Technical Field

The present invention relates to eyelets and more particularly but not exclusively to eyelets employed on fishing reels.

Background of the invention

In the present construction of fishing rods, the fishing line is threaded through eyelets located at spaced locations along the fishing rod. The free end of the line is then equipped with lures, swivels, weights, floats, sinkers and other items required. To remove the line from the rod the attachments to line have to be removed. This is often time consuming particularly when it is considered when the line is again installed the items have to be re-attached.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein an eyelet consisting of a length of wire having a "U" shaped portion providing a pair of legs extending to a base, and wherein the base is bent back upon itself so as to form a pair of convolutions joined by the base.

There is further disclosed herein an eyelet consisting of a length of sheet material, said length having opposite end portions and an aperture therebetween, with one of the end portions being dimensioned and folded back upon itself so it passes through said aperture to thereby form a loop.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an eyelet for a fishing rod or float;

Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4 and 5 schematically depict a method of attaching a fishing line to the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a further method of attaching a fishing line to the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a method of removing the fishing line from the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a modification of the eyelet of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a blank to form an eyelet for a fishing rod or float; Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of an eyelet formed from the blank of

Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a further plan view of the eyelet of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a schematic end elevation of the eyelet of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a schematic side elevation of the eyelet of Figure 12; and Figure 15 is a schematic plan view of a modification of the eyelet of Figure 12.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an eyelet 10 to be used on a fishing rod or float. The eyelet 10 has a pair of legs 11 and 12 extending to attachment portions 13, which attachment portions are secured to the shaft of the fishing rod or the stem of a float. The legs 11 extend to a base 14. Basically the legs 11 and 12 and base 14 provide an attachment portion 15 of "U" configuration. The base 14 is bent back upon itself so that there is provided a pair of convolutions or loops 16.

To attach a fishing line 17 to the eyelet 10, the line is placed against the legs 11 and 12 and moved towards the base 14. The line will deflect enabling it to enter the two convolutions 16 so as to be captively located with respect thereto.

As an alternative method of installing the line 17, a loop 18 can be formed and passed along the legs 11 and 12 towards the base 14. Again the line 17 will enter the two convolutions 16. To remove the line 17, a second length of the line 17 is passed along the legs

11 and 12 towards the base 14 so as to form a loop 19 in the line 17. Thereafter the two lengths 20 are gripped and pulled in the direction of the arrows 21. This automatically removes the line 17 from engagement with the eyelet 10.

In Figure 9 there is schematically depicted an eyelet 30. The eyelet 30 is intended to be attached to the remote free end of the fishing rod. In this instance the attachment portions 13 are generally parallel and coextensive.

In Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an eyelet 40 for a fishing rod or float. The eyelet 40 is formed of a strip of sheet material such as plastics or metal. The eyelet 40 is formed from a blank 41 having end portions 42 and 43 between which there is formed an aperture 44. The end portion 43 is folded back upon itself so as to form a loop 45 with the extremity 46 passing through the aperture 44.

The end portion 42 has attachment parts 47 enabling attachment of the eyelet 40 to the shaft of a fishing rod or the stem of a float.

If Figure 15 a modified form of the eyelet 40 is illustrated. The eyelet 50 of Figure 15 has an attachment portion 48 which would enable attachment of the eyelet 50 to the remote free end of a fishing rod.

To remove the line 49 from the eyelet 40 or 50, a length 51 is passed back along an intermediate portion 52 of the eyelet 40 or 50 toward the loop 45 until both strands are located within the loop 45. Thereafter the strands are pulled in the direction of the arrow 53 to remove the line 49 from the eyelet 40 or 50. In a further embodiment, the aperture 44 of Figures 10 to 14 could be replaced with a depression into which the extremity 46 projects. In that regard it should be appreciated that the extremity 46 is curved to inhibit transverse removals of the line 49 paSt the extremity 46. The depression would be located and configured to present a concave surface confronting the extremity 46. The aperture 44 or depression provide a receiving means into which the extremity 46 projects so that a loop or convolution can be formed.

The above mentioned eyelets may be employed in other areas such as to secure lines on water craft, on vehicle to secure items thereto or on clothing and shoes.