Abstract:
A fishing pole with features that can cause illumination of the rod tip and the handle area to aid in motion detection caused by a fish.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/977,813, filed Apr. 10, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention is in the field of fishing rods, more particularly, the field of fishing rods containing a means of illumination. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    There have been many fishing rods throughout the years. With the advent of fiberglass and new composite materials, fishing rods have become more flexible and now provide higher performance for casting and action of reeling in fish. More recently, fishing rods have incorporated lights, motion sensors, and various increased features. 
         [0006]    The present invention incorporates lights within the handle area and/or fishing rod to illuminate the tip of the fishing rod to aid in the detection of motion caused by a fish. In addition, the light in the handle area can serve as a flashlight to facilitate activities such as reading, baiting, and/or seeing objects near the fishing pole. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention in its present embodiment consists of a light up fishing rod comprising a handle having a sealed waterproof battery compartment that holds at least one battery, a battery cap, at least one rubberized waterproof control switch, at least one source of light, at least one light concentrating light pipe shallow angle funnel, at least one circuit, at least one means to switch at least one source of light, a means to support and/or attach and/or removeably attach a reel, and a rod having at least one eyelet, at least one axially oriented light pipe that both axially transmits light from at least one source of light throughout the length of the rod and at least one means to radially radiate light from at least one location along the axial length of the rod. The battery cap can be a rotating waterproof battery cap. The invention in its present embodiment can additionally comprise at least one gasket. At least one axially oriented light pipe can comprise fiber optics. 
         [0008]    The source of light can be at least one first source of light and at least one second source of light. The first source of light can project light axially and the second source of light can project light radially. The circuitry can produce at least two brightness levels of at least one source of light. The light brightness levels can include at least one of the following but not limited to in any order: high, medium, low, off, the ability to dim up and/or down and/or fade between levels, a fast blink, and/or slow blink. The means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be ink internally and/or externally applied to the axial light pipe. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can incorporate at least one irregular surface on the axial light pipe that can be at least one of the following: scored, buffed, molded, stamped, after molded, pressed, created with heat. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be caused and/or facilitated by particles and/or objects embedded within and/or onto the axial light pipe. The particles and/or objects can be composed of at least one of the following: reflective materials, solid materials, opaque materials, translucent materials, colored materials, and/or transparent materials with a different index of refraction than that of the axial light pipe. At least one source of light can be at least one of LED, incandescent, laser, florescent, electroluminescent. The LED can be a multicolored LED. The rod can be at least one of the following: transparent, translucent, opaque, coated, painted. 
         [0009]    At least one source of light can additionally comprise an adjustable position mechanism. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotating turret. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotatable arm that projects light at a multiplicity of angles including but not limited to axially down the length of the rod, radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod, or any intermediate angle in between and/or beyond radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod. 
         [0010]    At least one means to switch at least one source of light can comprise a first switch to control at least one first light source and a second switch to control at least one second light source. 
         [0011]    The rod can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: fiberglass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass, laminated, epoxy, nylon. At least one gasket can be at least one O-ring. The handle can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: foam, cork, rubber, plastic, artificial cork, fiberglass, glass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, laminated, epoxy, nylon. The rod and/or handle can float in water. The rod and/or handle can be water resistant and/or waterproof. 
         [0012]    The invention can further comprise a removeably attachable stand to support the light up fishing rod. 
         [0013]    The rod can further comprise a permanent and/or removeably attachable flag located at or near the tip. 
         [0014]    The light up fishing rod can be used for at least one of a variety of uses including but not limited to off shore surf casting, boat poles, ice fishing, tip ups. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment of the invention can be a light up fishing rod comprising a handle having a sealed waterproof battery compartment that holds at least one battery, a battery cap, at least one rubberized waterproof control switch, at least one first source of light, at least one second source of light, at least one light concentrating light pipe shallow angle funnel, at least one circuit, at least one means to switch the first source of light and second source of light, a means to support and/or attach and/or removeably attach a reel, and a rod having at least one eyelet, at least one axially oriented light pipe that both axially transmits light from at least one first source of light throughout the length of the rod and radially radiates light from at least one first source of light from at least one location along the axial length of the rod. The battery cap can be a rotating waterproof battery cap. The invention in this other embodiment can additionally comprise at least one gasket. At least one axially oriented light pipe can be and/or comprise fiber optics. 
         [0016]    At least one first source of light can project light axially and at least one second source of light can project light radially. The circuitry can produce at least two brightness levels of at least one source of light. The light brightness levels can include at least one of the following but not limited to in any order: high, medium, low, off, the ability to dim up and/or down and/or fade between levels, a fast blink, and/or slow blink. The means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be ink internally and/or externally applied to the axial light pipe. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can incorporate at least one irregular surface on the axial light pipe that can be at least one of the following: scored, buffed, molded, stamped, after molded, pressed, created with heat. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be caused and/or facilitated by particles and/or objects embedded within and/or onto the axial light pipe. The particles and/or objects can be composed of at least one of the following: reflective materials, solid materials, opaque materials, translucent materials, colored materials, and/or transparent materials with a different index of refraction than that of the axial light pipe. At least one source of light can be at least one of LED, incandescent, laser, florescent, electroluminescent. The LED can be a multicolored LED. The rod can be at least one of the following transparent, translucent, opaque, coated, painted. 
         [0017]    At least one source of light can additionally comprise an adjustable position mechanism. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotating turret. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotatable arm that projects light at a multiplicity of angles including but not limited to axially down the length of the rod, radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod, or any intermediate angle in between and/or beyond radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod. At least one means to switch at least one source of light can comprise a first switch to control at least one first light source and a second switch to control at least one second light source. 
         [0018]    The rod can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: fiberglass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass, laminated, epoxy, nylon. At least one gasket can be at least one O-ring. The handle can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: foam, cork, rubber, plastic, artificial cork, fiberglass, glass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, laminated, epoxy, nylon. The rod and/or handle can float in water. The rod and/or handle can be water resistant and/or waterproof. 
         [0019]    The invention can further comprise a removeably attachable stand to support the light up fishing rod. 
         [0020]    The rod can further comprise a permanent and/or removeably attachable flag located at or near the tip. 
         [0021]    The light up fishing rod can be used for at least one of a variety of uses including but not limited to off shore, surf casting, boat poles, ice fishing, tip ups. 
         [0022]    Another embodiment of the invention can be a light up fishing rod comprising a handle having a sealed waterproof battery compartment that holds at least one battery, a battery cap, at least one rubberized waterproof control switch, at least one first source of light, at least one circuit, at least one means to switch at least one first source of light and at least one second source of light, a means to support and/or attach and/or removeably attach a reel, and a rod having at least one eyelet, at least one second source of light, and a means to conduct power from at least one circuit to at least one second source of light. The battery cap can be a rotating waterproof battery cap. The invention in this other embodiment can additionally comprise at least one gasket. 
         [0023]    At least one second source of light can be at least one LED located at and/or near the tip of the rod. The rod can have a plurality of rod segments interconnectable to one to the other by a connection means, each connection means being operable to interconnect two adjacent rod segments, and having an electrically conductive portion thereof linked to at least one circuit to connect the circuit integrally within the rod portion. 
         [0024]    At least one source of light can be at least one first source of light and at least one second source of light. At least one second source of light can project light radially and at least one first source of light can project light radially and/or axially and/or parallel to the axis of the rod. The circuitry can produce at least two brightness levels of at least one first source of light and/or at least one second source of light. The light brightness levels can include at least one of the following but not limited to in any order: high, medium, low, off, the ability to dim up and/or down and/or fade between levels, a fast blink, and/or slow blink. 
         [0025]    The rod can further comprise at least one axially oriented light pipe located in at least one portion of the rod that both axially transmits light from at least one second source of light throughout the length of at least a portion of the rod and at least one means to radially radiate light from at least location along the axial length of the rod. At least one second source of light can project light into at least one axially oriented light pipe. The means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be ink internally and/or externally applied to the axial light pipe. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can incorporate at least one irregular surface on the axial light pipe that can be at least one of the following: scored, buffed, molded, stamped, after molded, pressed, created with heat. Another means to radially radiate light from at least one axial light pipe can be caused and/or facilitated by particles and/or objects embedded within and/or onto the axial light pipe. The particles and/or objects can be composed of at least one of the following: reflective materials, solid materials, opaque materials, translucent materials, colored materials, and/or transparent materials with a different index of refraction than that of the axial light pipe. At least one source of light can be at least one of LED, incandescent, laser, florescent, electroluminescent. The LED can be a multicolored LED. The rod can be at least one of the following transparent, translucent, opaque, coated, painted. 
         [0026]    At least one source of light can additionally comprise an adjustable position mechanism. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotating turret. The adjustable position mechanism can be a rotatable arm that projects light at a multiplicity of angles including but not limited to axially down the length of the rod, radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod, or any intermediate angle in between and/or beyond radially outward and perpendicular to the axis of the rod. 
         [0027]    At least one means to switch at least one source of light can comprise a first switch to control at least one first light source and a second switch to control at least one second light source. 
         [0028]    The rod can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: fiberglass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass, laminated, epoxy, nylon. At least one gasket can be at least one O-ring. The handle can be made from at least one of in whole or in part: foam, cork, rubber, plastic, artificial cork, fiberglass, glass, composite materials, carbon fiber, wood, metal, laminated, epoxy, nylon. The rod and/or handle can float in water. The rod and/or handle can be water resistant and/or waterproof. 
         [0029]    The invention can further comprise a removeably attachable stand to support the light up fishing rod. 
         [0030]    The rod can further comprise a permanent and/or removeably attachable flag located at or near the tip. 
         [0031]    The light up fishing rod can be used for at least one of a variety of uses including but not limited to off shore, surf casting, boat poles, ice fishing, tip ups. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch can be a soft switch that is waterproof, and located at the end or tip of the handle or rod. A battery holder or caddy, such as a plastic case for batteries, can be used to hold the batteries, which may be AA or AAA. Additionally, a light source may be located near a handle and/or neat the tip of the rod of the present invention. The rod may be clear or see through in areas where the lights are located. The lights used may be LEDS or micro LEDS that can be attached or soldered to a conduit or a wire. 
         [0033]    Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0034]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a side cutaway view of the invention with some internal components. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention with LED lights at the tip. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a close-up cross-section view of the handle. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  shows some components of the handle. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-section view of components in the handle with two lights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Detailed descriptions of particular embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a side cutaway view of the invention with some internal components. Shown is the rod  40  on which eyelets  10  are mounted. The handle  51  contains the light source  25 , which directs light into the light concentrating light pipe shallow angle funnel  20  that feeds light into the light pipe and/or fiber optics  15 . The light pipe and/or fiber optics  15  continues into the body of the rod  40  and terminates at the tip  42  and causes light to radiate from the illuminated end  5 . Also on handle  51  is a means to attach reel  30 . Within the handle  51  is the battery compartment  37  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The waterproof battery cap  35  screws onto the end of the handle  51 , and the waterproof battery cap  35  also contains a waterproof rubber switch  36 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the invention with LED end lights  46  at or near the tip  42 . In this embodiment, wires  45  pass through the body of the rod  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) from the battery compartment  37 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a close-up cross-section view of handle  51 . The waterproof battery cap  35  creates a waterproof seal with the handle  51  via the O-ring  38 . Also shown is the waterproof rubber switch  36 . Light source  25  directs light into the light concentrating light pipe shallow angle funnel  20  that feeds light into the light pipe and/or fiber optics  15 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows the handle  51 , hand grip  50 , and threads  39 , which secure the waterproof battery cap  35 . Also depicted is the waterproof rubber switch  36  and the battery compartment  37 . Also depicted is an O-ring  38 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows hand grip  50  on handle  51  with light source  25  that directs light into the light concentrating light pipe shallow angle funnel  20  that feeds light into the light pipe and/or fiber optics  15 . The light pipe and/or fiber optics  15  is axially located within the body of rod  40 . Circuitry  28  is also attached to and controls a second light source  26 , which produces light  27  that radially radiates perpendicularly to the axis of rod  40  and handle  51 . This light serves as a flashlight that enables the fisherman to read and/or see things near the handle  51 . In this embodiment there is a side mount waterproof rubber switch  41  that can control both lights and can also produce a number of different lighting effects controlled by the circuitry  28 . 
       COMPONENT LIST FOR DRAWINGS 
       [0046]    Following is a partial list of the components depicted in the drawings: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Component Number 
                 Component Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 5 
                 Illuminated End 
               
               
                 10 
                 Eyelets 
               
               
                 15 
                 Light Pipe and/or Fiber Optic 
               
               
                 20 
                 Light Concentrating Light Pipe Shallow Angle 
               
               
                   
                 Funnel 
               
               
                 25 
                 Light Source 
               
               
                 26 
                 Second Light Source 
               
               
                 27 
                 Light from Second Light Source 
               
               
                 28 
                 Circuitry 
               
               
                 30 
                 Means to attach Reel 
               
               
                 35 
                 Waterproof Battery Cap 
               
               
                 36 
                 Waterproof Rubber Switch 
               
               
                 37 
                 Battery Compartment 
               
               
                 38 
                 O Ring 
               
               
                 39 
                 Threads 
               
               
                 40 
                 Rod 
               
               
                 41 
                 Side Mount Waterproof Rubber Switch 
               
               
                 42 
                 Tip 
               
               
                 45 
                 Wires 
               
               
                 46 
                 LED End Lights 
               
               
                 50 
                 Handle Grip 
               
               
                 51 
                 Handle 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0047]    As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a device is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.