Fishing pole holder

A fishing pole holder can be inserted into the ground into a variety of types of dirt, soil and sand, can receive and maintain the handle of a fishing pole, and be removed from the ground and easily transported when not in use. The fishing pole holder includes a first end having a receiving cavity configured to receive the stock of a fishing pole, and a second end having a plurality of teeth for insertion into the ground, so as to securely anchor the second end into the ground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for fishing and more particularly to fishing pole holders that can be easily and temporarily inserted into the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most important qualities a person fishing must possess, is patience. It is possible to cast your line and spend many minutes, if not hours, waiting for a fish to bite. After casting the fishing line and hook into the water, typically a person holds the fishing pole in his hand or hands while waiting for a fish to bite.

Because of the long time that a person is often required to wait before a fish bites, one often desires to fish with more than one fishing pole, which increases the chances of catching a fish. However, it is quite difficult, if not impossible, for a person to hold more than one fishing pole at the same time.

Also, because of the long time that a person is sometimes required to wait before a fish bites, often, the person will need or desire to perform other activities that require the use of both hands. Similarly, often when fishing, a person's hands will become tired from holding onto the fishing pole for an extended period of time, so that the person needs or desires to rest their hands while waiting for a fish to bite. However, placing a fishing pole on the ground while the fishing line and hook are in the water in order to perform other activities or rest one's hands is problematic. A fishing pole placed on the ground may be stepped on and damaged or accidentally washed into the water. An unattended fishing pole on the ground can also be dangerous, as it may cause a person to trip and fall. Another major disadvantage of placing your fishing pole on the ground, is that it becomes very difficult to tell if a fish is biting your line.

Ideally, in these situations where a person desires to use more than one fishing pole, perform other tasks requiring the use of both hands while fishing, or simply rest one's hands, the person will utilize a fishing pole holder. A fishing pole holder is a device that maintains the fishing pole in a vertical or semi-vertical position, in order to keep the pole off the ground and allow a person to see if a fish bites the hook. Whether fishing in a boat or on the shore, the fishing pole holder must be securely anchored to something in order to support the fishing pole in a vertical or semi-vertical position. Once the fishing pole holder is securely anchored, the fishing pole can be inserted into the fishing pole holder where it will remain in a vertical or semi-vertical position, without the use of a person's hand or hands.

In the case of shore fishing or surf fishing, one way to anchor the fishing pole holder so that it will support a fishing pole is to insert the fishing pole holder into the ground. When inserting the fishing pole holder into the ground in order to anchor it securely, one must be sure that the fishing pole holder is inserted to a sufficient depth. This can be difficult depending on the type of ground into which the fishing pole holder is being inserted. Also problematic, is securing a firm grip on the fishing pole holder so that a sufficient amount of pressure can be applied to the fishing pole holder to ensure insertion to a sufficient depth.

The composition of ground or shore surrounding a particular body of water can vary greatly. The ground may consist of soft sand, soft sand mixed with small shells or stones, soft or semi-hard dirt, soft or semi-hard dirt mixed with small stones, packed dirt, or packed dirt with small stones.

Finally, removal of the fishing pole holder from the ground can be a challenge due to the difficulty of obtaining a secure grip on the fishing pole holder. Once the fishing pole holder is removed from the ground, it is often wet, slippery and/or dirty, which makes carrying and transport of the fishing pole holder difficult.

Accordingly, there is a need for a fishing pole holder that can be easily and temporarily inserted into the ground into a variety of types of dirt, soil and sand, receive and maintain the stock of a fishing pole, and be easily removed from the ground and conveniently transported when not in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention includes a fishing pole holder, which includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a receiving cavity configured to receive a stock of a fishing pole. The second end has a plurality of teeth to allow for insertion of the second end into the ground.

A second aspect of the present invention includes a kit having a fishing pole holder, which includes a body having a first end, a second end and a third end. The first end has a receiving cavity configured to receive a stock of a fishing pole. The second end is releasably connectable to the first end, and has a first number of teeth to allow for insertion of the second end into the ground. The third end is releasably connectable to the first end, and has a second number of teeth to allow for insertion of the third end into the ground. The second number of teeth is different than the first number of teeth.

A third aspect of the present invention includes a method for using a fishing pole holder, which includes providing a body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a receiving cavity configured to receive a stock of a fishing pole. The second end is releasably connectable to the first end. The second end has a first number of teeth to allow for insertion of the second end into the ground. The fishing pole holder also has third end releasably connectable to the first end. The third end has a second number of teeth to allow for insertion of the third end into the ground. The second number of teeth is different than the first number of teeth. A user selects the second end or the third end. The user releasably connects the second end or the third end to the first end. The user then inserts the second end or the third end into the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a fishing pole holder that can be easily and temporarily inserted into the ground into a variety of types of dirt, soil and sand, receive and maintain the stock of a fishing pole, and be removed from the ground and conveniently transported when not in use.

Referring toFIG. 1, a fishing pole holder5includes a body10having a first end12and a second end20. First end12has a receiving cavity14configured to receive a handle or stock16of a fishing pole18. Second end20has teeth22to allow for insertion of second end20into the ground24. The size, shape and diameter of receiving cavity14may vary in order to accommodate different types and sizes of fishing pole stocks (e.g., stock16).

As depicted inFIG. 1, body10is a cylindrical tube. Body10may also be configured in various shapes, such as a square tube or triangular tube. Body10may be made of metal, plastic, wood, glass, polyvinyl chloride, combinations thereof, or any other material which can support a fishing pole in a vertical or semi-vertical position. Body10may be configured in various lengths and widths to accommodate different types and sizes of fishing poles. Body10may also be provided in various colors, some which make body10highly visible to the human eye. Teeth22on second end20facilitate insertion of second end20into the ground24.

Second end20may have any number of teeth, depending on the type of ground fishing pole holder5is being inserted into. For example, second end20may have two teeth, three teeth, four teeth, five teeth, six teeth, etc. Teeth22may also be provided in different shapes, sizes and patterns. Teeth22may be v-shaped, circular-shaped, scalloped-shaped or square-shaped and may be spaced equally around the circumference of second end20of body10. Teeth22may also alternate between various shapes. Teeth22may be arranged consecutively so that a first tooth connects directly to a second tooth such that there is no horizontal surface between the teeth (see e.g., teeth122(FIG. 3)). Teeth22may also be arranged so that there is a gap or gaps between teeth22. A gap is a horizontal surface between teeth (see e.g., gap62between teeth56,58(FIG. 12)).

As depicted inFIG. 3, a second end120of a fishing pole holder105with two teeth122is particularly useful for insertion into soft sand. Turning toFIG. 4, a second end220of a fishing pole holder205includes two teeth222, where a surface288between two teeth222is curved, rather than horizontal, triangular or square. Turning toFIG. 5, a second end320of a fishing pole holder305with three teeth322is particularly useful for insertion into soft sand mixed with small shells or stones. Teeth322are arranged consecutively such that the space (i.e., connecting portion or surface of end320between teeth322) between the teeth forms an inverted v-shape. Turning toFIG. 6, a second end420of a fishing pole holder405has four teeth422, which is particularly useful for insertion into soft dirt or semi-hard dirt that may be mixed with small stones. Turning toFIG. 7, a second end520of a fishing pole holder505has five teeth522. A second end520of fishing pole holder505with five teeth522or six teeth is particularly useful for insertion into packed dirt with or without small stones.

As shown inFIG. 11, a second end620with teeth622has two v-shaped teeth52,54arranged consecutively so that there is no gap (i.e., horizontal surface) between teeth (e.g., teeth52,54).

As shown inFIG. 12, a second end720with teeth722has three v-shaped teeth56,58,60arranged non-consecutively so that there is a first gap (i.e., horizontal surface)62between teeth56,58and a second gap64between teeth58,60.

As shown inFIG. 13, a second end820with teeth822has three square-shaped teeth68,70,72arranged non-consecutively so that there is a first gap (i.e., horizontal surface)74between teeth68,70and a second gap76between teeth70,72.

As shown inFIG. 14, a first opening26and a second opening86may be located on opposite sides of body10. Openings26,86may be arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of body10. For example, openings26,86may be circular and axes of openings26,86may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of body10. As another example, body10may be a cylinder and axes of body10may be substantially perpendicular to axes of openings26,86. Openings26,86are arranged so that there is a cavity84between openings26,86. Such a cavity (i.e., cavity84) may be a portion of receiving cavity14. A handle28(FIG. 2) may be inserted into cavity84, and may be formed of different lengths according to desired use or preferences of user. Handle28(FIG. 2) may be plastic, metal, wood or polyvinyl chloride and may be formed in a variety of shapes, including flat or cylindrical.

Referring back toFIG. 2, handle28is long enough so that when inserted into openings26,86(FIG. 14), a first portion30of handle28and a second portion32of handle28will protrude from openings26,86(FIG. 14) on each side of fishing pole holder5, with first portion30and second portion32long enough for a human hand to grip first portion30and/or second portion32on each side of fishing pole holder5to allow sufficient force to be applied so as to insert second end20of fishing pole holder5into the ground24as inFIG. 1. For example, to insert second end20of fishing pole holder5into the ground, a person may place fishing pole holder5on the ground, grip one or both of first portion30and second portion32and either apply downward force towards the ground24(FIG. 1), or apply downward force towards the ground24(FIG. 1) while optionally rotating fishing pole holder5to accomplish a digging, drilling, burrowing, or boring effect, thereby penetrating the ground with second end20. The second end20may be inserted into the ground24(FIG. 1) far enough such that fishing pole holder5supports the weight of fishing pole18(FIG. 1) while inhibiting a top end of fishing pole holder5from tipping over so as to maintain fishing pole18(FIG. 1) in a vertical or semi-vertical position.

Turning again toFIG. 1, fishing pole holder5may contain one or more clips34to secure handle28to body10of fishing pole holder5when handle28is not in use. Clips34extend outward from body10and are arranged parallel to a longitudinal dimension of body10. Clips34may be any device or fastener that releasably connects handle28to fishing pole holder5such that handle28may be used to carry fishing pole holder5when attached thereto. Clip34may be a spring clip, broom clip, clasp, clamp, or latch. As shown inFIG. 1, there are two clips34arranged substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis of body10to secure handle28to body10of fishing pole holder5. In a preferred embodiment, handle28may be releasably connected to body10using clips34and thereby conveniently stored when not in use. When handle28is releasably connected to body10using clips34, handle28may be also used to carry or transport fishing pole holder5when fishing pole holder5is not in use. For example, a user may grip handle28while fishing pole holder5is attached thereto to allow the user to carry both handle28and fishing pole holder5.

Fishing pole holder5may contain a supporting member37to support a weight of fishing pole18and to inhibit stock16of fishing pole18from moving further (e.g., by gravity) into receiving cavity14in a downward direction toward second end20as depicted inFIG. 1. Supporting member37may inhibit reel80(FIG. 10) of fishing pole18from contacting body10of fishing pole holder5and interfering with the rotation of a reel handle44(FIG. 10) of fishing pole18by inhibiting stock16of fishing pole18from moving further (e.g., by gravity) into receiving cavity14in a direction toward second end20. For example, supporting member37may inhibit reel80(FIG. 10) from moving in a downward direction toward second end20, further inhibiting reel80(FIG. 10) from contacting body10, such that reel handle44(FIG. 10) can rotate freely (e.g., when a fish bites the line) without contacting body10. Supporting member37may be inserted horizontally (i.e., substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of body10) through receiving cavity14and through openings (not shown) in body10. As shown, a first end38and a second end46of supporting member37protrude from receiving cavity14. In a preferred embodiment, first end38of supporting member37is a closed loop. First end38of supporting member may also be a hook, clasp, clamp or other means for allowing objects to be connected thereto. In another example, first end38of supporting member37may be an eye bolt connected to second end46of supporting member37, which may be a nut.

As shown inFIG. 9, supporting member37may be connectable to a bait bucket or a stringer48for holding fish. Stringer48may be connectable to supporting member37so that a user can attach fish to stringer48to prevent the fish from escaping, place stringer48in the water in order to keep the fish alive, and connect stringer48to supporting member37to inhibit stringer48from floating away. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 15, a bait bucket82may be connectable to supporting member37so that a bait bucket with live bait may be placed in the water so that the bait will remain alive but the bait bucket will not float away. Other objects may also be connectable to supporting member37, such as a dog's leash or chum bag. A dog's leash may be connectable to supporting member37in order to inhibit dog from escaping or running away. A chum bag may be connectable to supporting member37so that the chum bag may be placed in the water to attract fish without floating away. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that fishing pole holder5may be inserted into ground that may be moist or at least partially submerged in water.

As depicted in another embodiment,FIG. 10, a fishing pole holder905, includes a first end912of a body910having a notch42configured to receive a reel connecting member78of reel80of fishing pole18such that reel connecting member78may pass through notch42and/or be supported by resting on a portion of notch42. Reel connecting member78may be of sufficient length such that reel connecting member78passes through notch42such that reel80is at a sufficient distance from an outer surface990of body910to allow rotation of reel handle44relative to body910. When reel supporting member78is received in notch42and/or resting on a portion of notch42, notch42may inhibit movement of fishing pole18relative to body910. For example, when reel supporting member78is received in notch42and/or resting on a portion of notch42, notch42may inhibit movement of fishing pole18in a circumferential direction relative to body910. Notch42may be any indentation in first end912that allows reel handle44of fishing pole18to extend there through and allow reel handle44to rotate without contacting an exterior surface of body910. Notch42is sufficiently wide enough to receive reel supporting member78of reel80of fishing pole18. Notch42may be a variety of sizes and shapes, including arced shaped, elliptically shaped, circularly shaped, and square-shaped. For example, if fishing pole18is in receiving cavity914and reel supporting member78is received in notch42, reel handle44may rotate in response to a fish pulling on the end of the fishing line.

As shown inFIG. 8, in another embodiment of a fishing pole holder1005, a first end1012and a second end1020may be releasably connected to one another in a variety of ways. For example, first end1012may be configured so that it fits into second end1020, or second end1020may be configured to fit into first end1012. First end1012may have exterior threads releasably connectable to interior threads on second end1020, or vice versa. First end1012and second end1020may also be releasably connected to one another by a bolt50or other fastening mechanism received in openings (not shown) of both ends when first end1012is inserted into second end1020, or vice versa. First end1012and second end1020may be made from different materials that have differing characteristics, such as differing strengths or differing flexibilities. First end1012and second end1020may be formed of metal, plastic, wood, glass, or polyvinyl chloride. For example, first end1012may be made of polyvinyl chloride, while second end1020may be made of metal.

In another example, a fishing pole holder kit may include a first end and more than one second end, each second end having a plurality of teeth. The first end and any one of second ends may be releasably connected to one another. For example, a first end1012depicted inFIG. 8may also be connectable to one or more second ends having the connectors (e.g., threads) of second end1020, but which may have different numbers and types of teeth similar to the second ends120,220,320,420,520,620,720,820depicted inFIGS. 3-7,11-13and described above.

In one example, a user may utilize fishing pole holder5(FIG. 1) by inserting handle28(FIG. 1) into openings26,86(FIG. 14) and griping one or both of first portion30and second portion32(FIG. 2). The user then either applies downward force to one or both of first portion30and second portion32towards the ground24(FIG. 1), or applies downward force to one or both of first portion30and second portion32(FIG. 2) towards the ground24(FIG. 1) while optionally rotating fishing pole holder5to accomplish a digging, drilling, burrowing, or boring effect, thereby penetrating the ground with second end20. The user may then remove handle28from openings26,86(FIG. 14) and connect handle28(FIG. 1) to clips34, such that handle28is securely attached to body10. The user may then place fishing rod18into receiving cavity14. The user also has the option of attaching stringer for fish48(FIG. 9), a bait bucket, a dog's leash or other object to first end38(FIG. 1) of supporting member37. When the user is done fishing, he or she can remove fishing pole18from fishing pole holder5and remove fishing pole holder5from the ground, using handle28inserted in openings26,86, (FIG. 14) if necessary. For example, the user may remove fishing pole holder5(FIG. 1) from the ground24by griping one or both of first portion30and second portion32(FIG. 2) of handle28and applying upward pressure, with rotation of fishing pole holder5being optional. The user may then carry and transport fishing pole holder5using handle28when handle28is connected to body10by clips34(FIG. 1).

In another example, to utilize fishing pole holder1005(FIG. 8), a user first selects a second end1020with the appropriate number and types of teeth (e.g., one of second ends120,220,320,420,520,620,720,820depicted inFIGS. 3-7,11-13and described above) and formed of an appropriate material suitable for use in the type of ground where the user intends to use fishing pole holder1005. The user then releasably connects the selected second end1020to first end1012, using either exterior threads on first end1012connectable to interior threads on second end1020, or vice versa. The user may also releasably connect first end1012to second end1020using a bolt50or other fastening mechanism received in openings (not shown) of first end1012and second end1020when first end1012is inserted into second end1020, or vice versa. After the user has releasably connected first end1012and second end1020, he or she may utilize fishing pole holder1005the same way a user would use fishing pole holder5(FIG. 1), as described above. However, if the user wishes to move fishing pole holder1005to a different location with a different type of ground, the user may remove the previously selected second end1020from first end1012and replace it with a second end1020with the appropriate number and types of teeth (e.g., one of second ends120,220,320,420,520,620,720,820depicted inFIGS. 3-7,11-13and described above) and formed of an appropriate material suitable for use in the type of ground where the user intends to use fishing pole holder1005.

It is understood by one skilled in the art that a fishing pole holder (e.g.,5,105,205,305,405,505,905,1005) as described above may have a variety of second ends (e.g.,120,220,320,420,520,620,720,820,1020) having multiple teeth (e.g.,122,222,322,422,522,622,722,822) which allow fishing pole holder5(e.g.105,205,305,405,505,905,1005) to be used in a variety of types of ground, such that second ends may be connected to first ends (e.g.,12) described above, or second ends may be releasably connected to first ends as described above.

Throughout the specification the terms and substituents are defined when first introduced and retain their definitions.

Although preferred embodiments have been described and depicted herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, that various modifications, substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.