US20090272021A1 - Slip bobber rig - Google Patents

Abstract

A slip bobber rig having an elongated member carrying a slip bobber and a bobber stop with one end of the line securable to a fishing line and the other end of the line securable to an article of fishing tackle as well as a method of attaching a slip bobber to a fishing line without having to thread the fishing line through the slip bobber.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/130,891, filed May 17, 2005 and titled Slip Bobber Rig, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to fishing rigs and, more specifically, to a slip bobber fishing rig that one can quickly attach to a fishing line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The use of slip bobbers are known in the art. Typically, a line stop, which is small enough to pass through the eye on a fishing rod or reel, is secured to a fishing line to form either a one piece bobber stop or part of a two piece bobber stop. In the two piece bobber stop, a bobber stop includes a hollow bead or the like that slides along the fishing line but because of the small passage therein the hollow bead cannot slide past the line stop, which is often a knot which is secured on the fishing line. While the slip bobber can slide freely along the line the slip bobber is restrained from sliding along the line by the coaction of the hollow bead and the line stop. For example, with the two piece bobber stop the line stop, which is often a string that is knotted to the fishing line, prevents the hollow bead from sliding therepast since the opening in the hollow bead is such that while it can slide freely along the fishing line the passage is sufficiently small so that it cannot slide past the line stop. On the other hand the slip bobber, which has an opening that is sufficiently large so it would slide past the line stop but is prevented from sliding along the fishing line by the exterior dimensions of the hollow bead which are larger than the internal passage in the slip bobber. Thus, as the hollow bead stop can not slide past the line stop and the slip bobber can not slide past the hollow bead the coaction of the hollow bead and the line stop form a two piece bobber stop that prevents the slip bobber from sliding up the line.
• As a consequence the slip bobber and hollow bead can slide along the fishing line as the user winds the fishing line on the fishing reel. Once the line is cast the line, which is normally weighted with a sinker, slides through the slip bobber until the slip bobber is stopped by the engagement of the hollow bead with the line stop. The advantage of the system is that during use the line stop, which is small, can be wound on the reel while the bobber stop and slip bobber can slide to the terminal end of the fishing line to provide for ease in casting.
• If the slip bobber has a sufficiently small size opening so it can not pass over the knot forming the line stop it can form a one piece bobber stop. That is, the line stop is sufficiently small to pass through the line guide on the fishing reel but the same time the line stop is sufficiently large so as to stop the slip bobber from sliding therepast thus eliminating the need for both a line stop and a hollow bead in the slip bobber rig.
• One of difficulties with attaching a slip bobber to a fishing line is that a fisherperson needs to individually thread each of the components of the slip bobber rig on the fishing line in the proper sequence. In addition, since the items are generally small they are difficult to handle. That is, in a conventional method of attaching a slip bobber to a fishing line the fishing line is threaded into the hollow sleeve with a partly tied knot. Next, the hollow bead is threaded onto the fishing line. Finally, the slip bobber is threaded onto the fishing line and a hook or the like is secured to the free end of the fishing line. The field handling and assembling a slip bobber on a fishing line by individually threading the fishing line through the line stop, the hollow bead, the slip bobber and the hook to the fishing line can become frustrating, particularly, if the weather conditions are less than favorable and fingers are wet and cold.
• The invention described herein comprises a ready to use slip bobber rig that can be quickly secured to a fishing line simply by attachment of the fishing line to the end of an elongated member that carries a bobber stop and a slip bobber. Once attached, the fisherperson can quickly position the line stop at the proper location on the line without having to individually thread multiple components onto a fishing line that often can result in placing the components on the fishing line in improper order for the slip bobber to function thus causing the person to have to rethread some or all of the components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A slip bobber rig comprising an elongated member carrying a slip bobber and a bobber stop with one end of the line securable to a fishing line and the other end of the line securable to an article of fishing tackle as well as a method of attaching a slip bobber to a fishing line without having to thread the fishing line through the slip bobber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a slip bobber rig for securing to a fishing line;
• FIG. 1A shows a slotted sleeve carrying a partially pretied knot;
• FIG. 1B shows a partial section view of a bobber stop;
• FIG. 2 shows the slip bobber rig attached to a fishing line;
• FIG. 3 shows the slip bobber and stop having been slid onto thefishing line25; and
• FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the slip bobber rig.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a ready to useslip bobber rig10 for attachment to a fishing line with theslip bobber rig10 comprising an elongated member11 having a flexible line11aon the lower portion and a stiffer leader likemember11bon the upper end. Aneye17 connects elongated member11atoelongated member11bandeye18 allows one to connect thefishing rig10 to a fishing line. As shown the lower end11aof elongated member11 can attach to an article of fishing tackle, such as afishing hook13 or the like through aknot14 or the like.
• Located on theslip bobber rig10 is aslip bobber15 comprising afloat15aand anelongated tube15bextending therethrough with theelongated tube15btherein including an opening sufficiently large to allowslip bobber15 to slide freely along a fishing line. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 thefishhook13 can form a stop to prevent theslip bobber15 from sliding off the end of the elongated member during handling and attachment of the slip bobber rig to a fishing line. However, other articles of fishing tackle including sinkers or the like could form a stop to retain theslip bobber15 on theslip bobber rig10 during transport and handling of theslip bobber rig10. Similarly, thesleeve22 can be sized to form a handling stop so as to require a slight force to slide thesleeve22 over theeye18 thus preventing theslip bobber15 andhollow bead20 from sliding off the leader like member11. Thus, theslip bobber rig10 with the various components can remain in condition for ready attachment to a fishing line.
• FIG. 1 shows the leader likemember11bincludes afirst eye17 on one end for securing to flexible line11aand asecond eye18 on the opposite end for securing to the fishing line on a fisherperson's fishing reel. Located on leader likemember11bis ahollow bead20 and asleeve21 with a partiallypretied knot22 thereon that can be secured to the fishing line to form a line stop. A sleeve ortube21 with the partially pretiedknot22 located on the outside of an unslotted sleeve is known in the art and is sold by ROD-N-BOBB'S INC. of Eau Claire Wis. Typically, during individually assembly of a slip bobber on a fishing line theunslotted sleeve21 is slipped onto a fishing line and a partially pretied knot, which is on the outside of the sleeve, is slid onto the line from the sleeve and the partially pretied knot is secured to the line by pulling on the protruding ends of the partiality pretied knot Theunslotted sleeve21 or tube is then slide off the end of the line and discarded. The other components of the slip bobber system can then be individually threaded onto the fishing line.
• In the slip bobber rig shown inFIG. 1 the removeability of the sleeve from the leader like member or line is enhanced by providing aslotted sleeve21.FIG. 1A shows the partially pretiedknot22 located on asleeve21 having an elongated opening orslot23 therein.Slotted sleeve21 differs from the prior art sleeves with partially pretied knots in thatsleeve23 includes a lengthwise slot21athat allows thesleeve21 to be laterally removed from the leader likemember11bor fishing line rather than having to slide the sleeve off the end of the fishing line. As can be seen inFIG. 1 theslip bobber15, thehollow bead20 and theslotted sleeve22 are all located on a separateslip bobber rig10 which has aneye18 that can be secured to a fishing line.
• In some instance theline stop22, which comprises a knot, can also function as the bobber stop forslip bobber rig10. In those applications theslip bobber15 includes an opening that is sufficiently small so that it will not slide over theknot22 on the fishing line. This embodiment is shown inFIG. 4 and does not require thehollow bead20.
• In some cases the opening in the slip bobber is so large that ifknot22 were made large enough to form a bobber stop theknot22 could not be wound on the user's reel. That is, if the knot is too large the knot would not pass through the guide on the fishing rod and reel and thus prevent the user from winding the fishing line on the reel. In those cases, a separatehollow bead20, is used that can slide along the fishing line with the bead having a sufficiently small passage that will not pass over theknot22 but having a sufficiently larger outer dimension that prevents thebobber15 from sliding therepast. In those cases the coaction of the line stop22 and thehollow bead20 coact to prevent thebobber15 from sliding past theknot22 on the fishing line. While it is important for the line with the line stop to be wound on the reel it is also important that the line with the knot can slide freely through the eye on the rod and reel as the slip bobber is cast. This embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 1-3.
• In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 thehollow bead20 has an inner dimension that is sufficiently large to allow thehollow bead20 to slid along the fishing line but has an outer dimension sufficiently large so as to prevent theslip bobber15 from sliding thereover. Similarly, theeye18 and theeye17 on the leader likemember11bhave a dimension sufficiently small so that theslip bobber15 and thehollow bead20 can slide thereover and onto the fishing line.
• FIG. 1A shows an isolated view ofremovable sleeve21 having a longitudinal slot21athat allows thesleeve21 to be laterally slid from the fishing line when theknot22 has been slide therefrom and onto the fishing line.
• FIG. 1B shows thehollow bead20 for use when theline stop22 formed by the knot is sufficiently small so as to pass through the opening in theslip bobber15. In this instance the opening20ain the hollow bead is sufficiently small so as to engageknot22 and the outside ofhollow bead20 is sufficiently large to prevent the slip bobber from passing overhollow bead20. Thus the coaction of theline stop22 and thehollow bead20 provide for a positionable bobber rig wherein the opening in the slip bobber might be sufficiently large so as to normally pass over the line stop formed by theline stop22.
• FIG. 2 shows a step in the process of securing theslip bobber rig10 to a fishing line. In this view thefishing line25 has been secured toupper eye18 on the leader likemember11b. The slottedsleeve21 with the partiallypretied knot22 thereon has been slid over theupper eye18 and onto thefishing line25. In addition, thehollow bead20 has also been slid over theeye18 and onto thefishing line25. Theslip bobber rig10 is now ready for the step of bringing theslip bobber15 into an operable condition.
• FIG. 3 shows the partiallypretied knot22, which forms the line stop, has been removed from the slottedsleeve21 and theends22aand22bhave been pulled to bring the partiallypretied knot22 into a tied condition that can be positioned along a fishing line to form a line stop. That is, the purpose ofknot22 is to provide a stop on thefishing line25 that can be forcible slid along the fishing line but is normally held in position onfishing line25 by the frictional forces betweenknot22 andline25. In addition, theknot22 is sufficiently small so that the knot can pass through the line guide on a rod and reel to allow the line with theknot22 to be wound on the fishing reel.
• While theknot22 must be sufficiently small so as pass through the guide on the fishing reel it also must be sufficiently large so that thehollow bead20, which can slide along the fishing line, can not pass thereover. Consequently, when thehollow bead20 engages theknot22 thehollow bead20 is prevented from moving up the fishing line. At the same time theslip bobber15 is prevented from sliding over thehollow bead20. Thus theknot22 preventshollow bead20 from sliding upfishing line25 and thehollow bead20 preventsslip bobber15 from sliding upfishing line25.
• As can be seen inFIG. 3 the slottedsleeve21 has been removed fromfishing line25 by sliding the slotted sleeve laterally off thefishing line25. That is, the slot21aallows thesleeve22 to be removed from the fishing line without having to slide the sleeve off the end of the fishing line. To complete the slip bobber fishing rig asinker26 can be attached tofishing line25 and the free ends22aand22bofknot22 can be cut off. Theslip bobber rig10 is now in a ready to fish condition.
• FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the slip bobber rig30 comprising anelongated member31 having a first end28 for securing to a fishing line and asecond end29 for securing an article of fishing tackle thereto. Fishing rig30 does not use ahollow bead20. Aslip bobber15 is carried on elongatedmember31. Aremovable sleeve21 is located onelongated member31 with theremovable sleeve22 having a line stop such as apretied knot22 thereon slidable positionable from theelongated member21 to a fishing line to form a slip bobber stop having an outer dimension sufficiently large to prevent passage throughslip bobber15 yet sufficiently small to be wound on a fishing reel.
• Thus, the invention includes a field ready method of rigging a line with a slip bobber rig30 comprising attaching one end of a slip bobber rig30 having aremovable sleeve21 with a line stop such as a partiallypretied knot22 thereon to a free end of a fishing line. Sliding theremovable sleeve21 onto thefishing line31, removing theremovable sleeve21 from the fishing line and securing thepretied knot22 to the fishing line to form a line stop on the fishing line that also functions as a bobber stop.
• In the embodiment with a removable sleeve theremovable sleeve21 includes a slot to allow the sleeve to be slid laterally free of the line by passing the fishing line through the slot. However, other types of removable sleeves could be used, for example, a cellulose sleeve that dissolves in water or a sleeve that can be tom free of the line without damaging the fishing line could also be used. In some instance the removable sleeve need not be used if theknot22 is provided with sufficient integrity so as to maintain its positionability from the elongated member to the fishing line. In addition other line stops that can be wound on a reel and positioned along the fishing line could be used in the invention thus eliminating the need for a sleeve. In the embodiment shownhollow bead20 can be an elastomer bead or a solid bead. In addition, the leader like member, which can be wire like could also be a one piece flexible line such as a fishing line that can be tied directly to the free end of the fishing line of the fisherperson. To maintain the ready-to-use rig one can prevent the bobber stop from coming off the rig during shipping and handling by securing a removable tag on the eyelet which is sufficiently large to prevent the bobber stop from sliding over the eyelet. The tag can contain instructions informing the fisherperson that the line should be tied into the eyelet. Once the line is attached to the eyelet the tag can then be discarded with the rig in a ready-to-use condition.
• While a partly tied knot is shown in the preferred embodiment with the slip bobber fishing rig based on the teachings of the invention herein it is envisioned that other line stops can be first mounted on the slip bobber fishing rig and then transferred to the fishing line after the slip bobber rig has been secured to the end of a fishing line.

Claims (20)

1. A fishing apparatus configured to deliver a line stop to a fishing line, the fishing apparatus comprising:

a hollow tube having an inner surface defining an inner diameter, an outer surface, a length defined by a first end and a second end, and a slot passing from the outer surface to the inner surface along at least a portion of the length of the hollow tube; and

a line stop encircling at least a portion of the outer surface of the hollow tube.

2. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the slot passes along the entire length of the hollow tube.

3. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hollow tube is configured to be placed on a fishing line, the line stop can be removed from either the first end or the second end of the hollow tube, and the hollow tube removed from the fishing line by passing the fishing line through the slot.

4. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the hollow tube is configured to be removed from the fishing line when both ends of the fishing line are connected to fishing articles having a dimension greater than the inner diameter of the hollow tube.

5. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the fishing apparatus comprises one or more of a fishing rod, a fishing reel, a hook, a slip bobber, a sinker, an article of fishing tackle, and a swivel.

6. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the line stop comprises a string or wire.

7. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the line stop comprises a knot.

8. The fishing apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the knot comprises a partially prettied knot.

9. A method for applying a line stop to a fishing line, the method comprising:

providing a fishing apparatus comprising a line stop and a hollow tube, the hollow tube having an inner surface defining an inner diameter, an outer surface, a length defined by a first end and a second end, and a slot passing from the outer surface to the inner surface along at least a portion of the length of the hollow tube, and the line stop encircling at least a portion of the outer surface of the hollow tube;

placing a fishing line through the hollow tube from the first end to the second end;

advancing the hollow tube over the fishing line;

sliding the line stop off either the first end or the second end of the hollow tube; and

removing the hollow tube from the fishing line by passing the fishing line through the slot.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the line stop comprises a partially pre-tied knot and applying a line stop to a fishing line further comprises tightening the knot against the fishing line.

11. A method of preparing a fishing line to use a slip bobber, the method comprising:

providing a bead having a first opening and a second opening defining a channel through the bead, wherein the bead is made at least in part of an elastomeric material; and

placing the bead on a fishing line by passing the fishing line through the channel in the bead from the first opening to the second opening.

12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising placing a line stop on the fishing line.

13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising advancing the bead to the line stop, wherein the line stop has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the channel through the bead.

14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the line stop is positioned around an outer surface of a hollow tube having an inner surface defining an inner diameter, the outer surface, a length defined by a first end and a second end, and a slot passing from the outer surface to the inner surface along at least a portion of the length of the hollow tube.

15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising removing the line stop from the sleeve onto the fishing line.

16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the line stop comprises a pre-tied knot and the method further comprises tightening the knot against the fishing line.

17. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising placing a slip bobber on the fishing line.

18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the slip bobber has a channel passing through at least a portion of the length of the slip bobber and the channel has an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the bead, whereby the slip bobber cannot pass over the bead.

19. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising attaching an article of fishing tackle to the fishing line.

20. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising advancing the bead over a knot or eyelet on the fishing line by passing the knot or eyelet through the channel in the bead and stretching the elastomeric material of the bead if necessary to pass the knot or eyelet through the bead.

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