The present invention relates to an angling accessory for placing ground bait at a particular location in a stretch of water when angling. Background to the Invention

Traditionally, in order to congregate fish in a particular area in a stretch of water and to encourage them to feed, an angler has formed a ball of bait of, for example, maggots in dough and has thrown them at the spot. This has inevitably been wasteful because the dough may not itself comprise the feeding medium, the dough has to be brought, or the ingredients thereof have to be brought, to the site, and because the dough may not completely free its occupants. Also known is a cage in the form of a finned perforated cylinder attachable to a fishing line at a rear end thereof, which rear end is open while the front end comprises a rounded float. The use of such a cage or any means not employing a matrix holding the bait together risks not all the bait arriving at the intended location.

The present invention provides means for an angler to place ground bait at a desired location in a stretch of water when about to fish.

Patent Applications WO 2009/098507 and WO 2011/0771 11 describe bait dispensers which represent a considerable advance in the art. The present invention relates to further developments in the dispensers described in those patent specifications.

The preferred dispensers particularly described in Patent Applications WO 2009/098507 and WO 201 1/0771 11 have an aerodynamic (teardrop or barrage balloon) shape and may measure about 16 - 17 cm in length, plus about 7 cm for an attachment tail, by about 6 - 7 cm breadth. A need has been perceived for a substantially smaller bait dispenser, that is about 12cm long, excluding the attachment tail, by 4 - 5 cm breadth. Such miniaturisation imposes constraints on the construction of the working parts, in particular the closure elements.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bait dispenser for use by an angler and comprising a container into which bait can be loaded, the container attachable to a line and arranged to open upon impact with the water, the container comprising a first and a second container part hinged together at a rear end thereof, the first container part having a bulkhead toward a distal or bow end thereof, a spring arranged for urging the dispenser open and a plunger assembly, the plunger assembly comprising:

a button member with a central shaft, and two arms protruding radially from the button member carrying approximate the extremities thereof engagement members;

a base member detachably attachable to the bulkhead via flanged slide runners and at least one male/female detent combination arranged for retaining the base member to the bulkhead, and a spring on the central shaft;

the first and the second container parts defining an access port for the button member;

and at least the second container part having a catch for engaging and holding an arm engagement member.

The plunger assembly construction is preferably such that only a very light force is required for opening such, in other words, that the dispenser remains closed during the casting operation but bursts open upon impact with the water even if the plunger itself scarcely makes contact with the water, if at all. Differentiation between pre- and during casting situations and the water impact situation can be assisted by the two parts of the body being arranged to be separated slightly, for example by 0.1 to 0.6mm in the closed configuration when at rest and during casting, so that upon impact with the water the two parts will also impact upon each other and assist in triggering opening of the container.

The button member may be about one quarter to one third the overall diameter of the dispenser.

Typically the container parts are formed by moulding polypropylene. However, polypropylene tends to lose its low friction properties in the presence of water so that a preferred material for the plunger assembly button and base members is acetal. In this way a quite durable bait dispenser is created which otherwise might be useful for only a few weeks. It will be noted that the base member in the device described in WO 2011/0771 11 is turned to lock it in place in the container, which is not too difficult with the larger dispenser therein particularly described. In the present invention the base member is slid into place until the detents engage when it is then locked there. To remove it one may insert a knife, fingernail or screwdriver between the base member and the bulkhead, to disengage the detent whereupon the base member can be slid out. This construction is somewhat easier to work with in a smaller dispenser, particularly in cold weather. According to a feature of the invention the two arms protruding radially from the button may comprise a first and a second arm, the engagement member of the first arm being more extensive than that of the second. By virtue of this arrangement the user may by rotating the button member change the pressure required on the button member to open the dispenser. The above described facility of dismantling the plunger assembly can facilitate this rotation, given that at least one of the container parts may define a bracket for retaining an arm against rotation.

For use in a small dispenser the spring may perhaps be less stiff than one in a larger dispenser, for which reason it may have several coils at its apex. There is preferably a rearward extending arm which may be attached to these coils. This may be constructed in such a manner as will substantially impede the arm from rotational movement with respect to the body of the dispenser. The rearward extending arm is preferably relatively stiff but with a memory to return to a straight axis if flexed. It may be about 4 to 7cm long, preferably 5.5cm. This arm has the function of assisting the smooth and rapid aquaplaning of the open dispenser when it is being reeled in after deployment, and resisting any tendency for the dispenser to somersault upon impact with the water.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the proximal end of the rearward extending arm comprises a swivel device. This may comprise a hollow barrel in which are retained enlarged or bent ends of, at the distal end a wire attaching to a line attachment arm and at the proximal end a line attachment loop. It has been found that such a swivel device can be helpful when unravelling a tangled line. According to an important feature of the invention the dispenser has flight stabilizing fins at the proximal end or stern thereof. The hinging of the two container parts is then advantageously effected at the trailing edge of diametrically opposite first fins. A second pair of fins may be formed on the container parts, normal to the first fins. Advantageously this second pair of fins carries stops which control the degree to which the dispenser can open. A particular value to this arrangement is that while the opening angle can be arranged to be say 40-50° as set by the spring, it can be limited to say 90° to 100° by the stops so that the spring is not overloaded during the opening process, either on impact with the water or during loading with bait. At 40° to 50° normal opening angle, when reeling the dispenser back in after deployment it will readily skim or skip across the surface of the water and minimise the time of reeling in. It will be appreciated that forming the dispenser from the abovementioned materials can render it, if not buoyant, then not liable to sink quickly in the water. Indeed, the dispenser, particularly the mini-dispenser version, may be arranged to serve as a float. Employing a rearward extending arm which is at least partially hollow, if not of a buoyant material, can assist with this. It may even be necessary to add weight to the bow end of the dispenser to obtain optimal float operation. A float embodiment of the invention may well contain a compartment, preferably towards the stern, for a line and baited hook, in addition to a dispensed bait compartment towards the dispenser bow.

The value of limiting the opening of the container, by virtue of the spring setting, to something between 35° to 55°, preferably 45°, is that while such opening should ensure that the bait is fully dispensed it also facilitates reeling the dispenser in again in a controlled manner, avoiding line knotting and entanglement and minimising water retention by the dispenser. Thus is enabled a relatively smooth, rather than turbulent, reeling in operation, with the dispenser aquaplaning over the surface of the water. This is assisted by the fact that by virtue of the invention the dispenser container parts are held open somewhat rigidly at the predetermined angle by the spring urging them outwards and the stop member preventing further opening. Thus in fact the stops have rather a dynamic than a static function. That is to say that the forces acting upon the dispenser upon impact with the water, or even upon loading, may be such as to tend, sooner or later, to deform the spring and/or the hinge. Limiting maximum opening to about 100° can minimise this tendency. The enablement of smooth reeling in also means that the reeling in operation can be effected rapidly, thus minimising the time between dispensing ground bait and casting the definitive line, which can be particularly important when fishing in moving water.

The two container parts are preferably similar, that is, are substantially two similar halves. Thus, when together, the body formed is substantially a body of generation about a central longitudinal axis.

Typically the fins extend about one quarter of the length of the dispenser body, have a trailing edge normal to the dispenser longitudinal axis and a leading edge angle to the container longitudinal axis of the order of 40°. The fins may be interchangeable or their size and shape adjustable to suit various lines and conditions. Preferably, from the point of view of strength and durability the hinge comprises tunnels formed at fin trailing edges and a shaft through the tunnels. The shaft may then support the line attachment member and the container opening spring, though it may facilitate assembly if the line attachment member is linked to the container opening spring, and each fin hinge is discrete. A dispenser of the overall body dimensions less than 12 cm long and around 4 cm broad may be less aerodynamically stable than a longer one. A dispenser of larger aspect ratio may be preferred. Whether or not this feature were adopted another possibility may be to compartmentalize the dispenser longitudinally so that bait may be loaded preferentially into one or more forward compartments, thus rendering the dispenser heavier at the distal or bow end.

Accordingly a dispenser may be of the order of 22cm long whilst still having a maximum diameter no greater than 6.5cm. This can enable a dispenser to meet certain competition requirements. With such a long aspect ratio dispenser the maximum diameter may be closer to the bow end and the shape of the dispenser somewhat reminiscent of an aubergine. With a long dispenser it is advantageous to include compartmentalising bulkheads, both to assist in retaining the shape of the body parts and to restrict the movement of bait during casting. Such a shift can otherwise deleteriously affect the flight characteristics of the dispenser.

It will be appreciated at this juncture that the preferred mode of use of a dispenser in accordance with the invention is in an angling operation comprising the following steps:

1. Cast a marker float at the point upon the water where one has determined to fish;

2. Cast one or more rods carrying the definitive baited hooks in the region of the marker float;

3. Cast the loaded dispenser in the region of the marker float, to burst open upon impact with the water and spill out the bait in that region, then reel in the open dispenser;

4. Wait for the fish to bite!

In an alternative embodiment is a bait dispenser and float combination. In order to effect this the rearward extending arm may be formed hollow. The container parts may be made less buoyant using a heavier material or be provided with weights, preferably removable. In accordance with a feature, indeed, of this embodiment tubular pockets may be formed in the container parts, preferably toward the front end thereof, to receive multiple weights such as an angler usually keeps in his kit. Flap lids, perhaps formed with the container parts, may be employed to prevent unwanted escape of the weights. Moreover the pockets are preferably provided with openings which encourage the free flow of water therethrough. The pockets may be formed on a bulkhead where there is one appropriate. In fact weighting both container parts may not be necessary, The colour of the dispenser can be important. In warmer climes it may not be appropriate for the dispenser to be black when it may distort or become too hot to touch, though black or other dark colour, for example green, blue or red may be suitable elsewhere. In warm environments white or a pale colour may be preferred.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bait dispenser in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the dispenser of figure 1 , open;

Figure 3 is a side view of a spring;

Figures 4a and 4b are side views of a dispenser rear arm;

Figures 5 and 6 are views from different angles of the assembled plunger base plate and container bulkhead elements of the bait dispenser of figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectioned side view of a dispenser bow end;

Figure 8 is a detail view of the bow end of the container part opposite that shown in figures 5 to 7;

Figure 9 shows a float embodiment of the invention in use;

Figure 10 is an exploded side view of a rear arm adapted for use of the dispenser as a float; Figure 11 is an isometric view of the bow end of a combined dispenser and float; and Figures 12 and 13 depict differently compartmented and aspect ratio variants.

Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The dispenser illustrated in figures 1 to 8 comprises a first container part 10 and a second container part 1 1 identical in exterior shape and size. The combined shape of the two parts is that of a body of revolution about a longitudinal central axis, of aerodynamic, teardrop or airship shape having a bow (distal) end and a proximal (stern) end.

At the bow end the parts 10 and 1 1 between them define a hole for a circular plunger button 12. At the stern end is a first pair of fins 13, each equally split between the container parts 10 - 1 1 and the trailing edge of which are arranged to provide a hinge 14 joining the container parts 10 - 1 1. A second pair of fins 15, transverse to the first pair, each have at the trailing edge thereof a stop 16 for limiting the opening of the dispenser.

A spring 17, particularly illustrated in figure 3, comprises an arm 17a and 17b, one for each container part 10, 11 , and a coil 17c at the confluence of the arms 17a, 17b. The spring is fitted to the dispenser with the coil 17c surrounding the hinge 14 and the ends of the arms 17a, 17b emerging from the interior of the container and hooked around the wall thereof a the base of the leading edge of the fins 15.

As shown in figures 2 and 5 to 8, toward the bow of the container a bulkhead 18 is formed in the container part 10 and projects into and follows the interior contour of the container part 1 1 , thus dividing a bait compartment in the container from a plunger compartment. The bulkhead 18 defines a slot 18a open at the outer extremity thereof and carries on its rear face a pair of slide retaining runners 18b and, on either side of the slot 18a, a pinhole 18c. A plunger assembly 20 cooperates with the bulkhead 18 and with the bow end of the container and comprises, in addition to the plunger 12, a base member 21 and a coil spring 22. The plunger 12 comprises a button 23, a pair of arms 24, 25 and a shaft 26. At the extremity of each arm is formed a hook 24a, 25a the hook 24a being longer than the hook 25a, thus providing a means to vary the catch strength.

The base member 21 comprises a slider plate 21 a, a hub 21 b, a pair of pins 21c and a forward facing lip 21d. The slider plate 21 a is formed so that the base member slides in and is retained by the runners 18b. When the slider plate 21 a is fully home on the bulkhead 18 the hub 21 b is contiguous with the base of the slot 18a, the pins 21c become retained in the pinholes 18c and the lip 21d is just inside the slot 18a. The plunger shaft 26 slides freely in the hub 21 b and the coil spring 22, mounted on the plunger shaft, operates between the plunger button 23 and the base member hub 21 b to urge the plunger button 23 forward. The container part 11 has formed therein a grooved ledge 1 1a adapted to receive either of the plunger arm hooks 24a, 25a while the container part 10 has a pair of guides 10a formed therein to retain either arm 24, 25 against rotation around the dispenser longitudinal axis and a ledge 10b, at the base of the guides 10a, upon which will bear either of the hooks 24a, 25a.

The construction of the plunger assembly with respect to the container parts 10, 1 1 is therefore such that upon assembly, the base member 21 locks to the bulkhead 18 and the plunger, carrying the spring 22 and sliding in the base member hub 21 b, will have been offered to the container part 10 with the button 23 inside the hole defined by the bow of the container parts 10, 1 1 and an arm 24 or 25 entered between the guides 10a so that a hook 24a or 25a rests upon the ledge 10b. There the plunger assembly will be retained for opening and closing of the dispenser with the button 23 protruding slightly forward from the container parts 10, 11. At the stern of the dispenser is a rearward extending arm 30. This comprises a substantially rigid elongated cylinder 31 , a retaining sleeve 32 and a swivel 33. The distal end of the cylinder carries a pair of cooperating hooks 31 a, 31 b facing one another and mounted on flexible members 31c, and a sleeve retaining shoulder 31 d. The construction of the arm 30 is such that the hooks can be engaged over the spring coil 17c and the sleeve 32 pushed along the cylinder 31 to urge the hooks 31 a, 31 b to lock onto the coil 17c and encapsulate them, the sleeve 32 then itself being locked to the cylinder 31 by the shoulder 31 d. The arrangement at that location is also such as to resist to some extent pivotal movement of the arm about the coil 17c. The swivel 33, at the proximal end of the cylinder 31 comprises a wire 33a moulded into the rear end of the cylinder 31 , an eye 33b with a tail 33c, and a barrel 33d. The wire 33a and the tail 33c are arranged to be retained in the barrel 33d with a degree of freedom (of the order of 20° to 30°) to rotate from the dispenser longitudinal axis. In operation of this embodiment of the invention, with the swivel eye 33b attached to a fishing line, the dispenser can be opened by depressing the button 23. Bait can then be loaded into container part 10, behind the bulkhead 18 and the parts 10 and 1 1 snapped closed. The line carrying the dispenser is then cast and the dispenser flies through the air, bow first. Upon impact with the water the container parts burst open to spill the bait onto the water. The open dispenser can then be reeled in. Should the user decide to changer the opening power of the plunger assembly, a blade or a finger nail can be inserted between the base member 21 and the bulkhead 18 to urge the outer extremity thereof apart and free the pins 21 c from the pinholes 18c. Then the base member 21 can be levered out using the lip 21d, bringing with it the whole plunger assembly. The plunger may then be rotated to change the force required to open the dispenser, or replaced, and the assembly reloaded into the container part 10.

It will be noted that as shown in figure 6 even when closed the container parts 10 and 1 1 are slightly apart. This construction assists in the bursting open process. The dispenser is formed so that the gap is 0.5 mm.

The container parts of the embodiments described herein are moulded from polypropylene and have a wall thickness of the order of 1 mm. The plunger assembly on the other hand is formed from acetal. The dispenser formed thus, with a body length of 12cm and breadth 4.3mm and a tail length of 4cm is readily buoyant, floating on its side when open, with about one sixth of its mass above water. The plunger has a diameter of 1.2cm.

The embodiment illustrated in figures 9 to 11 is a bait dispenser and float combination. The tail 30 of the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 8 is modified so that a hook end 70 thereof is sealably screwable into a hollow cylinder 71 portion thereof to form a hollow chamber 72. A silicone sealant may be used to perfect the seal. Alternatively no screw thread is used and the hook end 70 is coated with a sealant where it enters the cylinder 71.

To weight the container body pockets 73 are included in both parts 10 and 1 1. In part 10, as shown in figure 11 the pockets 73 are formed on the bulkhead 18 with a lengthwise slot 73a for the free flowing of water. A flap 74 is arranged to partially close the pockets 73. Then the angler, who usually carries mouldable weights in his kit, can place some of these in each pocket 73 and close the flaps 74 to retain them therein. Alternatively the container parts may be moulded from a heavy material. The container part 10 has formed therein a second bulkhead 80 which, like the bulkhead 18 extends into the container part 11 and divides the dispenser into a forward compartment 81 and a rearward compartment 82. The rearward compartment 82 is adapted to contain a baited hook and weight line 83 while the forward compartment 81 is adapted to hold bait for dispensing. Devices called helicopters, which are known in the art, can be used to minimise entanglement of the fishing line. Figures 12 and 13 illustrate differently compartmented embodiments of the invention, the one having one extra bulkhead 90, forming two payload compartments and the other having two extra bulkheads 91 , 92, forming three payload compartments. In both cases the rearmost compartment is adapted to hold line with baited hook and weights. Figure 13 shows an embodiment which is, for a portion of the length thereof, right cylindrical. By this means the aspect ratio can be increased without increasing the breadth. This can also increase payload, reduce drag in flight and improve float stability in the water. Moreover competition fishing may be subject to rules covering the size of the bait dispenser, in particular its diameter. A dispenser in accordance with this embodiment of the invention may have an aspect ratio between 5 and 8 to 1 , and rather resemble a torpedo, or alternatively an aubergine, in shape.