GB2273858A

GB2273858A - Extension system for a bite indicator.

Info

Publication number: GB2273858A
Application number: GB9227122A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Romang; Barry Eudall
Original assignee: DELKIM Ltd
Current assignee: DELKIM Ltd
Priority date: 1992-12-30
Filing date: 1992-12-30
Publication date: 1994-07-06
Also published as: GB9227122D0

Abstract

In a cordless extension system for one or more bite indicator heads 10a, 10b and 10c each having means for emitting an audible alarm in response to sensing of line movement on an associated fishing rod, the extension system comprises a transmitting unit 14 and a receiving unit 16. The transmitting unit 14 includes a microphone 14a for picking-up sounds emitted by the bite indicator(s) 10a, 10b or 10c and a radio transmitter for emitting a radio signal modulated in accordance with the sounds picked up by the microphone 14a. The receiving unit 16 comprises a radio receiver tuned to the radio signal emitted by the transmitting unit 14 and arranged to emit a sound through a loudspeaker 16a in response to a sound picked up by the transmitting unit 14. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTENSION SYSTEM FOR A BITE INDICATOR Field of the invention The present invention relates to an extension system for a bite indicator for use by anglers.

Background of the invention When angling for certain types of fish, for example carp, many hours may need to be spent waiting for the fish to take the bait. Anglers commonly therefore rest their rods on bite indicators that produce an audible alarm when line movement is sensed. The rods and bite indicators must usually be left in a position exposed to the elements but the angler, to make himself more comfortable, sets up a shelter, for example a tent, with a camp bed and remains sheltered during this time.

To avoid a nuisance to other nearby anglers, the output volume of the bite indicators should be set fairly low.

However, a difficulty that is then experienced by the angler is that he may not hear the alarm of the bite indicator when he is within his shelter. To avoid this problem it is known for bite indicators to be fitted with a socket for an extension speaker. When such an extension speaker is plugged into the bite indicator, the alarm is usually sounded only inside the shelter.

This however is not an entirely satisfactory solution because an angler will often use several rods on different bite indicators and it is an inconvenience to have to carry and install wiring to connect each of the bite indicators to the electronic equipment in the shelter.

There have therefore also been proposed in the past cordless extension systems. Here a radio, ultra-sound or infra-red transmission link is established between the extension box and a transmitter box connected to the extension sockets of the individual bite indicators. With such extension systems, the transmitter box must still be wired to the extension sockets of the bite indicators thereby detracting to some extent from the advantages of a cordless system.

Furthermore, the systems relying on ultra-sound or infra-red links are notoriously unreliable as the transmitters and receivers cover only a narrow angle and the systems are strongly dependent upon correct alignment.

Object of the invention The invention seeks to provide an extension system for a bite indicator that enables one or more bite indicator alarms to be heard at a remote location, without the need for extensive wiring.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention, a cordless extension system is provided for a bite indicator having means for emitting an audible alarm in response to sensing of line movement on an associated fishing rod, the extension system comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, the transmitting unit including a microphone for picking-up sounds emitted by the bite indicator(s) and a radio transmitter activated by a bite indicator alarm for emitting a radio signal modulated in accordance with the sounds picked up by the microphone and the receiving unit comprising a radio receiver tuned to the radio signal emitted by the transmitting unit and arranged to emit a sound through a loudspeaker in response to a bite indicator alarm picked up by the transmitting unit.

Preferably, the receiving unit includes a volume control to allow the angler to adjust the audio output of the receiving unit.

The transmitting unit of the present invention is designed to disregard background noises and to commence transmission only in response to detection of a bite alarm. This may be effected by a frequency sensitive filter that only allows to pass through it audio signals within the narrow band covering the frequency range of the alarms of the respective bite indicator heads. As the transmitting unit can be located very close to the alarms of the bite indicator heads, a level threshold circuit which only responds to sounds exceeding a certain minimum loudness may be used alone or in conjunction with a frequency filter to minimise interference from background sources of noise.

Because the radio transmitter is only energised after an bite indicator alarm has been detected by its loudness and/or frequency range, the power consumption of the transmitting unit is minimised.

Advantageously, output sound from the receiving unit may be suppressed in the absence of a carrier signal from the transmitting unit so that the power consumption of the receiving unit is also minimised and the receiving unit remains completely silent until a transmission is received.

A particular advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that it can be used with any existing bite indicator without requiring any modification to the bite indicator to provide an electrical output signal to the transmitting unit. Thus the system may be used with bite indicators that do not even have a socket for an extension speaker.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the single figure is a block diagram of a bite indication system.

Description of the preferred embodiment The illustrated bite indication system comprises three bite indicator heads 10a, 10b and 10c mounted on a bank stick 12 that, in use, is driven into the ground. Each indicator head has a recess for receiving a fishing rod and produces an audible alarm when movement is sensed of the associated line. Each head is also fitted with a light emitting diode that remains on even after line movement stops, to allow the triggered head to be identified. Many bite indicators also have controls to allow the pitch, volume and pulse repetition frequency of the emitted sound to be varied. As bite indicators are in themselves well known, it is not believed necessary to describe their operation in detail within the context of the present description.It is in fact an advantage of the system of the present invention that it may incorporate any form of bite indicator without requiring any modification to be made to it.

Located near the bank stick 12 supporting the bite indicator heads is a transmitting unit 14 that includes a microphone or pick-up 14a. The transmitter unit of the invention can be made very compact and can be mounted on the same support as is used for the rods. When a sound from an indicator head 10a, lOb or 10c is detected by circuitry within the transmitter 14, a radio signal is transmitted via an antenna 14b to a remotely located receiving unit 16. Mounting the transmitter unit on the rod rest gives the advantage of great proximity to the bite indicators thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the transmitter unit.

The receiving unit 16 may be a conventional wireless receiver, with a volume control, tuned to the transmission frequency of the transmitting unit 14 having a receiving antenna 16b and a loudspeaker 16a for emitting a sound corresponding to the sound picked up by the microphone of the transmitting unit 14.

The transmitting unit incorporates a circuit sensitive to the sounds emitted by the indicator heads which may for example include a frequency filter and/or a threshold level detector. Only when a sound of a certain loudness and a frequency matching the pitch of an alarm is sensed does the transmitter operate to relay the signal to the remote receiver by wireless transmission.

The operation of radio transmitters and receivers for remote communication is of course also well known and need not be described within the context of the present description. In essence the transmitting and receiving units form a walkie-talkie which allows the angler to hear the sounds emitted by the bite indicator heads when he is sitting or lying within his shelter out of earshot.

It is known, especially in FM receivers, to suppress all output from the loudspeaker when no carrier signal is detected and this is desirable in order to minimise noise from the receiving unit and reduce power consumption.

The receiving unit may also be made very compact allowing it to be carried in the pocket of the angler in the same manner as a radio pager. Such a construction offers the angler greater mobility as he can them move about quite freely while always being able to hear the bite indicators.

It is desirable to restrict the power of the transmitting unit so as to discourage the angler from straying too far from the rods and also to minimise the risk of interference between anglers operating on the same frequency.

Claims

1. A cordless extension system for a bite indicator having means for emitting an audible alarm in response to sensing of line movement on an associated fishing rod, the extension system comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, the transmitting unit including a microphone for picking-up sounds emitted by the bite indicator(s) and a radio transmitter activated by the alarm of a bite indicator alarm for emitting a radio signal modulated in accordance with the sounds picked up by the microphone and the receiving unit comprising a radio receiver tuned to the radio signal emitted by the transmitting unit and arranged to emit a sound through a loudspeaker in response to a bite indicator alarm picked up by the transmitting unit.

2. A cordless extension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit includes a frequency filter and/or a threshold level detector in order to distinguish between background noise and a bite indicator alarm.

3. A cordless extension system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving unit includes a volume control to allow the angler to adjust the audio output of the receiving unit.

4. A cordless extension system constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.