-attaching the indicator at a set line position from one 'hook-up' to
another to allow for
reproducibly fishing at a set depth, and there is no provision (except the
hook and the lines
guides of the rod) to limit the slidable range. Moreover, because of the
necessity to wedge
enough stopper and tippet loop surface areas against the receiving slot wall
to provide
sufficient resistance to preclude inadvertent release events, the stopper and
receiving slot
must be of a sufficient size, thereby defining a minimum size (e.g., no such
indicators are
marketed that are smaller than about 1/2 inches to about 3/8 inches in
diameter).
Furthermore, the high profile of the stopper and the asymmetric design of the
indicator/stopper combination are less than desirable in terms of line-fouling
characteristics.
Therefore, there is a pronounced need in the art for strike indicators that
are more
easily and consistently disengageable from an attendant line or leader, and
that are
substantially more reusable. There is a pronounced need in the art for strike
indicators that
are disengageable by means other than direct contact or mediation by a
fisherperson.
There is a pronounced need in the art for strike indicators that are more
easily and
consistently disengageable, and thereafter readily slidable along a fishing
line. There is a
pronounced need in the art for a strike indicator system that is slidable
along a fishing line
within a user-settable defined range along a fishing line and/or leader. There
is a
pronounced need in the art for a strike indicator system that enables more
effective and
reproducible fishing with a strike indicator at depths significantly greater
than the rod
length.
4
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Particular aspects of the present invention provide novel strike indicators
that are
attachable to fishing lines (e.g., fly fishing lines and/or leaders), and are
disengageable
therefrom, by novel reversibly retaining means, upon application of sufficient
tension to
the line (e.g., strike-activated disengagement). In additional aspects, the
strike indicators
are reversibly disengageable, and thereby slidably adjustable and positionable
along a
fishing line, including repositionable within a range defined by user-
selectable stop
position members.
In particular aspects, the inventive disengageable strike indicators comprise:
a
buoyant main body portion having an exterior surface, first and second main
body ends,
and an axial channel therebetween, with corresponding first and second main
body end
surface openings, wherein the channel is sufficient to accommodate slidable
passage of a
fishing line therethrough. There is an exterior line retaining member seat
(e.g., a groove
within the main body having sides and a bottom, or a ridge protruding from the
main body
surface having sides and a top), said retaining member seat running around the
exterior
surface of the main body. In preferred embodiments, the groove or ridge
encompasses the
channel axis such that the first and second end surface openings are disposed
on opposite
sides of the groove or ridge. In alternate embodiments, the retaining member
seat (e.g.,
groove or ridge), while running around the exterior surface of the main body,
does not
thereby encompass the channel axis, such that the first and second end surface
openings
are disposed on the same side of the groove or ridge instead of on opposite
sides as in
preferred embodiments. A resilient annular line retention member having a
suitable shape
and size so as to be reversibly receivable and retainable by the retaining
member seat (e.g.,
receivable within the groove, or upon the ridge), is operative with the seat
to retain a
fishing line passing therebetween at two points. Upon application of
sufficient line
tension, the resilient member is displaced from the groove or ridge, thereby
disengaging
5
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
the strike indicator and thereafter allowing sliding of the strike indicator
main body axial
channel along the fishing line.
Additional aspects provide a novel strike indicator system for fishing lines
(e.g., fly
fishing lines and/or leaders), the system comprising: a disengageable fishing
line strike
indicator that is, in operation, disengageable from and thereafter slidable
along a fishing
line and/or leader; and at least one strike indicator stop member attachable
to a fishing line
or leader, and sufficient, in operation, to limit slidable travel of the
disengaged strike
indicator. In particular embodiments, the system comprises two attachable
strike indicator
stop members, suitable, in operation of the system, to delimit a slidable
range of a
disengaged slidable strike indicator along a fishing line and/or leader. In
additional
embodiments, the system further comprises a fishing line for attachment of the
disengageable strike indicator and at least one strike indicator stop member.
Further aspects provide a method of fishing (for any type of water and
fishing; e.g.,
salt water, fresh water, rivers, lakes, trout, salmon, bass, bluefish, etc.)
with a strike
indicator system, comprising: a fishing line and/or leader; a buoyant
disengageable fishing
line strike indicator that is reversibly attachable to, disengageable from and
thereafter
slidable along a fishing line and/or leader; and at least one strike indicator
stop member
attachable to a user-selectable position along the fishing line, and
sufficient, in operation,
to limit slidable travel of the disengaged strike indicator along the fishing
line. In
particular embodiments, the method is practiced with a system that comprises
first and
second attachable strike indicator stop members attached at different user-
selected
positions along the fishing line and/or leader, and suitable, in operation of
the system, to
delimit a slidable range of the disengaged slidable strike indicator along the
fishing line.
In particular aspects, the inventive disengageable strike indicator is
attached to the line in
engagement with the first line stop member attached at a first fixed line
position, and upon
disengagement, the disengaged strike indicator is thereafter slidable along
the fishing line
6
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
between the first and second line stop members, enabling, for example,
practical and
effective fishing with a strike indicator at depths greater than the rod
length.
Additional aspects provide novel line-stop member devices and methods for
adjustably and reversibly engaging a line (including, but not limited to
fishing lines, ropes,
string, cable, wire, cords, etc.) at an engagement position and/or for
demarcating one or
more positions and/or spans along a line. The inventive line-stop members are
reversibly
disengageable (or reversibly engageable), and thereby slidably adjustable and
positionable
along a line, and two such line-stop members can be used to define a user-
selectable range
or span therebetween.
Further aspects provide novel disengageable strike indicator systems that
comprise,
in addition to a strike-disengageable or non-strike-disengageable strike
indicator, at least
one 'reversibly disengageable strike indicator line-stop member' (e.g., as
described herein
below) that is attachable at a user-selected fixed position along a fishing
line, and is
engageable with the inventive strike indicator main bodies to limit slidable
travel of a
disengaged strike indicator along the fishing line, or is additionally or
alternatively fixedly
engageable with an internal engagement collar of particular inventive strike
indicator
embodiments to provide for a non-strike-disengageable strike indicator (e.g.,
an effectively
fixed strike indicator).
In preferred embodiments, particular 'dual-use' inventive strike indictor
bodies
(having an internal engagement collar) can be used for dual purposes as a
strike-
disengageable (using a line-retention member in the line-retention member seat
of the
strike indicator main body), or non-strike-disengageable (not using a line-
retention
member, and alternatively fixedly engaging the internal engagement collar with
the
inventive reversibly engageable line-stop member) strike indicator.
7
CA 02708614 2012-08-29
Further aspects provide novel methods for fishing, comprising fishing with an
inventive
strike-disengageable or non-strike disengageable strike indicator with the
inventive reversibly
disengageable strike indicator line-stop member(s) (e.g., as described herein
below), or the
inventive strike indicator system.
Various embodiments of this invention provide a disengageable strike indicator
system
for fishing, comprising: a buoyant disengageable strike indicator having an
axial channel with
an internal strike indicator stop member engagement collar; and at least one
strike indicator
stop member having at least one engagement flange configured to reversibly but
fixedly engage
the internal engagement collar, the stop member fixedly attachable independent
of the
disengageable strike indicator to a user-selectable position along a fishing
line, leader or tippet
portion, to provide a disengageable fixed position strike indicator
disengageable from, and
thereafter slidable along the fishing line, leader or tippet portion without
separating therefrom.
Various embodiments of this invention provide a disengageable fixed position
strike
indicator system for fishing, comprising: a buoyant main body portion having
an exterior
surface, first and second main body ends, and an axial channel therebetween
having an internal
engagement collar, the channel with corresponding first and second main body
end surface
openings, the channel sufficient, in operation, to allow slidable passage of a
fishing line
therethrough without permitting the line to separate from the main body; and
at least one strike
indicator stop member having at least one engagement flange, the stop member
fixedly
attachable independent of the buoyant main body portion, to a user-selectable
position along a
portion of the fishing line or a leader or tippet portion, and configured to
reversibly but fixedly
engage the at least one engagement flange with the internal engagement collar
to provide for a
disengageable fixed position strike indicator system; and wherein in
operation, the buoyant
main body portion is disengageable from the fixedly attachable stop member to
slide along the
fishing line, leader or tippet portion.
A strike indicator system of this invention may further include at least one
of a fishing
line, leader and tippet.
8
CA 02708614 2012-08-29
Various embodiments of this invention provide methods of fishing with a
disengageable, slidable strike indicator at a set depth greater than about the
length of a fishing
rod, comprising: obtaining a fishing line in operable communication with a
fishing rod, the line
extending through rod line guides and from a tip portion of the fishing rod to
a fishing hook,
and retrievable with line retrieving means mounted on the fishing rod, the
extended line portion
having hook-proximal and hook-distal positions; attaching, to the extended
line portion, first
and a second strike indicator stop members at a first user-selected hook-
distal line stop position
corresponding to a desired fishing depth and at a second hook-proximal line
stop position
corresponding to a distance from a hook position of about the length of the
fishing rod,
respectively, wherein the line stop members are receivable into the buoyant
disengagable,
slidable strike indicator body portion, and wherein the line stop members are
operative to
engage and limit slidable travel of the buoyant disengagable strike indicator
body portion;
attaching to the line, at a position between the line stop members and in
engagement with the
first, hook-distal stop member, the disengagable, slidable strike indicator
body portion
reversibly attached to, disengagable from and thereafter slidable along the
fishing line between
the first and second stop members, the strike indicator disengagable by
application of sufficient
line tension; disengaging the strike indicator by setting the hook into a
fish; and retrieving the
extended line to a line position corresponding to about that of the second
line stop member,
wherein fishing at a set depth greater than about the length of a fishing rod
is, at least in part
afforded.
8a
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows, according to particular aspects of the present invention, a
side
view of an exemplary disengageable strike indicator embodiment having an axial
channel
from end to end, an exterior groove within and around the exterior surface
that
encompasses the channel axis such that channel end openings are disposed on
opposite
sides of the groove, along with a resilient annular line retention member
operative to retain
a fishing line passing thereunder at two points within the groove.
Figure 2 shows the exemplary disengageable strike indicator embodiment of
Figure 1, wherein the resilient annular line retention member is seated in the
exterior
groove to retain a fishing line passing thereunder at two points within the
groove.
Figure 3 shows, according to particular aspects, side views of three exemplary
line
stop member embodiments that are attachable to a fishing line at user-
selectable positions.
The inventive line stop members are receivable into the axial channel of the
main body of
the inventive disengageable strike indicators to provide for a disengageable
strike indicator
system, and wherein the shape and/or dimension of the line stop members is
operative to
engage the line stop member within the main body channel of the inventive
strike
indicators to limit slidable travel of the disengaged strike indicator along a
fishing line.
The line stop members, when engaged by the indictor main body, may be flush,
recessed,
or protruding from the main body surface.
521,
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
Figure 4 shows, according to particular aspects, a side view of an exemplary
disengageable strike indicator system embodiment having a line stop member
engaged
therein, and a line stop member located at a remote distance along the line,
the two stop
members defining a user-selectable range of slidable travel.
Figures 5A and 5B show, according to particular aspects, a side view of an
exemplary disengageable strike indicator system embodiment having a line stop
member
engaged therein (Figure 5A) to attach the indicator at a user-selected
position, and further
shows (Figure 5B) how the annular line retention member is displaceable from
the exterior
groove of the main body upon application of sufficient line tension (indicated
the pair of
opposing arrows), which disengages the strike indicators and thereafter allows
sliding of
the indicator along the line (e.g., between a pair of stop members attached to
the line at
user-selected positions). Typically, in such embodiments, the resilient
retention member
is displaced on the side of the larger (or otherwise asymmetric) aspect of a
(e.g., ovoid)
main body in the rod-proximal direction.
Figures 6A-6G show, according to particular aspects, side views of seven
additional exemplary disengageable strike indicator embodiments to illustrate
that the
shape and size of the indicator main body, and the inventive system generally,
can assume
many different variations.
Figure 7 shows, according to particular aspects, an illustration of an
inventive
method for fishing with a disengageable and slidable strike indicator at a
depth (e.g.,
'concentration feeding zone,' or 'holding zone' depth) greater than the length
of a fishing
rod. The method comprises use of an inventive disengageable strike indicator
system, and
not only facilitates effective fishing at a consistent user-selected depth,
but also facilitates
effective and efficient capture of a hooked fish, which in turn enhances the
overall fishing
experience, and reduces injury to captured fish.
9
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
Figures 8A and 8B show a prior art quick release strike indicator. With a fish
'hook-up,' tension in the line frees a tippet loop that is wedged between a
rubber stopper
and the wall of a stopper receiving slot in the indicator body, thereafter
allowing the
indicator and stopper to freely slide along the fishing line. This indicator,
and the
substantial drawbacks thereof, are discussed herein above under "Background."
Figure 9 shows a prior art slidable strike indicator. Elastic positioning
retainers
enable the indicator to be manually and forcibly repositioned along the
leader, while
providing sufficient gripping pressure against the leader to maintain its
position. This
indicator, and the substantial drawbacks thereof, are discussed herein above
under
"Background."
Figure 10 shows, according to particular aspects, another exemplary embodiment
similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, but having a line retaining member seat
that is in the
form of a rounded ridge protruding from the main body surface, instead of a
groove within
the main body. The line retaining member has a groove on its inner surface
that
cooperatively conforms to the rounded ridge retaining member seat, and is
operative with
the ridge seat to retain a fishing line passing therebetween at two points.
Figure 11 shows, according to particular aspects, another exemplary embodiment
similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, but having a line retaining member seat
that is in the
form of an inverted "V"-shaped ridge protruding from the main body surface,
instead of a
groove within the main body. The line retaining member has a groove on its
inner surface
that cooperatively conforms to the "V"-shaped ridge retaining member seat, and
is
operative with the ridge seat to retain a fishing line passing therebetween at
two points.
Figures 12A and 12B show, according to additional aspects, two alternate
exemplary embodiments, which are similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 4,
except the
retaining member seat (e.g., groove or ridge), while running around the
exterior surface of
10
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
the main body, does not thereby encompass the channel axis, such that the
first and second
end surface openings are disposed on the same side of the retaining member
seat (e.g.,
groove or ridge) instead of on opposite sides.
Figures 13A-E show a particularly preferred 'tapered-depth' retention member
seat
embodiment of a disengageable strike indicator 28 for a fishing line.
Figure 14 shows another cross-sectional view of the particularly preferred
'tapered-depth' retention member seat embodiment of a disengageable strike
indicator 28
for a fishing line shown in Figures13A-E.
Figures 15A and 15B shows an alternate 'off-see bore embodiment of a
disengageable strike indicator 28 for a fishing line.
Figures 16A-E, show, according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a snap-collar clamping line-stop member.
Figures 17A-D show, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a screw-collar clamping line-stop member.
Figures 18A-C show, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a screw-collar clamping line-stop member in combination
with a strike
indicator having an internal engagement collar 24 within the axial channel 10.
Figures
18A and 18B show the combination before and after, respectively, engagement of
the
screw-collar clamping line-stop member with the internal engagement collar 24.
Figure
18C shows, according to further aspects, an exemplary tool for disengaging the
screw-
collar clamping line-stop member from the internal engagement collar 24. In
this
exemplary embodiment, the internal engagement collar 24 and the counterbores
22 are
asymmetrically configured within the strike indicator main body.
11
= CA 02708614 2010-07-06
Figures 19A-C show, according to additional embodiments, a screw-collar
clamping line-stop member in combination with a strike indicator having an
internal
engagement collar 24 within the axial channel 10. Figures 19A and 19B show the
combination before and after, respectively, engagement of the screw-collar
clamping line-
stop member with the internal engagement collar 24. Figure 19C shows,
according to
further aspects, an exemplary tool for disengaging the screw-collar clamping
line-stop
member from the internal engagement collar 24. In this exemplary embodiment,
the
internal engagement collar 24 and the counterbores 22 are asymmetrically
configured
within the strike indicator main body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Particular aspects of the present invention provide novel disengageable strike
indicators that are attachable, by novel means, to a fishing line at a user-
selected position,
and, upon disengagement therefrom, are slidable along the fishing line.
Additional aspects provide novel disengageable strike indicator systems that
comprise, in addition to a disengageable strike indicator, at least one strike
indicator stop
member that is attachable at a user-selected fixed position along a fishing
line, and is also
engageable with the inventive strike indicator main bodies to limit slidable
travel of a
disengaged strike indicator along the fishing line.
Further aspects provide novel methods for fishing, comprising fishing with an
inventive disengageable strike indicator, or the inventive strike indicator
system.
Yet further aspects provide novel methods for effective and efficient fishing
with a
strike indicator at a depth greater than the length of a fishing rod,
comprising fishing with
an inventive disengageable strike indicator, or strike indicator system. The
methods
facilitate efficient capture of a hooked fish, increase fishing efficiency and
the overall
fishing experience, and decrease attendant injury to captured fish. 12
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
The following discussion describes in detail particular aspects and
embodiments of
the invention and several variations thereof. This discussion should not be
construed as
limiting the invention to the particular embodiments or to those particular
variations.
Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments and
variations,
as well, that are encompassed within the scope of the claim subject matter.
Disengageable Strike Indicator:
With reference to FIGURES 1, 2, 5A, 5B, 6A-6G, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A and
12B, 13A-E, 14 and 15A and B, particular embodiments of the present invention
are
directed to a disengageable strike indicator 28 for a fishing line, comprising
a buoyant
main body portion 16 having an exterior surface 14, first and second main body
ends, and
an axial channel 10 therebetween, with corresponding first and second main
body end
surface openings 8, the channel 10 sufficient to accommodate slidable passage
of a fishing
line 2 therethrough. The main body 16 additionally comprises an exterior line
retaining
member seat (e.g., groove, channel, raised ridge, etc.), which in this
embodiment is a
groove 6, having sides and a bottom, within and around the exterior surface
14, wherein,
in this embodiment, the groove 6 encompasses the channel 10 axis such that the
first and
second end surface openings 8 are disposed on opposite sides of the groove 6.
In alternate
exemplary embodiments (see FIGURES 10A and 11A), the line retaining member
seat
comprises an elevation or ridge 7 (e.g., rounded or inverted "V"-shaped)
protruding, at
least to some extent, from the main body surface 14. In particular less
preferred alternate
embodiments (see FIGURES 12A and 12B), the line retaining member seat (e.g.,
groove,
ridge, etc.) is disposed around the exterior surface 14, but does not
encompass the channel
10 axis, such that the first and second end surface openings 8 are disposed on
the same
side of the retaining member seat (e.g., groove 6). Embodiments as shown in
FIGURES
12A and 12B are less preferred, because, inter alia (and absent additional
retentions
means), the retaining member 4 is not retained on the line after disengagement
(see
13
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
below). The exemplary disengageable strike indicator 28 of FIGURES 1 and 2
further
comprises a resilient (e.g.: elastic; pliant; supple; flexible, etc.) line
retention member 4
having a suitable shape (e.g., annular) and size so as to be reversibly
receivable and
retainable by the line retaining member seat (e.g., within the groove 6, or
upon the ridge 7
(see FIGURES 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B), and operative with the seat to
sufficiently retain
a fishing line 2 passing therebetween at two points. In particular embodiments
of the
exemplary strike indicator 28 (see FIGURES 1 and 2), the main body channel 10
axis
intersects a plane defined by the retention member seat (e.g., the exterior
groove 6) at a
right angle. In preferred embodiments, however, the main body channel 10 axis
intersects
a plane defined by the annular retention member seat (e.g., the exterior
groove 6) at an
acute angle (i.e., less than ninety degrees). Preferably, the angle between
the main body
channel 10 axis at one or the other main body end 8, and a plane defined by
the retention
member seat (e.g., the exterior groove 6) is selected from the range group
consisting of:
180 degrees to 0 degrees, 90 degrees to 0 degrees, 45 degrees to 0 degrees
less than about
90 degrees and greater than about 1 degree, less than about 90 degrees and
greater than
about 2 degrees, less than about 45 degrees and greater than about 1 degrees,
less than
about 30 degrees and greater than about 2 degrees; less than about 20 degrees
and greater
than about 5 degrees; less than about 15 degrees and greater than about 7
degrees, less
than about 29 degrees and greater than about 25 degrees, about 28 degrees, and
28
degrees. Preferably, the angle between the main body channel 10 axis at one or
the other
main body end 8, and a plane defined by the retention member seat (e.g.,
groove 6) is less
than about 15 degrees and greater than about 7 degrees. Preferably, the angle
between the
main body channel 10 axis at one or the other main body end 8, and a plane
defined by the
retention member seat (e.g., groove 6) is less than about 29 degrees and
greater than about
27 degrees. In particular embodiments, the angles, in opposite directions,
between the
main body channel 10 axis at the respective opposite main body ends 8, and a
plane
defined by the retention member seat (e.g., groove 6) are the same or
substantially the
14
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
same. In alternate embodiments, the angles, in opposite directions, between
the main body
channel 10 axis at the respective opposite main body ends 8, and a plane
defined by the
retention member seat (e.g., groove 6) are different. In particular
embodiments, the
distance, in opposite directions, from the first and second main body end
surface openings
8 to the retention member seat (e.g., groove 6) is the same or substantially
the same. In
alternate embodiments, the distances, in opposite directions, from the first
and second
main body end surface openings 8 to the retention member seat (e.g., groove 6)
are
different. Preferably, intersection of plane defined by the retention member
seat (e.g.,
groove 6c channel, raised ridge, etc.) by the main body channel 10 axis is at
a position
corresponding to the center of the main body channel.
In alternate less preferred embodiments (see FIGURES 12A and 12B), the main
body channel 10 axis does not intersect a plane defined by the retention
member seat (e.g.,
the exterior groove 6 or ridge 7, etc.). In particular embodiments, the
resilient annular line
retention member 4 protrudes, at least to some extent, beyond exterior surface
14.
In embodiments where the resilient line retention member 4 is receivable into
a
groove 6 or channel, the retention member 4 is preferably receivable into the
groove 6 to a
distance not greater than about one-half the radial width of the resilient
member 4, so that
at least about half of the member 4 protrudes above the surface 14. However,
according to
aspects of the present invention, the extent of receipt of the retention
member 4 into the
groove 6 may vary, so long as the retention member 4 is sufficiently and
reversibly
retainable. In preferred embodiments, the depth of the retention member seat
is in the
range of about 0.025 cm to about 0.127 cm (e.g., 0.01 to about 0.05 inches),
about 0.038
cm to about 0.10 cm (e.g., 0.015 to about 0.04 inches), about 0.05 cm to about
0.076 cm
(e.g., 0.02 to about 0.03 inches). Preferably, the depth of the retention
member seat is in
the range of about 0.043 cm to about 0.086 cm (e.g., 0.017 to about 0.034
inches).
15
i, , CA 02708614 2010-07-06
In particularly preferred embodiments (see FIGURES 13A-E and FIGURE 14), the
depth of the retention member seat (e.g., groove, channel, raised ridge, etc.)
is greater at or
near the main body ends than at or near the main body sides (central side
areas).
Preferably, in such embodiments, the depth of the retention member seat is
greater at or
near the main body ends and tapers to a lesser depth at or near the main body
sides (i.e.,
central side areas; corresponding to a position at or near the center of the
main body
channel). In particularly preferred embodiments, the depth of the retention
member seat at
or near the main body ends tapers to a lesser depth at or near the main body
sides (central
side areas), with the depth at or near the main body ends being twice, or
about twice, the
seat depth at or near the main body sides (central side areas). For example,
in particular
embodiments, the seat depth at or near the main body ends is about 0.086 cm
(e.g., about
0.034 inches), and tapers to a depth at or near the main body sides (central
side areas) of
about 0.043 cm (e.g., about 0.017 inches). Without being bound by theory, it
is believed
that upon application of sufficient line tension, the retention member is
first disengaged
from the retention member seat portions at or near the ends of the main body,
and that
further disengagement of the retention member from the main body side portions
of the
retention member seat is advantageously propagated or facilitated by such
tapered-depth
retention seats to provide for a more efficient full disengagement of the
retention member.
Such retention member seat depth tapering can, for example, be continuous
tapering,
discontinuous tapering, stepped tapering, combinations thereof, etc, with the
advantage
being afforded by a method of decreasing the effective retention member seat
depth in
going from the main body ends to the main body central portions. In
embodiments with
retention member seats that are raised ridges or the like, the height of the
retention
member seat (e.g., ridge), the advantage can be afforded by decreasing the
effective
retention member seat height in going from the main body ends to the main body
central
portions. Preferable, in such embodiments, the depth of the complementary
retention
member aspect (e.g., the depth of a complementary retention member groove that
16
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
conforms to a raised ridge retention member seat) tapers in conformity with
the tapered
height of the retention member seat (e.g., ridge).
In particular embodiments, the depth (or height in, e.g., raised ridge
embodiments)
of the retention seat at or near the main body ends is about one-half the
thickness or
diameter of the material comprising the retention member, and tapers to a
depth (or height
in, e.g., raised ridge embodiments) at or near the main body sides (central
side areas) of
about one-quarter the thickness or diameter of the material comprising the
retention
member.
In embodiments where the resilient line retention member 4 is receivable onto
a
ridge 7 (e.g., FIGURES 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B), the retention member 4 is
preferably
receivable onto the ridge 7 to a distance not greater than about one-half the
radial width of
the resilient member 4, so that at least about half of the member 4 protrudes
above the top
of the ridge 7. However, according to aspects of the present invention, the
extent of
receipt of the retention member 4 onto the ridge 7 may vary, so long as the
retention
member is sufficiently and reversibly retainable upon the ridge 7. FIGURES 10B
and 11B
show blow-up cross-sectional views of exemplary retention member 4 sections to
illustrate
that. in these elevated seat or 'ridge' embodiments, the inner surfaces of the
retention
members provides a complementary aspect that conform to the respective
exemplary
retention member seats (e.g., rounded and inverted "V"-shaped ridges,
respectively). In
particular embodiments, the resilient line retention member 4 is elastic or
stretchable, and
of a size and dimension such that it is stretchably received and retained
within the groove
6. In preferred embodiments, the line retention member 4 is annular (e.g., in
the form of
an o-ring) or equivalent rubber ring, or resilient ring of another elastic
material (e.g.,
plastic, etc.). In particular embodiments, the retention member seat (e.g.,
groove 6 or
ridge 7) is continuous around the exterior surface 14. In alternative
embodiments, the
retention member seat (e.g., exterior groove 6, or ridge 7) is formed of a
plurality of
_
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
discontinuous seat elements (e.g., repeated finite groove or ridge elements or
sections)
appropriately disposed around the exterior surface 14 to form a discontinuous
seat pattern
sufficient to receive and retain the resilient retention member 4. In
preferred embodiments
(e.g., FIGURES 1, 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 10A, 11A, 12A and 12B) the main body 16 is
generally
ovoid or ellipsoid, and the retention member seat is a generally elliptical or
annular groove
6. However, according to alternate aspects of the present invention, the main
body 16,
may assume a variety of shapes (e.g., FIGURES 6A-6G) and dimensions. The
inventive
design allows for essentially any size of main body 16, and the retention
member 4 and
corresponding seat (e.g., 6 or 7) may assume a variety of sizes, widths,
depths, etc.,
depending on the desired size, shape or design of the indicator main body 16.
While
essentially any main body size could be made, in preferred aspects for
particular fishing
situations, the main body 16 length or diameter is from about 0.6 cm to about
7.6 cm (e.g.,
1/4 to about 3 inches), from about 1.3 cm to about 5.1 cm (e.g., 1/2 to about
2 inches),
from about 0.9 cm to about 3.75 cm (e.g., 7/8 to about 1.5 inches), or from
about 2.8 cm to
about 0.64 cm (e.g., 9/8 to about 1.25 inches), depending upon the type of
application. In
preferred aspects the main body length is about 2.7 cm (e.g., about 11/16
inches), 2.22 cm
(e.g., about 7/8 inches), about 1.74 cm (e.g., about 11/16 inches) and 1.27 cm
(e.g., about
0.5 inches), with respective main body widths of about 1.86 cm (e.g., about
0.734 inches),
1.55 cm (e.g., about 0.61 inches), about 1.25 cm (e.g., about 0.49 inches) and
0.99 cm
(e.g., about 0.39 inches).
Preferably, and preferably for all embodiments, while the main body portion 16
is
buoyant and may be of any suitable material and/or shape, the surface of the
main body
portion, and particularly that part of the surface adjacent to the retention
member seat
surface (e.g., at the retention member seat edge or shoulder), is preferably
sufficiently
rigid (e.g., sufficiently non-deformable or non-compressible) such that during
strike-
mediated disengagement, the 'moment arm' of leverage, provided by the
orientation and
position of the edge of the retention member seat with respect to the strike-
tensioned line 2
12
= CA 02708614 2010-07-06
in disengaging the retention member 4, is not lost, decreased or compromised
because of
compression or deformation of the edge of the retention member seat.
In particular aspects, corresponding retention members 4 are of a dimension to
be
receivable and retainable within or upon the conforming retention member seats
(e.g., 6 or
7) of such preferred main body 16 size ranges (e.g., from about 0.6 cm to
about 7.6 cm
(e.g., from about 1/4 to about 3 inches) in diameter, etc.). Retention member
seat (e.g., 6
or 7) design and dimensions reflect the size and shape of the main body 16 and
the
retention members 4, and sufficiently conform to the retention members 4, so
as to
operationally reversibly receive and retain the retention members 4. Such
seats (e.g., 6 or
7) can be grooves 6, channels or slots, etc., within the main body bodies 16,
or can be
elevated surfaces or ridges 7 protruding from the main body surface 14, and
preferably
conform in design and dimension to the main bodies 16 and the retention
members 4.
Preferred widths (e.g., cross-sectional) for retention members 4 are those
that conform to
that of the retention member seats. In preferred aspects, retention member
cross-sectional
widths range from about 0.08 cm to about 0.64 cm (e.g., about 1/32 to about
1/4 inches),
etc. In particular aspects the retention members consist, or are comprised of
elastic,
stretchable, resilient material. The dimensions and/or compositions and/or
elasticity
parameters of such resilient retention members are selected to provide
suitable line
retention strengths for different types of fishing and fishing situations.
Commercially
available `0-rings' are a preferred type of resilient annular retention member
4. However
a variety of resilient materials could be used (e.g., rubber washers, elastic
bands, rubber
bands, etc.), or any material or any structure (resilient or not) that could
be reversibly
seated and unseated to reversibly retain a line 2 thereunder in operative
association with
the retention member seat. Preferably, the line-contact surface of the
retention member is
of a material that sufficiently grips the line (e.g., rubber, soft plastic,
etc.) to preclude line
slippage while the main body is engaged on a line. The retention members 4 may
have a
variety of cross-sectional widths and shapes (e.g., circular, ovoid,
octagonal, square,
19
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
rectangular, triangular, etc.), provided that they are reversibly receivable
and retainable
into or onto the retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7). Preferable, the
retaining member 4
sufficiently conforms in shape to the retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7) to
provide for
adequate retention of the line in the retention member seat when the main body
is engaged
on a line.
In particular embodiments, the line retention member 4 is selected to have
sufficient retentive force (offers sufficient resistance to being disengaged
from the seat)
when engaged within or upon the line retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7), so
as to
effectively provide for a `non-strike-disengageable' strike indicator (i.e.,
wherein the line
is held sufficient tightly between the retention member and seat so that fish
strikes and fish
'hook-ups' do not disengage the retention member 4 and indicator 28. Moreover,
such
'fixed' line position embodiments are highly useful for particular types of
fishing (where a
strike-disengageable and/or slidable indicator is not needed), and are
nonetheless novel
and surprisingly effective by virtue of the instant inventive line-retention
means, which
nonetheless makes the indictors easily adjustable along a line, and reusable.
In additional aspects, the strike indicator 28, further comprises a fishing
line 2
extending through the main body channel 10, the line being reversibly attached
to the main
body 16 at two points along the line 2 by means of the exterior retaining
member seat
(e.g., groove 6 or ridge 7) and the retention member 4, wherein the strike
indicator 28 is
disengageable from the line 2 upon application of sufficient tension to the
line 2 (across
the two attachment points) and is thereafter slidable (e.g., freely slidable)
along the line 2.
Therefore, in particular embodiments, the strike indicator 28, further
comprises a fishing
line extending through the main body channel 10, and, after emerging at the
two opposing
end openings 8, passing therefrom in, e.g., opposing directions between the
retention
member 4 and the retention member seat (e.g., passing between the retention
member 4
and the external groove 6, or passing between the retention member 4 and the
external
20
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
ridge 7), wherein the strike indicator 28 is thereby reversibly attached at
two points along
the line 2. The strike indicator 28 is thereby disengageable from the line 2
upon
application of sufficient tension to the line 2 (to disengage the retention
member 4 from
the retention member seat) and is thereafter slidable along the line 2 (see,
e.g., FIGURES
5A and 5B).
FIGURE 2 shows the exemplary disengageable strike indicator embodiment 28 of
FIGURE 1, wherein the resilient annular line retention member 4 is seated in
the exterior
groove 6 to retain an exemplary fishing line 2 passing therebetween at two
points within
the groove 6 (e.g., in this embodiment, positions near and offset from the
respective
channel end openings 8). In particular embodiments, the resilient retention
member 4 is,
upon application of sufficient line tension, preferentially displaced onto the
line on the
rod-proximal (e.g., larger), side of the main body 16 (e.g., on the side of
the larger aspect
of the ovoid main body 16 as in shown in FIGURES 1, 5B, 10A, 11A), which
facilitates
retention of the line retention member 4 on the rod-proximal (hook-distal)
side of the
strike indicator 28 after disengagement thereof from the line 2. Alternately,
the resilient
retention member 4 is displaceable on the side of the smaller or opposite
aspect of the
main body 16. According to particular aspects, the shape of the indicator main
body 16
and the disposition of the retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7) thereto, can
be selected to
facilitate displacement of the line retention member to one side or another of
the indicator
main body upon disengagement (see e.g., FIGURES 1, 5B, 10A, 11A and 6B). In
either
case, the line retention member 4 is retained around the line 2, and thus
operationally
retrievable for reuse.
In other aspects, the retention member can be constructed, or torsionally-
loaded so
as to predispose disengagement to one side or another of the indicator main
body upon
disengagement. In preferred embodiments (e.g., in particular, with annular,
elastic
retention members), the design and/or manner of attaching the indicator main
body portion
21
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
to the line using the line retention member provides for disengaging (upon
application of
sufficient line tension) the retention member to the rod-proximal side of the
indicator
body. Preferably, and with reference to FIGURES 4, 5A and 5B for example, to
insure
that the retention member 4 disengages to the rod-proximal side of a line-
mounted main
body 14 (as shown in FIGURES 4, 5A and 5B), the retention member (e.g., 0-
ring) 4 is
'torsionally-loaded' by first engaging and retaining (e.g., by applying
pressure using a
finger or thumb) one portion of the retention member 4, and the line 2, to be
stationary in
the hook-proximal area/end of the line retention member seat 6 of the main
body 14 (e.g.,
in the hook-proximal (left side of FIGURE 4) end groove area of the retention
member
seat 6), and then 'rolling' the non-engaged diametrically opposed portion of
the retention
member 4 along the surface of the main body 14 (e.g., in a direction from left
to right
along the upper surface of the main body 14 of FIGURE 4 for example) to engage
and
retain the rolled retention member 4 portion and line 2 into the hook-distal
portion (right
side of FIGURE 4) of the line retention member seat 6 of the main body 14 to
provide for
a torsionally-loaded retained retention member 4 within the retention member
seat 6,
wherein the line retention member 4 is torsionally-loaded within the line
retention member
seat 6 by virtue of the retained rolling. The rolling or torsional loading is
retained within
the seat 6 because, in preferred aspects, the retention member 4 is elastic
and sized in its
unstretched (unstressed) and unrolled annular diameter to be sufficiently
smaller than the
corresponding retention member seat 6, such that the retention member 4 must
be stressed
(stretched) (with or without such rolling) to be retained within the retention
member seat
6, resulting in a 'strained' (deformed) seated retention member 4 that is held
seated within
the retention member by virtue of the 'strain' (elastic, resilient) forces.
Preferably, in the
case of asymmetric main bodies 14 (e.g., ovoid, etc) the smaller end of the
indicator main
body portion 14 is oriented in the hook-proximal orientation (left in FIGURES
4, 5A and
5B), so that the retention member 4 is first retained within the retention
member seat 6 at
the small main body end, and then rolled along the surface side of the main
body 14 and
22
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
retained in the retention member seat at the larger main body end (right in
FIGURES 4,
5A and 5B), to provide for a torsionally-loaded retention member 4.
Without being bound by theory it is believed that in such preferred
embodiments,
initially retaining a portion of, for example, a circular retention member 4
(and the line 2)
to be stationary within the hook-proximal area of the retention member seat 6,
followed by
rolling a diametrically opposed portion of the retention member 4 along the
main body
surface toward the hook-distal end of the main body portion 14, and engaging
the rolled
retention member 4 (and the line 2) therein, provides for a torsionally-loaded
retention
member 4, wherein the torsional forces (rolled windings) are asymmetrically
distributed
toward the rod-proximal portions of the retention member 4 and corresponding
seat
portions. This asymmetrical torsional distribution is believed to facilitate
or predispose
disengagement (upon application of sufficient line tension) of the retention
member 4 to
the rod-proximal side of the line-mounted main body portion 14 (as shown in
FIGURE
5B). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the asymmetrical
torsional
distribution decreases the elasticity (or increases the stiffness or modulus
of elasticity; e.g.,
increased Young's modulus) of the retention member 4 in the torsionally-loaded
rod-
proximal portion of the retention member 4 relative to the hook-proximal
portion thereof.
With reference to FIGURE 5A, upon application of sufficient line-tension,
therefore, the
relatively elastic hook-proximal portion of the retention member 4 is
disengaged from the
retention member seat firs, or more easily, and is subsequently and vigorously
drawn
around the hook-proximal end of the main body 14 and toward the rod-proximal
end of the
main body 14 as the torsional loading of rod-proximal portion of the retention
member 4
(which, during application of such sufficient force, remains engaged in the
retention
member seat 6 for a longer time relative to the hook-proximal portion thereof)
is relieved.
Essentially, therefore, it is believed that such asymmetric torsional loading
allows
for initial disengagement (from the retention member seat) of the relatively
elastic hook-
proximal portion of the asymmetrically torsionally-loaded retention member 4
first,
23
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
whereupon the retention member 'springs' to the rod-proximal side of the main
body 14 in
relief of the asymmetric torsional loading.
Alternatively, according to further aspects of the present invention, an
asymmetric
modulus of elasticity or torsional-loading distribution may be created in the
construction
(e.g., materials, methods) and/or design of the retention member per se (e.g.,
to obviate the
need for 'rolling' or the like to asymmetrically increase the modulus of
elasticity).
However, rolled, torsionally-loaded embodiments are preferred, because they
provide
asymmetric torsional loading without the requirement for complex retention
member
design and/or materials, while nonetheless providing for an efficient,
controlled strike-
activated disengagement of the retention member from its seat.
FIGURES 13A-E show a particularly preferred embodiment of a disengageable
strike indicator 28 for a fishing line, comprising a buoyant ovoid main body
portion 16
having an exterior surface 14, first and second main body ends, and an axial
channel 10
therebetween, with corresponding first and second main body end surface
openings 8, the
channel 10 sufficient to accommodate slidable passage of a fishing line 2 (not
shown)
therethrough. The main body 16 (e.g., the surface thereof) additionally
comprises a line
retention member seat 6 (e.g., groove, channel, raised ridge, etc.), which in
this
embodiment is an annular groove 6, having sides and a bottom, within and
around the
exterior surface 14, wherein, in this embodiment, a plane defined by the
groove 6
intersects the channel 10 axis such that the first and second end surface
openings 8 are
disposed on opposite sides of the groove 6 (or of the plane defined thereby).
In this
exemplary embodiment, the main body channel 10 axis intersects a plane defined
by the
annular retention member seat (e.g., the exterior groove 6) at an acute angle
of about 28
degrees (FIGURE 13 D). Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, the
preferred point
of intersection of the main body channel axis with the plane defined by the
annular
retention member seat is at a position corresponding to the center of the main
body
channel (FIGURE 13 D). FIGURE 13B shows exemplary dimensional variables (see
24
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
TABLE 1 below) for the main body length ("A"), width ("B"), axial channel
inner bore
diameter ("C"), axial channel outer bore (countersink) diameter ("D"),
countersink depth
("E"), and retention seat radius ("R4"). FIGURE 13D additionally shows
exemplary
radius values (radii) for main body surface portions ("R1," "R2" and R3").
Exemplary
values for "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "R1," "R2," "R3" and "R4" are provided in
TABLE 1
below:
TABLE 1. Exemplary values, with respect to FIGURES 13A-E, for "A," "B," "C,"
"D,"
"R1," "R2," "R3" and "R4"
Exemplary A B C D E R1 R2 R3 R4
Embodi-
ment
2.7 cm 1.86 cm 0.295 cm 0.381 cm 0.572 cm 0.60 2.21 0.91 0.203
1 (1 1/16 (0.734 (0.116 (0.15 (0.225 cm cm cm cm
inches) inches) inches) inches) inches) (0.236 (0.87 (0.36 (0.08
inches) inches) inches) inches)
2.22 1.55 cm 0.295 cm 0.381 cm 0.572 cm 0.51 1.83 0.762 0.203
2 cm (0.61 (0.116 (0.15 (0.225 cm cm cm cm
(7/8 inches) inches) inches) inches) (0.2 (0.72 (0.3 (0.08
inches) inches) inches) inches) inches)
1.74 1.25 cm 0.295 cm 0.381 cm 0.572 cm 0.41 1.47 0.61 0.203
3 cm (0.49 (0.116 (0.15 (0.225 cm cm cm cm
(11/16 inches) inches) inches) inches) (0.16 (0.58 (0.24 (0.08
inches) inches) inches) inches) inches)
1.27 0.99 cm 0.295 cm 0.381 cm 0.572 cm 0.33 1.17 0.48 0.203
4 cm (0.39 (0.116 (0.15 (0.225 cm cm cm cm
(0.5 inches) inches) inches) inches) (0.13 (0.46 (0.19 (0.08
inches) inches) inches) inches) inches)
25
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
Offset Axis Channel Embodiments
Preferably, the axis of the channel 10 of the main body portion 16 is
coincident
with the true central axis of the main body portion 16 (see, e.g., FIGURE 1).
Alternately,
however, the axis of the channel 10 of the main body portion 16 is offset
(e.g., at one or
both channel ends) and/or is at a different angle with respect to the true
central axis of the
main body portion 16. For example, FIGURES 15A and 15B show an alternate, 'off-
set'
bore embodiment of a disengageable strike indicator 28 for a fishing line. In
the
embodiment of FIGURES 15A and B, the axis of the channel 10 of the main body
portion
16 is offset from the true center axis at the small aspect end of the ovoid
main body
portion 16 and also is at a different angle with respect to the true central
axis of the main
body portion 16. In such embodiments where the actual channel bore is offset
from
theoretical true main body center axis (cross-hairs in FIGURE 15B), e.g., in
this
embodiment, at the small end of the ovoid (but not at the big end), during
strike-mediated
disengagement of the line retention member 4, the strike-mediated line tension
continues
to be applied to the line retention member 4 at the small end, even after the
point where
the line retention member 4 has reached theoretical true center axis (cross-
hairs). Without
being bound by theory, this offset feature, and particularly when used in
combination with
the asymmetric torsional loading of the line retention member 4 as described
elsewhere
herein, facilitates consistent, reproducible strike-mediated disengagement of
the line
retention member 4 to the rod-proximal side of the main body portion 16.
Disengageable Strike Indicator System:
With reference to FIGURES 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 7, 12A and 12B, additional aspects
provide a disengageable strike indicator system for a fishing line 2 and/or
leader or tippet,
comprising in addition to the elements and variations of the novel
disengageable strike
26
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
indicator described above, at least one line stop member 18 attachable (e.g.,
by crimping,
adhering, elastic tension, etc.) at a user-selectable fixed position to a
fishing line 2 and/or
leader or tippet, the line stop member 18 having an outer surface, first and
second stop
member ends, and an axial stop member channel therebetween, with corresponding
first
and second stop member end surface openings, wherein the line stop member 18
is
receivable into the axial channel 10 of the main body 16, and wherein an
aspect of the
shape and/or dimension (e.g., flange, or enlarged or extended aspect, etc.) of
the line stop
member 18 is operative to engage the line stop member 18 when received into
the main
body channel 10, and is thereby sufficient to preclude travel of a disengaged
strike
indicator beyond a user-selected fixed position where it engages the stop
member 18.
Such stop members 18 can be of any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic,
elastic material,
etc.), and are dimensionally configured so as to be readily passable, upon
line retrieval,
through line guides of a fishing rod. Preferably, the outer surfaces of such
stop members
18 are non-gripping to facilitate separation from the indicator main body
channel 10 upon
disengagement of the strike indicator 28 from the line 2, and to facilitate
unfettered
passage through the line guides upon line retrieval past the user-selected
position of stop
member 18 attachment.
In this embodiment (e.g., FIGURE 4), an inventive strike indicator 28 is shown
attached to the line 2 at a point where it is engaged with a stop member 18,
which has been
attached to line 2 at a user-selected position. In particular embodiments, the
distance
between the stop member 18 ends is less than one-half the distance between the
main body
ends 8. In additional preferred embodiments, the disengageable strike
indicator system
comprises two line stop members 18 receivable at opposite ends of the main
body 16.
Therefore, additional embodiments provide a disengageable strike indicator
system
(having at least one stop member 18), further comprising a fishing line 2
extending
through the main body channel 10 and reversibly attached to the main body at
two points
along the line 2 by means of the exterior retention member seat (e.g., groove
6) and
27
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
retention member 4, wherein the strike indicator is disengageable from the
line 2 upon
application of sufficient tension to the line 2, and is thereafter slidable
from or to the
attachment position of the at least one line stop member 18. Therefore, in
particular
embodiments, the strike indicator 28, comprises a fishing line 2 extending
through the
main body channel 10 and, after emerging at the two opposing main body channel
end
openings 8, passing therefrom in opposing directions under the retention
member 4 within
the external seat (e.g., groove 6), wherein the strike indicator is thereby
reversibly attached
at two points along the line 2, disengageable from the line 2 upon application
of sufficient
tension to the line 2, and is thereafter slidable to or from the user-selected
attachment
position of the at least one line stop member 18.
FIGURES 3A. 3B and 3C show side views of three exemplary line stop members
18 attachable to a fishing line 2 at a user-selectable position. The inventive
line stop
member(s) 18 are receivable into the axial channel 10 of the main body of the
inventive
disengageable strike indicators (partially shown as dashed lines 14 in the
figure) to provide
for a disengageable strike indicator system, and the shape and/or dimension of
the line
stop members 18 is operative to engage the line stop member 18 within the main
body
channel 10 of the inventive strike indicators to limit slidable travel of the
disengaged strike
indicator along a fishing line 2. The engagement aspect of the stop member
may, for
example, correspond to an enlarged portion thereof (e.g., flange, bulge, etc.)
that engages a
conforming stop member receiving surface of the axial channel 10 (see FIGURES
3A-3C).
The line stop members can be of any material that is fixable to the line 2
(e.g., a ductile
material that can be pressed, clamped or crimped to be retainable at a fixed
point on a line
2 and/or leader or tippet, an elastic member that attaches by means of its
inherent
dimensional character and elasticity, etc.). Affixing the line stop member to
the line may
be by any suitable means including but non limited to, crimping of a stop
member
comprising a ductile material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.), clamping of a
clampable stop
member, adhering of a stop member to the line, affixing by inherent elastic
means, etc., as
28
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
long as the stop member is attached to the line in a fixed or effectively
fixed, non-slidable
(or at least substantially non-slidable) manner, so that the attached stop
members serves to
effectively preclude slidable travel of the disengaged strike indicator beyond
the stop
member attachment position. Stop members, may comprise, e.g., on the inner
surface
thereof, material or structures that preclude or minimize line wear, or
materials or
structures that facilitate gripping of the line. Encompassed within the scope
of the present
invention are those stop members that are attached to a line in a manner
sufficient, in
practical terms depending on the type and nature of the operational fishing,
to substantially
preclude slidable movement, but nonetheless are positionable along the line
with sufficient
applied force if repositioning is desired (e.g., tight fitting elastic members
for example).
Preferably, the stop members are of a ductile metal, and have a non-gripping
exterior
surface so as not to preclude travel through line guides.
FIGURE 4 shows a side view of an exemplary disengageable strike indicator
system embodiment having a line stop member 18 engaged therein, so that in
operation the
strike indicator is engaged at a user-selected position along the line and/or
leader or tippet.
FIGURES 5A and 5B show a side view of an exemplary disengageable strike
indicator system embodiment having a line stop member 18 engaged therein, and
further
shows (in going from FIGURE 5A to 5B) how the annular line retention member 4
is
displaceable from the retention member seat (e.g., exterior groove 6) of the
main body 16
upon application of sufficient line tension, which in turn disengages the
strike indicator,
thereafter allowing sliding of the disengaged strike indicator along the line
2. Typically,
in such embodiments, the retention member is displaced on the larger aspect
side of the
main body (e.g., ovoid), but alternatively, displacement can be on the
opposing side of the
strike indicator. According to particular aspects, the shape of the indicator
main body 16
and the disposition of the retention member seat (e.g., 6 or 7) thereto, can
be selected to
facilitate displacement of the line retention member to one side or another of
the indicator
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CA 02708614 2010-07-06
main body upon disengagement (see e.g., FIGURES 1,4, 5B, 10A, 11A and 6B). In
either
case, the line retention member 4 is retained around the line 2, and thus
operationally
retrievable for reuse in the novel disengaging strike indicator system.
Significantly, therefore, the novel, nature, design and methods using the
present
strike indicators and systems allow for adjustable, consistent (e.g.,
repeatedly
disengageable at the same, or substantially the same line tension value),
controlled and
reproducible disengagement and reuse in the absence of significant wear,
degradation,
deformation, etc., of the attachment surfaces and of the line surfaces.
Moreover, the
inventive strike indicators and systems may be selected to disengage at
variety of line
tension values, depending upon the conformation, dimension and properties
(e.g., size,
elastic strength (i.e., tensile elastic modulus), etc.) of the line retention
members 4,
conformation and dimension of the line retention member seats, and the
relational
disposition of these aspects with respect to each other and with respect to
other aspects of
the strike indicator (e.g., relative orientation to axial channel 10;
orientation with respect
to particular conformational aspects (e.g., asymmetric shape aspects; see,
e.g., FIGURE
6B) of the main body 16, etc.).
In particular embodiments, the disengageable strike indicator system comprises
a
first and a second line stop member 18, and further comprises a fishing line 2
(or leader
and/or tippet) extending through the main body channel 10 and through a
channel of the
first stop member 18 engaged therein, the line 2 being reversibly attached to
the main
body 16 at two points along the line 2 by means of the line retention member
seat (e.g.,
exterior groove 6, raised ridge 7, etc.) and retention member 4, wherein the
strike indicator
is disengageable from the line 2 upon application of sufficient tension to the
line 2 (e.g.,
tensional stress along the line crossing the two attachment positions) and is
thereafter
slidable (e.g., from a position of engagement with the first stop member, to
the
engagement and attachment position of the second line stop member 18 that is
positioned
30
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
along the line a user selectable distance from the position of the first
attached strike
indicator, and on the side of the strike indicator that is opposite that of
the first engaged
line stop member 18). Therefore, in particular embodiments, the strike
indicator 28,
comprises a first and a second line stop member 18 , further comprises a
fishing line 2
extending through the main body channel 10 and through a channel of the first
line stop
member 18 engaged therein, and the line 2, after emerging at the two opposing
main body
channel end openings 8, passing therefrom in opposing directions under the
retention
member 4 seated on the retention member seat (e.g., the external groove 6,
raised ridge 7,
etc.), wherein the strike indicator is thereby reversibly attached (e.g.,
restrained) at two
points along the line 2, disengageable from the line 2 upon application of
sufficient tension
to the line 2 (across the two line restraining positions) and is thereafter
slidable to the
attachment position of the second line stop member 18 positioned along the
line 2 a
distance from the attached strike indicator, and on the side of the strike
indicator that is
opposite that of the first engaged line stop member.
The inventive novel system comprises at least one stop member 18, and is not
necessarily limited to any particular disengageable strike indicator design,
provided that it
is freely slidable on the line 2 once disengaged therefrom. Therefore, general
aspects
provide a disengageable strike indicator system for a fishing line,
comprising: a fishing
line 2; a buoyant disengageable strike indicator that is reversibly attachable
to,
disengageable from and thereafter slidable along a fishing line 2; and at
least one strike
indicator stop member 18 attachable to a user-selectable position along the
fishing line 2,
and sufficient, in operation, to limit slidable travel of the disengaged
strike indicator along
the fishing line 2. Particular general aspects comprise first and second
attachable strike
indicator stop members 18 attached at different user-selected positions along
the fishing
line 2, and suitable, in operation of the system, to delimit a slidable range
of the
disengaged slidable strike indicator along the fishing line. In particular
general aspects,
the disengageable strike indicator is attached to the line 2 in engagement
with the first line
31
= CA 02708614 2010-07-06
stop member attached at a first user-selected line position, and, upon
disengagement, the
disengaged strike indicator is thereafter slidable along the fishing line 2
between the first
and second line stop members 18. In preferred aspects, the strike indicator is
disengageable my means of application of sufficient tension to the fishing
line (e.g., upon
a fish 'hook-up'). Therefore, general aspects of the present invention provide
a method of
fishing using a disengageable strike indicator system in combination with at
least one
strike indicator stop member 18.
With reference to FIGURES 4, 5A, 5B and 7, specific embodiments provide a
method of fishing (e.g., essentially any type of fishing in any type of water)
with a strike
indicator at a set depth X (e.g., corresponding to a 'holding zone' or
'concentration
feeding zone' 22) greater than the length Y of a fishing rod, comprising:
obtaining a
fishing line 2 in operable communication with a fishing rod 32, the line 2
extending
through rod line guides and from a tip portion of the fishing rod to a fishing
hook 20 and
retrievable with line retrieving means mounted on the fishing rod 32, the
extended line
portion having hook-proximal and hook-distal positions. The method further
comprises
attaching, to the extended line portion, a first and a second strike indicator
stop member 18
at a first, hook-distal line stop position corresponding to a desired fishing
depth X, and a
second, hook-proximal line stop position corresponding to a position of length
Y from the
hook, and equal to about the length Y of the fishing rod, respectively,
wherein the line stop
members 18 are receivable into a buoyant disengageable strike indicator 28,
and wherein
the shape and/or dimensional aspect of the line stop members 18 is operative
to engage the
line stop member 18 within the buoyant disengageable strike indicator 28. The
method
additionally comprises attaching, between the two line stop members 18, to the
line 2 and
in engagement with the first hook-distal stop member 18, a buoyant
disengageable fishing
line strike indicator 28 reversibly attached to, disengageable from and
thereafter slidable
along the fishing line 2 between first and second stop members 18, the strike
indicator 28
disengageable by application of sufficient line tension. The method further
comprises:
32
. . CA 02708614 2010-07-06
disengaging the strike indicator 28 by setting the hook into a fish (e.g., a
fish 'hook-up');
and retrieving the extended line to a line position corresponding to about
that of the second
stop member 18, wherein fishing at a depth X greater than the length Y of a
fishing rod
and yet reaching the hooked fish for effective and efficient retrieval is
afforded.
Novel Reversibly Disengageable Line-Stop Members and Systems and Methods
Comprising Same:
Additional aspects provide novel line-stop member devices and methods for
adjustably and reversibly engaging a line (including, but not limited to
fishing lines, ropes,
string, cable, wire, cords, etc.) at an engagement position and/or for
demarcating one or
more positions and/or spans along a line. The inventive line-stop members are
reversibly
disengageable (or reversibly engageable), and thereby slidably adjustable and
positionable
along a line, and two such line-stop members can be used to define a user-
selectable range
or span therebetween.
Further aspects provide novel disengageable strike indicator systems that
comprise,
in addition to a strike-disengageable or non-strike-disengageable strike
indicator, at least
one 'reversibly disengageable strike indicator line-stop member' (e.g., as
described herein
below) that is attachable at a user-selected fixed position along a fishing
line, and is
engageable with the inventive strike indicator main bodies to limit slidable
travel of a
disengaged strike indicator along the fishing line, or is additionally or
alternatively fixedly
engageable with an internal engagement collar of particular inventive strike
indicator
embodiments to provide for a non-strike-disengageable strike indicator (e.g.,
an effectively
fixed strike indicator).
In preferred embodiments, particular 'dual-use' inventive strike indictor
bodies
(having an internal engagement collar) can be used for dual purposes as a
strike-
disengageable (using a line-retention member in the line-retention member seat
of the
33
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
strike indicator main body, and not fixedly engaging the internal engagement
collar with
the inventive reversibly engageable line-stop member), or non-strike-
disengageable (not
using a line-retention member, and rather fixedly engaging the internal
engagement collar
with the inventive reversibly engageable line-stop member) strike indicator.
Further aspects provide novel methods for fishing, comprising fishing with an
inventive strike-disengageable or non-strike-disengageable strike indicator
with the
inventive reversibly disengageable strike indicator line-stop member(s) (e.g.,
as described
herein below), or the inventive strike indicator system.
FIGURES 16A-E, show, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a novel slide-collar clamping line-stop member. The line-stop
member
comprises an elongated line-clamping member 60, and an cylindrical engagement
collar
72 having collar channel therethrough and slidably positionable along the line-
clamping
member 60, and suitable and positionable to reversibly hold the line-clamping
member 60
in a line-clamping position to engage a line, and suitable and positionable to
reversibly
disengage the line-clamping member 60 from the line-clamping position to
reversibly
disengage a line. The line-clamping member 60 comprises a longitudinal axial
bore 80 or
channel suitable to allow slidable passage of a line therethrough. The line-
clamping
member 60 additionally comprises, at one end, at least one pair of line-
clamping arms 68
or members each having a collar-stop flange 66 at one end thereof, the line-
clamping arms
or members operative with the engagement collar 72, and operatively associated
and
positionable with respect to each other (e.g., by means of at least one hinge
or pivot
element 64, etc) to allow for clamping a line therebetween to engage a line.
The line-
clamping member 60 additionally comprises, at the other end, a collar-mounting
and
retention portion 62, comprising a plurality of spaced, (e.g., resilient)
collar-mounting and
retention arms 74, each having a retention arm collar-stop flange 76. In
particular
embodiments, the plurality of collar-mounting and retention arms are spaced or
separated
34
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
by at least one slot 78, the slot suitable to allow for reversibly decreasing
(e.g., by
compressing the arms toward each other) the distance between the collar-
mounting and
retention arms to allow for initial mounting and retention (by virtue of the
retention arm
collar-stop flanges) of the engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member
60.
Situated between the pair of line-clamping arms 68 and the collar-mounting and
retention
portion 62 is an engagement collar positioning portion 20. The engagement
collar
positioning portion 20 comprises means to position the engagement collar 72 on
the line-
clamping member 60. In one aspect, the engagement collar positioning portion
20 allows
for engaging a line by positioning the engagement collar 72 on the line-
clamping member
60 in a position (e.g., a line-engagement position) that affords operative
association with
the line-clamping arms 68 or members to allow for clamping a line
therebetween. In
another aspect, the engagement collar positioning portion 20 allows for
disengaging a line
by positioning the engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member 60 in a
position
(e.g., a line-disengagement position) that precludes operative association
with the line-
clamping arms 68. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the engagement collar
positioning portion 20 comprises a resilient compressible bulge having, in the
uncompressed state, an outside diameter larger than the engagement collar
channel
diameter such that the engagement collar positioning portion 20 must be
compressed (e.g.,
by applying sufficient lateral force with the engagement collar) to reposition
the collar
between the line-engagement position and the line disengagement position.
FIGURES 17A-D, show, according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a screw-collar clamping line-stop member. The line-stop
member
comprises an elongated line-clamping member 70, and an cylindrical engagement
collar
72 having a collar channel therethrough and positionable along the line-
clamping member
70, and suitable and positionable to reversibly hold the line-clamping member
70 in a line-
clamping position to engage a line, and suitable and positionable to
reversibly disengage
the line-clamping member 70 from the line-clamping position to reversibly
disengage a
35
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
line. The line-clamping member 70 comprises a longitudinal axial bore 78 or
channel
suitable to allow slidable passage of a line therethrough. The line-clamping
member 70
additionally comprises, at one end, at least one pair of line-clamping arms 68
or members
each having a collar-stop flange 66 at one end thereof, the line-clamping arms
or members
operative with the engagement collar 72, and operatively associated and
positionable with
respect to each other (e.g., by means of at least one hinge or pivot element
64, etc) to
allow for clamping a line therebetween to engage a line. The line-clamping
member 70
additionally comprises, at the other end, a collar-mounting and retention
portion 62,
comprising a plurality of spaced, (e.g., resilient) collar-mounting and
retention arms 74,
each having a retention arm collar-stop flange 76. In particular embodiments,
the plurality
of collar-mounting and retention arms are spaced or separated by at least one
slot 78, the
slot suitable to allow for reversibly decreasing (e.g., by compressing the
arms toward each
other) the distance between the collar-mounting and retention arms to allow
for initial
mounting and retention (by virtue of the retention arm collar-stop flanges) of
the
engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member 70. Situated between the pair
of line-
clamping arms 68 and the collar-mounting and retention portion 62 is an
engagement
collar positioning portion 20. The engagement collar positioning portion 20
comprises
means to position the engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member 70. In
one
aspect, the engagement collar positioning portion 20 allows for engaging a
line by
positioning the engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member 70 in a
position (e.g., a
line-engagement position) that affords operative association with the line-
clamping arms
68 or members to allow for clamping a line therebetween. In another aspect,
the
engagement collar positioning portion 20 allows for disengaging a line by
positioning the
engagement collar 72 on the line-clamping member 70 in a position (e.g., a
line-
disengagement position) that precludes operative association with the line-
clamping arms
68. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the engagement collar positioning
portion 20
comprises thread means complementary to thread means located within the
engagement
36
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
collar channel such that the engagement collar positioning portion 20 must be
engaged by
screwing the engagement collar thereon between the line-engagement position
and the line
disengagement position
According to preferred aspects of the present invention, the inventive line-
stop
members can be used as part of a system, in combination with strike-
disengageable (as
described herein in detail) or non-strike-disengageable strike indicators as
described herein
below in detail. Moreover, while the above-described inventive reversibly
disengageable
line-stop members can be designed in essentially any size to accommodate a
variety of
line types and diameters, in preferred aspects, the inventive line-stop
members are
designed to be dimensionally compatible for engagement within the axial bores
(axial
channels) of the strike-disengageable and non-strike-disengageable strike
indicators
described in detail herein.
Novel Reversibly Disengageable Line-stop Members and Non-Strike-Disengageable
Systems and Methods Comprising Same:
Additional preferred embodiments provide novel slidably adjustable non-strike-
disengageable strike indicators, comprising a reversibly disengageable line-
stop member
embodiment as described above in combination with a buoyant strike indicator
main body
portion having an 'internal engagement member' 24 (e.g., collar, flange, band,
ring, notch,
etc.) within the main body channel 10 (see, e.g., FIGURES 18A-C and 19A-C). In
certain
of such preferred aspects, the retention arm collar-stop flange(s) 76 of the
collar-mounting
and retention portion 62 optionally engage an internal engagement member 24
(e.g.,
collar, flange, band, ring, notch, etc.) within the main body channel 10 of
particular 'dual-
use' strike indicator main body embodiments.
Such 'dual-use' inventive strike indictor bodies (having an internal
engagement
collar) are usable for dual purposes as a strike-disengageable (using a line-
retention
37
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
member 4 in the line-retention member seat 6 of the strike indicator main
body, and not
fixedly engaging the internal engagement member 24 (e.g., collar) with the
inventive
reversibly engageable line-stop member), or non-strike-disengageable (not
using a line-
retention member, and rather fixedly engaging the internal engagement member
24 (e.g.,
collar) within the channel 10 of the inventive reversibly engageable line-stop
member)
strike indicator. Alternatively, the inventive reversibly disengageable line-
stop members
may be used with strike indicator embodiments that do not have a retention
member or
retention member seat as used herein, provided that such main bodies comprise
an internal
engagement member (e.g., collar) engageable by the inventive reversibly
engageable
(reversibly disengageable) line-stop members.
Figures 18A-C show, for example, a screw-collar clamping line-stop member
(e.g.,
such as that of FIGURES 17A-D) in combination with a dual-use strike indicator
main
body portion having an internal engagement collar 24 within the axial channel
10. The
line-stop member comprises an elongated line-clamping member 70 having line-
clamping
arms 68 or members at one end, and a cylindrical engagement collar 72 having a
collar
channel therethrough and positionable along the line-clamping member 70 and
suitable
and positionable to reversibly hold the line-clamping member 70 in a line-
clamping
position to engage a line. The line-clamping member 70 additionally comprises,
e.g., at
the other end, a collar-mounting and retention portion 62, comprising a
plurality of spaced,
(e.g., resilient) collar-mounting and retention arms 74, each having a
retention arm collar-
stop flange 76. Figures 18A and 18B show the combination before and after,
respectively,
engagement of the screw-collar clamping line-stop member (e.g., engagement of
the
retention arm collar-stop flanges 76 thereof) with the internal engagement
collar 24.
Figure 18C shows, according to further aspects, an exemplary tool 82 for
disengaging the
screw-collar clamping line-stop member (e.g., for disengagement of the
retention arm
collar-stop flanges 76 thereof) from the internal engagement collar 24. In
this exemplary
38
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
embodiment, the internal engagement collar 24 and the counterbores 22 are
somewhat
asymmetrically configured within the strike indicator main body.
Figures 19A-C show, according to additional embodiments, the screw-collar
clamping line-stop member of FIGURES 18A-C, in combination with a strike
indicator
having an internal engagement collar 24 within the axial channel 10. Figures
19A and
19B show the combination before and after, respectively, engagement of the
screw-collar
clamping line-stop member with the internal engagement collar 24 (e.g., before
and after
engagement of the retention arm collar-stop flanges 76 thereof). Figure 19C
shows,
according to further aspects, an exemplary tool 82 for disengaging the screw-
collar
clamping line-stop member from the internal engagement collar 24. In this
exemplary
embodiment, the internal engagement collar 24 and the counterbores 22 are
significantly
asymmetrically configured within the strike indicator main body.
The disengagement tool 82 can be of any design suitable to displace or
compress
the retention arms 74 and retention arm collar-stop flanges 76 such that they
can be
removed (disengaged) from the internal engagement collar 24. The exemplary
tool shown
comprises a funnel shape having an angle and size suitable to compress the
retention arms
74 and retention arm collar-stop flanges 76 upon application of the tool to
the arms within
the channel 10 using sufficient pressure. The tool, for example could be of a
variety of
shapes (e.g., funnel, cylinder, square, ovoid, rectangular, sizes and/or
designs (e.g.,
compressive shape (e.g., funnel, cylinder, etc.), pliar-type arms, etc., and
may be either
single-ended or double-ended (as shown herein) or may have more ends. The tool
may
have the same or different tool sizes or designs on each end thereof. All that
is required is
that the tool, or some portion thereof can be applied to the retention arms 74
and/or
retention arm collar-stop flanges 76 to facilitate disengagement from the
internal
engagement collar 24.
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CA 02708614 2010-07-06
As will be apparent to one of skill in the relevant art, line stop members
(e.g., any
of those shown herein) can be of any size (e.g., any size that is receivable
into a strike
indicator main body portion). Preferably, the inventive line-stop members are
large
enough to facilitate easy handling, engagement, disengagement, adjustment,
etc., by a
user. Additionally, as will be apparent to one of skill in the relevant art,
only one line-stop
member (e.g., only one reversibly disengaging line-stop member, or any
described herein)
is required, according to aspects of the instant invention, to affix a strike
indicator main
body to a line. This is true regardless of the particular strike indicator
main body used,
and in the case of 'dual-use' indicator main body portions, regardless of
whether the strike
indicator main body is being used as a strike-disengageable strike indicator
(i.e., using a
line-retention member 4 in the line-retention member seat 6 of the strike
indicator main
body, and not fixedly engaging the internal engagement member 24 (e.g.,
collar) with the
inventive reversibly engageable line-stop member), or as a non-strike-
disengageable strike
indicator (i.e., not using a line-retention member 4, and rather fixedly
engaging the
internal engagement member 24 (e.g., collar) within the channel 10 of the
inventive
reversibly engageable line-stop member). Therefore, there is no requirement
that the
attributes of the main body channel 10, such as the depth (or even presence)
of an
opposing (opposite that of the countersink bore used for receiving the
initially positioning
line-stop member) countersink bore 22, and/or the positioning of the internal
engagement
member (e.g., collar) within the channel 10 must be symmetrical. That is, the
counter
bores, if present in a plurality, may be of different diameters, and/or
depths, or there may
be only a single counterbore 22 at one end of the channel 10. Additionally,
the position of
the internal engagement member 24 (e.g., collar, flange, band, ring, notch,
etc.) may be
other than a central position of the channel 10; that is, the internal
engagement member
may be disposed closer to, at or near one or the other end of the channel 10,
for example.
Preferably, in small main body portion embodiments (such as that shown in
FIGURES
19A-C), the internal engagement member 24 is disposed at or near the end of
the channel
40
CA 02708614 2010-07-06
that is opposite the end receiving the line-stop member. In this way, the size
of the line
stop-member can be kept sufficiently large to facilitate easy handling by a
user, while at
the same time enabling use of very small strike indicator main bodies. Thus,
while
preferred embodiments of the inventive strike indicator main bodies have a
channel 10 and
5 at least one counterbore 22 at one end, there is no requirement for an
opposing
counterbore, and even if such an opposing counterbore is present, there is no
requirement
that the diameter and/or depth of such opposing counterbore is the same as
that of the
opposed counterbore. In certain 'system' embodiments described herein
comprising two
stop members (e.g., a rod-proximal line-stop member, and a hook-proximal line-
stop
10 member), where a main body is slidable therebetween, all that is really
required is that the
line-stope members (e.g., the hook-proximal line-stop member) be able to
engage, and/or
limit slidable travel of the main body portion with respect to the line
attachment position
of the line-stop member.
41
