Abstract:
A fishing rod retention apparatus that includes an indicator for notifying a fisherman that a fish has been hooked. The apparatus includes a frame mounted on a base with at least one set of aligned fishing rod retention clips on each side of the frame. The frame includes a pair of converging frame portions, and a flag support spring attached to a bracket that connects the converging frame portions. A rotatable axle component with a retention spring at one end sits inside grooves in the converging frame portions. The axle component is used to hook the free end of a flag connected to the flag support spring while fishing line runs through the retention spring, such that a force applied to the fishing line causes the axle to rotate, thereby releasing the flag from the axle component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/549,098 filed Jul. 13, 2012 and entitled “Fishing Rod Carrier and Cover Therefore”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/844,415 filed Jul. 9, 2013 and entitled “Fishing Pole Holder and Alert System for Ice Fishing” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a fishing pole holder for ice fishing. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a fishing rod holder with an alert system to notify a fisherman that a fish has been hooked. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ice fishing presents a number of unique challenges due to the cold conditions and small size of the hole in the ice through which the fisherman seeks to catch fish. Existing ice fishing systems have the fishing line built in and the system sits in the ice hole partially submerged in the water of the ice fishing hole. When a fish is hooked, the fisherman has to pull the entire mechanism out of the ice hole and land the fish by hand. Pulling up the mechanism and landing the fish by hand in freezing cold water is uncomfortable and can cause injury to the fisherman&#39;s hands. While this special equipment is often used for ice fishing, some fishermen prefer to use standard rods and reels for ice fishing. Due to the cold, it is often desirable to put down the fishing rod and wait for the fish to bite before picking up the rod and reel. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a fishing rod holder that can be used for ice fishing. In particular, it is desirable for the holder to enable predominantly hands-free fishing and include an indicator to notify the fisherman that a fish has taken the bait and is on the hook so that the fisherman knows when to pick up the fishing pole. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that holds one or more fish rods and further includes an integrated alert system that notifies a fisherman when a fish has been hooked on one of the fishing rods being held by the holder apparatus. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an indicator system for a fishing rod holder, the indicator system comprising: a flag assembly comprising, a flag staff with a first end attached to an indicator signal and a second end attached to a first end of a spring element, wherein the spring element is configured to move the flag staff between a first position and a second position, and a flag base forming a support structure for the spring element, the flag staff, and the indicator signal, wherein the flag base is attached to the fishing rod holder and a second end of the spring element, and an axle component rotatably engaged with the fishing rod holder and comprising a grip portion formed at a first end of the axle component, a line retaining element attached to a second end of the axle component, and a notch forming a bend on the axle component that is located in between the first end of the axle and the second of the axle, wherein notch is adapted to reversibly engage with the first end of the flag staff to hold the flag staff is the second position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axle component is held between two adjacent leg portions of the fishing rod holder within a grove formed in each of those leg portions. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator signal is an indicator flag. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flag staff is a metal rod sufficiently flexible to be moved between the first and the second position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the spring element forms a flag staff base from which the flag staff is formed. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the spring element is a coiled spring. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the line retaining element is configured to receive a fishing line. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the line retaining element is a retaining spring attached to the axle component. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an indicator system for a fishing rod holder, the indicator system comprising: a flag assembly comprising, a spring element attached between a first end of the flag base and a first end of a flag staff, wherein the spring element is configured to move the flag staff between a first position and a second position, wherein a second end of the flag base attaches to the fishing rod holder forming a support structure for the spring element and the flag staff, and an axle component rotatably engaged within a grove formed in each of two adjacent leg portions of the fishing rod holder, wherein the axel component is adapted to reversibly engage with a second end of the flag staff to hold the flag staff is the second position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the spring element forms a flag staff base from which the flag staff is formed. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flag base is formed from a flat wall of material with a projection extending perpendicularly from the flat wall. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flag assembly is further comprised of an indicator signal attached to the second end of the flagstaff 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the indicator signal is an indicator flag. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axle component is comprised of a grip portion formed at a first end of the axle component, a line retaining element attached to a second end of the axle component, and a notch forming a bend on the axle component that is located in between the first end of the axle and the second of the axle. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the line retaining element is a retaining spring attached to the axle component. 
     The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention with both signal flags in an upright position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up side view of an embodiment of the invention with the retaining axle removed; 
         FIG. 4  is an offset view of one leg of the invention showing the groove in which the axle is held; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention showing the V-shaped notch in the axle retaining the signal flag; 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of an embodiment of the invention showing the flag staff tip being retained by the V-shaped notch in the axle; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the axle in its groove; and 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the axle when removed from fishing rod holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention generally relates to fishing pole holder for ice fishing. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a fishing rod holder with an alert system to notify a fisherman that a fish has been hooked. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fishing rod holder is comprised of a carrier unit that is structure configured to hold and organize a plurality of fishing rod assemblies. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier unit comprises a base having an upper side with two troughs formed thereupon and a lower side configured to rest stably on a surface. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier unit also has a first leg frame and a second leg frame that are substantially identical to each other. In the preferred embodiment, each leg frame has a first leg portion, a second leg portion, a handle portion that connects the handle ends of the leg portions, and a strut portion that connects the attachment ends of leg portions (opposite the handle ends thereof). In the preferred embodiment, the strut portion has dimensions that permit it to fit into one of the troughs in the base. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable designs for a carrier unit, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such design. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, screws are used to attach each of the strut portions to one of the troughs formed in the base, thereby causing the leg portions to project away from the base. In the preferred embodiment, screws are also used to connect the handle portion of the first leg frame to the corresponding handle portion of the second leg frame to form a handle. Other means of connection include, but are not limited to nuts, bolts, adhesives, rivets, and snap-fit connections. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable connections means that could be used to assemble the carrier unit, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such connection means. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, leg portions of each of the leg frames forms an A-frame structure that resists distortion. Furthermore, forming the leg portions with U-channel cross sections adds structural rigidity without adding weight. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable designs for the leg frames, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such design. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier unit may feature further include a storage box. In a preferred embodiment, the storage box is adapted to be held in place within a well formed in the base between the strut portions of the leg frames. The storage box may be configured with a box attachment feature that cooperates with a corresponding base attachment feature that is formed in the well to retain the storage box. In some embodiments, the well grips the walls of the storage box with an interference fit to provide the retention feature. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base may include a storage feature or surface attachment point that allows a user to mount the carrier on a surface such as a wall or dock. In a preferred embodiment, each storage feature comprises crossed slots with an opening at the crossing point larger than either slot&#39;s width. In the preferred embodiment, a screw may be inserted part way into a wall with a head smaller than the crossing point opening but larger than the slots&#39; width thereby allowing the carrier to be temporarily attached to the wall, a boat deck, or a dock. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other types of storage features are possible as well. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the leg portions of each of the leg frames have a plurality of first clip attachment features. In a preferred embodiment, the first clip attachment features are apertures or attachment slots that are formed in and extend along the length of the leg portions of the leg frames. In an alternate embodiment, the first clip attachment features may be comprised of attachment projections. In the preferred embodiment, there are two attachment slots formed in each leg portion, which are positioned in approximate horizontal alignment with a pair of similar attachment slots on the second leg portion of the same leg frame. As an illustrative example, “in alignment” is meant that for a particular slot on first leg portion there is a slot on the second leg portion of that same leg frame that is similarly spaced from base. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate note that first clip attachment features may take a variety of forms. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each slot has an enlargement at one end thereof with a width larger than found along the remainder of the slot. The enlargement allows a projection from a clip element (described below) to be inserted into and slipped along the length of a slot. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an individual rod assembly may be held by a pair of clip elements or clips. In a preferred embodiment, each slot is designed to accept a projection of a single clip element, which can slide within and frictionally maintain any one of a range of desired positions within the slot involved. In the preferred embodiment, each clip element has a second attachment feature comprising a projection. This second attachment feature, whatever its structure, mates with one of the first attachment features such as slot to secure the clip element to leg portion of a leg frame. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable designs for corresponding first and second attachment features, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such designs. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier unit may feature clip elements. In a preferred embodiment, each clip has a rod holding feature comprising a holding slot that is designed for receiving and detachably retaining a rod assembly. As an illustrative example, “receiving and detachably retaining” is meant that a rod assembly can be inserted into and removed from the holding slots with force easily provided by a human, and yet is held with sufficient force to prevent inadvertently detaching during normal handling. In the preferred embodiment, each rod assembly is to be held by two clips on separate leg portions of a single leg frame. For transport, the expectation is that the clips holding a single rod assembly will be in approximate alignment with each other. As an illustrative example, “in approximate alignment with each other” is meant that when a rod assembly is inserted in the slots of two clips held on two separate leg portions of a single leg frame, the rod assembly is positioned approximately parallel to base. In some instances, it may also be convenient to hold a rod assembly between clips on two separate leg portions of a single leg frame that are not in approximate alignment with each other (e.g. the upper clip on a first leg portion and the lower clip on a second leg portion). 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first clip on the first leg portion of a leg frame holds one of the handle, ferrule, and rod of a rod assembly, while a second clip on the second leg portion of the same leg frame holds another of the handle, ferrule, and rod of that rod assembly. In the preferred embodiment, clip elements hold a rod assembly securely, and at the same time have dimensions that allow a human to easily remove or detach a rod assembly from the holding slot of a clip. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clip has a slot with a series of concave, arcuate, slot edge shapes with decreasing radii of curvature from the open to the closed end of the holding slot along each edge of the holding slot. In the preferred embodiment, the differing radii and the inherent flexibility or resilience of the material from which clip is made, allows a user to insert a rod assembly at virtually any point along the length of rod assembly into clip to securely retain the rod assembly. The clip can form a detent relationship with the rod assembly at any of the various diameters or sizes along the length of the rod assembly that securely retains the rod assembly, and at the same time allows the user to remove the rod assembly from the clip. The slot edge shapes and dimensions, and the resiliency of clip, allow the clip to receive and detachably retain various sizes of rod assembly handles, ferrules, and rods. As an illustrative example, the outer or widest edge portion may receive and detachably retain the handle portion of a rod assembly, the middle edge portion may receive and detachably retain the ferrule portion of a rod assembly, the inner or narrowest edge portion may receive and detachably retain the rod portion of a rod assembly. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the clips could accommodate a wide variety of rod assembly sizes. 
     According a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second attachment feature on the clip element comprises a projection. In the preferred embodiment, the second attachment feature mates with one of the first attachment features to secure the clip element to a leg portion of the leg frame. In the preferred embodiment, the projection includes an outer flange and an inner flange that define between them a channel. The projection fits into a slot on the leg portion through an enlargement of the slot, so as to allow the clip to enter and slide within the slot. The outer flange should be small enough to pass through enlargement, while the inner flange should be too large to pass through the enlargement. Friction between the outer and inner flange and the edge of the slot, should be sufficient to prevent a force that is below a preselected level, with the level being what is required to urge the clip to slide within the slot. This preselected force level should be substantially greater than half the weight of a rod assembly, but small enough to allow a user to easily slide the clip to any desired position along the slot. In one version of carrier, this force is around 10 lbs. (4.55 kg.), but a resisting force of between 8 lbs. (3.64 kg.) and 15 lbs. (6.82 kg.) is acceptable. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the leg frames may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of the type having some flexibility, but yet able to resist transverse force of a few pounds with only a little deflection. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable materials for the leg frames, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated to be formed from any suitable material. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clip elements should be flexible or semi-rigid. A suitable design for the clips will provide a resisting force of a few pounds when inserting or removing a rod assembly. The gripping force of a clip element should hold any portion of a rod assembly securely enough to prevent inadvertently detaching from the clip elements during normal or even moderately rough handling. At the same time, the force required to remove a rod assembly should be low enough to allow typical users to remove rod assemblies with moderate force. In a preferred embodiment, a mixture of PVC and polypropylene ethylene (PPE) provides such characteristics for the clips. A relatively wide range of ratios of the two materials in the mixture forming the clips will usually be successful as the constituent thereof. The shape and dimensions of the clip elements impact these design aspects as well. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are many suitable materials for the clips, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated to be formed from any suitable material. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier unit may include a cover that protects the reels of the rod assemblies from snagging on or bumping into adjacent surfaces of all types, possibly damaging them. In a preferred embodiment, the cover comprises fabric such as canvas or other durable material which can be sewn into the substantially parallelepiped shape. In the preferred embodiment, the cover comprises a top panel, side panels joined at the top edges the top panel, and an end panel joined at the top edge to top panel and at the side edges of both the side panels, thereby forming an enclosure the surrounds the carrier unit at the top and on three sides. The preferred embodiment of the cover has an open end opposite of the end panel that allows rod assemblies supported by carrier to project outwardly from within cover. The cover may have an opening on the top panel through which the handle of the carrier projects. 
     A number of variations on this design are possible. For example, one rather than two leg frames may be provided. Leg portions could be separate elements rather than forming a part of a leg frame. More than two slots, or even one slot may be provided on a leg portion. Different types of attachment between clips and leg portions are possible as well. In some embodiments, the clips could be integral with the leg portions rather than detachable. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier unit may be further comprised of an alert system. In a preferred embodiment, the alert system is comprised of a flag assembly or similar indicator system that is used to notify a fisherman when a fish has been hooked. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier unit is used to hold a rod assembly while the line is in the water, so that the fisherman is not required to hold the rod assembly while waiting for a fish to be hooked. This may be especially useful for ice fishing, thereby enabling a fisherman to keep his hands covered and warm. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate there are many useful benefits for an alert system on a rod assembly carrier unit, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated to take advantage of any such benefit. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the alert system is comprised of one or more flag assemblies attached to the leg frames of the carrier unit. In the preferred embodiment, the flag assembly is comprised of a flag base, a spring, a flag staff base, a flag staff, an indicator flag, and a flag staff tip. In the preferred embodiment, the flag base is attached to the two leg frames, preferably by screws or the like. The spring element (which could be any semi-rigid, yet flexible component (e.g. a coil spring, flexible shaft, or similar contrivance)) is then attached to top side of the flag base. In the preferred embodiment, this spring is capable of being bent easily while returning to an upright position when released. The upper end of the spring holds the flag staff base. Flag staff base may be a generally cylindrical portion to which the flag staff is molded or attached. The flag staff base may be glued or otherwise securely fixed to the upper end of the spring. In the preferred embodiment, the flag staff base holds a flag staff which is preferably a stiff metal rod. An indicator flag or similar signal may be attached to the top end of the flag staff by any suitable means. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator flag is a bright color, such as safety orange. In some embodiments, the indicator signal may be the flag staff itself, without any flag or other sign attached thereto. The end of the flag staff terminates at a tip that extends beyond the flag. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate there are many suitable configurations for a flag assembly, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such configurations. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the alert system is comprised of one or more axles that is configured to rest in grooves formed at the base of each leg portion of each of the leg frames. Specifically, an axle will be inserted so that it rests simultaneously in both a groove formed in the base of the first leg portion of the first leg frame and also in a groove formed in the base of the first leg portion of the second leg frame. Essentially, the axle rests in a groove formed in the corresponding leg portions of two opposing leg frames. In a preferred embodiment, the axle includes a grip portion, a V-shaped notch, and a line retaining element. In the preferred embodiment, the line retaining element is a retaining spring attached to or otherwise formed on the end of the axle opposite the grip portion. The V-shaped notch is located approximately half-way between the grip and the line retaining element. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate there are many suitable designs for an axle, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such design. 
     Exemplary Embodiment 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fishing rod holder with an alert system is more efficient that other ice fishing methods. In particular, the fisherman no longer has to land a fish using his bare hands. The fisherman can auger out two holes in the ice and place a baited line from each rod in a hole. When a fish bites, the flag system will pop up, alerting the fisherman that there is a fish on one of the rods. The fisherman can then reel in the fish using his rod and reel instead of pulling up the fish line by hand to land the fish. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fishing rod holder with an alert system holds up to two rods and reels at the same time. In the preferred embodiment, the rods and reels are held by gripping clips and the rods face in opposite directions. This allows the equipment to remain organized, untangled and off the ice. An alert system uses an indicator flag that pops up when a fish is on the line, alerting the fisherman to remove the rod and reel and land the fish. The fishing rod holder may also be used as a carrier to store ice fishing rod and reels. The carrier may be hung on the wall when not in use to help keep the equipment protected from damage and off the ground. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fishing rod carrier  10  comprises a base  20  with two slightly rectangular frame portions that are angled towards one another to meet at the top, forming a handle  30 . From a side view (see  FIG. 2 ) these two frame portions define an acute triangle. Each vertical wall  40  of the frame portions  20  includes two slots  45  each holding a clip device  50 . The clip devices  50  can hold fishing implements of various diameters and are arranged to be in two parallel rows with the clip on the other side of the frame. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in an embodiment of the current invention the fishing rod holder  10  includes two flag assemblies  100  near the top of the acute triangle defined by the two frame halves. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the flag assembly includes a flag base  110  attached to the two legs of the frame, preferably by screws or the like. A spring  120  is attached to top side of the flag base. This spring is capable of being bent easily while returning to an upright position when released. The upper end of the spring  120  holds the flag staff base  130 . The flag staff base  130  may be a generally cylindrical portion to which the flag staff  140  is molded or attached. The flag staff base  130  is glued or otherwise securely fixed to the upper end of the spring  120 . The flag staff base  130  holds a flag staff  140  which is preferably a stiff metal rod. An indicator flag  150  is attached to the top end of the flag staff  140  by any suitable means. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator flag  150  is preferably a bright color, such as safety orange. The end of the flag staff  140  has a tip  160  that extends beyond the flag  150 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , near the base of the frame portions  20 , each vertical wall  40  has a groove  200  that initially extends parallel to the base  20  and then turns downward at right angle. In a preferred embodiment, the groove  200  retains an axle  300  (See  FIG. 8 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , one end of the axle  300  includes a grip  310  and the other end terminates in retaining spring  320 . As show in  FIG. 7 , the axle  300  contains a generally V-shaped notch  330  in its center portion that is held between the two vertical walls  40  when the axle is in groove  200 . Preferably, the V-shaped notch  330  is in a plane approximately orthogonal to the plane in which the retaining spring  320  projects. 
     To use the fishing alert signal, the user grabs flag staff  140  and pulls it downward, bending the spring  120  until the flag staff tip  160  is pointing towards the base  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The user then rotates the axle  300  using the grip  310  and positions the flag staff  140  so that the flag staff tip  160  is retained by V-shaped portion  330 , preventing the flag assembly  100  from returning to its upright position. The V-shaped portion  330  of the axle  320  is preferably in a plane parallel to the base  20  in this position and the retaining spring  320  is preferably perpendicular to the ground and pointing upright. A fishing line (not shown) is then run through the retaining spring  320  with the hook end in the ice fishing hole and the rod held by the clip devices  50 . [These steps may also be reversed.] 
     When a fish bites on the hook, it pulls the fishing line causing the axle  300  to rotate as the retaining spring  320  is pulled downward. In the preferred embodiment, the rotation of the axle  300  then results in the flag staff tip  160  being released from V-shaped notch  330  as it also rotates downward. The flag staff  140  then springs back to its upright position, notifying the fisherman that there is a fish on the line. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.