IMPROVEMENTS IN LONG LINES

Abstract: An improvement in long lines comprising a number of hook leaders (2). The hook leaders are attached to a swivel (4) which in turn is attached to a quick fastener (7). The quick fastener (7) is formed with an end portion (9) of helical coil configuration by means of which the fastener may be attached to the long line (1), said end portion having helices between the turns of which a gap is left through which the long line (1) may be inserted or withdrawn. Between the strands of the long line beads (10) are inserted in pairs, the beads of each such pair defining between them delimited sections along the line, one for each hook (2).

Description: Improvements in Long Lines The subject invention concerns improvements in long lines to facilitate mounting of swivels and hook leaders (snells) to the long line (main line) in a swift and convenient manner. A plurality of hook leaders (snells) are attached along the main line, the latter being formed with a number of enlargement members which are spaced along the long line in such a manner that pairs of such members define a delimited section between them along the main line. Each such delimited section is intended to receive a hook leader, preferably with the aid of swivels. Fishing-boats usually are equipped with a large number of long lines and a total of up to 20.000 hooks or more may be used during each fishing trip. Fishing on an industrial scale requires automatization of all operations. For instance, replacement of leaders or hooks must be effected rapidly and efficiently. Hook leaders (snells) of conven¬ tional type are mounted on swivels, one loop of which is threaded onto a main line (the long line proper). When hook leaders are attached to the line, pairs of knots are made in the line to divide the latter into separate areas or sections, one for each individual swivel with its associated hook leader attached thereto. This manner of attaching hook leaders is complicated and far from efficient. Replacement of swivels with their associated hook leaders becomes a time-consuming and diffi¬ cult task. The purpose of the subject invention is to provide improvements in long l nes allowing the hook leaders to be connected and discon¬ nected from the main line easily and rapidly for exchange and replace¬ ment. This purpose is achieved in accordance with the invention by providing each hook leader with a quick fastener by means of which the hook leader is attached to the long line, said quick fastener having an end portion in the shape of a helical coil, an open gap being formed intermediate the helices of said fastener end portion for introduction of the long line. Further purposes and advantages gained by the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. The invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a general view of a long line provided with a swivel and its associate hook leader, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a quick fastener (clip) for attachment of the swivel and its associate hook leader to the long line, Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views showing the attachment of the quick fastener to the long line, and Fig. 5 is a partly sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of a swivel in accordance with the invention. Fig. 1 illustrates a long line or main line 1 to which are attached a number of hook leaders 2, each one of which is provided at one of its ends with a hook 3 of a conventional type. At its opposite end the hook leader 2 is secured to one 5 of the end loops 5, 6 of a swivel 4. The structure of the swivel 4 is such as to ensure that its end loops 5, 6, one at each swivel end, may rotate relative to each other. The loop 6 opposite loop 5 of the swivel 4 is attached to a quick fastener (clip) 7. The quick fastener (clip) 2 has a coil 8 for engagement with the loop 6 of the swivel 4. The quick fastener 7 is mounted on the main long line 1 in the manner appearing from Figs. 3 and 4. The line is introduced into the gap formed intermediate the helices of the helical coil end portion 9 of the quick fastener 7. Arrow Pi in Fig. 3 indicates the most con¬ venient manner of attaching the quick fastener (clip) to the long line/main line. Fig. 4 illustrates the quick fastener 7 when attached to the line. In a corresponding manner, the quick fastener 7 is easily detached from the long line 1. Beads 10 are enclosed or encapsuled into the main line. The beads 10 are inserted between the strands of the line 1 during the l ne-mak¬ ing proper. To make it possible to introduce the beads 10 between the strands it is necessary that the introduction operation is performed rapidly and for this reason it is preferably performed by means of a hydraulic tool positioned adjacent the strand catcher (guide). The beads are inserted in pairs spaced apart by 8 to 10 cm, thus defining between them delimited areas or sections along the line for each individual hook leader 2. The spacing between the pairs of beads may be varied to suit the type of long-line fishing for which the line is intended. A typical spacing is between 1.5 and 3 metres. Preferably, the beads 10 are made from plastics, preferably polyurethane plastics. The beads should be able to withstand cold and impacts and be somewhat resilient. Polyurethane plastics has a low specific weight which could be varied in the manufacture of the beads. The low specific weight is advantageous because it ensures that the long line will sink comparatively slowly. Fish bite predominantly during the sinking movement of the line through the water and the slow sinking movement of the line caused by the low specific weight therefore is instrumental in obtaining good catches. The beads 10 are formed with grooves 11 in which lodge the strands of the line. The hook leaders 2 preferably are manufactured from extruded monof lament nylon. Spun or braided hook leaders tend to absorb smells with impaired fish catches as a result. However, the strength of monof lament nylon is drastically lowered when knots are made in the hook leader line. Weak points of this kind may be avoided by using special sleeves which are clamped about the hook leader lines with the aid of pliers of a special design. Fig. 1 shows one way of designing a nylon hook leader without knots. Fig. 5 shows a swivel 11 comprising a quick fastener portion 12 consisting of a double-thread section bent to the desired shape. The sleeve of the swivel 11 is upset into gripping engagement with the quick fastener portion 12 as well as with the attachment portion of the loop 5. The embodiments of the invention described above are to be regarded as examples only and a number of other embodiments and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An improvement in long lines to which are attached a number of hook leaders (2), each long line (1) being provided with a number of enlargement members which are arranged in pairs to divide the long line into delimited sections, one for each hook (2), c h a r a c t e r¬ i z e d therein that each hook leader (2) is provided with a quick fastener (7, 12) by means of which the hook leader may be attached to the long line, said quick fastener having an end portion (9) in the shape of a helical coil and in that an open gap is formed intermediate the helices of said fastener end portion for introduction of the long line (1). 2. An improvement in long lines in accordance with claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the enlargement members formed in the main line consist of elements (10) intertwined into the long line (1) proper. 3. An improvement in long l nes in accordance with claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r z e d therein that the quick fastener (12) is directly and rotational ly mounted on a swivel (11) so as to form an integral part thereof.

Inventors: GUSTAFSSON BERT URBAN, GUSTAFSSON, BERT, URBAN
Applicants: ARB CONSTRUCTION AB, ARB-CONSTRUCTION AB
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A01K91
IPC codes: A01K91