On-Line Fishing Depth Indicator

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is generally related to a device for determining the water depth of fishing lures and the like and is specifically directed to an on-line indicator for monitoring the depth of fishing bait as it is pulled through the water.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the development of electronic devices for determining water depth and determining the location of objects in the water, numerous electronic systems have been developed to aide fishing enthusiasts in locating and catching fish. For example, "fish finders" are well known and are used to determine the location of schools of fish in a body of water. The more sophisticated fish finders not only locate the school but indicate the depth of the school within the specific location. It is common to troll crank bait, lures and other baits through the water in the vicinity of the school in an effort to attract the fish toward the bait and draw a strike. Typically, this is accomplished by paying out a specific amount of fishing line from a rod and reel located within a boat and then trolling the boat across the surface of the water in the vicinity of the school at a specific speed.

It is common knowledge that different types of bait, dependent on configuration, weight, hydrodynamics and other factors will troll through the water at different, predictable depths. The depth of the bait being pulled through the water is also dependent upon the amount of line paid out from the rod and the speed at which the boat is trolling through the water. It is desirable to know with certainty at what depths specific baits will troll through the water under predefined conditions. For example, if a school of fish is found to be at eight feet below the surface of the trolling boat, it is advantageous to know what bait can be secured to the line to troll through the water in the vicinity of eight feet, greatly increasing the chances for drawing fish toward the bait. In a typical example, if 200 feet of line is paid out from the boat and the boat is trolling through the water at three miles per hour, specific baits will troll through the water at a predetermined and predictable depth. In the past, the depth of the bait has been determined through trial and error and at best the results have been less than accurate. However, detailed log books have been created cataloging the performance of various baits under controlled conditions. Tournament participants, in particular, have relied on these log books in an effort to use bait consistent with the conditions in an effort to obtain predictable results. Such efforts have met with spotty success.

While various water depth monitoring devices have been available, there are no known devices specifically dealing with this subject problem. That is, there are no known devices in the prior an for monitoring the depth at which specific baits operate under predetermined, controlled conditions.

Examples of depth indicators for use in sport fishing, tournament fishing and the like are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,821,805 issued to W. Kunze on Feb. 4, 1958 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,143 issued to W. Dow on Jun. 5, 1962. The Kunze patent discloses a fish finding apparatus having a depth gauge attached to a net and adapted for pulling the net through the water at a specific depth in order to increase the chances that the net will be pulled through a school of fish. The Dow patent discloses a telemetering depth meter and a hydrophone adapted for pulling a net through the water at a specific depth. Both the Kunze and Dow patents are particularly suited for commercial fishing. Neither of these devices is readily capable for sport fishing and is not adaptable for determining the operating depth of specific baits.

Examples of depth sensitive transducers are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,425 issued to McLoad on Mar. 7, 1967; U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,952 issued to Lewis on Sept. 30, 1980; U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,397 issued to Robertson on May 15, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,951 issued to Leavell et al on Jul. 24, 1990. Each of these patents discloses various circuitry and devices for measuring water depth through utilization of a pressure transducer or the like. Examples of depth indicators for use by boaters and divers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,881 issued to Rich on Apr. 13, 1954 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,283 issued to Jennings et al on Dec. 31, 1974, respectively.

While depth finding apparatus are well known, none of the art discloses a device which is specifically directed to determining the performance of fishing bait pulled through the water by a moving fishing line in a trolling operanon.

The subject invention is specifically directed to an on-line fishing depth indicator for determining the performance of a bait pulled through the water under specific, predetermined conditions. The fishing depth indicator of the subject invention has a hydrodynamic design permitting it to be pulled through the water with the bait without interfering with the performance of the bait, giving an accurate reading of the performance of the bait as it is trolled through the water. The preferred embodiment of the invention permits the indicator to be pulled through the water either in series with or in parallel with the subject bait without impairing the depth performance of the bait. The depth indicator may be secured in advance to the bait or in a trailing position behind the bait while still giving an accurate readout.

In its preferred form, the depth indicator is a generally torpedo shape and includes a ring fastener by which the depth indicator may be secured directly to a fishing line swivel or a bait swivel or the like. All of the components and power units for operating the depth indicator are contained within the torpedo-shaped housing.

In the preferred embodiment, a visual readout is provided for indicating the maximum depth the bait has reached during the trolling operation. Preferably, the indicator includes a transparent window through which an LCD readout may be read for visually ascertaining the maximum depth of the bait. In the preferred form, the depth may be read in either the English or metric system.

The body of the depth indicator may be constructed of a transparent plastic material, making all of the components including the readout readily visible from the exterior of the unit. The torpedo shape of the housing is made of several sections, wherein the electronic circuitry and power supply may be placed in a hermetically sealed cavity within the housing and the transducer may be placed in an isolated chamber which is in direct communication with the water through a uniform series of ports, by which the water pressure is monitored and measured.

It is preferred that the control circuitry associated with the pressure transducer include a programmable means for calibrating the signal to accommodate for any inaccuracies in performance which may be caused by the presence of the indicator in the system. Thus, the readout provides a calibrated signal indicating the predicted performance depth of the bait when the depth indicator is not present.

The fishing depth indicator of the subject invention is designed to be easily used, with a minimum of training required, for producing accurate, predictable and repeatable results for logging the performance of specific baits under predetermined conditions. Use of the fishing depth indicator of the subject invention greatly enhances the performance of the bait by providing accurate, predictable information relating to bait action under controlled conditions.

It is, therefore, an object and feature of the subject invention to provide a fishing depth indicator for producing accurate information relating to the performance of specific fishing bait under controlled conditions.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide an on-line fishing depth indicator which may be used in combination with specific bait to determine the specific performance of the bait under controlled conditions.

It is an additional object and feature of the subject invention to provide an on-line fishing depth indicator which may be used in combination with the bait without impairing the performance of the bait in order to determine accurate information relating to the bait performance.

It is yet another object and feature of the subject invention to provide a fishing depth indicator which may be connected in series on a fishing line with the bait either in a trailing or a leading position.

It is yet another object and feature of the subject invention to provide an on-line fishing depth indicator which may be connected in parallel with a specific bait in order to determine the performance of the bait under specific conditions.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide a calibrated readout giving an accurate indication of the performance of the bait, compensating for any inaccuracies created by the presence of the fishing depth indicator during monitoring operations.

Other objects and features of the subject invention will be readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the fishing depth indicator of the subject invention, shown in series in a leading position relative to a crank bait, as secured to a typical fishing line.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the fishing depth indicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the fishing depth indicator in series with the indicator in a wailing position relative to a crank bait.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the indicator in parallel with a crank bait.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing an alternative embodiment of the fishing depth indicator.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the fishing depth indicator of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating an alternative configuration for the pressure ports.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another alternative configuration for the pressure ports.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the pressure transducer and control circuit for the subject invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a circuit in accordance with FIG. 10.

The fishing depth indicator 10 of the subject invention is shown in FIG. 1 as attached to a typical fishing line 12, a leader 14 and crank bait 16. In a typical application, a swivel connector 18 is disposed at the end of the fishing line 12. The depth indicator 10 includes a ring 20 at the outer end of the fish depth indicator and adapted for receiving the connector associated with the swivel 18. Likewise, a second ring 22 may be provided at the opposite end of the fishing depth indicator and is adapted to be secured in the connector of the swivel 24. The swivel 24 is secured to the leader 14 which is attached to a swivel connector 26 for supporting the crank bait or lure 16.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fishing depth indicator 10 is shown in series and in a leading position with the crank bait 16 on the line 12. That is, it is in advance of the crank bait 16 on the line 12. The crank bait 16 may also be placed in a leading, series position with the depth indicator 10 as shown in FIG. 4 or in parallel as shown in FIG. 5. In the configuration of either FIGS. 4 or 5, the second ring 22 may be eliminated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a swivel 18 is connected to line 12 for mounting the crank bait 16. The leader 14 is secured to the trailing end of the bait and includes a swivel 14 adapted for receiving the ring 20 of the depth indicator 10. In FIG. 5, a multiple swivel 19 is secured to the end of line 12 with one end 21 attached to leader 14 for securing the crank bait and the other end 23 secured to the ring 20 of the depth indicator 10.

A sectional view of one embodiment of the fishing depth indicator is shown in FIG. 2. As there shown, the indicator 10 includes an elongated cylindrical body 30 having a central axial hollow core 32 with an open end having a female threaded portion 34. The cylindrical body 30 terminates in an outer, substantially conical end portion 36 and 38, giving the indicator body a substantially torpedo shape providing a minimum of resistance when pulled through the water. In the preferred embodiment, each of the respective ends 36, 38 terminate in a reduced cylindrical portion 40 and 42 having rounded outer ends 4-4, 46, respectively. A through channel 48 is provided in end 36 for receiving the circular ring 20. A similar through channel 50 is provided at the opposite outer end 38 for the circular ring 22. The rings 20 and 22 are used to attach the fish depth indicator to a fishing line in any of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1, 4 or 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1--3, the end 36 of the fish indicator 10 is removable and includes a reduced male threaded portion 52 which is mated with the female threaded portion 34 of the cylindrical body portion 30. The releasable end 36 includes an elongated cylindrical chamber 56 which forms a part of the cavity 32. In the preferred embodiment, the chamber 56 is adapted for receiving a pressure transducer 58 which is in communication with the pressure ports 60 through the channel 62. The transducer 58 may be potted in the chamber 56 in the typical manner, as shown by the epoxy based potting compound 64. Leads (not shown) extend outwardly from the transducer 58 through the potting compound 64 and into the cavity 32, by which the transducer is powered via battery cells 65, 66 and connected to the control circuitry as shown at 68.

In the preferred form of the invention, a sealing ring 70 is provided and mounted on the reduced portion 52 of the end 36. A shoulder 72 is provided on the releasable end and a complementary shoulder 74 is provided on the outer end of the cylindrical body 30. As the releasable end is threaded into and secured in the body 30, the shoulders 72 and 74 compress the ring 70 to form a water-tight seal, sealing the cavity 32 and chamber 56, creating a water-tight compartment for the electronics of the indicator.

Alternative preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As there shown, the indicator pin includes the elongate body 30, as in the configuration of FIG. 2. However, unlike the configuration of FIG. 2, the forward end 236 of this configuration is permanently secured to the body 30 by sonic welding or the like in an end cavity 237 provided in the body. The transducer 58 is mounted in the end portion 236 and is typically potted therein as shown at 64 with leads 235 and 239 being received in the axial channel 240 in the body 30 for connecting the transducer 58 to the electronic circuit module 68. The electronic module 68 is carried in an enlarged cavity 232 corresponding to the cavity 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. The electronic circuitry is contained in the cavity 232 by a sealing ring 233.

As is particularly shown in FIG. 6, the battery cells 65 and 66 may either be contained in a battery chamber provided at the outer end of the housing 30, or as shown in FIG. 7, may be contained in a chamber or cavity provided in the end cap 238. The location of the batteries is largely dependent on size constraints. The outermost end of the body 30 of the configurations of FIGS. 6 and 7 is internally threaded as at 241 for receiving the male threaded portion 242 of the end cap 238. An O-ring seal 244 or the like is provided on the end cap 238 for hermetically sealing the end cap when it is tightly turned down on threads in the body 30. This assures a water-tight compartment for the battery cells 65 and 66.

It will be noted that the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes an end cap 238 which is not adapted for receiving a trailing ring 22. This particular configuration is designed to be used when the indicator 10 is placed in a trailing position as shown in FIG. 4 or a parallel position as shown in FIG. 5. Of course, it will be readily understood to those who are skilled in the art, that the end cap 238 could be modified to include a through channel 50, as with the configuration of FIG. 2, for receiving a second mounting ring 22.

The body of the indicator is preferably made of a transparent plastic material such as, by way of example, Lexan type polycarbonate. This permits the electronic components to be readily visible from the exterior of the indicator. A visual display unit 76 is mounted in the cavity 32 of the indicator body 30 and includes an LCD readout display or the like which is visible through the exterior of the body. This permits the measurements taken by the transducer 58 to be read without dismantling the indicator. In the preferred embodiment, a sequencing switch 80 is provided and is in communication with the control circuit 68 for controlling the power supply and the LCD module 76. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sequencing switch is adapted to be sequenced through four operative modes as follows: "ON/OFF", "ENGLISH", "METRIC", "BATTERY CONDITION". That is, in operation of the device, before the indicator is submerged in the water, the sequencing switch is depressed to turn the unit "ON". The unit is then adapted for determining the greatest depth reached by the indicator during the trolling operation. This depth is stored in the memory of the control unit 68. When the indicator is removed from the water, the switch 80 is again depressed to indicate the depth in feet. Where desired, the indicator may again be depressed to determine the depth in meters. After the depth has been read, the unit may be turned off by again depressing the switch 80. When the switch is again depressed to energize the unit, it is reset for a second operation.

The ports 60 in the end cap 36 are illustrated in FIG. 3. In the configuration there shown, the ports are disposed at 90.degree. relative to one another and intersect at a common point which is defined by the channel 62 which is in communication with the transducer 58 in the cavity 56. It has been found that the ports are operative to provide a good pressure reading for determining the depth of the indicator when the taper angle of the tapered end 36 of the indicator intersects the central longitudinal axis 82 at an angle of approximately 10.degree. to 14.degree.. The ports 60 are then disposed in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis 82 at 90.degree.. Each orifice is an elongate, cylindrical channel having an orifice diameter of approximately 0.06 inches. The axial channel 62 connecting the ports to the transducer has an internal diameter of approximately 0.085 inches.

Alternate configurations of the pressure ports are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Three equally spaced ports 160 may be placed in a plane orthogonal to the central axis 82 and the radially spaced at 120.degree. as shown in FIG. 8. These ports are also cylindrical and are of an orifice diameter of approximately 0.06 inches. The five port system of FIG. 9 has also been shown to be satisfactory for use in connection with the subject invention. As there shown, the ports 260 are spaced radially about the body by a radial angular displacement of 72.degree.. The orifice diameter is approximately 0.06 inches.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, the radial ports are disposed in a plane orthogonal to the central axis 82 of the indicator. The axial port 62 connecting the radial ports 60 with the end cap chamber 56 provides a pressure reading at the chamber opening 84 of the port. The transducer is adapted to be placed in the chamber 56 with the transducer membrane in communication with the port opening 84. A small annular groove 86 is provided in the chamber 56 and provides alignment and attachment locators for the transducer when it is potted in the chamber 56.

In the preferred embodiments, the cylindrical body of the indicator has a length of approximately 2.2 inches and an outer diameter of approximately 0.5 inches. The tapered ends intersect the longitudinal axis at an angle of approximately 10.degree. to 14.degree.. The specific gravity of the assembled indicator is maintained close to one so that the indicator does not interfere with the depth of the crank bait.

A block circuit diagram for the electronic circuitry of the indicator of the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. As there shown, two cadmium cell volt batteries 65, 66 or the like are connected in series and provide the power supply for the unit. The one side of the batteries is attached to a lead 104 and the other or ground side of the batteries is attached to lead 106. The power lead 104 is secured to a three digit liquid crystal display unit 76 with a return to ground 106 as shown. The pressure transducer 58 is connected directly to the power supply via leads 110 and 112 and to the control circuitry via leads 114 and 116. The control leads 114 and 116 are attached to an amplifier, converter circuit as is shown at 118. The transducer output signal present on lines 114 and 116 is introduced into the amplifier circuit 118 from which it is introduced via lead 126 into the microprocessor 124. This output corresponds to the pressure sensed by the pressure transducer 58, in the well known manner. The raw signal present on lines 114 and 116 is conditioned by the circuitry indicated by the components 118 to produce a conditioned data signal on line 126. The microprocessor 124 calibrates and modifies the signal, producing an electrical output at 128 which is introduced into the three digit LCD. The three digit LCD display unit permits readings in feet or meters to the nearest tenth between zero and 100 feet or zero and 100 meters. A control switch 80 is provided and is in communication with the microprocessor via leads 130 and 132. The control switch 80 of the subject invention is a sequencing switch with four modes of operation as previously described. The control signal produced by the microprocessor in response to the switch action is output on lead 132 and is introduced via the control leads 120 and 122 to the amplifier circuit 118 and the transducer 58. The control line also activates the power supply provided by batteries 65 and 66 for powering the control unit and the LCD display.

An exemplary schematic diagram for the circuit of the subject invention is shown in FIG. 11. As there shown, the positive power supply from the battery units 65, 66 is indicated by the line 104. The ground side of the battery unit is indicated by the ground symbol 140 which corresponds to and is connected to the lead 106. The power or positive side of the power supply is connected to a pair of BS250 mosfets Q1 and Q2. The emitter of mosfet Q2 is connected to the positive power lead 146 of the transducer 58. The mosfet Q1 is connected to the discrete LT1013 amplifiers U4A and U4B. An IN4148 filtering diode D1 is provided on the output side of the amplifier to smooth out the amplified, conditioned output signal from the transducer 58. The output signal from the transducer is a voltage drop provided on pins 2 and 4. The output on pin 7 of the amplifier U4B is introduced into pin 3 of amplifier U4A. The conditioned output on pin 1 of amplifier U4A is introduced through the diode D1 and via line 188 into pin 18 of the 87C 751 microprocessor 124.

The signal introduced on line 188 is calibrated and modified by the microprocessor and is output on pins 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 into the transfer bus 128 which is the input to the three digit LCD unit 108. In the preferred embodiment, three digit LCD unit comprises the HP5082-7300 displays U2, U3. In the preferred embodiment, three distinct LCD windows are provided, permitting readings of 0 to 100 to the nearest 10th. There may also be provided an LCD indicator which is illuminated when the display is in meters and is not illuminated when the display is in feet, as controlled by the program in the microprocessor.

A control switch 80 is connected to pins 19, 20 of the microprocessor. By holding this switch in position it will sequence through the following five operations: "ON-OFF", "FEET", "METERS", "BATTERY CONDITION". A mosfet control signal for controlling the mosfets Q1 and Q2 is output on pins 21, 22 of the microprocessor. This permits the microprocessor to only power up the amplifier circuits and the transducer on an intermittent, controlled basis, minimizing the use of power from the battery supplies during operation, greatly enhancing the product use by providing substantially longer battery life.

In the preferred embodiment, the pin numbers used are those of the manufacturer. The microprocessor 124 is an 87C751 manufactured by Signetics. The transducer 58 is an 1800 Series manufactured by Foxboro. The U2, U3 displays are HP5082-7300 modules manufactured by Hewlett-Packard.

The copyrighted program for the 87C751 microprocessor, for controlling the various components of the circuitry and for calibrating the data signals is as follows: ##SPC1##

While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be readily understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.