Improvements in Automatic Apparatus for Striking Fish.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1895
Complete Specification Left. 29th Feb., 1896-Accepted. 30th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Apparatus for Striking Fish.
I, CHARLES BELL WALKER, of Penny Bridge House, Ulverston in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Improvements in fishing tackle, being an automatic contrivance for more
effectually striking the hook at the time the bait is taken. In a tube made
of steel, copper brass, aluminium or other suitable material and which is divided
into two parts, A and B termed respectively the breech and the barrel, is fitted a
piston C with a piston-rod D moveable through the piston within a certain limit,
the piston-rod being itself a tube through which the line E passes and to which it
is attached in such a manner as will allow of the instrument (i.e., the tube,) being
fixed upon the line at any distance from the hook that may be deemed most
expedient. The lower part or breech of the tube A contains two chambers an
upper one F for the reception of a disc (Fig 3) or cartridge of gunpowder, gun-
cotton, cordite bellite, or other explosive in which is inserted a cap or detonator
fired by a hammer H (Fig. 2) of peculiar construction, released by the pull of the
fish in its efforts to carry off the bait.
The lower chamber is separated from the upper by a strong division forming
a breech-block J through which passes the firing pin K. and upon the underside
thereof, is screwed the hammer as illustrated. There is also in this lower
chamber, a spiral spring L the degree of compression of which, can be regulated
by a screw P so as to adapt the instrument to various strains and circumstances
and moreover, this spring re-sets the hammer.
The piston rests upon a rim in the breech, immediately above the cartridge and
when the cartridge is fired the piston, with the piston-rod and line attached, is
projected upwards with considerable velocity, the action corresponding with that
of an angler using a fishing rod. For the insertion of the cartridge, the breech
can be instantly unscrewed from the barrel and as quickly replaced.
No manual re-setting of the firing mechanism is necessary, its normal state
being set, until the discharge takes place, after which it is immediately and
automatically re-set by the spiral spring. For the capture of smaller fish and for
use in lakes, rivers and streams the piston is actuated by a spring made of metal
or india-rubber.
Doted this 30th day of April 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Apparatus for Striking Fish.
I, CHARLES BELL WALKER, of Penny Bridge House, Ulverston, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention is designed to provide an automatic appliance for effectually
striking the hook or securing fish in line fishing analogous to the action of an
angler with a fishing rod in rod fishing.

page_text: It consists essentially of an apparatus or appliance to be attached to the line
constructed with a piston or plunger and piston rol capable of being propelled
forward in a barrel or sinall cylinder by means of an explosive cartridge or spring
so placed as to be discharged or released by the movement of the fish at the time
the bait is taken.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which three examples or modifications thereof are illustrated.
Fig. 1. Elevation.
Fig. 2. Longitudinal section showing position of parts when set.
Fig. 3. Longitudinal section showing position of parts after being fired (and a
slight modification of the appliance).
Fig. 4. Transverse section on line x-x of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5. Detail of hammer or firing mechanisin (enlarged four times).
Fig. 6. Transverse section of same.
Fig. 7. Longitudinal section of a modified construction (drawn to an enlarged
scale).
Fig. 8. Transverse section of same on line y-y Fig. 6.
I construct a barrel or small cylinder A with a piston or plunger B free to move
to and fro therein and capable of being propelled with considerable force fron
one end to the other by means of an explosive cartridge C or by a spring D. To
the piston or plunger B is connected a rod E which has a longitudinal movement
of any desired extent through or independent of the movement of the piston or
plunger B. The piston rod E projects through one end of the barrel or
cylinder A and the other end of the barrel is preferably closed or partially closed.
The free end of the piston rod and the closed end of the barrel are both provided
with a loop or shackle F or its equivalent to which the line G is attached.
The barrel or cylinder A the piston or plunger B and the piston rod E are
made of any suitable material such as steel copper brass aluminium vulcanite or
the like.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 the invention is illustrated as a design for the capture
of large or heavy fish in sea or other fishing and to be actuated by an explosive
cartridge.
The cylinder or barrel A is divided into two parts forming two chambers a
and into the chamber (econstituting the barrel proper) is fitted the piston B
and into the chamber a is fittel a block 11 with w cavity which forms a
recepterle for the cartridge C. A breech between these two parts for the
insertion of the cartridge is effected by screwing the one into the other or by
jointing them together in any other suitable way.
The piston B is a disc of inetal or other suitable material formed with a central
hole, the piston rod E being so connected to it as to be capable of independent
movement within a certain limit. The piston rod E passes through the centre of
the piston and is formed for a short distance near the end with an enlargement e
which accurately fits the hole in the piston and at the end with a head e¹ which
prevents it becoming disconnected with the piston. The enlargement e on the
piston rod E also serves to release the hammer K of the firing mechanism when
drawn back to the position shown in Fig. 2. The piston rod E is provided at its
other end with a shackle or loop F to which to secure the line G. It may be
made either solid as in Fig. 2 or tubular as in Fig. 3 in the latter case the
instrument may be attached to any position on the line G at any distance from
the hook that may be deemed most expedient for deep sea fishing.
The breech block II is fitted into the chamber u of the cylinder A so as to
leave a cavity behind it and is secured in position by a hollow cap or plug L.
In the centre of the block H is fitted a loose or sliding alcove which also
cccurately fits over the piston rod and through which the piston rod is free to
ulide. Between the sliding sleeve and the crp L in placed a small spiral spring.
which tends to hold the flange on the end of the sleeve against the block
The degree of compression of the spring is regulated by a screw plug so as to

page_text: adapt the instrument to various strains and circumstances and this spring moreover
re-sets the hammer.
The hammer K of the firing mechanism for discharging the cartridge C strikes
or operates a pin k passing through the breech block H. The hammer K is
mounted on a coiled spring M fitted at one end on to a pin m on a block at the
back of the breech block H and at the other end resting on a pivotel arm or
lever m¹ by which it can be pressed back and released to fire the cartridge. The
lever or arm m¹ is so placed that the flange of the sleeve when pushel back by
the enlargement e of the piston rod catches it and carries it back until the sleeve
slips past its end.
6.
In operation the upper end of the cylinder is by the shackle or loop F attached
to a spiller" or other line G and the lower end of the piston rol to a line
carrying the bait. The piston rod B is drawn out with the piston resting on the
rim of the breech block H which encloses the cartridge C, the enlarged end e of
the piston rod E projecting beyond and the shoulder of e resting on the inner
edge of the sleeve h and held in that position by the spring l In this position it
is set and ready for firing. The action of the fish in taking the bait draws the
projecting end of the piston rod E back and with it draws back the sleeve h.
The flange on the sleeve presses against the pivoted arm or lever m¹ causes it to
turn or rotate and moves back the hammer K and hammer spring M compressing
the latter. The further movement of the sleeve / brings the point of the pivoted
arm or lever m' clear of the flange which then slips over the edge releasing the
hammer spring M and causes the hammer to fall upon the firing pin k thus
discharging the cartridge. The explosive force of the cartridge causes the piston
with piston rod and line attached to be projected upwards with considerable
velocity thus striking the hook into the fish.
When discharged the small spring / presses the sleeve back until the flange
resumes its normal position on the other side of the pivoted arm m¹. No manual
resetting of the firing mechanism is necessary its normal position being set until
the cartridge is fired, after which it is immediately and automatically reset by the-
spiral spring 1.
In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a modification of the instrument for the capture
of small fish and for use in lakes rivers and streams in which the piston B is
actuated by a spring D of rubber. The barrel or cylinder A. is of metal or other
material in which slides the piston or plunger B. The piston or plunger B is
attached to a rubber spring D which is secured to the closed end of the
cylinder A. Or instead of a rubber spring such as D a spiral spring may encircle
the piston rod E. The end of the piston rod E is placed inside the piston or
plunger B and is free to move longitudinally therein to a limited extent. It is
held in position by a head e and a small spiral spring 1. The head e is made with
a groove near the end in which is placed three or four small steel balls n and from
the back the head gradually tapers to the groove. In the sides of the piston or
plunger I bore a small hole for each ball through which the balls may be forced
outwards against the inner surface of the cylinder A. The balls may be forced
outwards by the inclined or tapered part of the piston rod head e. A trigger or
other mechanism may be employed for holding the piston against the pressure of
the spring when set for use. A shackle or loop F is placed at one end of the
cylinder A and at the outer end of the piston rod E to which to attach the line G.
In operation the piston rod E is slowly drawn out and the piston B back to the
end of the cylinder in which position the inclined or tapered part of the head e is
forced between the balls n by the spring and jambs or wedges the balls against
the cylinder A holding the piston against the pull of the spring D. The
instrument is now set and ready for use. The action of the fish in taking the
bait draws the piston rod back until the balls n fall into the narrowest part of
the head e when all lateral pressure on them is removed. The piston is thereby
released and flies or is drawn back with considerable velocity by the pressure of
the spring D before the head of the piston rod can again jamb or wedge them

page_text: against the cylinder A drawing the line at the same time and thus striking the
hook into the fish.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.-
1. An apparatus or appliance to be attached to a fishing line for automatically
striking the hook into fish constructed with a piston or plunger sliding in a
cylinder or barrel and projecting rod connected thereto to which the line is
attached the piston or plunger being propelled forward in the cylinler with
considerable velocity by a cartridge or spring which is automatically fired
or released by the movement of the fish in taking the bait substantially as
described.
2. An apparatus or appliance to be attached to a fishing line for automatically
striking the hook into fish comprising a barrel or cylinder, a piston capable of
moving to and fro therein and being propelled forward therein by a cartridge, a
piston rod connected to the piston with limited movement independent of the
piston, a breech block with a cavity to receive an explosive cartridge and a firing
hammer or mechanism which is released to discharge the cartridge when the piston
rod is pulled by the movement of the fish when taking the bait substantially as
described.
3. An apparatus or appliance to be attached to a fishing line for automatically
striking the hook into fish comprising a cylinder a piston or plunger capable of
being propelled forward therein by a spring a piston rod connected to the piston
with a limited independent movement to which the fishing line is attached a
spring for actuating the piston and mechanism for holding the piston when the
spring is set for action which is released by a pull on the piston rod by the
movement of the fish in taking the bait substantially as described.
4. An apparatus or appliance to be attached to a fishing line for automatically
striking the hook into fish having the several parts constructed and arranged in
combination substantially as described and shown with reference either to Figs. 1
to 6 or to Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings
Dated this 25th day of February 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.