Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an alarm system, in particular an alarm system, which may be used for fishing.

Background of the Invention

There are various alarm systems, which have been devised to signal a strike on a fishing line. However, many alarm systems require close supervision while in use. In addition, many of the alarm systems only work with a particular type of rod and/or reel set up, for a particular type of fishing, or for a particular set of conditions. Furthermore, attaching these alarm devices may also become a hindrance and can be counterproductive when fighting and reeling in a fish. Many of the available fishing alarm devices may also be falsely activated as a result of environmental or other conditions, external to the alarm device.

There is a need for a simple alarm device that will not encumber the fishing rod and/or line while fighting and landing a fish. There is need for such a device to be suited to the many techniques employed by fishermen to catch fish, to be easy to use and adapted to varying conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of the difficulties or deficiencies associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides an alarm system, including:

a body with an arm extending from the body;

a switching device connected to the arm; the switching device including a means of receiving a filament and a means of adjusting the sensitivity; wherein, in use, the switching device in contact with the filament, is activated by a change in tension on the filament;

a transmitter activated by the switching device; and

a receiver wirelessly activated by the transmitter, wherein, when activated, the receiver provides an alarm signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the switching device includes:

a base mounted on the arm;

the means of receiving the filament being pivotally mounted on the base; wherein the means of receiving the filament has two positions, an on position and an off position; and

a switch, wherein in use, the switch is activated when the means of receiving the filament is in the on position. In a preferred embodiment, the arm extending from the body may be collapsible. More preferably, the arm may be secured in at least two positions, including an open position and a closed position, whereby, in use the arm is in the open position. This facilitates easy transportation of the alarm system. In a preferred embodiment, the switch is a reed switch. More preferably, the reed switch is attached to the base of the switching device, and is activated by a magnetic component connected to the means of receiving the filament.

By 'transmitter' is meant a device capable of transmitting a signal to a receiver.

By 'receiver' is meant a device capable of receiving a signal and providing an alarm signal. The signal is provided by the transmitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the receiver provides an aural or tactile alarm signal. The tactile alarm may be in the form of a vibration. The intensity of the tactile alarm vibration may be adjustable. The volume of the aural alarm signal may be adjustable. The tactical alarm signal is capable of alerting a user who may have a hearing impediment.

In a further preferred embodiment, the receiver may be a mobile phone handset.

In a preferred embodiment, the alarm signal is tuneable to a specific frequency. For example, where multiple alarm systems are in use within the same or similar vicinity, individual alarm signal frequencies may be adapted. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver is capable of providing the alarm signal from a remote location. Preferably, the receiver is capable of providing the alarm signal from up to approximately 200 meters away from the transmitter, more preferably, from up to approximately 100 meters away and even more preferably, from up to 50 meters away from the transmitter.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transmitter is provided within a waterproof enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment, the means of receiving the filament may be pivotally mounted on the base. Preferably, the means of receiving the filament is a hook.

By the 'means of adjusting the sensitivity' is meant a means capable of increasing or decreasing the sensitivity of the line according to need. In a further preferred embodiment, the means of adjusting the sensitivity, may be in the form of at least one, preferably, two nuts, which may be tightened or loosened according to the required tension on the filament.

By 'filament' is meant a thread-like object or fiber. Preferably, the filament may be fishing line.

In a further preferred embodiment, the alarm system may be a fishing alarm system including: a body with an arm extending from the body,

a switching device connected to the arm; the switching device including a means of receiving the fishing line and a means of adjusting the sensitivity; wherein in use, the switching device in contact with the fishing line is activated by a change in tension on the fishing line;

a transmitter activated by the switching device; and

a receiver wirelessly activated by the transmitter, wherein, when activated, the receiver provides an alarm signal. In use, a fish nibble, fish strike or fish bite on the end of the fishing line changes the tension on the fishing line, activating the switching device. In use, the fishing alarm system is easy to use and does not hinder fighting or reeling in of fish, or the fishing process in general. A fishing alarm system, may also include a fishing rod holder extending from the body. The fishing rod holder, in use, directs the fishing rod towards the surface of the water, wherein the tension on the fishing line is reduced. The fishing rod holder is capable of easily receiving most fishing rods. A fishing alarm system, wherein the receiver is capable of providing the alarm signal from a remote location. Preferably, the receiver is capable of providing the alarm signal from up to approximately 200 meters away from the transmitter. Thereby, in use, the user may be located some distance from the fishing rod and still be alerted to a strike, nibble or bite from a fish. For example, in use, the user may be located in a shelter i.e. house, cabin, tent or a car, out of the weather, particularly inclement weather for example, snow, rain or heat. For example, the user may be located away from the edge or bank of the body of water, thereby reducing the risk of attack from aquatic animals for example, crocodiles, alligators and caimans. A fishing alarm system, wherein the alarm signal may be tuneable to a specific frequency. For example, where multiple fishing alarm systems are in use within the same or a similar vicinity, individual alarm signal frequencies may be adapted for each alarm system. Thereby, in use, when multiple people are fishing together, each user can adjust their own alarm signal frequency to allow identification of individual fishing rods and fishing alarm systems.

A fishing alarm system, wherein the receiver may be a mobile phone hand set.

A fishing alarm system, wherein the means of adjusting the sensitivity is meant a means capable of increasing or decreasing the sensitivity of the line according to need. The means of adjusting the sensitivity may be in the form of at least one, preferably two nuts, which may be tightened or loosened according to the required tension on the fishing line. The nuts may be tightened or loosened by hand.

The means of adjusting the sensitivity may be in the form of attaching a weight to the means of receiving the filament. The weights may be of any size capable of providing acceptable tension on the line for the desired sensitivity. For example, low to very low sensitivity may be achieved using a weight attached to the means of receiving the filament.

For example, sensitivity may be adjusted for particular types of fishing, i.e. low sensitivity for surface fishing with floats and high sensitivity for bottom fishing with bait. In a further example, trout fishing may use low sensitivity and carp or redfin fishing may use high sensitivity.

A further example includes where the sensitivity may be adjusted for particular weather or water currents, i.e. low to very low sensitivity may be used in rain, strong winds or strong currents.

In a further preferred embodiment, the alarm system may be a proximity alarm system, including:

a body with an arm extending from the body;

a switching device connected to the arm; the switching device including a means of receiving a filament and a means of adjusting the sensitivity; wherein in use, the switching device in contact with the filament is activated by a change in tension on the filament; a transmitter activated by the switching device; and

a receiver wirelessly activated by the transmitter, wherein, when activated, the receiver provides an alarm signal. In use, an animal or human coming in to contact with the filament changes the tension of the filament, activating the switching device.

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying Examples and drawings. It should be understood, however, that the description following is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as a restriction on the generality of the invention described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings/Figures Figure 1 depicts the body of the alarm system, including the transmitter, an arm extending from the body in an open position and a fishing rod holder

Figure 2 depicts a side view of the body of the alarm system, including the transmitter, an arm extending from the body in the closed position and a fishing rod holder.

Figure 3 depicts the body of the alarm system, including the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter, and a fishing rod holder. Figure 4 depicts the holder for the arm extending from the body, when the arm is in the closed position.

Figure 5 depicts the body of the alarm system, the arm bracket, the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter and the fishing rod holder.

Figure 6 depicts the arm removed from the body of the alarm system. Figure 7 depicts the arm removed from the body of the alarm system and the mounting plate for receiving the switching device.

Figure 8 depicts a side view of the base of switching device.

Figure 9 depicts the bottom view of the switching device base, including the reed switch located within the recess within the base

Figure 10 depicts the front view of the base of the switching device.

Figure 1 1 depicts the rear view of the base of the switching device.

Figure 12 depicts the pivotally mounted hook, including a magnetic component inset. Figure 13 depicts the switching device in the off position, including the hook with magnetic component inset, pivotally mounted to the base.

Figure 14 depicts the switching device in the on position, including the hook with the magnetic component inset, pivotally mounted to the base.

Figure 15 depicts the top view of the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter.

Figure 16 depicts the side view of the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter. Figure 17 depicts the top view of the left side of the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter.

Figure 18 depicts the top view of the right side of the mounting plate for receiving the transmitter.

Figure 19 depicts the top view of the mounting plate for receiving the switching device. Figure 20 depicts the side view of the mounting plate for receiving the switching device and the screw for attachment to the arm.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Figure 1 exemplifies a system of the present invention. Figure 1 depicts a fishing alarm system, including a body (1 ) with an arm extending from the body (3) in an open position, a mounting plate for receiving a switching device (7) which is connected to the arm, and a mounting plate for receiving a transmitter (17) and a transmitter (5) connected to the body. The arm extending from the body (3) is connected to the body (1 ) via an arm bracket (13). The body further includes a fishing rod holder (1 1 ) and a means for securing the alarm system into the ground (15). A wire (9) connects the switching device (not shown, refer to Figures 13 and 14) to the transmitter (5). The mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7) includes a screw attachment (not shown, refer to Figure 20) which is connected to the arm (3) via a screw threads (19). The means of adjusting the sensitivity is in the form of two nuts (8a) and (8b), either side of the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7). In use, to adjust the sensitivity, the two nuts (8a) and (8b) may be used to change the position of the switching device (not shown, refer to Figures 13 and 14). For example, the two nuts may be tightened or loosened to facilitate movement of the switching device in a forwards or backwards motion. For example, moving the switching device in a forward motion, increases the sensitivity on the fishing line; moving the switching device in a backwards motion, decreasing the sensitivity on the fishing line.

Figure 2 exemplifies a system of the present invention. Figure 2 depicts a fishing alarm system, including a body (1 ) with an arm extending from the body (3) in a closed position, a mounting plate for receiving a switching device (7) which is connected to the arm, and a mounting plate for receiving a transmitter (17) and a transmitter (5) connected to the body. The body further includes a fishing rod holder (1 1 ) and a means for securing the alarm system into the ground (15). A wire (9) connects the switching device (not shown, refer to Figures 13 and 14) to the transmitter (5). The mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7) includes a screw attachment (not shown, refer to Figure 20) which is connected to the arm (3) via a screw threads (19). The arm extending from the body (3) is connected to the body (1 ) via an arm bracket (13). The means of adjusting the sensitivity is in the form of two nuts (8a) and (8b), either side of the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7).

Figure 3 exemplifies a system of the present invention. Figure 3 depicts a fishing alarm system, including a body (1 ) and a mounting plate for receiving a transmitter (17) connected to the body. The body further includes a fishing rod holder (1 1 ) and a means for securing the alarm system into the ground (15). The arm extending from the body (not shown, refer to Figures 1 and 2) is connected to the body (1 ) via an arm bracket (13).

Figure 4 depicts the holder (10) attached to the body (not shown, refer to Figures 1 and 2) of the alarm system which holds the arm (not shown, refer to Figures 1 and 2) in the closed position. Figure 5 depicts a fishing alarm system, including a body (1 ) and a mounting plate for receiving a transmitter (17) and a transmitter (5) connected to the body. The body further includes a fishing rod holder (1 1 ) and a means for securing the alarm system into the ground (15). Figure 6 depicts the arm (3), the arm bracket (13), from wherein the body is connected (not shown, refer to Figures 1 and 2) and a screw thread (19).

Figure 7 depicts the arm (3), the arm bracket (13), the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7) includes a screw attachment (not shown, refer to Figure 20) which is connected to the arm (3) via a screw threads (19). The means of adjusting the sensitivity is in the form of two nuts (8a) and (8b), either side of the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7). Figures 8, 10 and 1 1 depict the base of the switching device (21 ).

Figure 9 depicts the base of the switching device (21 ), including a recess to receive the reed switch (29) and the reed switch (23).

Figure 12 depicts the means of receiving the filament (25) including a magnetic component inset (27), the pivot point (31 ) and a hole (26). The hole (26) may be used to attach different size weights to further lower the sensitivity on the fishing line. Figure 13 depicts the switching device in the off position, including the means of receiving the filament (25) including a magnetic component inset (27) pivotally attached (31 ) to the base of the switching device (21 ). The base of the switching device (21 ) includes the recess to receive the reed switch (29). In use, in the off position, the means of receiving the filament (25) creates an angle with the base (21 ) within the range of approximately 40° to approximately 140°.

Figure 14 depicts the switching device in the on position, including the means of receiving the filament (25) including a magnetic component inset (27) pivotally attached (31 ) to the base of the switching device (21 ).

Figures 15 depicts the flat mounting plate for receiving the transmitter (17) prior to bending and attachment onto the body.

Figure 16 depicts the side view of the mounting plate in the bent position (17a). The flat mounting plate for receiving the transmitter ((17) of Figure 15) is bent at approximately 90° along lines A and B to facilitate attachment to the body and receiving the transmitter.

Figure 17 depicts the top of the flat mounting plate (17b).

Figure 18 depicts the bottom of the flat mounting plate (17c).

Figure 19 depicts the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7). Figure 20 depicts the mounting plate for receiving the switching device (7) including a screw attachment (33). Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as outlined herein.