Abstract:
Provided is a long line fishing that prevents a tubular sleeve from separating from the external circumference of a main line no matter how large force may be radially applied from the outside, reduces friction, and makes it possible to quickly and easily connecting a string to a simple connection hook of a swivel. The present invention may be implemented by fitting a plurality of tubular sleeve on a long main line at predetermined positions, disposing clover stoppers at both sides of the tubular sleeves at predetermined positions to prevent the tubular sleeve s from longitudinally moving, and protruding hook from the external circumference by striking the external circumference of the tubular sleeve with a punch through a hole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2010-035469 and 10-2010-0054577 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 16, 2010 and Jun. 9, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to long line fishing connector, and more particularly, to a long line fishing connector that improves toughness by structurally improving a sleeve regularly divided to be connected to a main line and a string, and quickly and easily connect the string to a lower ring of a swivel connected to the main line. 
     (b) Description of the Related Art 
     Long line fishing implies a fishing method of hooking fishes by releasing and rolling a main line having a length of 180 to 540 m connected with strings with a snood arranged at a distance of 1 to 1.2 m, depending on the current of water. 
     Fishes living in the high seas, such as tunas and codfishes are mostly caught by long line fishing. In order to prevent the strings with fishes hooked from winding on the main line in the long line fishing, a sleeve is rotatably fitted on the main line, the string is connected to the sleeve through a swivel, and stoppers are provided to prevent the sleeve from longitudinally moving on the main line. 
     As an example, long line fishing implements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,671, has a configuration in which cylinders are fixed to a main line at regular intervals and sleeves divided in two pieces are rotatably fitted on the external circumference of the cylinders such that a string directly connected to the sleeves can rotate about the main line. 
     Further, long line fishing implements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,759, has a structure in which sleeves are roundly wound on a main line and both ends, with both ends fastened to each other and bent not to be separated, without using a cylinder, and swivels are interposed to connect a string. 
     Further, long line fishing implements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,996, has a structure in which sleeves are roundly wound directly on a main line without using a cylinder, but both ends are just in close contact with each other and only one end is cut-out by a press to form a hook extending outward to hang a swivel. 
     Further, long line fishing implement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,030, has a configuration in which sleeves are roundly wound on the external circumference of a main line such that both ends face each other and one end is formed longer than the other end to form a buckle to hang a swivel. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As can be seen from Patent Documents described above, the long line fishing implements have a structure in which cylinders are fitted first on the main line and the sleeves are fitted on the cylinder to connect the string to be rotatable around the main line, and a structure in which sleeves are rotatably and roundly wound directly on the main line, without using a cylinder, and longitudinal movement of the main line is prevented by stoppers. 
     Although removing the cylinders may simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the number of parts, both ends of the sleeve are wound on the main line to face each other. Therefore, both ends may be opened and the sleeve may separate from the main line, when pulling force applied by a hooked fish for its life is transmitted in the radial direction of the main line. 
     In detail, dynamic load of 100 to 300 kg is applied through the string, when a tuna or a codfish is hooked, and the load is exerted in the perpendicular direction to both ends facing each other in the radial direction of the main line of the sleeve, which is the maximum load. Therefore, the sleeves deform and separate from the main line by repetition of this load. 
     In this case, fastening and bending both ends of the sleeve to each other prevents easy separation, but the portion between both ends of the sleeve cannot be formed in an arc shape, such that friction and abrasion with the main line are generated, thereby reducing the life span. 
     Therefore, the sleeve used in long line fishing should be structurally strong against external force not to be deformed, and should be improved to rotate about the main line without resistance. 
     The present invention has been made in an effort to provide long line fishing having a tubular sleeve that has a cross section close to a real circle such that it rotates on the external circumference of a main line with friction with the main line, without separating from the main line no matter how large force may be radially applied after being fitted on the main line. 
     Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide long line fishing having a swivel connected to the tubular sleeve, in which the swivel has a simple connection hook for quickly and easily connecting a string. 
     The present invention may be implemented by fitting a plurality of tubular sleeves on a long main line at predetermined positions, disposing clover stoppers at both sides of the tubular sleeves at predetermined positions on the main line to prevent the tubular sleeves from longitudinally moving, and protruding a hook at one side of the external circumference of the tubular sleeves. 
     An upper ring of the swivel is connected to the hook of the sleeve, and the present invention may be implemented by forming a split head divided in half at a lower ring disposed in the swivel to be rotatable with respect to the upper ring, to be integrally connected to the swivel and pivot. 
     Further, in the present invention, the swivel may have a simple connection hook formed of a spring bar formed by bending and twisting the end of the lower ring in an ∩-shape from the loop where the string is hung to press the bending end of the lower ring. 
     Further, in the simple connection hook, the loop of the lower ring may have sufficient toughness by forging. 
     Further, in the present invention, a bushing may be further disposed on the internal circumference of the tubular sleeve. 
     Further, in the present invention, the tubular sleeve may be formed by cutting a stainless pipe in a predetermined length, which has not slit and junction on the external circumference. 
     In this configuration of the present invention, the hook protruding outward from the tubular sleeve may be formed by punching, and for this configuration, a hole may be formed through the external circumference of the tubular sleeve to allow a machining tool, such as a punch, to be inserted from the opposite side to the hook. 
     Further, in the present invention, the clover stopper is roundly wound with one side open on the main line, and then may fixed by clamping with a mold such that four protrusions are formed. 
     Since the tubular sleeve of the present invention has a circular cross section without a slit or a junction, it is not separated from the main line after being fixed thereto no matter how large force is applied from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to achieve successful fishing and increase the life span of the main line without damaged due to friction, because the tubular sleeve rotated on the external circumference of the main line by a hooked fish does not generate friction. 
     Further, since the lower ring having the split head can smoothly pivot in the swivel, it is possible to prevent the main line from twisting. In addition, since the split head is supported by pressing the swivel from the outside, the split head is firmly connected without separating from the swivel even if large pulling force is applied by a hooked fish. 
     Further, in the example having the simple connection hook, since the string can be quickly and easily hung to the loop by the spring bar of the lower ring, it is possible to simply and efficiently prepare the implements for work and improve the work efficiency. 
     Further, in the present invention, the tubular sleeve may be formed of a stainless pipe that is not corroded by salt, such that the tubular sleeve are not corroded even if it is applied to long span fishing implements for fishery in the sea, thereby increasing the life span. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a process of manufacturing the sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an example of locking the clover stopper on the main line shown  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a swivel hanging from the sleeve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing another example of the structure of the swivel; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a process of connecting a string to a lower ring of the swivel shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a configuration in which a bushing is inserted in a sleeve according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view showing an example of a stopper repairing part suitable for long line fishing connector of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a use of the stopper repairing part. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , for long line fishing connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, tubular sleeves  4  are fitted on a long main line  2  at predetermined distances, clover stoppers  6  are locked on the main line  2  at both sides of the tubular sleeve  4  to prevent the tubular sleeve  4  from moving longitudinally on the main line  2 . The tubular sleeve  4  is formed by cutting a stainless pipe in a predetermined length and forming a hole  8  and a hook  10  opposite to each other on the external circumference, such that it has a circular cross section close to a real circle without a slit or a junction on the external circumference. 
     Further, an upper ring  14  of a swivel  12  is hung to the hook  10  of the tubular sleeve  4 . It is preferable the upper ring  14  is hung not to separate, as shown in the figure, by hanging a hook with a side open to the hook  10  and then connecting the open side by welding. 
     The swivel  12  has a lower ring  16  at the opposite side to the upper ring  14  and the lower ring  16  can rotate with respect to the upper ring  14 . 
     In the present invention, the tubular sleeve  4  may be formed by cutting a stainless pipe in a predetermined length, such that the tubular sleeve  4  has a circular cross section close to a real circle without a slit of junction where both ends face each other. 
     The tubular sleeve  4  having a circular cross section does not cause a problem due to friction when rotating on the main line  2 . 
     The tubular sleeve  4  having the structure described above, as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be manufactured by inserting a support die M into a stainless pipe, striking the pipe from the outside with a machining tool T such that two slits  18  are formed where the hook  10  is formed and one hole  8  is formed at the opposite side, removing the support die M and striking the inner side through the hole  8  with a punch P such that the hook  10  protrudes outward, and then cutting the pipe in a predetermined length. 
     The tubular sleeve  4  having a circular cross section without a slit or a junction on the circumference is achieved by striking and cutting a stainless pipe, as described above. 
     Meanwhile, the clover stopper  6  locked on the main line  2 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is very firmly locked with depressions  64  pressing the external circumference of the main line  2 , by winding the clover stopper, having alternate protrusions  62  and depressions  64  with a side open before being locked, on the external circumference of the main line  2  and clamping it in a predetermined mold such that four protrusions  62  are formed. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing an example of connecting the lower ring  16  to the swivel  12  to be rotatable with respect to the upper ring  14 . 
     The upper ring  14  and the lower ring  16  are disposed opposite to each other in the swivel  12 , but the upper ring  16  has a split head  20  divided at the center, which makes it possible to hang a string S to the lower ring through the split head  20  before assembly, insert the split head into the swivel  12 , and then pressing it from the outside to be rotatably assembled. 
     In the present invention, the lower ring  16  of the swivel  12  does not have to have the configuration shown in  FIG. 4  and may be modified in various structures. 
       FIG. 5  shows another example of the lower ring  16 . The lower ring  16  shown in the figure is formed of a spring bar  22  having a bending end  23  in an ∩-shape and twisted to press the bending end  23 , such that lower ring  16  of this exemplary embodiment provides a simple connection hook where the string S can be easily hung at a work place by the spring bar  22 . 
     The lower ring  16  formed of a simple connection hook is closed by the spring bar  22  in a normal state, but, as shown in  FIG. 6 , it is possible to quickly and simply connect the string S in the work place by putting a connection portion of the string S to the spring bar  22  and pulling down the string such that the connection portion forcibly passing through between the bending end of the lower ring  16  and the spring bar  22 . 
     Meanwhile, since the lower ring  16  formed of a simple connection hook can be open at one side by the spring bar  22 , the loop  24  may be deformed by external force; therefore, it is required to take a proper measure against the deformation. 
     In the present invention, in order to remove this problem, the loop  24  is reinforced by strongly pressing the portion with a forging device such that the portion become dense and toughness increases about two times, such that it has sufficient strength against force applied by fishes for its life. 
     Further, the spring bar  22  bending the ∩-shape and the loop  24  can attenuate the pulling force transmitted through the string S from a hooked fish, using their own elasticity, such that they prevent damage to the tubular sleeve  4 , the swivel  12 , and the parts, where the pulling force is directly applied. 
     The long line fishing connector of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, and as shown in  FIG. 7 , it is possible to fit the bushing  26  on the main line  2  before fitting the tubular sleeve  4  on the main line  2 , and then disposing the tubular sleeve  4  on the bushing. 
     As described above, when the busing  26  is fitted on the main line  2  and then the tubular sleeve  4  is disposed around the external circumference of the bushing, the internal circumference of the tubular sleeve  4  becomes smooth by the bushing  26 , such that rotation is smooth. Accordingly, it is possible to more surely prevent the string S from winding around the external circumference of the main line  2 , and particularly, it is possible to prevent damage due to abrasion and considerably increase the life span, because the surface of the main line  2  is not in direct contact with the tubular sleeve  4 . 
     There may be a case that required to take emergency measures in long line fishing at the work place, when the clover stopper  6  is separated from the main line  2  or broken, such that it fails to do its function in working. 
     The long line fishing connector of the present invention makes it possible to take emergency measures for damage of the clover stopper  6  described above with a stopper repairing part  28 , as shown in  FIG. 8A . 
     The stopper repairing part  28  having a holding portion  280  formed by rolling one end in a semicircular shape and a bending portion  282  extending in an arc shape having a large diameter at the other end. As shown in  FIG. 8B , an emergency measure using the stopper repairing part  28  is made by holding supporting the holding portion  280  to one strand of the main line  2  and winding the bending portion  282  around the main line  2  with a tool (not shown). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;Description of symbols&gt; 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                  2: 
                 Main line 
               
               
                  4: 
                 Round frame sleeve 
               
               
                  6: 
                 Clover stopper 
               
               
                  8: 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 10: 
                 Hook 
               
               
                 12: 
                 Swivel 
               
               
                 14: 
                 Upper ring 
               
               
                 16: 
                 Lower ring 
               
               
                 18: 
                 Slit 
               
               
                 20: 
                 Split head 
               
               
                 22: 
                 Spring bar 
               
               
                 24: 
                 Loop 
               
               
                 26: 
                 Bushing 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.