WO2004021777A1

WO2004021777A1 - Improved bite alarm for fishing

Info

Publication number: WO2004021777A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/003842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Allen
Original assignee: Tna Designs Limited
Priority date: 2002-09-04
Filing date: 2003-09-04
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2003263313A1; GB2392599A; GB0220547D0

Abstract

An electric bite alarm for connection to a fishing rod having a fishing line extending along the rod, the alarm being responsive in use to a bite signal generated by movement of the fishing line as a consequence of a fish bite, the alarm comprising an electromagnetic signal generator operable to be triggered by the bite signal and, when triggered, to transmit an electromagnetic alarm signal externally of the rod, said electromagnetic alarm signal being for detection by a corresponding bite alarm indicator. This may be used with an electric bite alarm indicator adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, said bite alarm indicator comprising an electric light operably coupled to a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic alarm signal transmitted from a corresponding bite alarm transmitter, said bite alarm indicator being operable to illuminate the electric light when the receiver receives an electromagnetic alarm signal. A kit comprising an electric bite alarm and a corresponding bite alarm indicator may also be provided.

Description

IMPROVED BITE ALARM FOR FISHING

This invention relates to visible bite alarms for use with fishing rods.

Electrically-operated bite alarms are available, for connection on to a fishing rod stand. Typically, a bite alarm has a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod, and a narrower, deeper opening for receiving the fishing line which extends along the rod. The fishing line moves in the nip of a pair of rollers. A bite from a fish pulls on the line and moves the rollers which in turn triggers an electronic circuit to produce a bite alarm, usually an audible noise and a visible light These devices are useful for day or night fishing, but for night fishing they give insufficient information about the nature and timing of the bite. A fisherman would not know the strength of the bite, and would find it difficult to judge when to jerk the fishing rod to secure the hook in the fish.

For night fishing, lights powered from chemicals are available to clip on the end of the fishing rod remote from the handle, so that the fisherman can follow any motion of the rod, to give him the information he needs about the strength and timing of the bite. However, the lights of necessity remain alight all the time, and this is uncomfortable for the fisherman, who may be using several rods simultaneously. They are also expensive and have a relatively short life span. Hence it is desirable to provide an alarm which provides electrical illumination at the remote end of the rod when, and only when, there is a bite from a fish.

Attempts to provide such an alarm which provides electrical illumination at the remote end of the rod have generally been unsuccessful, although a bite alarm which achieved this aim has been disclosed in GB 2366503 and WO 02/19816. The earlier alarm indicator was adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, and comprised an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the said rod end and converting it to an electrical. signal; and an electric light for generating visible light from the electrical signal. A related invention provided an electric bite alarm for connection to a fishing rod, responsive to the movement of a fishing line extending along the rod to trigger a bite signal, comprising an electromagnetic signal generator triggered by the bite signal to transmit an electromagnetic signal into the rod.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electric bite alarm for connection to a fishing rod having a fishing line extending along the rod, the alarm being responsive in use to a bite signal generated by movement of the fishing line as a consequence of a fish bite, the alarm comprising an electromagnetic signal generator operable to be triggered by the bite signal and, when triggered, to transmit an electromagnetic alarm signal externally of the rod, said electromagnetic alarm signal being for detection by a corresponding bite alarm indicator. Transmitting the alarm signal externally of the rod advantageously means that any composition or configuration of fishing rod may be used, and there is no requirement for the rod to conduct the electromagnetic radiation through its body.

Preferably the electromagnetic signal generator comprises an infra-red transmitter. Infra-red transmitters are effective over the length of a fishing rod, and are relatively inexpensive. Accordingly, a corresponding bite alarm indicator may be located at the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, having an infra-red receiver responsive to the said transmitter. Alternatively, the electromagnetic signal generator may comprise a microwave transmitter or a radio frequency transmitter. Microwave and radio frequency transmitters have the advantage that they are less dependent on "line-of-sight" communication between the transmitter and receiver than is the case with infra-red, and accordingly this enables the transmitter to send an alarm signal to a receiver remote from the rod (e.g. a hand-held receiver in the angler's tent). It is believed that an ultraviolet transmitter would also be adequate for the transmission of an alarm signal over a relatively short distance (e.g. the length of a fishing rod).

Preferably the bite alarm further comprises bite signal generation means responsive to motion of the line.

Particularly preferably the bite signal generation means comprise a rotary device, rotatable in use by movement of the line, and a sensor responsive to the rotation of the rotary device, said sensor being operable to generate a bite signal when rotation of the rotary device is detected.

In one preferred embodiment the rotary device comprises a wheel incorporating a graticule, and the sensor comprises an optical transmitter and receiver responsive to interruption by rotation of the graticule. In another preferred embodiment the rotary device comprises a wheel incorporating a magnet, and the sensor is responsive to the passing of the magnet. A Hall effect switch may be incorporated in the sensor.

A second sensor may be provided such that the direction of motion of the line may be determined. This provides the advantageous option of configuring the alarm such that, for example, it is activated only when the line is spooled out (i.e. pulled by a caught fish) and is not triggered when the line is drawn in by an incoming tide.

Preferably the bite alarm further comprises sensitivity control means operabiy coupled to the electromagnetic signal generator, said sensitivity control means being adjustable io specify a threshold rate of successive bite signals to be received before the electromagnetic signal generator generates an electromagnetic alarm signal. Accordingly, the user may set the sensitivity of the alarm such that it does not generate false alarms, e.g. when the line is moved in and out by gentle tidal currents or small waves. Instead, the sensitivity control may be set such that it is only activated when a bite from a fish causes rapid motion of the line, thereby generating bite signals above a threshold rate.

The bite alarm may further comprise a visible alarm triggered by the bite signal, and/or an audible alarm (optionally with a volume control) also triggered by the bite signal.

As with conventional bite alarms, preferably the bite alarm further comprises a housing mountable on a stand, in which housing the rod rests in use. Particularly preferably the housing further comprises a switch electrically connected to the bite alarm, the switch being arranged such that, when the rod is lifted from the housing, the state of the switch is changed and the bite alarm is consequently deactivated. This provides the advantage that, in use, when the alarm alerts the fisherman to a catch, it is immediately deactivated when he lifts the rod to reel in the catch. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an electric bite alarm indicator adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, said bite alarm indicator comprising means for accommodating an internal power source (e.g. a battery cell), and an electric light operabiy coupled to a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic alarm signal transmitted from a corresponding bite alarm transmitter, said receiver being operable to connect the power source, in use, to the electric light to illuminate the bite alarm indicator when the receiver receives an electromagnetic alarm signal.

The receiver is configured to be responsive to a corresponding bite alarm transmitter unit. Accordingly, therefore, the receiver is preferably responsive to infra-red alarm signals. In alternative embodiments, however, the receiver may be responsive to microwave, radio frequency or ultraviolet alarm signals.

Preferably the electric light comprises a light-emitting diode (LED). A plurality of LEDs may be used, and indicators may also be supplied having different colour LEDs. By attaching a different coloured indicator to each of a plurality of rods in simultaneous use, a fisherman can thereby identify at a glance which rod has made a catch.

Preferably the bite alarm indicator further comprises control means operable to specify the nature of the illumination of the light when illuminated. The "nature of the illumination" is, for example, whether or not the light flashes, or for how long it remains illuminated. Preferably the bite alarm indicator further comprises a housing for the receiver and the light, the housing incorporating a formation for clamping the indicator to the rod in use.

The bite alarm indicator may also comprise an audible alarm triggered by the electromagnetic alarm signal. This may have a volume control and/or a tone control, and provides a further means by which to alert the fisherman to the catch.

An electric bite alarm and a bite alarm indicator may be supplied together for use by a fisherman, for example as a bite alarm kit. Thus, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a bite alarm kit for a fishing rod, said kit comprising an electric bite alarm in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and an electric bite alarm indicator adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, said bite alarm indicator comprising an electric light operabiy coupled to a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic alarm signal transmitted from a corresponding bite alarm transmitter, said bite alarm indicator being operable to illuminate the electric light when the receiver receives an electromagnetic alarm signal.

The receiver of the bite alarm is preferably responsive to infra-red alarm signals, although in alternative embodiments it may be responsive to microwave, radio frequency or ultraviolet alarm signals.

Preferably the electric light of the bite alarm indicator comprises a light-emitting diode, and particularly preferably it further comprises control means operable to specify the nature of the illumination of the light when illuminated. Preferably the bite alarm indicator further comprises a housing for the receiver and the light, the housing incorporating a formation for clamping the indicator to the rod in use.

Preferably the bite alarm indicator further comprises an audible alarm triggered by the electromagnetic alarm signal.

In order that the invention may be better understood, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a fishing rod resting on a stand incorporating a bite alarm, incorporating an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of another fishing rod incorporating an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3a illustrates some principal components of an embodiment of an electric bite alarm and a bite alarm indicator, wherein the bite alarm incorporates a rotary graticule and a sensor to generate bite signals; and

Figure 3b illustrates a disk incorporating magnets, and a Hall effect switch for generating bite signals, which may be used in an alternative embodiment of the bite alarm.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional fishing rod 10 having a handle 15 at one end and a shaft 14 extending away from the angler in use. A row of eyelets 17 guide a fishing line 14 along the entire length of the rod to a reel 21 coupled to the handle 15. To alert the angler to a bite from a fish, the rod is equipped with an electric bite alarm 12 (supported by a fishing rod stand 11) and a bite alarm indicator 13. Figure 2 also illustrates an optional accessory, a swinger arm 24, which the fisherman may choose to use in conjunction with the electric bite aiarm in order to keep the line taut as it moves in and out, under the action of the tide. Principal components of preferred embodiments of the bite alarm 12 and indicator unit 13 are described below in greater detail with reference to Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric bite alarm 12 may be supported by a conventional fishing rod stand 11 positioned on or anchored in the ground 22 (e.g. the bank of a river 20). The bite alarm 12 is arranged to support the rod at a point along its length, with the handle 15 either resting on the ground (as shown in Figure 1 ) or supported by another stand 29 (as in Figure 2). The geometry of the bite alarm incorporates a wide recess for receiving and supporting the shaft 14 of the rod, and also a deeper, narrower recess (extending below the wide recess) through which the line 14 passes. The bite alarm 12 incorporates a sensor for detecting motion of the line. This sensor is arranged in the deep narrow recess, such that it can respond to motion of the line. The bite alarm 12 also incorporates an electromagnetic signal generator/transmitter 25 operable to transmit an alarm signal 28 to a corresponding receiver on an alarm indicator unit.

Figures 1 and 2 show a bite alarm indicator unit 13 clipped on to the far end of the rod shaft 16. The indicator unit 13 incorporates an electric light 27 which is illuminated on receipt of the alarm signal 28 by a detector or antenna 26. The indicator unit thereby acts as a night light, giving a clear visual signal to the fisherman when, and only when, there is a bite. The bite alarm transmitter unit 12 and the indicator receiver unit 13 are described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b.

The bite alarm unit 12 preferably has a plastics housing and a stem for mounting in the fishing rod stand 11. An example of suitable geometry for the housing may be seen by reference to Figure 3 of WO 02/19816, which shows a U-shaped recess for accommodating the fishing rod and a deeper, narrower recess for accommodating the fishing line 14. The housing has a battery compartment for accommodating standard ceils and powering the electrical components.

As shown in Figure 3a herein, the bite alarm unit 12 comprises a wheel 30 against which the fishing line 14 runs as it passes through the deeper recess. The wheel 30 is arranged such that it is turned by movement of the line (e.g. when a fish bites). A recess may be provided around the circumference of the wheel to accommodate the line and to prevent the line from slipping off the wheel. Alternatively a roller, or a pair of rollers, may be provided to respond to motion of the line. If a pair of rollers is used, then the line may be arranged to pass through the nip of the rollers.

To create an electrical bite signal in response to motion of the wheel 30, the bite alarm further comprises an electrical circuit incorporating one or more sensors (e.g. 35 and/or 36, or 49) arranged to detect rotation of the wheel 30. The sensors 35, 36 may be positioned such that they are activated directly by the rotation of the wheel 30. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3a, a second wheel 32 may be connected by a shaft 31 to the driven wheel 30, and it is this second wheel 32 to which the sensors are responsive. As shown in Figure 3a, one possible arrangement of the second wheel 32 and sensors 35, 36 is that the wheel 32 incorporates a radial graticule comprising alternating regions of optically transparent (33) and opaque (34) material. Each sensor 35, 36 transmits a beam of light from a source on one side of the wheel 32 towards a detector on the other side. The beam of light may be generated by any suitable means, such as a conventional light bulb, a light-emitting diode or a laser beam. Transmission of the beam of light is interrupted by the optically opaque regions of the graticule when the wheel 32 is rotated, being driven by the wheel 30. This causes the sensors 35, 36 to generate an electric bite signal. The sensors are each electrically connected to a circuit board 37, which also includes an electromagnetic signal generator 38. The signal generator is operable to transmit an electromagnetic alarm signal 43 to the indicator unit 13, and is discussed in greater detail below.

An alternative sensor arrangement is shown in Figure 3b. Here, the shaft 31 from the driven wheel (not shown) turns a second wheel 44 onto which are mounted a plurality of magnets 45, 46, 47, 48. Alongside the wheel 44 is a Hall effect switch 49 which generates an electric bite signal when a magnet passes.

Although a single sensor (e.g. 35) is adequate, two or more sensors may be employed. By positioning them appropriately, it is possible to interpret their signals to determine the direction of motion of the wheel 32. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the bite alarm such that, for example, it is activated only when the line is spooled out (i.e. pulled by a caught fish, in the direction indicated by the arrow 41) and is not triggered when the line is drawn in by an incoming tide. However, the bite alarm may also be configured to register a bite when the fish is moving towards the angler, although this requires the line to be kept taut, e.g. by using a swinger arm 24 (Figure 2).

The electromagnetic signal generator is preferably an infra-red transmitter, although microwave or radio frequency transmitters may be employed instead. Infra-red transmitters have the advantage that they are relatively inexpensive and are adequate for transmitting to an alarm indicator unit positioned at the remote end of the rod, provided the angular range of the transmitter is sufficient to cover the anticipated flexure of the rod in use. However, if microwave or radio frequency radiation is used instead, then it is possible for the alarm indicator unit to be positioned in places other than in the direct line-of-sight of the transmitter. In particular, it becomes possible for the angler to take the indicator unit away from the rod, and the indicator unit will still function provided it is within range of the transmitter. For example, the angler may take the indicator unit into a nearby tent if he does not wish to stand alongside the rod.

It is believed that an ultraviolet transmitter would also be adequate for the transmission of an alarm signal over a relatively short distance (e.g. the length of the fishing rod).

The circuit board 37 may also include a processor (not illustrated) which may be configured to determine the conditions by which the electromagnetic signal generator 38 transmits an alarm signal 43 to the indicator unit 13. In principle, the electromagnetic signal generator may be configured to transmit an alarm signal when a single bite signal is generated by the sensor. However, in practice, this would lead to many false alarms, as tidal movement of the line would lead to movement of the wheel 30. Accordingly, the circuit board 37 may also comprise sensitivity control means (e.g. a dial) adjustable to enable the angler to specify a threshold rate of successive bite signals to be received before the electromagnetic signal generator is triggered to transmit an alarm signal. The rate may be monitored by the processor, counting the number of bite signals generated by the sensor over a given period of time. The threshold rate would be selected so as_. to correspond to the rapid spooling of the line that would be expected when a fish is caught.

The bite alarm unit 12 may also comprise an audible alarm (optionally having a volume control) and one or more electric lights (e.g. light-emitting diodes, which may be of different colours). These audible and visible alarms are triggered when the alarm signal is transmitted to the remote alarm indicator unit 13.

By setting the sensitivity control to trigger the electromagnetic signal generator only when there are true bites from fish, not only are inconvenient occurrences of false alarms minimised, but so too is electrical power consumption by the bite alarm 12. In order to save further power consumption, the optional audio alarm and/or lights in the alarm unit, as referred to in the above paragraph, may be omitted or means may be provided to turn these features off.

The bite alarm unit may additionally comprise a switch electrically connected to the bite alarm. The switch is positioned in the U-shaped recess accommodating the fishing rod, and is arranged such that, when the rod is lifted from the housing, the state of the switch is changed and the bite alarm is consequently deactivated. Turning now to the bite alarm indicator unit 13, it may be formed as a hollow, generally cylindrical transparent plastics housing, as a unitary moulding. An example of such a geometry is illustrated in Figure 2a of WO 02/19816. In this, the housing has a part-cylindrical channel-shaped recess whose walls are resiliently deformable, so that the housing can be clipped with a push fit over the narrow end of the fishing rod shaft 14.

As illustrated in Figure 3a herein, the principal components of the indicator unit 13 are a receiver 39 appropriately adapted to receive the electromagnetic alarm signal 43, and an electric light 40 arranged to be illuminated on receipt of the signal 43. The electric light is preferably a light-emitting diode, as its power consumption is low. Indicator units may be supplied having different colour LEDs. By attaching a different coloured indicator to each of a plurality of rods in simultaneous use, a fisherman can thereby identify at a glance which rod has made a catch.

Electric power for the components in the indicator unit 13 may be provided by a conventional battery cell (not shown) or an equivalent power source. The indicator unit may be supplied with an integral cell, or alternatively the indicator unit may incorporate a battery compartment shaped to accommodate one or more battery cells and having appropriate terminals to enable the one or more cells to be connected to the electrical components to be powered. When the receiver 39 receives the electromagnetic alarm signal 43 it connects the power source to the electric light 40 and thereby illuminates the bite alarm indicator 13.

By way of an alternative mechanism for powering the bite alarm indicator unit, depending on the power requirements of the electrical components used it may be possible to engineer the indicator unit such that it is passively powered by the electromagnetic alarm signal (i.e. such that it derives power from the transmitted electromagnetic radiation alone, without using a battery cell}, for example using a technique as described in WO 02/19816.

The indicator unit 13 may optionally also comprise an audible alarm triggered by the electromagnetic alarm signal, which may have a volume control and/or a tone control . Control means may also be provided to enable the fisherman to specify the nature of the illumination of the light - e.g. to remain illuminated for a predetermined period of time, or to flash, etc.

When a fish bites, the end of the fishing rod vibrates in a way which characterises the strength and timing of the bite, and the fisherman can observe all of this by following the motion of the electric light 27 (Figure 2), if it is mounted on the rod end.

If the indicator unit 13 is responsive to microwave or radio frequency alarm signals, then it may be designed to be readily detachable from the rod, so that the fisherman can take it elsewhere (e.g. into his tent).

The electric bite alarm unit 12 and the indicator unit 13 may be supplied together as a kit, or may be supplied separately. For either piece of apparatus, the frequency of the electromagnetic alarm signal is preferably specified on the housing or packaging of the apparatus. Alternatively the electromagnetic alarm signal frequency may be selected by the angler from a range of possible frequencies using a control on the ^■ apparatus. If an angler uses a number of bite alarms and corresponding detectors (i.e. kits) simultaneously and in close proximity, then it is highly desirable for each kit to operate using a different alarm signal frequency. This ensures that the light will illuminate on the rod associated with the bite, and not on the rods alongside. The angler is thereby clearly alerted as to which rod he needs to turn his attention to, in order to reel in the catch..

In a further alternative embodiment, a remote indicator unit is proposed which may be connected to the bite alarm unit 12 by an electric cable. This may be in addition to the indicator unit 13 mounted on the end of the rod, and the cable-connected second indicator unit may be taken with the angler into his tent, for example. In response to a detected fish bite, when the electromagnetic alarm signal is transmitted (or instead of transmitting the electromagnetic signal) an electrical signal may be transmitted along this cable to the second indicator unit to alert the angler to the catch.

Claims

1. An electric bite alarm for connection to a fishing rod having a fishing line extending along the rod, the alarm being responsive in use to a bite signal generated by movement of the fishing line as a consequence of a fish bite, the alarm comprising an electromagnetic signal generator operable to be triggered by the bite signal and, when triggered, to transmit an electromagnetic alarm signal externally of the rod, said electromagnetic alarm signal being for detection by a corresponding bite alarm indicator.

2. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic signal generator comprises an infra-red transmitter.

3. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal generator comprises a microwave transmitter.

4. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal generator comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

5. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal .generator comprises an ultraviolet transmitter.

6. A bite alarm as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising bite signal generation means responsive to motion of the line.

7. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the bite signal generation means comprise a rotary device, rotatable in use by movement of the line, and a sensor responsive to the rotation of the rotary device, said sensor being operable to generate a bite signal when rotation of the rotary device is detected.

8. A bite aiarm as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the rotary device comprises a wheel incorporating a graticule, and the sensor comprises an optical transmitter and receiver responsive to interruption by rotation of the graticule.

9. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the rotary device comprises a wheel incorporating a magnet, and the sensor is responsive to the passing of the magnet.

0. A bite alarm as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, further comprising a second sensor arranged such that the direction of motion of the line may be determined.

11. A bite alarm as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising sensitivity control means operabiy coupled to the electromagnetic signal generator, said sensitivity control means being adjustable to specify a threshold rate of successive bite signals to be received before the electromagnetic signal generator generates an electromagnetic alarm signal.

12. A bite alarm as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising a visible alarm triggered by the bite signal.

13. A bite alarm as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising an audible alarm triggered by the bite signal.

14. A bite alarm as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising a housing mountable on a stand, in which housing the rod rests in use.

15. A bite alarm as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises a switch electrically connected to the bite alarm, the switch being arranged such that, when the rod is lifted from the housing, the state of the switch is changed and the bite alarm is consequently deactivated.

16. An electric bite alarm indicator adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, said bite alarm indicator comprising means for accommodating an internal power source, and an electric light operabiy coupled to a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic alarm signal transmitted from a corresponding bite alarm transmitter, said receiver being operable to connect the power source, in use, to the electric light to illuminate the bite alarm indicator when the receiver receives an electromagnetic alarm signal.

17. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the receiver is responsive to infra-red alarm signals.

18. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the receiver is responsive to microwave aiarm signals.

19. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the receiver is responsive to radio frequency alarm signals.

20. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the receiver is responsive to ultraviolet alarm signals.

21. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 20, wherein the electric light comprises a light-emitting diode.

22. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 21 further comprising control means operable to specify the nature of the illumination of the light when illuminated.

23. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 22, further comprising a housing for the receiver and the light, the housing incorporating a formation for clamping the indicator to the rod in use.

24. A bite alarm indicator as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 23, further comprising an audible alarm triggered by the electromagnetic alarm signal.

25. A bite alarm kit for a fishing rod, said kit comprising an electric bite alarm as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15, and an electric bite alarm indicator adapted for connection close to the end of a fishing rod remote from the rod handle, said bite alarm indicator comprising an electric light operabiy coupled to a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic alarm signal transmitted from a corresponding bite alarm transmitter, said bite alarm indicator being operable to illuminate the electric light when the receiver receives an electromagnetic alarm signal.

26. A bite alarm kit as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the receiver of the bite alarm indicator is responsive to infra-red alarm signals.

27. A bite alarm kit as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the receiver of the bite alarm indicator is responsive to microwave alarm signals.

28. A bite alarm kit as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the receiver of the bite alarm indicator is responsive to radio frequency alarm signals.

29. A bite alarm kit as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the receiver of the bite alarm indicator is responsive to ultraviolet alarm signals.

30. A bite alarm kit as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 29, wherein the electric light of the bite alarm indicator comprises a light-emitting diode.

31. A bite alarm kit as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 30, wherein the bite alarm indicator further comprises control means operable to specify the nature of the illumination of the light when illuminated.

32. A bite alarm kit as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 31 , wherein the bite alarm indicator further comprises a housing for the receiver and the light, the housing incorporating a formation for clamping the indicator to the rod in use.

33. A bite alarm kit as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 32, wherein the bite alarm indicator further comprises an audible alarm triggered by the electromagnetic alarm signal.

34. An electric bite alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. An electric bite alarm indicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A bite alarm kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.