U.S. patent application number 12/165958 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for fishing rod holder apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to William L. Follmar.
Application Number | 20080256839 12/165958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39670686 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Follmar; William L. |
October 23, 2008 |
FISHING ROD HOLDER APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
A method of retaining a fishing rod in retention to have a
J-hook member rotate about a slotted region so when the fishing rod
is in a stored location it is substantially retained therein and
the fisherman with ease can remove the rod from a stored location
to a removed position.
Inventors: |
Follmar; William L.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUGHES LAW FIRM, PLLC
PACIFIC MERIDIAN PLAZA, SUITE 302, 4164 MERIDIAN STREET
BELLINGHAM
WA
98226-5583
US
|
Family ID: |
39670686 |
Appl. No.: |
12/165958 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10989189 |
Nov 15, 2004 |
7406795 |
|
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12165958 |
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60568953 |
May 7, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
43/21.2 ;
43/4.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 97/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
43/21.2 ;
43/4.5 |
International
Class: |
A01K 97/10 20060101
A01K097/10 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a fishing rod retention assembly having a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis and adapted to be attached to
a stationary platform or a boat and mount a reel seat area of a
fishing rod therein, the fishing rod having a forward region that
occasionally has a load exerted thereon such as the load exerted
from a fish on the line of the fishing rod, the fishing rod
retention member comprising: a. providing a retention member and
adjustably attaching retention member to the stationary platform or
boat and comprising a longitudinally forward and a rearward surface
that partially defines a receiving slot, b. providing a J-member
having a curve attachment fixedly attached to the retention
bracket, the curved attachment having a longitudinally rearward
surface and a longitudinally forward surface, and further having
first and second surfaces that are curved about a longitudinal
axis, the center of curvature of the first and second surfaces
arranged to have center of curvatures in a first lateral area of
the curve attachment, c. attaching the J-member in the receiving
slot of the retention member and have an open position whereby the
elongated chamber region provides for access therein, and the
J-member is operatively configured to be repositioned downwardly
and laterally with the curve attachment extending through the
receiving slot in a closed position to retain a fishing rod
therein, whereby a frictional force between either the
longitudinally rearward surface or the longitudinally forward
surface of the curve attachment with the longitudinally forward and
rearward surfaces of the retention member sufficiently locks the
fishing rod therein when a load is placed on the forward portion of
the fishing rod comprising a retention bracket comprising a lower
retention member and an upper retention member and having a central
elongated chamber region adapted to mount the reel seat area of a
fishing rod therein, d. providing a locking mechanism operatively
configured to restrict movement of the J-member with respect to the
retention member, e. utilizing the J-member having an adjustment
slot and repositioning the locking member that is slidably attached
to the retention member and adapted to extend through the
adjustment slot so as to adjust the position of the J-member with
respect to the retention member.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the retention member is
connected to a base mount by a slot and key means and the base
mount is fixedly attached to the stationary platform or boat.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 where the locking mechanism
comprises an annular groove member configured to be grasped by two
fingers of a person.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the retention member is
connected to a base mount by a slot and key system and the base
mount is fixedly attached to the stationary platform or boat.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the J-member has a
surface comprising a pocket that is adapted to have an extension in
the reel seat area of the fishing rod extend therein.
6. The method as recited in claim 2 whereby the contracting
mechanism is slidably attached to the retention member and is
configured to remain in engagement with the curve attachment.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby an upper portion of the
surface defining the adjustment slot defines an open region that
has sufficient longitudinal width to allow the contracting
mechanism to freely pass therethrough.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the adjustment slot has
a longitudinal width that is smaller than the diameter of the
contracting mechanism.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the retention member
comprises a mount extension that is rotatably and fixedly attached
to a mount extension that is fixedly attached to a boat or
stationary object.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 whereby the mount extension
comprises a plurality of slots aligned about a centerpoint and the
mount extension comprises a plurality of extensions that are
adapted to engage the slots of the mount extension, and a laterally
extending tension member maintains the extensions fixedly attached
to the slots.
11. The method as described in claim 10 whereby the laterally
extending tension member is repositioned to allow rotation
thereabout between the mount extension and the base mount, whereby
the pitch of the retention member is adjusted with respect to the
boat or stationary location.
12. The method as described in claim 1 whereby the J-member is
rotated about a pivot location that is not a structural portion of
the fishing rod retention assembly.
13. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the curve attachment
is rotated about a virtual point positioned away from the fishing
rod retention assembly.
14. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the first and second
surfaces of the J-member have a radius of curvature that is greater
than 1.5 inches.
15. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the retention member
and J-member are manufactured by an injection molding process.
16. The method as recited in claim 1 whereby the contracting
mechanism has a laterally inward surface to allow extraction
thereof in a laterally outward direction.
17. A method of retaining a fishing rod having a reel seat area and
a forward region to a stationary platform or boat comprising the
steps of: a. fixedly attaching a retention member to a stationary
platform or boat where the retention member comprises a
longitudinally forward surface and a longitudinally rearward
surface which partially defines a receiving slot, the retention
member positioned in an orientation having a desirable angle of
pitch of the fishing rod, b. positioning a J-member having a curve
attachment that has first and second surfaces having a radius of
curvature with a centerpoint and a first lateral region with
respect to the curve attachment, and positioning the curve
attachment within the receiving slot of the retention member, c.
positioning the reel seat area of the fishing rod within a
retention bracket of the J-member and utilizing the confined
movement between the curve attachment of the J-member and the
receiving slot to reposition the reel seat area downwardly and
laterally so the reel seat area is securely locked therein, whereby
frictional engagement between the longitudinally forward and
rearward surfaces and the curve attachment retain the J-member in a
secure position when a downward force is exerted upon the forward
region of the fishing rod, d. retrieving the fishing rod from the
locked position whereby providing an upward force forward of the
reel seat area allows for a vertical and lateral repositioning of
the J-member so the J-member is positioned in an open orientation
with respect to the retention member and the fishing rod is
extracted therefrom.
18. The method as recited in claim 17 whereby the J-member
comprises a surface defining an adjustment slot and a contracting
mechanism that is slidably attached to the retention member
extending therethrough and when the J-member is in a closed
position with respect to the retention member, the contracting
mechanism extends through an upper open portion of the adjustment
slot, therefore locking the J-member in a closed position with
respect to the retention member.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 whereby the retention slot
has a lowermost surface that is adapted to engage a laterally
extending member attached to the retention member to prevent the
J-member from being fully extracted from the receiving slot.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/989,189
filed Nov. 15, 2004, and claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No.
60/568,953 filed May 7, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fishing rod holders are adapted in general to be mounted to
water vessels or stationary platforms such as docks or the like. A
fishing rod holder should have the function of positioning a
fishing rod in a substantially secure orientation that is adapted
to handle the loads of a fish that hooks to the bait of the fishing
line attached to the rod in a well-known and conventional manner.
Further, the fishing rod should be reasonably accessible, in that
if the bait of the fishing pole is taken by fish, oftentimes the
fisherman will want to grab the rod and remove it from its stored
location to a removed position of the fishing pole where the
fisherman is actively and dynamically reeling in his catch.
[0003] It is generally desirable to rest a fishing pole in a stored
location that is reasonably secure, where the fisherman has
confidence that a bite on the line from a fish will not pull their
whole fishing rod assembly overboard; this can account for a costly
loss of equipment as well as a ruined outing. Further, the fish
must endure its final days of living with a hook at its mouth that
is attached to a relatively large mass that partially mobilizes and
perhaps causes a painful death to the fish. It is generally
desirable to have a fishing rod in a stored location when the
fisherman is tired and fatigued of holding the rod or while he or
she is trolling. Further, while fishing with more than one rod, the
fisherman must store the nonactive rod in a fishing rod retention
type device.
[0004] Prior art fishing rod holders have generally failed to meet
the criteria of positioning a fishing rod in a stored location that
is substantially secure from removal upon the load exerted thereon
by a fish at the forward end portion of a pole and having easy and
convenient access to the fishing rod for removal from the stored
location by the fisherman on quick demand when a bite is on the
line of the fishing rod line. There are numerous advantages to
quickly removing a fishing rod such as when fishing from a drift
boat where tree limbs and other objects threaten to break the
fishing rod while in the stored position; it is desirable for the
fisherman to quickly and effectively remove the fishing rod when it
is in such a perilous position. Therefore, quick and easy removal
of a fishing rod in a timely fashion is desired, so as to make it
possible for the rod holder to fight a fish quickly and effectively
with minimal struggle and resistance. In one form, a fishing rod
holder with one moving piece with an offset rotation axis allows
for significant advantages.
[0005] In one form, the fishing rod retention assembly allows for
placing of the rod further out over the gunnel of a boat. Further,
the removal of the rod can be accomplished to the fisherman's
desired angle of pull whether it be from leftward, rightward or
upward directions. This variety of movement for releasing the
fishing rod from the stored location allows for minimal training
and adapting to the fishing rod retention assembly by the user,
which eases the frustration that is present with prior art devices.
Further, in one form the fisherman can immediately pull the rod
from the holder with either one hand or two hands without any
significant amount of force applied thereto. However, the rod
remains intact securely in a stored location when the force of a
fish on the line at the forward end portion of the fishing rod is
applied to the fishing rod.
[0006] In the particular application of fishing known as down
rigging, oftentimes careful attention must be applied when removing
a fishing rod from its holder so as to not trip the downrigging
ball which would require resetting the release and fishing rod. The
fishing rod retention assembly as described below is particularly
conducive for this application. Generally, setting up a downrigger
is often problematic because the rod must be maintained in a
position to keep various lines from entangling each other. When a
downrigger line is tripped, the downrigger may be released. The
fishing rod retention assembly described below allows for easy
placement of the fishing rod therein to prevent tangling of such
lines.
[0007] When a fisherman uses barbless hooks, hooking and landing a
fish is far more difficult. In this application, once the fisherman
hooks a fish, he or she must maintain constant tension upon the
fishing line after setting the hook or the fish can potentially get
away. The quick release design of the fishing rod retention
assembly described below is conducive for maintaining constant
tension upon the fishing line.
[0008] The fishing rod retention assembly allows for a very quick
method to secure a rod in a stored location, and also a very quick
method of retrieving the rod to a removed active location of the
fishing rod. The minimal amount of movement and resistance allows
for very easy retrieval, and even when employing the lock assembly
described below, the removal process is extremely fast and does not
require "getting used to" the device. Because such a minimal amount
of movement is required to position the rod from the stored
location within the fishing rod assembly to a removed position,
there is minimal force and displacement upon the line which is
particularly advantageous when downrigging. To remove the rod from
the fishing rod retention assembly the fishing rod is repositioned
in a manner substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the
fishing rod. Further, to position the fishing rod within the J-hook
assembly, the fisherman needs only to position the fishing rod
substantially downwardly with slight lateral movement where the
fishing rod is repositioned in a manner that is orthogonal to the
central axis. This can be accomplished with one hand, keeping one
hand free to either hold the line away from rod guides when using a
downrigger, or to rest on the tiller handle or the steering wheel
of the boat.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] In general the apparatus is a fishing rod retention assembly
having a longitudinal axis that substantially extends along the
length of a fishing rod and a lateral axis. The assembly is adapted
to be attached to a stationary platform or a boat, with a reel seat
area of a fishing rod mounted therein. The fishing rod has a
forward region that occasionally has a load exerted thereon, such
as the load exerted from a fish on the line of the fishing rod. The
fishing rod retention member has a retention member adapted to be
adjustably attached to the stationary platform or boat, and
comprising a longitudinally forward and a rearward surface that
partially defines a receiving slot. The assembly further has a
J-member that comprises a retention bracket comprising a lower
retention member and an upper retention member and has a central
elongated chamber region adapted to mount the reel seat area of a
fishing rod therein. The J-member further has a curve attachment
fixedly attached to the retention bracket, the curved attachment
having a longitudinally rearward surface and a longitudinally
forward surface. In the lateral direction the J-member has first
and second surfaces that are curved about a longitudinal axis. The
center of curvature of the first and second surfaces is arranged to
have center of curvatures in a first lateral area of the curve
attachment.
[0010] The J-member is adapted to be positioned in the receiving
slot of the retention member and have an open position whereby the
elongated chamber region provides for access therein. The J-member
is adapted to be repositioned downwardly and laterally with the
curve attachment extending through the receiving slot in a closed
position to retain a fishing rod therein. The frictional force
between either the longitudinally rearward surface or the
longitudinally forward surface of the curve attachment with the
longitudinally forward and rearward surfaces of the retention
member locks the fishing rod therein when a load is placed on the
forward portion of the fishing rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an orthogonal view of the fishing rod retention
assembly where the J-member is in an open position;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a fishing rod retention assembly with a fishing
rod retained therein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the fishing rod retention assembly
with a cross-sectional view of a fishing rod retained therein;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a transition state with the fishing rod
repositioned in a vertical direction from within the rod retention
conduit of the fishing rod retention assembly;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows the J-member in an open position with the
fishing rod removed from the fishing rod retention assembly;
[0016] FIG. 5A shows a rod retention system shown in a closed
orientation;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows the fishing rod within the fishing rod
retention assembly, where the right-hand portion simulates the pull
movement exerted thereon the fishing rod from the catch of a fish
where the fishing rod is securely positioned in the rod retention
conduit formed by the retention member and the J-member;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows the fisherman removing the fishing rod by
exerting a partially vertical force thereon where the J-member
repositions to an open position;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the fishing rod
retention assembly illustrating the rod locking mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the fishing rod retention assembly
illustrating the mobility of the base mount with respect to the
mount extension;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a base mount that is adapted to
be positioned on a boat or other fishing location such as the dock
on the shoreline;
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a mount extension that is fixedly attached to
the rod retention system;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the locking member of the
rod locking mechanism;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a front view of the locking mechanism that is
extended through the upper portion of the adjustment slot of the
J-member;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a locking member in an extracted state whereby
the outer surface is retracted from the narrow region;
[0026] FIG. 15 shows the J-member in an open position whereby the
outer surface of the locking member is engaging the narrow region
of the adjustment slot;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fishing rod
retention assembly whereby the locking member is in a retracted
position;
[0028] FIG. 17 shows a locking member of the rod locking mechanism
in a fully retracted orientation where it is in a retracted
retained position;
[0029] FIG. 18 shows the J-member extending to an open
position;
[0030] FIG. 19 shows the J-member of the fishing rod retention
assembly in a fully open position;
[0031] FIG. 20 is a side view of the fishing rod retention
assembly;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view of the J-member;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a partial sectional view of the retention
member.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0034] There will first be a description of the general environment
for the area of use of the fishing rod retention assembly 20,
followed by a specific discussion of the components and attributes
of an embodiment of the fishing rod retention assembly. Thereafter
a method of use of the fishing rod retention assembly will be
discussed.
[0035] Initially referring to FIG. 1, an axes system 10 is defined
that correlates to the fishing rod retention assembly 20. A
longitudinal axis 12 is generally defined by the center axis of the
rod retention conduit 152 described below. A lateral axis 14 as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 is defined as a lateral direction. A
substantially vertical axis 16 is orthogonal to the longitudinal
axis 12 and the lateral axis 14. It should be noted that in
practice the substantially vertical axis 16 is not perfectly
vertical and aligned with the flux field of gravity, but rather, at
an angle tilted rearwardly toward the boat or stationary platform
(such as a fishing platform) as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted
that the axis system is relative to the upper portion of the
fishing rod retention assembly 20 and hence moves therewith.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, the fishing rod retention assembly 20 is
generally comprised of a base mounting system 22 and a rod
retention system 24. The rod retention system 24 as shown in FIG. 1
comprises a J-member 26. In general, the J-member 26 comprises a
retention bracket 28 and a curve attachment 30. The retention
bracket 28 comprises an upper retention member 32 and a lower
retention member 34. The upper and lower retention members comprise
the rotating retention surface 36 that is adapted to engage the
reel seat area 164 of a fishing rod 162 described below with
reference to FIGS. 3-7.
[0037] The retention bracket 28 further comprises in one form
surfaces 40 and 42 that are adapted to define openings 44 and 46 as
shown in FIG. 1. These openings allow for a lighter weight J-member
26. As shown in FIG. 8, a pocket 48 is defined as a recessed
region. The pocket 48 is particularly advantageous for engaging an
extension 165 (see FIG. 7) of a fishing rod that is opposite to the
reel. Further, the pocket is positioned in between the openings 44
and 46 and directly above the curve attachment 30. Therefore to
facilitate a substantially uniform thickness for plastic injection
molding, providing a recessed region for the pocket allows for a
better molding process and cooling procedure to properly plastic
inject the components, which is one form of making the fishing rod
retention assembly 20.
[0038] Also shown in FIG. 8, the curve attachment 30 has a first
curve surface 60 and a second curve surface 62. As shown in FIGS.
21 and 22, the J-member 26 is shown removed from the retention
member 25 along the longitudinal axis. The first curve surface 60
has a radius of curvature 64 and the second curve surface 62 has a
radius of curvature 66. Of course the surfaces 60 and 62 need not
be perfect partial cylindrical surfaces and the center of radii for
the various localized portions of the first and second surfaces 60
and 62 can change with respect to the radial location along the
curve attachment 30. However, in one form the radius 64 is
approximately 1.25 inches and the radius 66 is approximately 1.5
inches for a mean average radius of 1.375. Of course, these values
in practice can change within the range of 1 inch and 1.25 inches
for radii 64 and 66 respectively up to 3 inches and 3.25 inches for
radii 64 and 66 respectively. The radius 65 represents a mean
radius of curvature of the curved attachment 30. If the
cross-sectional thickness of the curve attachment 30 is thicker,
the difference between the radii 64 and 66 will change accordingly.
In the broader scope, the radii 64 and 60 can be in the general
range of 6 inches if less rotation of the J-member 26 and more
vertical displacement of the same is desired. An alternative method
for defining the curvature of the curve attachment 30 is to define
a central axis 68 having a radius 70 where the radius 70 is a mean
average radius for a certain radial distance of the curve
attachment 30, and is not limited to a fixed radius and fixed
curvature therealong the radial distance of the curve attachment
30. Therefore, in general a range for the radius 70 can be between
1 inch and 3 inches and in the broader scope 0.5 inches to 10
inches. The center of curvatures 64 and 66 need not be concentric,
but are located on the same first lateral portion of the curve
attachment 30 as generally indicated at 59 in FIG. 21. The
discussion below will describe the use of the curve attachment 30,
and how the lack of a fixed pivot point allows for a more
streamlined design and a desirable vertical and lateral movement of
the fishing rod when being placed in the fishing rod retention
assembly 20 and being removed therefrom.
[0039] Now referring back to FIG. 1, the J-member 26 further
comprises a longitudinally rearward surface 74 and a longitudinally
forward surface 76. The surfaces 60, 62, 74 and 76 are adapted to
engage the receiving slot 102 described further below. As shown in
FIG. 1, the J-member 26 further comprises a surface defining an
adjustment slot 80 that is adapted to extend the vertical and
lateral length along the curve attachment 30 substantially along
the path of the center axis 68 that is shown in FIG. 21. The
adjustment slot as shown in FIG. 8 has a lower surface 81 that is
adapted engage the outer surface of the contracting mechanism 116
to prevent the J-member 26 from being fully extracted. The
adjustment slot 80 is part of a rod locking mechanism 114 described
below. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper retention member 32 comprises
longitudinally forward and rearward portions 35 and 37. The
portions 35 and 37 define a central opening 39 as adapted to allow
portions of the reel 166 be positioned therein.
[0040] A rod retention conduit 152 is a longitudinally extending
conduit defined by the retention member 25 and the retention
bracket 28. More specifically, the rod retention conduit 152 is
further defined by the retention surface 90 of the retention member
25 and the rotating retention surface 36 of the lower and upper
retention extensions 34 and 32 respectively (which are a portion of
the retention bracket 28).
[0041] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 25, the retention member 25 in
one form is a portion of the rod retention system 24 and the base
mounting system 22 (see FIG. 1). In general, the retention member
25 comprises a stationary retention bracket 84, a J-member
receiving portion 86 and a mount extension 88. The stationary
retention bracket 84 comprises a retention surface 90. The
retention surface 90 of the retention member 84 is adapted to
cooperate with the retention bracket 28 to hold the reel seat area
therein. The retention surface 90 can directly contact the reel
seat area or alternatively indirectly contact at within interposed
material. For example, a thin material can be attached to the end
portion of the lower retention extension and flexibly attached
thereto. Therefore when the J-member 26 is in a closed position the
material would flex toward the first lateral direction and be
biased by the retention surface of the retention member. Likewise,
when the J-member 26 is in an open position, the thin material
would relocate toward the second lateral direction or be
sufficiently flexible to allow the fishing rod to be withdrawn
therefrom to the fishing rod retention assembly 20.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5A, the retention member 25 comprises a fin
reinforcement system 29 having fins 41 and 43. The fin
reinforcement system has a longitudinally inward region that is
fixedly engaged to a vertical fin 47. As shown in FIG. 5, the
retention member 25 without the fin reinforcement system 29 has a
more planar arrangement than, for example, the retention bracket 28
of the J-member 26. Therefore, in one form, it is desirable to have
the fin system 29 to better support any movements acting upon the
longitudinally forward and rearward portions of the retention
member 25. The retention member has forward and rearward portions
92 and 94. The forward and rearward portions define a central open
area 96.
[0043] Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 21, the J-member receiving portion
86 has a J-member retention bracket support surface 100 that is
adapted to engage the outer surface of the retention bracket 28.
Further, a surface defining a receiving slot 102 is provided having
longitudinally forward and rearward surfaces 104 and 106
respectively and first and second lateral surfaces 108 and 110. The
surfaces 108 and 110 are adapted to engage the curve surfaces 60
and 62 described above. Further, the longitudinal forward and
rearward surfaces 104 and 106 are adapted to engage the surfaces 76
and 74 respectively whereas frictional engagement between the
surfaces will occur when a movement about the lateral axis is
imparted upon the J-member 26 described further below. In one form,
the J-member receiving portion 86 provides a surface defining a
laterally extending opening 112 that is a portion of the rod
locking mechanism 114 as shown in FIGS. 8, 17 and 18.
[0044] The rod locking mechanism is comprised of previous
aforementioned components and regions of the fishing rod retention
assembly 20 in one form. As shown in FIG. 1, the curve attachment
30 is adapted to be fitted into the receiving slot 102, and the
contracting mechanism 116 that is slidably attached to the
retention member is adapted to frictionally engage portions of the
curve attachment 30 to portions of the receiving slot 102 to either
fixedly position the J-member 26 to the retention member 25 or to
have resistant engagement between the J-member 26 and the retention
member 25. Resistant engagement is defined as allowing for rotation
of the J-member 26 with respect to the retention member 25, such as
that as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, whereby the correct pull of the rod
as described further herein will allow for a repositioning of the
rod from FIG. 3 to the position as shown in FIG. 5 for withdrawal
and in the reverse sequence for an insertion of the rod to the rod
retention conduit 152 of the fishing rod retention assembly 20.
[0045] In one form, the contracting mechanism 116 is a bolt and nut
arrangement whereby a bolt 120 is provided having a threaded
portion 122 that is adapted to engage a threaded recess region 124
of a nut 126. A first lateral recess surface (not shown) can define
an opening to engage the outer hexagonal surface of the nut 126 (or
other engagement surface of the nut or like object), and by
rotating the handle region 130 a forward surface 132 can directly
engage the retainer 180. Of course a variety of arrangements for
this rod locking mechanism 114 can occur near the J-member
receiving portion 86; for example, a portion of the J-member
receiving portion can be threaded correctly and the nut 126 would
not be needed. The operating elements of the rod locking mechanism
provide free or resistant engagement between the J-member 26 and
the retention member 25, and in one form provide for fixedly
positioning the J-member 26 with respect to the retention member 25
in situations where it is desired to rigidly lock the fishing pole
therein. In this example, a quick release therefrom is not desired,
and a lack of such is accepted to ensure that the pole will remain
in a closed position.
[0046] The retainer 180 as shown in FIG. 12 comprises a grasping
region 182 and a central shaft region 184. The grasping region has
a laterally inward surface 186 that is adapted to engage the
fingers of a fisherman when manipulating the retainer 180 laterally
inwardly and outwardly. The inward surface 188 is adapted to engage
the surface 61 as indicated in FIG. 8. The central shaft region 184
comprises elongated slots 190 that provide tangential relief so the
forward region 192 can extend radially inwardly and outwardly. As
shown in FIG. 16, positioned on the anterior partial cylindrical
cavity region of the central shaft region 184 is a member 196 that
is adapted to be positioned around the bolt or similar structure
120. The outer surface of the member 196 as shown in FIG. 16 has an
annular extension region 198 that is adapted to cooperate with the
annular inward extension 200 of the retainer 180.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the retainer 180 is in a fully inserted
position whereby the outer surface of the retainer 180 is engaged
in the open region 81 defined by the upper portion of surface 83
that defines the slot 80 as shown in FIG. 13. This is a locked
position, whereby a fishing rod retained therein would not be
removed even if a vertical force were exerted upon the fishing rod.
This orientation is desirable in situations such as very rough seas
whereby a variety of inertial forces are acting upon the fishing
rod, and the fisherman wants to be absolutely sure the fishing rod
is locked in the rod retention conduit 152 as indicated in FIG.
8.
[0048] As indicated in FIG. 16, when a fisherman desires to
orientate the fishing rod retention assembly 20 in a manner so that
the fishing rod is only partially securely locked within the rod
retention conduit 152, the fisherman engages the laterally inward
surface 186 and repositions the retainer 180 in a direction as
indicated by arrow 201, whereby the laterally inward portion of the
annular inward extension 200 engages the laterally outward portion
of the annular extension region 198 and central shaft region 184
flexes radially outwardly as indicated in FIG. 16 to get into this
position as indicated in FIG. 17. In this orientation, the J-member
26 can reposition vertically as indicated in FIGS. 18 and 19 to
remove or insert a fishing rod.
[0049] As indicated in FIG. 7, as the fisherman provides the
partially vertical force as indicated at 210, while the retainer
180 is retracted as indicated in FIGS. 17-19, the fishing rod is
removable by grasping the forward handle region 168 and pulling
upwardly; however, a downward force as indicated in FIG. 6 by
vector 212 at the forward region 211 of the fishing rod, forces the
fishing rod 162 to remain locked within the fishing rod retention
assembly 20.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 22, the mount extension 88 in one form is
fixedly attached to the J-member receiving portion 86 and the mount
extension 88 is adjustably attached to a base mounting 140 as shown
in FIG. 16. In one form, the base mounting 140 is attached to the
mount extension 88 by an adjustable attachment device 146. The base
mounting 140, having a lower portion 142 that is adapted to be
mounted in standard vertical openings generally adapted to receive
rod post holders on boats or stationary platforms for fishing, is
indicated in FIG. 2 or for a display of a fishing rod in some
manner.
[0051] The adjustable attachment device 146 is a part of a pitch
adjustment system whereas shown in FIG. 16, the adjustment knob 141
is threadedly engaged to the bolt 143 which is fixedly attached to
the retention member 25. Therefore, rotating the adjustment knob
141 repositions the knob laterally inwardly and outwardly and as
indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the locking extensions 145 are
adapted to engage the locking grooves 147 to fixedly position the
upper assembly 27 in a certain pitch orientation. As indicated in
FIG. 9, the base mounting 140 can be orientated at various angles
with respect to the upper assembly 27.
[0052] There will now be a discussion of one form of operating the
fishing rod retention assembly 20 with initial reference to FIG. 2.
As shown in this figure, the fishing rod retention assembly is
attached to a boat or stationary platform 160. The boat or
stationary platform 160 is defined broadly as a mounting location
which in one form is a moving frame of reference such as a boat
where the fishing rod is desired to be positioned in an active
fishing orientation without the fisherman having to hold onto the
fishing rod constantly. Alternatively, the fishing rod retention
assembly can be mounted to a stationary platform such as a pier,
whereby the fisherman does not need to hold the fishing rod 162,
but rather, desires a rod retention assembly 20 to provide quick
access to the fishing rod 162 when a fish takes the bait off of the
fishing rod's line. Of course, the fishing rod retention assembly
20 can function in other environments such as a display type of
arrangement in a retail store or an individual's home.
[0053] FIG. 1 shows a fishing rod 162 having a reel seat area 164
that is generally defined as a portion of the fishing rod grasping
area in the area adapted to mount the reel 166 thereto. As shown in
FIG. 7, on the opposing side of the reel is an extension 165 which
in one form is adapted to engage the pocket 48 as shown in FIG.
1.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a method of inserting the rod 162 into the
fishing rod retention assembly 20, whereby the fishing rod
retention assembly 20 is in an open position and the rod retention
conduit 152 is in an open exposed orientation, and the reel seat
area 164 is adapted to engage the rotating retention surface 36 of
the upper and lower retention members 32 and 34. The rotating
retention surface 36 is adapted to engage the outer cylindrical
surface of the reel seat area 164 (see FIG. 2) whereby the
cross-sectional diameter of the partially cylindrical-like portions
of the rotating retention surface 36 is slightly greater than the
diameter of the conical or partially frustoconical surface of the
handle region of the fishing rod 162.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5 the reel seat area 164 is positioned into
the open chamber region of the rotating retention surface 36 of the
J-member 26. The reel 166 is adapted to be interposed between the
members 35 and 37 of the upper retention extension 32 as seen in
FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the fisherman can place the fishing rod
162 into the exposed rod retention conduit 152 and thereafter place
a downward and laterally inward force to reposition the J-member 26
in the direction. Thereafter, the fishing rod retention assembly 20
is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 3 as well as FIG. 2,
whereby the fishing rod 160 is locked therein the rod retention
conduit 152.
[0056] When the fisherman has a take on the line and a fish is
taking the bait, the pull upon the rod creates a movement about a
lateral axis that is transferred to the J-member 26. This movement
is counteracted in part by the interaction between the engaging
surfaces 74 and 106 as well as 76 and 104 (see FIG. 1). The
interaction between the immediately aforementioned surfaces creates
a frictional type engagement that aids in the prevention of an
upward and laterally outward direction opposite to that of arrow
212 in FIG. 6. However, as the fisherman grasps the forward handle
region 168 and the rearward handle region 169 of the fishing pole
162 (see FIG. 7) and supplies a vertical force indicated by arrow
210, the frictional forces between surfaces 104 and 76 as well as
the engaged surfaces 74 and 106 (see FIG. 2) are reduced and the
fisherman counteracts the resistance of the rod locking mechanism
114 to reposition the J-member into an open position as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0057] There will now be a brief discussion of the frictional
engagement points with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. In general,
the area that extends longitudinally indicated at 300 in FIG. 21
which is positioned in the upper portion of the J-member is adapted
to rest on the upper portion 301 (see FIG. 22) of the first lateral
surface 108 when in the closed position. Further, a portion of the
curve surface 62 indicated at 304 is adapted to engage the lower
region of the surface 110 generally indicated at the position 306
in FIG. 22. Further, the outside cylindrical-like diameter area 310
as shown in FIG. 21 is adapted to rest within the cup area 312 as
shown in FIG. 22 when in the closed position. The arrangement of
the J-member provides for a unique action with tremendous ease of
retrieving the fishing pole and providing the fisherman with a
sense of security when the J-member is in a locked position with
respect to the retention member.
[0058] Of course various modifications and alterations can be
performed upon the fishing rod retention assembly without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *