WO2010100483A1

WO2010100483A1 - Fishing accessory

Info

Publication number: WO2010100483A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Gordon Hilliard
Original assignee: Geoffrey Gordon Hilliard
Priority date: 2009-03-04
Filing date: 2010-03-02
Publication date: 2010-09-10

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for supporting a fishing rod when fishing, comprising: a support post (12); and an arm (14) releasably mounted on the support post (12) to project therefrom in use, the arm (14) including a coupling (20) for attaching a fishing rod to the arm (14), wherein a portion of the arm (14) projecting from the support post (12) comprises two parts (30, 32) with a hinge joint (34) therebetween which is configured to allow pivotal movement of one part relative to the other part from a first configuration in which the two parts are held at a predetermined angle (e.g. 180°) relative to one another to a second configuration in which the two parts are inclined at an angle which is less than the predetermined angle.

Description

FISHING ACCESSORY

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a fishing accessory, and more particularly but not necessarily apparatus for supporting a fishing rod whilst in use (i.e. waiting for a fish to strike the bait or lure) .

US 5,054,737 discloses a universal support apparatus for a fishing rod. The apparatus includes a base adapted for mounting on a vertical or horizontal surface, a fishing rod receptacle, and an articulated support member having opposing ends connected to the base and receptacle for movement of the receptacle about three perpendicular axes . The present applicant believes that whilst the universal support apparatus of US 5,054,757 may be suitable for deployment on a boat, it would be too cumbersome for a lone angler. Accordingly, the present applicant has sought to provide a lightweight and simplified rod rest.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for supporting a fishing rod when fishing, comprising: a support post; and an arm releasably mounted on the support post to project therefrom in use, the arm including a coupling for attaching a fishing rod to the arm, wherein a portion of the arm projecting from the support post comprises two parts with a hinge joint therebetween which is configured to allow pivotal movement of one part relative to the other part from a first configuration in which the two parts are held at a predetermined angle (e.g. 180°) relative to one another to a second configuration in which the two parts are inclined at an angle which is less than the predetermined angle.

The present applicant has appreciated that a simple "elbow" joint in the arm is all that is required to provide movement between the first position (in which a fishing rod is held at a shallow angle suitable for trolling to attract a fish to bait or a lure) and the second position (in which the rod is pulled up to a steep angle suitable to strike into a fish to set a hook. The hinge joint may be adjacent the coupling for attaching a fishing rod to the arm. In this way, striking into a fish may be completed more quickly and/or reliably.

The arm may be releasably mounted on the support post via a bracket, and a position of the bracket along the support post may be adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the support post may have a length which is adjustable; for example, the support post may be telescopic. The position of the bracket along the arm may also be adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the arm may be telescopic to vary the length of the arm projecting from the support post .

The bracket may be configured to allow the arm to move between a first position and a second position (elevated relative to the first position) when releasably mounted on the support post. the bracket may have a pivot axis, and the first and second positions may be angularly spaced around the pivot axis, perhaps by between 10 and 50 degrees, possibly even between 20 and 40 degrees. The first and second positions may be configured such that the arm will, in use, remain in the second position (i.e. is a metastable equilibrium position) only when the arm is in the second configuration (at least when a fishing rod is attached to the coupling) . The bracket may even be configured such that the arm will move to the second position from the first position once the arm is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. Such movement of the arm from the first position to the second position may be useful when an angler moves between fishing locations since the fishing rod is held in a somewhat retracted orientation, which is more likely to be out of harm's way. Also, subsequent movement of the arm from the second position to the first position, when so urged by the angler, may help with casting and the like. The support post may have a removable base section to allow for use of a base section of different design. For example, one base section may be suitable for game fishing

(e.g. attachment to a boat) whilst another base section may be suitable for coarse fishing.

The coupling for attaching a fishing rod to the arm may comprise a tubular member. A fishing rod may be a sliding friction fit in one end of the tubular member. The coupling may further comprise a plug member for attachment to a fishing rod, the plug member being a secure fit in one end of the tubular member.

In the apparatus, one part of the projecting portion of the arm may comprise a universal joint and releasable mechanism for disabling the universal joint. The present applicant has found that (when not disabled) the universal joint is a considerable aid to casting a fly line because it allows a greater range of movement. The universal joint may aid teaching of fly casting and may aid fishing techniques, since it may allow movement in all directions about the axis of the arm. The disabling mechanism may comprise a sleeve slidably mounted on the arm, with the sleeve being moveable from a first position over the universal joint to prevent movement between component parts thereof . , to a second position spaced to one side of the universal joint. The sleeve may be moved manually between the first and second positions. The sleeve may be resiliently biased to remain in the first position to prevent accidental movement into the second position. The universal joint may be disposed between the support post and hinge j oint .

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for making a support for a fishing rod, the kit of parts comprising: a support post; an arm releasably mountable on the support post, the arm comprising two parts with a hinge joint therebetween which is configured to allow pivotal movement of one part relative to the other part from a first configuration in which the two parts are held at a predetermined angle (e.g. 180°) relative to one another to a second configuration in which the two parts are inclined at an angle which is less than the predetermined angle,- and a plurality of interchangeable base sections, each releasably attachable to the support post and configured to mount the support post to an underlying substrate, with a first interchangeable base section comprising a tip for embedding in an underlying substrate and with a second interchangeable base section comprising a clamp for gripping an underlying substrate.

The present applicant has appreciated that such a kit may be provided so that the fishing rod support may be used with the first interchangeable base section when, for example, a fisherman is intending to wade into the water, and may be used with the second interchangeable base section when, for example, a fisherman is intending to fish from a boat.

The tip of the first interchangeable base section may be configured as a spike to be driven axially into the ground (e.g. the bank of a river) . If so, the kit of parts may further comprise a brace for supporting the support post when driven into the ground. Alternatively or additionally, the tip of the first interchangeable base section may include a screw thread (e.g. tapered or auger profile) for pulling the first interchangeable base section into secure ground engagement upon rotation of the tip. The tip may even be mounted on an elongate shaft for use as a probe to check for suitable footings when wading into water.

The clamp of the second interchangeable base section may include a swivel joint to allow the support post to rotate relative to the second interchangeable base section when attached thereto. The clamp may also be adjustable relative to the support post when attached to the second interchangeable base section to clamp in a vertical plane or a horizontal plane. For example, the clamp may comprise a second swivel joint at 90° to the first mentioned swivel joint, thereby providing an alternative site for attachment to the support post.

Other features of the fishing rod support are the same as those of the first aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a fishing rod support embodying one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 shows features of a kit of parts embodying another aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3A and 3B show an alternative embodiment of the fishing rod support of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows detail of a part shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the fishing rod support of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows schematically apparatus 10 for supporting a fishing rod {not shown) during fishing. The apparatus 10 comprises a support post 12 and a cantilever arm 14 releasably mounted on the support post 12 via bracket 16. At one end of the cantilever arm 14, a tubular coupling 20 is provided for receiving a plug 22 attached to one end of the fishing rod (or even the end of the fishing rod itself without the plug fitted) . A portion of the arm 14 projecting from the support post 12 comprises two parts 30, 32 with a hinge joint 34 therebetween, and substantially adjacent the coupling 20. The hinge joint 34 includes a stop which restricts pivotal movement of one part 32 relative to the other part 30 to a maximum of 180°. The two parts 30, 32 are shown in a first configuration (at maximum angular separation "o("), but the hinge joint 34 allows one part 32 to pivot (in direction of arrow A) relative to the other part 30 into a second configuration where the angular separation ";χ" is 90° or less. The bracket 16 also allows the position of the arm 14 to be varied along the length of the support post 12 (in directions of arrow B) and the inclination of the arm 14 to 3

be varied (in directions of arrow C) relative to the support post 12. The bracket 16 also allows the length of the arm 14 projecting from the support post 12 to be varied, The apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of interchangeable base sections 50, 60, 70, for releasably mounting the support post 12 in a different situation. Base section 50 is configured as a clamp for gripping a substrate such as a flange or stanchion of a boat. The support post 12 is mountable in a swivel joint 52 in the base section 50, or in a second swivel joint 54 oriented at 90° to the first swivel joint 52. Base section 60 includes a tip 62 with a tapered screw thread profile 64 for engaging a particular substrate such as a sandy beach upon rotation of the base section 60. Base section 70 includes a pointed tip 72 to be driven axially into a substrate. Base section 70 also includes a brace 74 to be driven separately into the substrate, at an angle, and then attached e.g. with a bolt to tip 72, Figure 3A shows an alternative embodiment of apparatus 10' for supporting a fishing rod. Features in common with the arrangement of Figure 1 share the same reference number, and modified features are denoted with a "'". The apparatus 10' includes a support arm 14', with part 30' including a universal joint 80 and a sleeve 82 slidably mounted on part 30' . Details of the universal joint 80 are shown in Figure 3B. The sleeve 82 is movable from a first position covering the universal joint 80 to disable movement between components thereof, to a second position spaced to one side of the universal joint 80 (as shown in Figure 3A) . A stop 84 is provided on part 30' to prevent the sleeve 82 travelling too far from the universal joint 80.

Figure 4 shows detail of the plug 22 for engaging the coupling 20 shown in Figure 1. The plug 22 has a cup- shaped first part 90 defining a recess 91 for engaging one end of a fishing rod (e.g. by mating screw threads) , and a protuberant second part 92 for insertion in a corresponding opening in the coupling 20. The two parts 90, 92 are each substantially cylindrical and aligned along a common axis, with the first part 90 having a larger diameter than the second part, with rounded step ^■ 94 therebetween. The second part 92 has a pin 96 which extends in a radial direction therefrom and is configured to engage an L-shaped groove in the coupling 20 through a combination of translational and rotational movement. In this way, the plug 22 is able to engage the corresponding opening in the coupling 20 and lock with a bayonet -fitting- like action to resist subsequent pull out.

Figure 5 illustrates an optional feature of the bracket 16 for attaching the arm 14 to the support post 12.

The bracket 16 is configured to allow the arm 14 to pivot through angle " <χ " between a first position 100 and a second position 102 (shown in dotted lines) , about an axis 104. The angle " [X" is between 30° and 35°. The arm 14 is free to move between the two positions - there is no resilient bias urging it into one or other position, and there is no lock to retain it in one or other position. When a fishing rod (not shown) is attached to the coupling 20, and the arm 14 is in the first configuration (i.e. fully deployed) , the arm 14 will adopt the first position 102. However, when the arm 14 is in the second configuration (i.e. withdrawing the fishing rod), the arm 14 will be stable in the second position.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supporting a fishing rod when fishing, comprising: a support post; and an arm releasably mounted on the support post to project therefrom in use, the arm including a coupling for attaching a fishing rod to the arm, wherein a portion of the arm projecting from the support post comprises two parts with a hinge joint therebetween which is configured to allow pivotal movement of one part relative to the other part from a first configuration in which the two parts are held at a predetermined angle {e.g. 180°) relative to one another to a second configuration in which the two parts are inclined at an angle which is less than the predetermined angle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the arm is releasably mounted on the support post via a bracket.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which a position of the bracket along the support post is adjustable.

4, Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the inclination of the arm relative to the support post is adjustable at the bracket.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , in which the bracket is configured to allow the arm to move between a first position and a second position when releasably mounted on the support post.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 , in which the bracket has a pivot axis, with the first and second positions being angularly spaced around the pivot axis, perhaps by between 10 and 50 degrees.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support post has an adjustable length.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support post has a removable base section to allow for use of a base section of different design.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling for attaching fishing rod to the arm comprises a tubular member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the coupling further comprises a plug member for attachment to a fishing rod, the plug member being a secure fit in one end of the tubular member.

11. A kit of parts for making a support for a fishing rod, the bit of parts comprising: a support post; an arm releasably mountable on the support post, the arm comprising two parts with a hinge joint therebetween which is configured to allow pivotal movement of one part relative to the other part from a first configuration in which the two parts are held at a predetermined angle (e.g. 180°) relative to one another to a second configuration in which the two parts are inclined at an angle which is less than the predetermined angle,- and a plurality of interchangeable base sections, each releasably attachable to the support post and configured to mount the support post to an underlying substrate, with a first interchangeable base section comprising a tip for embedding in an underlying substrate and with a second interchangeable base section comprising a clamp for gripping an underlying substrate,

12. A kit of parts according to claim 11, in which the tip of the first interchangeable base section is configured as a spike to be driven axially into a substrate.

13. A kit of parts according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the tip of the first interchangeable base section includes a screw thread for pulling first interchangeable base section into secure engagement with a substrate upon rotation of the tip.

14. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 11 to 13, in which the clamp of the second interchangeable base section may include a swivel joint to allow the support post to rotate relative to the second interchangeable base section when attached thereto.