Adjustable fishing float

Abstract

An adjustable fishing float with first and second portions slidably joined to form an adjustable air space with the float. The buoyancy of the float may be altered by sliding a first portion further within the second portion or drawing the first portion further out of the second portion. The first and second portions define a sliding water resistant joint to prevent water from intruding into the air space.

1 . An adjustable fishing float comprising:
 a first female portion having an open end providing access into a cavity, the cavity having a bottom opposite the open end;   a second male portion sized to fit through the open end of the first portion and defining an air space between an inner end of the second portion and the bottom of the first portion;   the first and second portions defining a water resistant seal adjacent the open end;   the first and second portions being slidable with respect to each other to permit the alteration of the size of the air space to change a degree of buoyancy of the float.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , further comprising a line attachment on at least one of the first and second portions. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 2 , wherein the line attachment is positioned on an end of the first portion opposite the open end. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 2 , wherein the line attachment is positioned on an end of the second portion opposite the first portion. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable float of  claim 2 , wherein the line attachment extends through both portions. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent permitting air to be released from and enter into the air space. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 6 , wherein the vent is an automatic vent that allows air into or out of the air space when the position of the first portion is slid with respect to the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 6 , wherein the vent is a manually actuated vent. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 8 , the manual vent comprising an opening through the first portion into the air space and a removable plug configured to fit within the opening to selectively allow air to enter or leave the air space. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 8 , the manual vent comprising a channel extending from the open end of the first portion into the air space and the second portion including a nose configured to selectively engage the channel, wherein the second portion is rotatable with respect to the first portion and the nose of the second portion is rotatable away from the channel to permit air to enter or leave the air space. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , further comprising a hybrid portion positioned between the first and second portions and configured to be received within the first portion and configured to receive the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , further comprising a weight that is configured to be positioned within the air space to alter the buoyancy of the float. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the second portion is made of a resilient deformable material and the first portion is made more rigid material with the open end sized to be slightly smaller than the size of the outer surface of the second portion. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is made from a material permitting visual inspection of the position of the second portion within the first portion through an outer wall of the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 14 , wherein the outer surface of the first portion includes indicia markings. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the second portion includes one or more detents and the engagement of the detents by the first portion provides indicia of the extent of insertion of the second portion into the first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a narrowing within a cavity for receiving the second portion, the narrowing sized to engage an outer surface of the second portion and form a water resistant seal. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein an o-ring is positioned between the first and second portions to form a water resistant seal. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable fishing float of  claim 1 , wherein both the first and second portions are hollow and the hollows cooperate to form the air space. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for use with an adjustable float, the adjustable float having a lower cup and a foam insert wherein the buoyancy of the float was adjusted by cutting off portions of the foam insert, the kit comprising:
 an movable portion;   an adapter configured to receive the foam insert of the cup in a first end and a second opposite end configured to mate with the movable portion and defining an air space with a water resistant seal;   the movable portion adjustable with respect to the adapter to change the size of the air space and vary the buoyancy of the kit.   
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the movable portion is a male insert and the adapter is configured to receive the male insert in the second end. 
     
     
         22 . A method of adjusting the buoyancy of a fishing float, the method comprising:
 providing an adjustable fishing float with a first portion configured to slidably receive a second portion and an air space defined between the two portions;   selecting a bait and desired presentation of the bait;   sliding the first and second portions with respect to each other to alter the size of the air space to change the buoyancy of the float to match the desired presentation of the bait.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the bait is to be used for ice fishing and the buoyancy of the float is adjusted to have the float positioned just below the surface of the water. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the bait is to be used for non-ice fishing and the buoyancy of the float is adjusted to have the float positioned on the surface of the water.