FISHING GAFF

Abstract: A fishing gaff (10) (30) or landing net (20) having a light source (24, 34) mounted within the shaft of the gaff adjacent the hook (12, 32) or net (22) section of the gaff so that emitted light illuminates the hook (12) (32) or net (22) section.

Description: "FISHING GAFF" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a novel fishing gaff or landing net which includes a light source. BACKGROUND ART When fishing, it is usual to land fish by means of a gaff. When fishing at night, or in poor visibility, the fisherman would normally require a torch or light in order to see the fish he is trying to land. A fishing gaff has now been invented, which combines a gaff with a light, in a novel and interrelated manner. This improved gaff has substantial advantages over previously known gaffs, for example, by being more convenient and efficient to use. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The invention provides a fishing gaff comprising a shaft, a fish holding means attached to one end of the shaft, a light source mounted within the shaft adjacent said holding means, wherein said shaft includes a light permeable portion at least partly enclosing said light source so that light emitted therefrom illuminates said fish holding means. It is preferred that the fish holding means is a hook or a net, as known in the prior art. The light source comprises a light, a power source, the required wiring, and preferably a means for controlling the light, i.e. a switch. The light is preferably an electric light, and is most preferably a fluorescent tube, able to be powered by dry-cell batteries, which are the preferred power source. The means for controlling the light source is preferably a switch able-to switch the light on and off, preferably situated at or near the "handle" end of the gaff and most preferably able to be operated by the thumb when the gaff is held by the hand. Alternatively, the light source may be a globe surrounded by a parabolic reflector so as to direct light towards the hook or net. The globe and reflector can be mounted in a protruding section of the shaft. In this case, the light permeable portion of the shaft is a water-tight window covering the "open" end of the parabolic reflector. The light permeable portion of the shaft adjacent the' holding means is preferably transparent to light. however, light may permeate this portion of the shaft when the shaft is made from material opaque to light, by means of holes or windows in the opaque material. In this case, the holes or windows may be filled or covered with transparent material. This transparent portion of the shaft can be constructed from a strong clear plastic. Optionally, the plastic may be frosted or be partially coated with opaque reflective material, to direct light in a particular direction. The rest of the shaft is constructed from any suitable material as known in the prior art. Wood, plastic or metals, such as aluminium or steel, are suitable materials from which to construct the shaft, or a mixture of these materials may be used. The shaft may be of any suitable cross-sectional shape; for example, round or polygonal. The shaft may be extendable, as in the "telescopic" gaffs known in the prior art, or otherwise can be of any suitable length. The shaft is preferably at least partially hollow, to contain any wiring necessary in order to connect the power source, the switch and the light source, as well as to contain the light source. The shaft should have the appropriate means for mounting and holding the light source in place. The preferred dry-cell battery power source preferably fits inside the shaft. In this case, there should also be means for replacing-the battery power source when this becomes necessary. Batteries may be placed anywhere inside the shaft. In one embodiment a number of cylindrical dry-cell batteries are held end-to-end at the handle end of the shaft. In another embodiment a single, larger battery can be held in the shaft inside a section of the shaft which is enlarged so as to hold the battery. If . the light source is a globe inside a protusion of the shaft, then the larger battery may also be fitted inside the protusion, next to the globe assembly. It is also preferred that some or all of the individual parts of the gaff be attachable and detachable from the other part or parts. In this manner, the holding means, the light source containing portion of the shaft, and other portions of the shaft, such as the portion of the shaft containing the power source, are all attached to each other so that they can be taken apart and reassembled at will. The preferred means for retaining in place each detachable segment of the gaff of the present invention, is by means of a screw thread on the end of each segment able to engage the screw thread on adjacent segments. The end of the shaft opposite the fish holding means may be shaped to form a handle if desired by means of the inclusion of a hand grip or similar feature. A switch for the light source is most preferably located near this end of the shaft so it can be easily operated by the person holding the gaff, but this does not exclude the possibility of locating it anywhere on the shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS By way of example only, the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a gaff according to the present invention, in its disassembled state; and Figure 2 shows a gaff according to the present invention having a net as the fish holding means. Figure 3 shows a gaff according to the invention wherein the light source is a globe inside a parabolic reflector. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a disassembled gaff (10) comprising a cylindrical shaft (11) made up of various attachable segments (111) (112) (113) (114) . At one end of the shaft there is a fish holding means in the form of a hook (12) . Each segment of the shaft are attachable by means of a screw thread (13) in the usual manner. Near to the' hook (12) is a light source (14) in the form of a fluorescent tube. The segment of the shaft (113) enclosing the light source is transparent to light, preferably made from a strong, clear plastic. The light source is connected by means of wires (15) to a switch (16) and the power source (17) . The power source is shown to be two cylindrical dry-cell batteries, enclosed in the end segment of the shaft (111) . In a preferred form, segments (112) and (114) of the shaft are constructed from aluminium tubing, and the segment (111) is constructed from plastic. Figure 2 illustrates an alternate gaff according to the present invention. The gaff (20) comprises a cylindrical shaft (21) and fish holding means, in the form of a net (22) . The shaft is shown in its assembled form. In a similar manner to that shown in Figure 1 segment (211) contains dry-cell batteries, segment (212) contains wiring and has a switch (26) mounted on it, and segment-.(213) is light transparent. Segment (213) encloses a light source (24) ; preferably a fluorescent light, as shown. The gaff is used in its usual way, but when the light (24) is switched on to illuminate the hook (12) or the net (22) , the gaff is easier to use for locating and holding fish. A fisherman using the gaff of the present invention no longer needs to use a torch. In the embodiment of the gaff (30) represented in Figure 3, there is shown a shaft (31) and fish holding means in the form of a hook (32) . The light source (34) is connected by means of wires (35) to a switch (36) and a battery power source (37) . The battery (37) is fitted within a protusion of the shaft. --The light source (34) comprises a globe (341) partially surrounded by a parabolic reflector (342) . The reflector (342) as directed towards the hook (32) , and is enclosed by a transparent window section (343) . As well as for fishing, the gaff has utility in similar activities, for example, as a boat hook or boating safety device.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fishing gaff comprising a shaft, a fish holding means attached to one end of the shaft, a light source mounted within the shaft adjacent said holding means, wherein said shaft includes a light permeable portion at least partly enclosing said light source so that light emitted therefrom illuminates said fish holding means. 2. The fishing gaff as defined in claim 1 wherein said fish holding means is a hook. 3. The fishing gaff as defined in claim 1 wherein said fish holding means is a net. 4. The fishing gaff as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft is telescopically extendible. 5. A fishing gaff substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

Inventors: LARKING BRYAN JAMES, LARKING, BRYAN, JAMES
Applicants: ARTHUR EDWARD PTY LTD, SUNLEA DEV PTY LTD, ARTHUR EDWARD PTY. LIMITED, SUNLEA DEVELOPMENTS PTY. LIMITED
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A01K97
IPC codes: A01K77, A01K97