TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed is a recreational fishing device and in particular a fishing device that is at least partially remotely operated or automated.

BACKGROUND ART

While fishing, it can be necessary to cast fishing tackle some distance from shore or a boat or to cast a line in rough waters. One method of fishing involves the use of self-propelled vessels for transporting baited fishing line and tackle to remote locations.

Some known remote controlled devices are intended to tow a fishing line and tackle through the water behind the device. These devices typically travel up to 2km offshore. The opposite end of the line is connected to a spool located on the shore, for example. The method of transport of the line and baited hooks within the body of water, the stability of the device in the water, and the method of propulsion affect the useability and effectiveness of the device.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. SUMMARY

Disclosed is a remotely operable fishing device. The device comprises a body that is configured in use for movement in water. The body has an interior cavity configured to receive and retain at least a portion of a fishing tackle. The device is adapted to dispense the fishing tackle from the body. In some forms, the device may further comprise a storage unit locatable at least partially within the interior cavity of the body and adapted to store the fishing l tackle. In some forms, the storage unit may be moveable between a retaining configuration and a releasing configuration, the releasing configuration being adapted to dispense the fishing tackle.

In some forms, the storage unit may comprise a removable cartridge. In some forms, the storage unit may comprise a rack. In some forms, the storage unit may comprise a reel. In some forms, the storage unit or entire device may pivot about a longitudinal axis to dispense the fishing tackle.

In some forms, the body may further comprise a hatch for covering an opening of the interior cavity. In some forms, the hatch may be movable between a closed position and an open position. Movement of the hatch from the closed position into the open position can assist dispensing of the fishing tackle. In some forms, the hatch may move to the open position in response to a user input. In some forms, the user input may comprise setting the hatch to open automatically after a desired run time. In some forms, the hatch may be set to open upon reaching a desired location or a desired coordinate. In some forms, the hatch may open or deploy upon command from the user on a remote control or from an application installed on a mobile device.

In some forms, the fishing tackle comprises at least one hook. In some forms, the fishing tackle may comprise multiple baited hooks. In some forms, the hooks may be engaged with at least one line. The line may be in the form of a fishing braid, monofilament, string, wire or other line. In some forms, swivels may be utilised to limit or prevent tangles in the line or between hooks. In some forms, crimps or stoppers may be attached to stop items sliding along the line.

In some forms, the device may comprise multiple separate compartments for storing portions of the tackle separated from one another. In some forms, the device may include a storage unit having multiple separate compartments. In some forms, the plurality of compartments may retain different portions of the tackle. In some forms, the fishing device may further comprise a line holder for slideably connecting a line with the device. In some forms, the line holder may comprise a pulley.

In some forms, the line holder may be connected to the device using a swivel or other rotatable connector to prevent twisting.

In some forms, the fishing tackle may include a line that engages a reel and rod at a shore end. In some forms, the line connects to a small winch or drum.

In some forms, the device may allow a user to set the device for fishing in a particular location remote from the user. In this way, the user is able to deposit the device in water and allow the device to propel itself through the water before releasing the tackle. In some forms, the device may be propelled up to 1km or more from the user while the user retains contact with the device. The user may retain contact with the device through the attached baited hooks including a slideable connection to the device, via a rod and reel. In alternative embodiments, the user may retain contact with the device through a winch connection between the attached baited hooks and the device. The device in some forms can allow the user to fish in waters that would otherwise be too rough, while still maintaining control and having involvement in the fishing process.

Further, disclosed is a remotely operable fishing device comprising a body configured in use for movement in water, and a guidance system housed in the body, wherein a target navigational bearing of the device is set on shore and the direction of the movement of the device through the water is guided by the measured bearings of the guidance system. It should be understood that a reference herein to "shore", in addition to meaning being on land, includes within its scope being on a boat, and in particular a moored boat, or other vehicle, etc.

In some forms, the body may further comprise a nose and the guidance system may be housed in the nose. In some forms, the body may be formed from two or more parts. In some forms, those parts may include the nose, an intermediate portion and a tail.

In some forms, in use the body may have a centre of gravity that is lower than the metacentre. In some forms, in use the body may have a centre of gravity that is lower than the centre of pressure. In some forms, in use the body may be configured to correct itself once capsized.

In some forms, the device further may comprise two motors to propel the device through the water. In some forms, the motors may be configured to use differential thrust to control the direction of the device in the water. In some forms, the device may be controlled remotely by the user in real time or by setting of the bearings on the desired path.

In some forms, the guidance system may be in the form of an electronic compass. In some forms, the guidance system may be in the form of a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GPS, or any combination of those devices. Also disclosed herein is remotely operable fishing device that comprises a body configured in use for movement in water. The body has a propulsion system that is powered by a battery. The battery is located in a position which determines the centre of gravity of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Fig. 1 shows an overall side view of one embodiment of a fishing device and line of the disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a side view of a fishing device in a closed configuration; Fig. 3 shows a front perspective view of a fishing device as in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a rear perspective view of a fishing device as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the fishing device of Fig. 2 in an open configuration;

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the fishing device of Fig. 2 in an open configuration; Fig. 7 shows a rear perspective view of the fishing device of Fig. 2 in an open configuration;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a cartridge of one embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the device of one embodiment of the disclosure in a release configuration;

Fig. 10 shows a cross sectional view of the device of Fig. 9 in a retaining configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

Disclosed in the Figs, is a remotely operated fishing device 10, generally designed and used for recreational long line fishing. The fishing device 10 is configured for independent movement through water in all conditions and particularly water in rough conditions. The device may be operated by an individual operator (e.g. a fisherperson) independently or with other individuals. The fishing device 10 is designed to power through water in all conditions so the individual can fish at any desired location, in particular from a beach in rough conditions. Referring to Fig. 1, in use the fishing device 10 comprises a body 12 that is shaped and configured to move through water. The body 12 includes an internal cavity 13 which is accessed via a hatch 14. A storage unit 15 is located within the internal cavity 13 of the body 12. In the illustrated form, the storage unit is in the form of a removable cartridge. In alternative embodiments, the storage unit may be a rack, a shelf, a reel or spool or any alternative that allows storage of fishing tackle that may include line, hook(s) and sinker(s).

The device further includes a guidance system and a propulsion system. A line 16, reel 20 and rod 22 extend from the device. Fishing tackle 17 including baited hooks 18 and a sinker 19 are also incorporated into the device As best shown in Figs. 2 - 4, the body 12 of the device 10 is generally torpedo shaped with a tapered nose 26 and is configured in use for movement in water. The body 12 is formed from three parts. The nose 26 is tapered to a leading end to provide lowered resistance to forward movement in water and to aid piercing waves. The body extends through a generally cylindrical intermediate portion 28 which includes the hatch 14 and widens to a slightly flared tail 30 at the trailing end. In some forms, the parts are separately moulded and are then assembled. In some forms, the parts are adjoined to or integrally formed with one another. Alternatively, the parts may be formed using any manufacturing method.

In some forms, the guidance system is in the form of an electronic compass which is located within the nose and detects the direction or bearing of the body. In some forms, the guidance system is in the form of a magnetometer assisted by an accelerometer. In some forms, the guidance system is in the form of:

a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GPS, or any combination thereof. A line holder, in the form of a pulley 29, is also located at the tail 30 of the body 12 in the illustrated form and is adapted to allow the line 16 to be threaded therethrough to manage the line. The line holder may be located at other points on the body. As best shown in Fig. 4, the propulsion system in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of dual jet units 24 located at the tail 30 of the body 12. The jet units 24 are positioned on either side of a longitudinal centre of the body and are located below a centre line of the body. The jet units are powered by motors which are independently controlled to provide differential steering of the device 10. Thus, in use, the compass in the nose detects the heading direction and applies differential steering corrections to maintain heading in the targeted direction. The jet units are activated to both propel and steer the device through the water. In other forms, the jet units may be located in other positions for example on the lower side of the device, centrally on the device or in any position in which they can provide propulsion.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, in the illustrated form the hatch 14 is pivotally openable to allow access to the interior cavity 13 in the intermediate portion 28 of the body 12. The intermediate portion 28 of the body has an interior surface 31 defining the interior cavity 13. The interior cavity 13 is shaped for receiving the removable cartridge 15 and retaining the removable cartridge 15 within the body.

The hatch 14 is movable between an open position (see Figs. 5, 6 and 7) and a closed position (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The operator can command the hatch 14 to open or close using a remote, smart-phone, or a hard button or magnetic switch mounted on the device. When the hatch is opened the dispensing unit can be loaded with tackle. In some forms, the hatch may be physically opened by the user. Other user input may comprise setting the run-time in which the unit will propel itself before opening the hatch automatically. In alternative embodiments, the user may pre-set a location for deploying the tackle, or the time or location of opening may be remotely selected by a user. In alternative embodiments the hatch may be pivotally opened, rolled open, ejected, slideably opened, or opened by other means to expose the interior cavity.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate further detail of the propulsion system. The propulsion system is in the form of dual jet units 24 located at the tail 30 of the body 12. The jet units 24 are positioned on either side of a longitudinal centre of the body and are located below a centre line of the body. The jet units 24 include an impeller 25 operated by a motor 23. A channel 27 from a lower surface of the device to the trailing end of the device allows flow of water through the channel to the impeller when the impeller is in operation. The impeller accelerates water through the channel 27 and exits the trailing end of the device, providing thrust. Running one impeller at a higher speed results in higher thrust from this side, which acts to steer the device laterally.

The intermediate portion 28 of the body 12 is configured to receive the storage unit in the form of the removable cartridge 15 in the interior cavity 13. The removable cartridge 15 is shaped to fit into the interior cavity 13 and has at least one compartment for retaining the fishing tackle 17. In the illustrated form, the removable cartridge 15 comprises a plurality of compartments. Specifically, in this form, the removable cartridge comprises an array of upper compartments 35, an array of lower compartments 36 and a larger side compartment 37. The cartridge 15 comprises a wall 38 that acts to divide the compartments within the cartridge 15.

As shown best in Fig. 8, each compartment is shaped and sized to hold a portion of the tackle 17. In this form, the lower compartments 36 are each shaped and sized to hold a hook 18 which is attached with the line 16. In use, the hooks are baited and are connected with a length of line 16 which is wound and stored in a respective upper compartment 35. The side compartment 37 holds a sinker 19 which is attached with the line and therefore is attached with the array of baited hooks 18. The cartridge 15 has a curved external profile. Figs. 9 and 10 show the movement of the removable cartridge 15 from a retained configuration as shown in Fig 10 to a released configuration as shown in Fig. 9. The movement allows for the tackle which includes the baited hooks 18 and sinker 19 engaged with the line 16 to be released from the device 10 into the body of water.

In the illustrated form, the removable cartridge 15 is pivotably connected with the body 12 at pivot point 40. Pivot point 40 includes an engagement which connects the body 12 with the removable cartridge 15. The pivot point 40 is located at an outer edge of the cartridge and an edge of the body 12, such that pivoting of the cartridge about the pivot point, turns the cartridge out of the body 12 around a longitudinally extending axis and angles the cartridge and compartments such that they open downwardly. A lifted edge 43 is located at a location which opposes and is distal to the pivot point 40.

The hatch 14 of the device 10 comprises a curved hatch door 41 which is shaped to cover and align with the shape of the cartridge 15. In the illustrated form, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the hatch door 41 extends to a lifting finger 42 which is located, in use, at an edge of the door opposite to the pivot point 40. The lifting finger extends outwardly from the hatch door 41 to a distal end 44 of the finger. Movement of the hatch door 41 to lift and open the interior cavity produces angular movement of the lifting finger 42. Angular movement acts to lift the distal end 44 of the lifting finger 42 upwardly with respect to the cartridge. The distal end 44 bears against a lower surface of the cartridge and acts to lift the lifted edge 43. Because the cartridge is pivotably engaged with the body 12, the lifting rotates the cartridge around the pivot point 40 to move the cartridge 15 into the release position. In some forms, a lip on either the cartridge or the body 12 means the cartridge is moved up and over the lip which is at the front of the cavity.

In the release configuration, as shown in Fig. 9, the compartments of the cartridge 15 face generally downwardly or are generally angled to allow release of the contents of the compartment. While the illustrated form shows a removable cartridge moving into a released position, alternative configurations are available to dispense, expel or otherwise release the fishing tackle from its retained position at least partially within the body. For example, the tackle could be located on a reel that rotates to release the tackle. In other alternatives spring loading or biasing the tackle into a released position until removal of the hatch acts to dispense the tackle.

In some forms, the fishing device is controllable by Bluetooth or other remote control systems. In use, a fisherperson sets the device to proceed in a particular direction or bearing and/or to a particular location. The setting of the device occurs on the shore and the device provides an audible confirmation of the setting. The setting, in some forms, further defines when the tackle is to be released. When it is stated that the device may be set on shore, it should be understood that, in addition to the fisherperson setting the device on land, this includes the device being set from a boat such as a moored boat. It could even include the device being set from an airborne vehicle, such as a helicopter.

In alternative forms, the fishing device may be remotely actuated. In this way, the fisherperson is able to control or guide the fishing device in real time remotely. For example, the fisherperson may control the fishing device by remote control or by an application installed on a mobile device. This option would then not require the fisherperson to set a direction or bearing or a final location. However, if a setting has been chosen, this also allows the fisherperson to alter or override the set course of the fishing device and manually choose the course of the fishing device in real time. The fisherperson can alter the course by changing the setting of the device such as by changing the bearing or direction or final destination. The fisherperson can override the setting by manually driving the fishing device by the remote control or by the application installed on the mobile device.

The device is then delivered to the body of water where its propulsion system propels once initiated by the operator, or by other means of sensing it is in the water (e.g. electrical water detection contacts, or capacitively detecting water). After the set run-time, the hatch door 14 will open automatically, lifting the cartridge 15 in the interior cavity 13 and pivoting the cartridge so that the tackle 17 is released. The tackle comprises baited hooks 18 attached with a sinker 19 and line 16. The sinker drops toward the floor of the body of water, pulling additional line through the pulley 29.

In the illustrated form, the user is in contact with the device and the tackle by means of a rod and reel. The line 16 extends from the rod and reel, through the line holder in the form of the pulley, down to the tackle. Because the operator is slideably connected to the tackle, it is possible to feel when fish are caught. When the user desires, the device and caught fish are hauled back to shore using the rod and reel. Due to the slideable connection, the hauling action lifts the tackle off the seabed, preventing snags.

In another form, the user can be in contact with the device and the tackle by means of a winch (e.g. that is located on a vessel such as a boat, or located on shore, etc.).

In some forms, the device may self-propel back to shore with fish caught on the hooks. In some forms, the device may deploy the tackle and return to shore without the tackle.

In some forms, the fishing device is configured to power through all conditions and take the line up to 1000 metres offshore.

In some forms, the hatch is actuated by an electric motor and a gear box in the form of a worm drive which can't be back-driven and is inherently self-locking. The gear box and the motor are sealed in a dry area. In some forms a clutch is used to prevent damage to the gearbox if the hatch is forcibly opened or closed. In some forms alternate means are used to open the hatch, such as wax actuators, servo motors, geared motors, or hydraulic or pneumatic methods. In some forms, the hatch may be sprung open, and released using an actuated latch. The latch may be actuated with any of the methods that the hatch is actuated, and in addition solenoid actuation or heated bimetallic elements may be used.

In some forms, batteries are utilised to power the device. Further, the device may be redesigned to move the battery position and adjust the centre of gravity of the device. Moving the centre of gravity can change the angle the device sits in the water, and can also change the way the device travels through the water.

In some forms, where the hatch or storage unit is ejected for tackle deployment, the hatch or storage unit may be configured as a sinker or as a float.

In an alternative embodiment, the fishing device can include at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may be capable of sensing water depth and/or sensing the presence of fish. In one form, the at least one sensor allows the fishing device to be more autonomous. In this way, the at least one sensor allows automatic deployment of the fishing device in response to large numbers of fish or sudden depth change. The sudden depth change may create a bottleneck for an influx of fish. In another form, the at least one sensor maybe viewed on the remote control or mobile device to allow a fisherperson to utilise data from the at least one sensor to direct the fishing device to the fish, either manually, or by setting the direction.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure. While the detailed embodiment has been described with regard to particular features, it will be clear to someone skilled in the art that alternatives are possible while still falling under the scope of the application.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description of the remotely operable fishing device, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the remotely operable fishing device.