Abstract:
A spool winding device for snap fit on a spool is disclosed. The device may include a planar body, at least one aperture, and an upstanding knob. The invention further provides a tip-up capture device for use during storage and transportation of an ice fishing tip-up. A stowing system for retaining an ice fishing tip-up in stored position during transportation and storage, including the snap-on spool winding device and capture device and method is provided.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/834,651, filed on 13 Jun. 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Typical ice-fishing tip-ups, particularly those sold under the BEAVER DAM trademark, operate to catch fish through a hole in the ice and to signal the fisher that a catch has been made. When the fish has been retrieved, or when the fisher has completed fishing, the line must be rewound onto the spool. Rewinding the line is typically done by hand by grasping the line and re-rolling it onto a spool. This task is clumsy while wearing gloves, so the fisher will typically remove gloves or other hand covering to complete the task. This can be challenging in the cold weather conditions associated with ice fishing. Further, elongate objects, such as ice fishing tip-ups, may easily become entangled during transportation and storage. Thus, a device for assisting the user in rewinding a line in cold conditions and a stowing tool is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to ice fishing tools, and specifically to a snap-on spool winding device and a tip-up capture device and system for use with an ice-fishing tip-up, and method of use. 
         [0004]    The present invention provides a snap-on spool winding device, and method of using, which is easy to use in various settings, including under ice fishing conditions. A spool winding device according to the present invention may assist in winding fish line onto the spool of an ice fishing device, such as a tip-up. The spool winding device may further be used in other environments in which a spool to be wound lacks a winder. The snap-on spool winding device may include a planar body having at least one aperture, and an upstanding knob. The planar body includes a web portion supported by a circumferential edge portion. 
         [0005]    The present invention further provides a capture device for use during storage and transportation of elongate items such as an ice fishing tip-up. The capture device may preferably include a clip portion for securing the device to an elongate item, such as a tip-up, at least one upstanding mounting element, and at least one transverse rib member. 
         [0006]    The present invention may further provide a stowing system for retaining an elongate item, such as an ice fishing tip-up, in stowed position during transportation and storage. A stowing system may include a snap-on spool winding device and a capture device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a prior art method of rewinding line onto a spool. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a snap-on spool winder according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a snap-on spool winder according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the snap-on spool winder shown in  FIG. 2 , taken along lines  4 - 4  thereof, and showing a retaining edge. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of tip-up and showing installation of a snap-on spool winder according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but showing the snap-on spool winder installed and in position for use. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , but showing the snap-on spool winder installed and in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a prior art, Beaver Dam type ice fishing tip-up in operational position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a capture device according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , but showing the snap-on spool winder and capture device of the present invention installed and in position for use. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10 , but showing the spool with snap-on spool winder moving into storage position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary bottom view of a tip-up with the snap-on spool winder positioned on the spool and the handle moving into the mounting structure on the capture device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 12  but showing a tip-up with the snap-on spool winder positioned on the spool and the winder in stowed position on the capture device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , but showing a portion of the line and hook stowed on the capture device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the tip-up illustrated in  FIG. 10  but in stowed position with the stowing system securing the various components for transportation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0023]    Ice fishing tip-up devices are commonly used to catch fish during ice fishing, and to signal the user that a fish has been caught by way of a signal device, such as a flag. When the user has completed fishing for the day, many commonly used tip-ups require the user to rewind the fishing line onto the spool by hand, by grasping the line and re-rolling it onto a spool. This technique can be clumsy and impeded by the cold, use of gloves and the formation of ice on the line.  FIGS. 1 and 10  illustrate a typical ice fishing tip-up  10  with  FIG. 1  showing a user rewinding the line  12  onto a spool  14  by hand. Occasionally, an integrally formed spool and winder has been employed (not shown). While these techniques have been used for years, the present invention provides a detachable, easily installable snap-on spool winding device  16  for use with tip-ups of the type illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The spool winding device  16  may also be used as part of a stowing system, as will be later discussed. 
         [0024]    With particular attention to  FIGS. 3-4 , a snap-on spool winding device  16  according to the present invention may be seen. As illustrated, the winding device  16  includes a planar body  18  having a web  20  supported by a circumferential edge  22 . The web  20  includes a plurality of apertures  24  therein, a front planar surface  26 , and a back planar surface  28 . The front surface  26  preferably includes an upstanding handle member  30  for ease of grasping and manipulating the device during use. As seen, the apertures  24  may include a center aperture  24 A and an array of circumferential apertures  24 . 
         [0025]    With specific reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it may be seen that the back planar surface  28  of the device  16  may include an upstanding edge portion  32 . The portion  32  preferably extends laterally from the edge  22  and perpendicular to the back planar surface  28  to provide a flange or rim member  34 . The rim member  34  is adapted for snap-on inference fit with a spool  14  of an ice fishing tip-up  10  or other spool in need of rewinding. The winding device  16  is easily installed on a spool, such as an ice fishing spool  14 , as is depicted in  FIG. 5 . As is viewed in  FIG. 5 , the user merely grasps the device  16  with the back surface  28  facing the spool  14 , moves the device  16  in the direction of arrow A, and snaps the rim  34  around the spool  14 . If the spool  14  is provided with a rod  36  that extends through the spool  14 , the center aperture  24 A may be positioned over the rod  36 , to aid in centering the device  16  on the spool  14 . Once the snap-on spool winding device  16  is positioned on a spool  14 , as is shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle member  30  may be grasped and rotated in the direction of arrow B (see  FIG. 7 ), to thereby wind the line, such as fishing line  12 , onto the spool  14 . The array of circumferential apertures  24  provide water evacuation if the device  16  is immersed. While the spool winding device  16  is shown and described in conjunction with an ice fishing tip-up spool  14 , it is to be understood that the device  16  may be utilized to aid in winding other spools (not shown). 
         [0026]    With attention now to  FIGS. 9-15 , it may be seen that the present invention may be further directed to a tip up capture device  40 , method and stowing system. With specific reference to  FIG. 9 , the capture device  40  may be seen to include a base  42  having a top surface  44 , a bottom surface  46 , and opposed arm members  48 A,  48 B. Each of the arms  48 A,  48 B preferably includes a distal end  50  forming a clip member  52 . Each clip member  52  is preferably sized to engine a frame, such as tip-up frame  54 . The top surface  44  of the base  42  further preferably includes an upstanding, laterally extending mounting structure  56 . The mounting structure  56  includes an arcuate portion  58  terminating in spaced apart arm members  60 . The arm members  60  may each further include a distal end  62  having an expanded portion  64  for snap fit of a handle  30  therein. The dimension of the arcuate portion  58 , and spacing of the arm members  60 , is suitable for supporting a handle  30  of the winding device  16 , as will be discussed. 
         [0027]    As is seen in  FIG. 9 , the top surface  44  of the capture device  40  may further include a plurality of laterally spaced ridges  66 . The ridges  66  may vary in height and correspond to valleys  68  located on the bottom surface  46  of the capture device  40 . The ridges  66  and valleys  68  cooperate to provide a hook  70  holding area (see  FIG. 14 ), with the various heights and spacing allowing the user to store hooks  70  of varying sizes. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 10-15  illustrate the winding device  16  and capture device  40  in cooperating use as a stowing system. As seen, the capture device  40  is installed on a tip-up frame  54 , with the capture device top surface  44  orientated to face a spool  14  with the winding device  16  installed on the spool  14  as is described above. When storage of the tip-up  10  is desired, the user moves the spool  14  in the direction of arrow C (see  FIG. 11 ) and toward the capture device  40 . As is seen in  FIG. 12 , the user may then snap the handle member  30  of the winding device  16  into the mounting structure  56  in the direction of arrow D. Excess line  12  may be wrapped around the tip-up frame  54  and any attached hooks  70  inserted in the valleys  68  and ridges  66  for transportation. 
         [0029]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.