Patent ID: 7281348
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. An ice fishing trap comprising: a rotatable spool, for containing a desired length of fishing line, rotatable about a rotational axis, and the rotatable spool having an eccentric rim; a main body having an exterior first face supporting the rotatable spool such that the rotational axis of the spool extends substantially normal to the exterior first face; the main body supporting an indicator, and the indicator having both a set position and a triggered position; a release rod, supported by and slidable along the exterior first face of the main body, directly cooperating with the eccentric rim of the rotatable spool and, when the indicator is in the set position, also directly cooperating with the indicator, the release rod having a first position in which the release rod captively retains the indicator in the set position and engages with the eccentric rim of the spool; and the release rod having a second position, axially spaced from the first position, in which the release rod releases the indicator to permit the indicator to move to the triggered position; wherein a first end of the release rod supports a rider which engages with and is actuated by the eccentric rim of the spool while the second opposed end of the release rod includes a latch for matingly engaging with the indicator and captively retaining the indicator in the set position, and the release rod has a Z shaped configuration which prevents rotation of the rider relative to the main body, so that the rider remains in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the exterior first face of the main body to facilitate engagement between the rider and the eccentric rim; an intermediate portion of the release rod being encased by a sleeve secured to the exterior first face of the main body; and the eccentric rim having a first arcuate section which is located closer to the rotational axis of the spool than a second arcuate section so that as the spool rotates, the eccentric rim rotates in an eccentric fashion about the rotational axis and induces axial movement of the release rod, along the exterior first face of the main body, from the first position to the second position and actuates the indicator into the triggered position.