Extendible cord

Abstract: There is provided a fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series. Within at least one of the hollow tubular rod sections, there is provided an anchor point for internally attaching an extendible cord thereto. Attached to the internal anchor point is an extendible cord of sufficient length to be threadable to protrude from the end of the narrowest rod section. The extendible cord is in the form of a hollow latex tube sealed at both ends and comprising a filler material therewithin.

Description: The present invention is in the field of extendible cords see GB-A-2 110 511 for use in fishing rods, particularly extendible pole fishing rods see FR-A-2 536 956 comprising plural tubular rod sections in telescopic series with one another. Background to the Invention Fishing rods comprising plural tubular rod sections in telescopic series with one another are known in the art. Such rods are sometimes called fishing poles. The fishing line with hook and bait attached is generally fixed onto the end of the pole and the pole is extended over the area of river or lake to be fished. In developments of the basic fishing pole, the end-section (or end-unit) thereof is provided with an elastication system comprising an internally threaded elastic cord. One end of the cord is fixed to an anchor point within one of the tubular rod sections (generally the penultimate section) and the cord is threaded through to protrude from the tip-rod section. In this case, the fishing line with hook and bait is fixed to the protruding cord. In the above-described development, when a fish initially bites at the bait, the extendible cord takes up the 'shock' associated with this initial bite. Damping of the 'shock' is advantageous in that it reduces the chance of causing alarm to the fish until it has taken the full bait and been securely hooked. Prior art extendible cords used for this purpose comprise solid rubber material. The Applicants have now found that improved performance may be achievable if a cord in the form of a hollow latex tube comprising a filler material therein is used. The hollow latex tube has the particular advantage that it doesn't 'bottom out' too readily, and thus acts as a better absorber for the 'shock' of the initial fish bite. The use of the filler material provides the added advantage that it acts to prevent the hollow cord flattening out when extended, thereby improving the stretch capability of the cord and its performance as an absorber for the 'shock' of the initial fish bite. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an extendible cord for use in an elastication system for a fishing rod comprising a hollow tube comprising latex material; a seal at each end of said hollow tube; and a filler material within the hollow tube. The filler material fills at least part of the hollow or void part of the hollow tube. The filler material acts such as to provide an internal structure for the void or hollow of the tube to make it less susceptible to flattening out when extended (e.g. when extended by pulling on opposing ends of the tube). The seal may comprise any suitable seal including heat seals, adhesive seals and mechanical seals such as a pinch seal or a knot in the tube. Preferably, either or both seals comprise a knot in the tube. Suitably, the filler material comprises a fluid. The fluid nature of the filler material makes filling the hollow tube more straightforward from a manufacturing process standpoint. Embodiments are envisaged where the filler is fluid on filling, but then sets to form a solid structure, such as a cellular or honeycomb structure. Suitably, the filler material comprises a lubricant. Suitably, the lubricant comprises an oil. The oil may be derived from any suitable sources including petrochemical sources, animal sources and vegetable sources. Preferably, the oil is vegetable-based such as a palm, coconut, sunflower, safflower or olive oilbased product. Other suitable oils include those based on silicone oil. Suitably, the hollow tube has an external diameter of from 0.5 to 5mm. Preferably, the external diameter is from 1 to 3mm. Suitably, the hollow tube has a wall thickness of from 0.05 to 1mm. Preferably, the hollow tube has a wall thickness of from 0.1 to 0.5mm. The hollow tube comprises a latex material. The latex material is typically naturally derived. The latex is typically biocompatible. The hollow tube is typically of high extensibility. Suitably, the hollow tube has an extensibility of from 50 to 750%. That is to say it can be extended by a factor of from 50 to 750% before it breaks. An exemplary hollow tube herein is made of natural latex and has an external diameter of 2.5mm, an internal diameter of 2mm and a wall thickness of 0.25mm. The tube has the following properties: Tensile PSI 3500 minimum; elongation at break (%) 750 minimum; modulus PSI at 100% 120 maximum; durometer hardness Shore A scale 35 ± 5; and specific gravity 0.95. The material typically exceeds US Federal Specifications ZZ-T-831D, Amendment Four, Types I, II, III, IV and V; Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 translucent and black; and Military Specification MIL-T-36966. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making an extendible cord for use in an elastication system for a fishing rod comprising obtaining a hollow tube comprising latex material; sealing a first end of the hollow tube; filling at least part of the hollow tube with a filler material; and sealing a second end of the at least part-filled hollow tube. Suitably, said sealing involves forming a knot in each of the first and second ends of the tube. Suitably, said filling involves pump or syringe filling at least part of the hollow tube. Embodiments are envisaged in kit form comprising a hollow tube comprising latex material and a filler material therefor. Instructions for filling the tube may be included as part of the kit, as may a means of filling the tube with the filler material such as a syringe or pump filler. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fishing rod or pole comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series; within at least one of said hollow tubular rod sections, an anchor point for internally attaching an extendible cord thereto; and attachable to said anchor point, an extendible cord of sufficient length to be threadable to protrude from the end of the narrowest rod section. The extendible cord is in the form as described above. In use, the cord is thus attached to the anchor point and threaded through to the end of the narrowest rod section (the tip-section) from which it protrudes. A knot or some other stop means may be provided to the protruding end of the cord to ensure that it constantly protrudes from the end-section. The cord may be placed under slight tension. A fishing line can then be attached to the cord e.g. by tying the fishing line to the end of the cord. Suitably, the anchor point is within the rod section neighbouring the narrowest rod section (i.e. the end-section) in the telescopic series. The anchor point can be of any suitable shape and may be moulded as part of the rod section or be applied thereto by any suitable means. The rod sections are made of a material which is both flexible and of high strength. Suitably, the rod sections comprise a carbon graphite material. Optionally, reinforcing agents can also be added such as Kevlar (trade name). According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an end-unit for a fishing rod comprising a tapering hollow tubular mid-rod section; in telescopic series with said mid-rod section, a tapering hollow tubular tip-rod section; within said mid-rod section, an anchor point for internally attaching an extendible cord thereto; and attached to said anchor point, an extendible cord of sufficient length to be threadable to protrude from the tip-rod section. The extendible cord is in the form as described above. The end-unit may be sold separately from the entire rod or as a kit of parts comprising the end-unit and at least one further hollow tubular rod section which forms a telescopic extension thereto. In another aspect herein the cord is a solid (i.e. non-tubular) latex cord. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a hollow extendible cord in an elastication system for a fishing rod, the fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series (i.e. an extendible fishing pole). According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of adding an elastication system to a fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series, said method comprising attaching an extendible cord to an anchor point within at least one of said hollow tubular rod sections; and threading said extendible cord to protrude from the end of the narrowest rod section. The extendible cord is in the form as described above. Brief description of the drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1. shows a sectional view of a fishing rod according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a filled hollow tubular cord for use in accord with the present invention. Detailed description of the invention The present invention is here described by means of examples, which constitute possible embodiments of the invention. Figure 1. shows a fishing rod herein comprising a tapered hollow tubular tip-section 10, in telescopic engagement with a tapered hollow tubular mid-section 20, which in turn telescopically engages a tapered hollow handle-section 30. The handle-section has grip features 32 for ease of grip in the hand. Whilst, for simplicity the rod as shown has only three tapered rod sections in telescopic series it may be appreciated that further rod sections may also be present. Typically from four to ten rod-sections are present and the rod has an overall length of from 5 to 10 metres. The mid-section 20 is provided with an anchor point 22 to which the end of a slightly tensioned extendible cord 40 is attached. The cord is threaded through the interior of the mid-section 20 and tip-section such that the other end of the cord 40 protrudes from the narrow end of the tip-section 10. A knot 42 is provided at the far end of the cord 40 to ensure that the cord 40 constantly protrudes (i.e. to stop is being pulled back within the rod sections 10, 20). A fishing line 50 with hook 52 is attached to the cord. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a hollow tubular cord 140 herein comprised of a latex material and suitable for use in a fishing rod as shown in Figure 1. The external diameter of the tube y is 2.5mm and the internal diameter is 2mm. The wall thickness is thus 0.25mm. The interior of the hollow tube is filled with a filler material 160 comprising a vegetable-based lubricant oil. The ends of the tube are sealed by knotting (not shown) such that the lubricant oil is contained within the sealed tube.

Claims: An extendible cord (40) for use in an elastication system for a fishing rod comprising a hollow tube (140) comprising latex material; a seal at each end of said hollow tube; and a filler material (160) within the hollow tube. An extendible cord according to claim 1, wherein each seal comprises a knot in the tube. An extendible cord according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said filler material comprises a fluid. An extendible cord according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filler material comprises a lubricant. An extendible cord according to claim 4 wherein the lubricant comprises an oil. An extendible cord according to claim 5, wherein said oil is vegetable-based. An extendible cord according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hollow tube has an external diameter of from 0.5 to 5mm. An extendible cord according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hollow tube has a wall thickness of from 0.05 to 1mm. An extendible cord according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hollow tube has an extensibility of from 50 to 750%. A method of making an extendible cord for use in an elastication system for a fishing rod comprising obtaining a hollow tube comprising latex material; sealing a first end of the hollow tube; filling at least part of the hollow tube with a filler material; and sealing a second end of the at least part-filled hollow tube. Method of making an extendible cord according to claim 10, wherein said sealing involves forming a knot in the first and second ends of the tube. Method of making an extendible cord according to claims 10 or 11, wherein said filling involves syringe filling at least part of the hollow tube. A fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections (10, 20, 30) in telescopic series; within at least one of said hollow tubular rod sections, an anchor point (22) for internally attaching an extendible cord thereto; and attached to said anchor point, an extendible cord of sufficient length to be threadable to protrude from the end of the narrowest rod section, wherein said extendible cord is according to any of claims 1 to 9. A fishing rod according to claim 13, wherein the anchor point is within the rod section neighbouring the narrowest rod section in the telescopic series. A fishing rod according to claim 14, wherein the rod sections comprise a carbon graphite material. An end-unit for a fishing rod comprising a tapering hollow tubular mid-rod section; in telescopic series with said mid-rod section, a tapering hollow tubular tip-rod section; within said mid-rod section, an anchor point for internally attaching an extendible cord thereto; and attached to said anchor point, an extendible cord of sufficient length to be threadable to protrude from the tip-rod section, wherein said extendible cord is according to any of claims 1 to 9. Kit of parts comprising the end-unit for a fishing rod of claim 16 and at least one further hollow tubular rod section to form a telescopic extension thereto. Use of a hollow extendible cord according to any of claims 1 to 9 in an elastication system for a fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series. Method of adding an elastication system to a fishing rod comprising plural tapering hollow tubular rod sections in telescopic series, said method comprising attaching an extendible cord to an anchor point within at least one of said hollow tubular rod sections; and threading said extendible cord to protrude from the end of the narrowest rod section, wherein said extendible cord is according to any of claims 1 to 9.

Inventors: GOULD SIMON, HARNESS PAUL MICHAEL, HUGHES MICHAEL, GOULD, SIMON, HARNESS, PAUL MICHAEL, HUGHES, MICHAEL
Applicants: GOULD SIMON, HARNESS PAUL MICHAEL, HUGHES MICHAEL, GOULD, SIMON, HARNESS, PAUL MICHAEL, HUGHES, MICHAEL
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01K87
IPC codes: A01K91, A01K87