U.S. patent application number 10/679972 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for fishing rod handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wye-Yoshi Corporation. Invention is credited to Irrgang, Peter, Yoshida, Yasuo.
Application Number | 20040088900 10/679972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4166856 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040088900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Irrgang, Peter ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Fishing rod handle
Abstract
A fly fishing assembly includes a rod with a handle defined by
an elongated sleeve mounted thereon and a cowl on one end of the
sleeve for partially surrounding the rod in the vicinity of the
reel to inhibit sliding of the hand of a user from the handle. By
providing a flange on the bottom trailing end of the cowl, contact
between the little finger of the hand holding the rod and the reel
is prevented. Thus, the little finger can be positioned in front of
the flange so that the caster can safely use it to lead the proper
timing of casing.
Inventors: |
Irrgang, Peter; (Quebec,
CA) ; Yoshida, Yasuo; (Quebec, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOWNS RACHLIN MARTIN PLLC
199 MAIN STREET
P O BOX 190
BURLINGTON
VT
05402-0190
US
|
Assignee: |
Wye-Yoshi Corporation
Senneville
CA
|
Family ID: |
4166856 |
Appl. No.: |
10/679972 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10679972 |
Oct 6, 2003 |
|
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09837263 |
Apr 19, 2001 |
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6629382 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
43/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 87/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
043/023 |
International
Class: |
A01K 087/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 10, 2000 |
CA |
2,315,442 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A cowl for use in a fly fishing rod assembly, the fly fishing
assembly including an elongated rod, a reel seat body on one end of
the rod for receiving the reel, the reel seat body having a top and
sides, a reel on the bottom of the reel seat body, an up locking
reel lock for locking one end of the reel on the reel seat body, a
fixed ring for locking a second end of the reel on the reel seat
body, the fixed ring having a top and sides, a rod handle, said
cowl comprising: a semi-cylindrical body having top and side
surfaces adapted to be joined with the rod handle, said
semi-cylindrical body adapted to partially surround portions of the
top and sides of the fixed ring and the reel seat body adjacent the
reel and extend past the fixed ring toward the up locking reel lock
thereby covering a portion of the reel seat body.
2. A cowl according to claim 1, wherein said top and side surfaces
have convex trailing top and side edges, respectively.
3. A cowl according to claim 2, further comprising a flange
extending between said convex side edges adjacent the reel, wherein
said flange prevents sliding of the hand of a user against the
reel.
4. A cowl according to claim 3, wherein said cowl is adapted to be
removably joined with the rod handle.
5. A fly fishing rod handle for use in a fly fishing rod assembly,
the fly fishing assembly including an elongated rod, a reel seat
body having a top and sides on one end of the rod for receiving the
reel, a reel on the bottom of the reel seat body, an up locking
reel lock for locking one end of the reel on the reel seat body, a
fixed ring for locking a second end of the reel on the reel seat
body, the fixed ring having a top and sides, said fly fishing rod
handle comprising: an elongated sleeve;, and a semi-cylindrical
cowl having top and side surfaces, said semi-cylindrical cowl
joined with said elongated sleeve, said semi-cylindrical cowl
adapted to (i) partially surround portions of the top and sides of
the fixed ring and the reel seat body adjacent the reel, (ii)
extend past the fixed ring toward the up locking reel lock, and
(iii) cover all of the reel seat body.
6. A fly fishing rod handle according to claim 5, wherein said top
and side surfaces have convex trailing top and side edges,
respectively.
7. A fly fishing rod handle according to claim 6, further
comprising a flange extending between said convex side edges
adjacent the reel, wherein said flange prevents sliding of the hand
of a user against the reel.
8. A fly fishing rod handle according to claim 5, wherein said cowl
is adapted to be removably joined with the rod handle.
9. A cowl attachment for use in a fly fishing rod assembly having a
fixed ring and a reel seat body, and a up locking reel lock, said
cowl attachment comprising: a semi-cylindrical body at least
partially surrounding portions of the fixed ring and the reel seat
body, extending past the fixed ring toward the up locking reel
lock, and covering the fixed ring and a portion of the reel seat
body when the semi-cylindrical body is positioned on the fixed ring
and the reel seat body.
10. A cowl attachment according to claim 9, wherein said
semi-cylindrical body includes top and side surfaces having convex
trailing top and side edges, respectively.
11. A cowl attachment according to claim 10, further comprising a
flange extending between said convex side edges adjacent the reel,
wherein said flange prevents sliding of the hand of a user against
the fly fishing reel.
12. A cowl attachment according to claim 9, wherein said cowl is
adapted to be removably joined with a fly fishing rod handle.
13. A cowl attachment according to claim 11, wherein said flange is
removably attached with said cowl attachment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/837,263, filed on Apr. 19, 2001, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference into this application. This
application also claims foreign priority to Canadian Application
No. 2,315,442, filed on Aug. 10, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fly fishing assembly.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0005] Successful fly fishing requires proper control of the rod by
the user, especially during casting. The position of the user's
hand on the rod to a large extent determines how well the rod will
be controlled. One form of conventional fly fishing rod includes a
threaded butt or rear end carrying a locking ring and an internally
threaded locking nut, which are used to hold a reel on the rod.
This type of reel lock is referred to as an up-locking reel lock. A
handle for manipulating the rod, i.e. casting, is provided on the
rod in front of the reel and the lock. Usually, the end of the rod
in the vicinity of the reel and the locking ring is not covered by
the handle.
[0006] During casting, the angler's hand tends to shift downwardly
(i.e. rearwardly) along the handle encountering the cork edge of it
and the locking ring which is uncomfortable. Because of the weight
of the reel, the center of gravity of the rod is located at the
rear or rod end of the rod. The user's hand naturally moves towards
the center of gravity which exacerbates the slipping problem. In
addition, shifting of the angler's hand on the rod effects
balancing of the rod. Conventional fishing rod handles accommodate
a limited range of hand positions, and do not always provide for
hand locations in terms of comfort and balance to an angler's
casting habits. Comfort and balance are important to precision and
long distance casting.
[0007] Moreover, an expert angler usually positions the finger of
the hand holding the fishing rod near the reel to guide the casts.
Conventional handles do not prevent the little finger from
contacting the reel during casting which can result in injury.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,223, which issued to Yamamoto et al on
Sep. 17, 1991 discloses a fishing rod including a shaft, a reel
mounting member and a handle grip on the butt end of the reel
mounting member. The rod includes a second handle grip spaced from
the butt end handle grip on the rod tip side of the reel mounting
member. A portion of the butt end handle grip extends towards the
second handle grip to partially cover the shaft adjacent the reel
mounting member. The Yamamoto handle arrangement is not suitable
for use with a fly fishing rod of the type including an up-locking
mechanism for the reel.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,111, which issued to Takizawa on May 27,
1997, describes a fishing rod including a shaft, a butt end handle
grip, a reel mounting member and a second handle grip spaced from
the butt end handle grip on the tip end side of the reel mounting
member. The handle includes a hood portion extending over an
exposed section of the shaft adjacent the reel mounting member and
between the handle grips. This portion of the handle bulges
outwardly and defines an opening which allows the angler's hand to
touch the shaft of the rod. The Takizawa handle arrangement is not
suitable for use on a fly fishing rod, because it is not desirable
to have the angler's hand touch the shaft. Moreover, the Takizawa
handle arrangement is unsuitable for use with a rod having a reel
mounted by means of an up-locking mechanism.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve the problem
of hand and finger shifting and the resulting loss of rod control
by providing fly fishing assembly having a handle, which permits an
angler's hand to shift to a position proximate a reel mounted on
the rod without slipping from the end of the handle or contacting
the rod.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a fly fishing
assembly with a relatively streamlined handle on a fly fishing rod
which is comfortable to use, even after repeated casts.
[0012] Accordingly, the invention relates to a fly fishing assembly
comprising:
[0013] An elongated rod;
[0014] A reel seat body on one end of said rod for receiving a
reel;
[0015] A reel on the bottom of the reel seat body;
[0016] An up locking reel lock for locking one end of said reel on
said reel seat body; and
[0017] A handle on said rod including:
[0018] An elongated sleeve on the rod overlapping said reel seat
body for retaining a second end of the reel on the reel seat body,
the sleeve having a smooth bulbous central portion, a flaring rear
end, a first smooth, waisted portion between said central portion
and said flaring rear end, and a semi-cylindrical cowl on the rear
end of the sleeve partially surrounding the top and sides of the
rod in the vicinity of the reel, the cowl having top and side
surfaces forming a continuation of the flaring rear end of the
sleeve for inhibiting rearward sliding of the hand of a user from
the handle during casting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of one end of a conventional fly
fishing rod and handle;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of one end of the fly fishing rod of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of one end of a fly fishing assembly
in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a top view of the fly fishing assembly of FIG.
3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fly fishing assembly of FIG. 3;
and
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the fly
fishing assembly according to the invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of the fly
fishing assembly according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the butt or handle end of a
conventional fly fishing rod indicated generally at 1 includes a
reel seat body 2. A reel 3 (e.g. an A.F.T.H standard reel) is
mounted on the reel seat body 2 using a fixed ring or hood 4, a
slidable locking ring or hood 5, and an internally threaded locking
nut 6. One foot 7 of the reel 3 is slid between the seat body 2 and
the fixed ring 4, and the nut 6 is rotated on the threaded end 8 of
the body 2 to move the ring 5 forwardly over the other foot 9 of
the reel 3. A butt cap 10 retains the locking ring 5 and the nut 6
on the reel seat body 2.
[0028] As best shown in FIG. 1, a handle 14 (usually cork) is
mounted on the rod I forwardly of the reel mounting position. The
handle 14 is a generally cylindrical sleeve with slightly flared
front and rear ends 15 and 16, respectively. During use of the rod,
the handle 14 is gripped by an angler by wrapping the fingers 17 of
the hand 18 around the handle 14, and resting the thumb 19 on the
handle. When casting, the angler's hand 18, which is shown in the
pre-casting position in FIG. 1, tends to slide along the handle 14
towards the butt end of the rod 2, i.e. in the direction of arrow
20 towards the locking ring 6. Thus, the angler's hand comes into
contact with the exposed portion of the rod, rearwardly of the
handle. Not only is this uncomfortable, but the result is a
reduction in casting accuracy and efficiency.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an assembly in accordance
with the present invention includes a rod and a handle indicated
generally at 21 which is defined by a smooth cylindrical sleeve 22
with a flaring front end 23, a slightly bulbous central portion 24
and a flaring rear end 25. A smooth, waisted portions 26 are
provided between the central portion 24 and the flaring front and
rear ends 23 and 25, respectively. A cowl 27 on the butt end of the
handle 21 partially surrounds the reel seat body 2. The cowl is
generally semi-cylindrical, and U-shaped when viewed from above
(FIG. 4). The top surface of the cowl 27 forms a continuation of
the flaring top surface 29 of the rear end 25 of the handle 21, and
the sides define continuations of the sides of the handle. The cowl
27 includes a convex trailing end 30, convex bottom side edges 32
and a concave shoulder 33 at the rear end 25 of the handle 21. As
shown in FIG. 3, when casting, the cowl 27 prevents contact of the
hand 18 with the reel seat body 2 if the hand happens to slide back
to a position near the reel 3.
[0030] In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG. 6), the center
24 and rear or butt end 25 of the handle indicated generally at 42
are the same as in the handle of FIGS. 3 to 5. The front end 43 of
the handle 42 tapers forwardly, and a tapering metal ring 44 at
such front end limits movement of the handle forwardly on the rod
45.
[0031] In order to control the stroke of the cast, an expert angler
positions the little finger of the hand holding the rod near the
butt end 25 (FIG. 6) of the handle 42. In a third embodiment of the
invention (FIG. 7), the center 24 and the front end 43 of the
handle indicated generally at 42 are the same as in the handle of
FIG. 6. In the third embodiment, the butt end 25 (FIG. 6) of the
cowl 27 includes a semi-cylindrical, outwardly tapering flange 50
having a slightly bulbous, convex tip 51. The flange 50 prevents,
or at least substantially reduces, the likelihood of hand contact
with the reel 3 during casting. The flange 50 can either be
integral with the cowl 27 or made as a separate "add on" component.
The sides of the flange 50 taper into the body of the handle.
[0032] It will be appreciated that the handle and cowl can have
other shapes. For example, the trailing end of the cowl can be
rectangular when viewed from above or either side. The shoulders of
the cowl can define more gradual curves from the flared end of the
handle to the bottom side edges of the cowl. The trailing end and
bottom side edges of the cowl can be finished with a metal wire
bead (not shown) for aesthetic purposes. The main consideration is
that the cowl covers at least a portion of the butt end of the rod
in the vicinity of the reel, preventing, or at least substantially
reducing, the likelihood of hand contact with the rod during
casting, and permitting an angler's hand to assume different
positions
[0033] It will also be appreciated that the cowl can be made as a
separate "add on" component. For this purpose, the cowl can be used
to retrofit a conventional fishing rod handle by affixing the "add
on" cowl to a reel seat body at the butt end of a fishing rod
handle. An add on cowl includes a generally cylindrical body having
the shapes described above, which can be permanently or removably
attached to the handle.
* * * * *