FISHING FLOATING ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A fishing floating assembly, comprising a floating body (1) and a sinker (2) movable in respect of each other, said sinker (2) being formed by a floating portion (3) and a sinking portion (4) rigidly connected together, with the sinking portion (4) completely opposed to and completely outside said floating portion (3), and said sinker (2) is provided with a central axial bore (10) slidably housing said floating body (1). The floating body (1) comprises a rod (29), a signalling head (9) located at one end of the floating body, and means at the other end of the floating body (1), for limiting the relative displacement between said floating body (1) and sinker (2). The floating body (1) with the indicator rod (9) and the sinker are joined together but act as independent components both during the cast and when the assembly floats in the water.

Description: Description "FISHING FLOATING ASSEMBLY" Technical Field The present invention refers to a floating assembly for fishing with a hook and line (angling) ; of the type comprising an indicator rod and a sinker joined together which is useful when fishing at both short and far (casting) distance. The floating assembly of the invention comprises an indicator rod and a sinker connected to each other but nevertheless acting as separate components both during the cast and when the assembly floats in the water. The floating assembly of the invention is quite different and not comparable with the simple conventional floats, nor with the shotted floats or the so-called English floats. Background Art DE-G-87 11 107 and DE-G-88 15 222, DE-A-3 922 613 disclose floating assemblies comprising a floating body and a sinker, with the sinker that is actually buoyant, whereas the present invention discloses a sinking sinker. Italian Utility Model application BO 93 U 000010, GB-A-2 157 931 and FR-A-2 β ' 48 673 disclose floating assemblies with a floating body and an associated sinker in which the sinker is provided both as a floating component and a sinking component. In these prior art documents it is requested that the sinker sinks the least as possible, so that when the fish swallows the bait, the floating body slides within the sinker with an action that is dynamically differentiated for the two components: i.e. the floating body slides within the sinker in response to the bite and the sinker - due to its slow sinking - is practically at rest and its weight does not interfere at all with the floating body. On the contrary, in the floating assembly according to the present invention the sinking movement of the floating body in response to the bite is synergically related to the sinking of the sinker. The sinker has a peculiar weight through which it acts onto the floating body with a resistance to sink that is associated with the movement of the floating body, both when this latter sinks and when it returns to the rest condition. This weight of the sinker is not cancelled through a difference in the floating inertia, but is cancelled through a compensation mechanism due to the buoyancy of the floating body. From EP-A-0 561 747 it is known a floating assembly, comprising a floating body and a sinker movable in respect of each other as recited in the preamble of claim 1. Although pretty satisfactory, this prior floating assembly showed a certain instability when resting in the water before a fish takes bait, for example by frequently drifting or moving from the desired location on the water surface. It is believed that such instability, derives from the action of the sinker's weight resting against the signalling head. Object of the Invention The object of the present invention is to improve the fishing action and the behaviour of a floating assembly substantially under any condition of use, and particularly by improving the casting properties of the fishing line and the stability in the water of the assembly, as well as its sensitivity of the response of the floating body to the fish bite. The floating assembly according to the present invention aims to obtain a very good behaviour of the floating body and a great stability of the whole system, both during the casting and when fishing. Disclosure of the Invention The invention accomplishes the above objects through a floating assembly as claimed in claim 1. Additional advantageous features are claimed in the dependent claims. By using two components with conflicting properties, namely a floating body and a sinker, an appreciable improvement of the fishing action is achieved and the behaviour of the floating assembly according to the invention is substantially the same under any condition of use. The floating body is more or less lightweight in accordance with the fishing requirements and being rigidly secured to the fishing line, reacts to the forces generated by the fish taking bait and warns the fisherman of the event so that this latter can promptly react, thus improving the chances of catching the fish. The quick response and the sensitivity of the floating body are due to the fact that the floating body is not affected by the weight of the sinker assembled thereto, and works independently from the weight of the sinker. On the other hand the sinker, having a weight properly matched to the fishing requirements, is not rigidly secured to the floating body nor to the fishing line, allows an easy draw of the floating body during the casting and a very high stability during the fishing. In fact, after reaching the water the presence of the sinker in the assembly is not detected by the fish going to take bait. The behaviour of the sinker in respect to the system formed by the floating body + the fishing line derives from the fact that in spite of the sinker being a hybrid component, intermediate between a floating body and a sinker, nevertheless it has the main feature of the latter, i.e. it sinks. By decisely sinking, although with a weight of well defined value, the sinker follows the sinking of the floating "body when the fish bites, and in this situation it does not "weight", thus cancelling its presence in respect of the system. When the floating body sinks under the pull of the game, it applies an opposing force that is equal to the weight of the water volume displaced, since the sinker only rests against the floating body and always tends to sink. Namely, in the water, the weight of the hybrid sinker is smaller than the real weight of the object, while at the same time maintaining all its sinking properties. Since the floating body can support such small weight, this residual weight becomes null. The invention will now be described in more details with reference to the attached drawings, that are only exemplary and non limiting, and in which: Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section view showing the assembly of a floating body and a sinker according to the invention; Fig. 1A is a cross-section view of the floating assembly of Fig. 1 along line A-A; Fig. 2 shows the floating body or indicator rod (FIR) ; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-section view showing a sinker according to the present invention; Fig. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the floating body; Fig. 5 illustrates the position of the sinker in the casting when the floating assembly is arranged according to the so-called "English style"; Fig. 6 illustrates a floating assembly according to the invention arranged in the so-called "English style"; Fig. 7 is a cross section illustrating the floating assembly according to the invention arranged in the conventional style; and Fig. 8 is a cross-section view illustrating the floating assembly according to the invention arranged in the so-called "English style" and using a portion of the sinker as a signalling head. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Throughout all the Figures the same references have been used for indicating identical or substantially similar components. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 1A, 2 and 3, a fishing float or floating assembly according to the invention comprises an elongated floating body 1 and a sinker 2 assembled together. The floating body 1 is an elongated cylindrical member formed by three components, i.e. a rod 29, a signalling head 9 located at one end of the floating body, and a means for limiting the relative displacement between said floating body 1 and sinker 2, located at the other end of the floating body 1. Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 1, said relative displacement limiting means comprises two stop members 5 and 6 secured to an elongated connecting section 28 at the other end of the floating body and cooperating with a portion of reduced width in a central axial bore 10 of the sinker 2. The connecting section 28 is that portion of the floating body bound to be coupled with the sinker 2. The rod 29 is a portion of the floating body 1 extending between the signalling head 9 and (the inner) stop member 5. The material of the rod 29 has to be at the same time rigid but flexible to prevent breakage when the floating body strikes the water surface, since at point 27 (see Fig. 6) a strong bending or inflection stress is applied to the floating body 1. The material from which the rod 29 is formed needs not to be a buoyant material, since the signalling head 9 can supply the required buoyancy to the whole floating body l. Suitable materials are carbon or thick polycarbonate, whereas traditional materials like plastics, wood or feather have not proven to be suitable. The functions of the signalling head 9 are those of warning the fisherman of the bite and of providing the buoyancy to the floating body 1. It can be realized with several materials and shapes in accordance with the needs of the particular type of fishing, provided that it can support the shots along the fishing line and the residual sinking weight of the sinker. The sinker 2 is provided with a central axial bore or channel 10 for slidably housing the floating body 1 and is formed as a composite component, namely by a floating portion 3 and a sinking portion 4 aligned and rigidly connected together and simmetrically located with respect to the axis of the sinker 2. Portion 3 is formed from a light floating material such as plastics or cork, and comprises a cylindrical sleeve or tube 7 extending for the whole length of the sinker and joining the portions 3 and 4 together. Portion 4 is formed from a weighty material such as lead or iron, and has a substantially annular shape with a first section having an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter (or width) of the portion 3, and a second section having a second inner diameter smaller than the former in order to prevent the passage of the stop members 5 and 6 while allowing the movement of that section of floating body comprised between them. The portion 4 is completely opposed to and completely outside the light portion 3 in order to strongly improve the quality of the casting. The weights and the shapes of the portions 3 and 4 are selected in such a manner that the light portion 3 has a minimal influence on the movement of the weighty portion 4 during the cast. On the other end the light portion 3 must " supply a high buoyancy to the weighty portion 4 when the floating assembly lays on the water surface. More particularly the sinking force of the sinker, i.e. the force acting on the sinker immersed in the water is directed downwards and is comprised within 200 and 3,200 milligrams (mgs) . In other words, the difference between the weight of the sinker 2 and the upward force due to the water displaced by the sinker is comprised betwen 0.2 and 3.2 grams. According to the invention the floating body with the indicator rod and the sinker are joined together but act as independent components both during the cast and when the assembly floats in the water. This way the floating assembly is very stable under every fishing situation. By properly matching one from a series of sinkers with one from a series of floating bodies (or of signalling heads) the fisherman can easily realize the best floating assembly for a number of situations, such a still or running water, underwater currents, fine or bad wheather, etc. Due to the disclosed hybrid construction the sinker 2, its weight is different when moving through the air and when floating on the water surface. When moving through the air during the casting the weight of the sinker 2 is equal to its real weight, i.e. the sum of the the weights of the portions 3 and 4. Thanks to the apical location of the heavy portion 4 " which is furthermore completely outside the light portion 3, in response to the casting whiplash on the fishing line, the portion 4 immediately abuts against the stop member 6 of the floating body 1 and draws the floating assembly as if it were disengaged from it. This behavior is similar to that of a conventional fishing line which draws the line and the float that supports i . According to the invention, the sinking force of said sinker is therfore positive, i.e. directed downwards and is comprised within 200 and 3,200 milligrams. When floating on the water surface the downward directed force acting on the floating assembly is given by the difference between the real weight and the positive buoyancy of thepartially submerged assembly. When moving through the air the real weight allows for a good casting action, whereas after reaching the water the floating assembly is subjected to a sinking force or "virtual" weight that is such to allow the sinking of the sinker 2 together with the floating body 1, with this latter constantly abutting against the sinker under all conditions. In order to adjust the behaviour of the floating assembly to the various fishing conditions (wheather, kind of water, etc.) , the sinking weight of the sinker, i.e. the weight of the portion 4, and the buoyancy of the floating body l are modified in accordance with the changes of the above mentioned conditions. Thus, for example, in case of fine wheather and still water, a sinking force of 200 milligrams acting on the sinker 2 is usually enough and the floating body 1 must ensure a buoyancy equal to the weight of the lead shots on the fishing line + the 200 milligrams due to the sinker. In case of disturbed wheather, and running water the sinking weight of the sinker 2 shall raise to values in the order or 3,200 milligrams, associated with a floating body 1 of a correspondent buoyancy (weight of the lead shots on the fishing line + the 3.2 grams) . Fishing conditions that are intermediate between the two above considered would be dealt with intermediate values of the sinking weight-buoyancy pair. Through extensive experimentations and tests carried out by the inventor it has been found that the synergic cooperation between the sinker and the floating body are no longer observed when the sinking weight is lower than 200 milligrams in still water and fine wheather conditions. As shown in the assembled float illustrated in Fig. 1, the stop member 5 prevents the outcome of the floating body 1 from the sinker 2 through the abutment of the stop member 5 against the portion with restricted diameter of the portion 4. The stop member 6 retains the sinker during the cast of the floating assembly and defines the position of the sinker 2 during the fishing. Thanks to the two stop members 5 and 6, the sinker 2 and the floating body 1 are assembled or linked together, but not rigidly fastened to each other. More particularly a part can slide in respect of the other for a length sustantially defined by the spacing between the stop members. Thus during the cast the sinker drags the assembly while both components sink together when a fish takes bait. The stop member 6 is formed at the end of the floating body 1 in order to retain the sinker at the most favourable position in view of its use, both when casting the fishing line and during the fishing. The distance or spacing between the stop members is determined in such a manner as to obtain an accurate casting. As illustrated in Fig. 5, when the floating assembly arranged according to the "English style" is being cast, the sinker 2 is abutting against the stop member 5. This way the whiplash imparting movement to the sinker 2 is transmitted to the sinker by the stop member 5 of the floating body l, and this latter, by inertia, firstly abuts against the stop member 6 by sliding along the connecting section 28, and then directly acts upon the floating assembly drawing the floating assembly with itself. The distance between the two stop members 5 and 6, that is the length of the connecting section 28 is not longer than 1/3 of the overall length of the floating body 1. When the connecting section 28 is longer, the sinker 2 in its forrward movement by inertia for abutting agasinst the stop member 6, would result in being to much backwards with respect to the center of gravity of the floating assembly, thus resulting in a bad casting performance. The stop member 5 can be formed by deforming the floating body 1, whereas the stop member 6 can be a small (plastic) ball secured to the end of the floating body l. According to other embodiments (not shown in the drawings) , the diameter of the connecting section 28 is smaller than the hole in the sinking portion 4, and the upper end of the connecting section 28 is forced into a hollow rod 29 having an outer diameter larger than said hole, whereby the stop member 5 is realized by the lower end of the rod 9. Stop member 6 can be realized with a round-head ring of the kind used in fishing tackle crimped at the end of the connecting section 28. Of course the stop members 5 and 6 can be embodied in a number of different manners that are all within the scope of the invention. The floating body 1 is made of any suitable floating material such as nylon, cork, plastics, etc. The floating body can have any suitable shape, for example as illustrated in Fig. 4, and can be formed by more than three pieces assembled together. In the alternate embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the floating body comprises a cigar-shaped floating member 20 provided at one end with a short rod member 22 acting as a signalling head, and connected at the other end to a member 23 (of nylon, steel, carbon, etc.) on which two spaced stop members 25 and 26 are crimped. The floating body has a buoyancy at least equal to the sum of the weight of the shotting in the fishing line and the virtual weight of the sinker 2. As shown in fig. 5, the floating assembly of the invention ca be arranged in the so called "English style", in which the sinker 2 rests against the assembly during the casting and is pushed by the former, while at the same time preventing a positioning of the sinker along the floating body 1 which could jeopardize the stability of the casting. Fig. 6 illustrates the floating assembly of the invention when used in the English style configuration, that is with the assembly secured to the fishing line at the end of the floating body 1. As illustrated in the drawing, the fishing line 14 passes through the lower stop member 6, with the signalling head 9, at the opposite end of the floating body 1, emerging from the surface 11 of the water. Fig. 7 is a cross-section illustrating the floating assembly according to the invention arranged in the conventional style. In such embodiment, both the floating body 1 and the signalling head 9 are provided with an axial bore and the fishing line 13 enters the floating assembly at the signalling head 9 and comes out at the stop member 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-section illustrating another embodiment of the floating assembly according to the invention arranged in the English style and using a portion 19 of the sinker as a signalling head. In this embodiment of the invention, the floating body 1 only acts as a support for the sinker 2. The floating portion of the sinker 2 is further provided with a sleeve 16 protruding from the portion, which is hollow and provided with a number of holes 15 on its surface for allowing a quick passage to the water when the assembly reaches the water surface. The upper end 19 of the sleeve is colored and emerges from the water surface 11, thus acting as a signalling head. The floating body is shorter than those of the preceding ambodiments and only supports the sinker below the floating line, with the stop member 6 secured to the fishing line 14. In this embodiment (mounted English style) the visibility of the floating assembly (i.e. of the signalling head) has been improved without increasing the diameter of the floating body 1 which would otherwise cause an overall stiffening of the assembly. In respect of the known floating assemblies, the one of of the invention improves the casting properties of the fishing line and the stability of the signalling head when waiting for a fish, as well as the sensitivity in response to the fish bite thus improving the chance of getting the catch. Industrial Applicability The invention is applicable in fishing tackle and in particular in floating assemblies for fishing with a hook and line. Although the invention has been described with reference to specifical embodiments, the same is not limited to what has been disclosed, but the invention is extended to cover all possible changes and/or modifications that will be evident the the skilled in the art in view of the present description.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fishing floating assembly, comprising a floating body (1) and a sinker (2) movable in respect of each other, characterized in that said sinker (2) is formed by a floating portion (3) and a sinking portion (4) rigidly connected together, with such sinking portion (4) completely opposed to and completely outside said floating portion (3), and said sinker (2) is provided with a central axial bore (10) slidably housing said floating body (1) , and in that said floating body (1) comprises a rod (29) , a signalling head (9) located at one end of the floating body, and means at the other end of the floating body (l) , for limiting the relative displacement between said floating body (1) and sinker (2) . 2. A floating assembly as claimed in claim l, characterized in that said means for limiting the relative displacement comprises two stop members (5, 6) secured at the end of an elongated a connecting section (28) and a portion of reduced width in said central axial bore (10) . 3. A floating assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the length of said connecting section (28) is not longer than 1/3 of the overall length of the floating body (1) . 4. A floating assembly as claimed in claim 3 characterized in that said sinker (2) comprises a cylindrical sleeve or tube (7) extending for the whole length of the sinker and joining said sinking (4) and floating portion (3) " together, with said sinking portion (4) of the sinker (2) being formed with a reduced width for preventing the passage of said stop members (5, 6) . 5. A floating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that the sinking force of said sinker (2) , is positive (directed downwards) and is comprised within 200 and 3,200 milligrams. 6. A floating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said rod (29) of the is of a material both rigid and flexible to prevent breakage when the floating body strikes the water surface. 7. A loating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that one (5) of said stop members is formed by deforming said floating body (1) , and the other (6) stop member is formed by a small plastic ball secured to the end of the floating body (1) . 8. A floating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said floating body comprises a cigar-shaped floating member (20) provided at one end with a short rod member (22) acting as a signalling head, and connected at the other end to a member (23) on which two spaced stop members (25, 26) are secured. 9. A floating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that both the floating body (1) and the signalling head (9) are provided with an axial bore and " the fishing line (13) enters the floating assembly at the signalling head (9) and comes out at the stop member (6) . 10. A floating assembly as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that the floating portion (3) of the sinker is further provided with a sleeve (16) protruding therefrom, which is hollow and provided with holes (15) on its surface, with the upper end (19) of said sleeve colored and emerging from the water surface (11) for acting as a signalling head.

Inventors: CRESPI CARLO EMANUELE, CRESPI, CARLO, EMANUELE
Applicants: CRESPI CARLO EMANUELE, PONDUS K S R L, CRESPI, CARLO, EMANUELE, PONDUS K S.R.L.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01K93
IPC codes: A01K93