Automatic jigging actuator for a fishing rod

An automatic jigging device (10) used to support to a fishing pole (12) and impart action to a fishing lure secured to the pole (12) broadly comprises a frame (22), an arm (24) rotatably secured to the frame (22), a fishing pole holder receiver (26) rigidly secured to the arm (24) and designed to accept a fishing pole holder (28) to support the pole (12), and an actuator (30) for selectively rotating the arm (24) with respect to the frame (22), thereby imparting action to the pole (12) and the lure. The frame (22) is designed to be rigidly secured to a support (32), such as a rail of a boat or a pier. The device (10) may also include a spring (50) to dampen the arm's (24) movement and a housing (46) to enclose and protect the arm (24), the actuator (30), and the spring (50).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fishing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic jigging device that may be selectively secured to a boat or pier and operatively coupled with a fishing pole in order to impart action to a lure attached to the fishing pole, without otherwise interfering with operation of the fishing pole.

2. Description of Prior Art

Fishermen are more successful in catching fish when their lures realistically imitate live bait and/or other things that may induce a fish to strike. Fishermen therefore not only choose lures that look like live bait, but also want lures to imitate or move like live bait. In order to achieve this, some fishermen jerk their fishing poles in an effort to make their lures imitate live bait. However, such techniques may be difficult and beyond the skill of and/or may quickly fatigue many fishermen. Such techniques also require constant attention and repetitive motion, thereby reducing the recreational value of fishing.

In response, many devices have been developed that agitate fishing poles and/or lines for fishermen. However, prior art devices interfere with operation of the fishing pole to which they are attached. For example, many prior art devices mate with a handle or rod of a fishing pole in such a way as that they interfere with a fisherman's grip and operation of the fishing pole. Alternatively, some prior art devices attach directly to a line of a fishing pole, and therefore interfere with reeling in the line. In either case, setting a hook first requires a fisherman to extract his or her fishing pole from these prior art devices, which is often difficult.

Prior art devices are also often bulky, complex, and inefficient. For example, some prior art devices are rather large and must be permanently mounted to a fishing boat or other support and other include many moving parts. More energy is required to operate such complex devices, thereby making them inefficient.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved automatic jigging device that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-identified problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of fishing devices. More particularly, the present invention provides an automatic jigging device that may be selectively secured to a boat or pier and operatively coupled with a fishing pole in order to impart action to a lure attached to the fishing pole, without otherwise interfering with operation of the fishing pole. The jigging device is designed to impart action to a fishing lure through a substantially conventional fishing pole. The jigging device broadly comprises a frame, an arm rotatably secured to the frame, and an actuator for selectively rotating the arm with respect to the frame, thereby imparting action to the fishing pole and the lure. The device also preferably includes a housing to enclose and protect the arm and the actuator. The frame is designed to be selectively but rigidly secured to a support, such as a rail of a boat or a pier, and is preferably secured to the arm through a pivot pin or axle.

The arm preferably includes a substantially horizontal member and a first and second flange, which preferably extend generally downwardly from the horizontal member. A fishing pole holder receiver preferably extends generally upward from the horizontal member near the pivot pin, thereby maximizing the actuator's leverage, and accepts a substantially conventional fishing pole holder.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator is an electrical solenoid and includes a reciprocating rod pivotally secured to the first flange of the arm. As the reciprocating rod reciprocates, the arm is rotated about the pivot pin, thereby rocking the fishing pole holder receiver and imparting action to the fishing pole and the lure. As discussed above, in order to enhance the actuator's torque, the first flange is preferably located approximately midway along the horizontal member of the arm, with the fishing pole holder receiver located nearer the pivot pin. In this manner, the actuator may effectively impart action to large fishing poles.

Conversely, the device may include a spring to dampen the arm's movement. Specifically, the spring is preferably connected between the second flange of the arm and the housing. As the second flange is preferably located opposite the pivot pin, the spring may effectively resist the actuator.

The spring may be secured to the housing through a threaded rod so that the spring's tension may be adjusted in order to compensate for different fishing poles. Specifically, the threaded rod preferably extends through the housing and a threaded thumb wheel external to the housing. Turning the thumb wheel clockwise pulls the threaded rod further through the housing, thereby increasing the spring's tension for use with smaller fishing poles. Conversely, turning the thumb wheel counter-clockwise allows the spring to pull the threaded rod further into the housing, thereby deceasing the spring's tension for use with larger fishing poles. In this manner, the device may be infinitely adjustable for use with virtually any fishing pole. It should also be noted that the spring's tension may be adjusted to account for any undesirable slack or play associated with the arm or the actuator.

The device also preferably includes a controller having one or more controls to control the actuator, and therethrough the lure, and a power input through which electrical power is accepted to power the controls and the actuator. The controls may include a power switch for selectively powering the actuator, an intensity control for selecting a desired magnitude or intensity of the action imparted to the lure, a delay control for selecting a delay period during which less or no action is imparted to the lure, and a duration control for selecting a duration during which significant action is imparted to the lure after the delay period has elapsed.

The power input preferably connects to a battery or another similarly convenient power source. For example, the battery is preferably a marine battery, such as those commonly used in fishing boats, and connects to the controller through a battery cable plugged into the power input.

In use, a user first secures the frame to the support and the fishing pole holder to the fishing pole holder receiver. The user then connects the power input to the power source. The user then casts the lure as he or she normally would and places the fishing pole into the fishing pole holder. Using the controls, the user configures the controller as desired. When a fish strikes, the user may simply snatch the fishing pole from the fishing pole holder, thereby setting his or her hook in one swift motion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, the preferred jigging device10constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated supporting a fishing pole12and designed to impart action to a fishing lure (not shown) secured to the fishing pole12. The fishing pole12is preferably conventional, and therefore preferably includes a handle14to be gripped by a user and a rod16extending from the handle14. The handle14may include, or be covered by, a gripping element designed to aid the user in gripping the handle14. For example, many conventional fishing poles include a rubber, sponge, or cork covered handles.

Since the handle14is typically designed to give the user positive control of the fishing pole12and the rod16is typically designed to flex, the rod16is typically much thinner than the handle14. For example, the rod16is preferably less than one half inch in diameter. However, some heavy-duty fishing poles include relatively thick rods. Therefore, in some applications, the rod16may be greater than one half inch in diameter, but is preferably still thinner than the handle14. The rod16is preferably flexible and may be constructed of any commonly used material, such as plastic, fiberglass, graphite, wood, cane, or other natural materials.

The fishing pole12may also include a reel18. The reel18may be of any conventional type, such as a casting-type reel or a spinning-type reel. In this case, the lure is preferably secured to the fishing pole12with a line20controlled by the reel18. Alternatively, especially where the fishing pole12does not include the reel18, the line18may simply be secured to a distal end of the rod16. In either case, the jigging device10imparts vibration to the rod16, which in turn imparts action to the lure through the line20.

Referring also toFIG. 2the jigging device10broadly comprises a frame22, an arm24rotatably secured to the frame22, a fishing pole holder receiver26rigidly secured to the arm24and designed to accept a fishing pole holder28to support the fishing pole12, and an actuator30for selectively rotating the arm24with respect to the frame22, thereby imparting action to the fishing pole12and the lure. The frame22is designed to be rigidly secured to a support32, such as a rail of a boat or a pier. In the preferred embodiment, the frame22includes a cylindrical threaded end34that may be threaded into a fishing pole holder base, which is secured to or integral with the support32. In this embodiment, the frame22may also include a wing nut36that may be threaded down against the support32to lock the threaded end34to the support32.

The frame22is secured to the arm24through a pivot pin38or axle. The frame22preferably wraps around the pivot pin38, which is preferably integral to the arm24. However, the arm24may simply be secured to the pivot pin38or may even rotate about the pivot pin38. A first end39of the arm24is pivotally attached to the frame22via a pivot pin38, and the fishing pole holder receiver26is secured to a first segment41of the arm24, wherein the first segment41is located between the first end39and a second end43of the arm24. The actuator30is attached to a second segment45of the arm24, wherein the second segment45is located between the first segment41and the second end43of the arm24.

The arm24preferably includes a substantially horizontal member40and a first and second flange42,44, which preferably extend generally downwardly from the horizontal member40. The fishing pole holder receiver26preferably extends generally upward from the horizontal member40. The fishing pole holder receiver26is also preferably located between the pivot pin38and the first flange42, thereby maximizing the actuator's30leverage, as will be discussed in further detail below.

The fishing pole holder receiver26may be secured to or formed integrally with the arm24. As the fishing pole holder28is expected to present a threaded end, the fishing pole holder receiver26preferably presents a threaded hole into which the threaded end of the fishing pole holder28may be inserted in order to secure the fishing pole holder28to the fishing pole holder receiver26. Alternatively, wherein the fishing pole holder28presents a smooth end, the fishing pole holder receiver26preferably presents a smooth bore hole into which the smooth end of the fishing pole holder28may be inserted. Finally, the arm24may simply include the fishing pole holder28extending therefrom.

The device10preferably includes a housing46to enclose and protect the arm24and the actuator30. A majority of the frame22is preferably also enclosed within the housing46. For example, in the preferred embodiment, only the threaded end34of the frame22extends from the housing46. The fishing pole holder receiver26preferably extends through a hole in an upper portion of the housing46. The housing46may include a removable cover in order to allow access to the device's10internal components.

The actuator30is preferably secured to the housing46by a stand off bracket47. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator30is an electrical solenoid and includes a reciprocating rod48pivotally secured to the first flange42of the arm24. As the reciprocating rod48reciprocates, the arm24is rotated about the pivot pin38, thereby rocking the fishing pole holder receiver26and imparting action to the fishing pole12and the lure. As discussed above, in order to enhance the actuator's30torque, the first flange42is preferably located approximately midway along the horizontal member of the arm, with the fishing pole holder receiver26located nearer the pivot pin38. In this manner, the actuator30may effectively impart action to large fishing poles.

Conversely, the device10may include a spring50to dampen the arm's24movement. Specifically, the spring50is preferably enclosed within the housing46and is preferably connected between the second flange44of the arm24and the housing46. As the second flange44is preferably located opposite the pivot pin38, the spring50may effectively resist the actuator30. In this manner, the spring50is especially useful when the device10is used in conjunction with smaller fishing poles, so that the actuator30does not impart too much action to the lure. Thus, for use with large fishing poles, the spring50may be removed. When the device10is to be used with small fishing poles, the spring50may be reinstalled.

Alternatively, the spring50may be secured to the housing46through a threaded rod52so that the spring's50tension may be adjusted in order to compensate for different fishing poles. Specifically, the threaded rod52preferably extends through the housing46and a threaded thumb wheel54external to the housing46. Turning the thumb wheel54clockwise pulls the threaded rod52further through the housing46, thereby increasing the spring's50tension for use with smaller fishing poles. Conversely, turning the thumb wheel54counter-clockwise allows the spring50to pull the threaded rod52further into the housing46, thereby deceasing the spring's50tension for use with larger fishing poles. In this manner, the device10may be infinitely adjustable for use with virtually any fishing pole. It should also be noted that the spring's50tension may be adjusted to account for any undesirable slack or play associated with the arm24or the actuator30.

The device10also preferably includes a controller60having one or more controls62to control the actuator30, and therethrough the lure, a power input64through which electrical power is accepted to power the controls62and the actuator30, and wiring66to interconnect the actuator30, the controls62, and the power input64. The controls62may include a power switch for selectively powering the actuator30, an intensity control for selecting a desired magnitude or intensity of the action imparted to the lure, a delay control for selecting a delay period during which less or no action is imparted to the lure, and a duration control for selecting a duration during which significant action is imparted to the lure after the delay period has elapsed.

For example, the user may wish that the lure alternate between wiggling for two seconds and remaining substantially still for three seconds. In this case, the user manipulates the intensity control until he or she obtains the desired intensity of the lure's wiggling, the duration control until the lure wiggles for approximately two seconds between the delay periods, and the delay control until the lure remains substantially still for three seconds between the durations during which the lure wiggles.

Alternatively, the user may wish that the lure alternate between wiggling for one second and remaining substantially still for two seconds. In this case, the user manipulates the intensity control until he or she obtains the desired intensity of the lure's wiggling, the duration control until the lure wiggles for approximately one second between the delay periods, and the delay control until the lure remains substantially still for two seconds between the durations during which the lure wiggles.

In practice, it has been found that the duration control should allow the user to adjust the duration during which action is imparted to the lure to between one half second and five seconds. Similarly, it has been found that the delay control should allow the user to adjust the delay period during which little or no action is imparted to the lure to between one second and ten seconds. Of course, the controller60may not need to include all of the controls62discussed herein. For example, in a very basic embodiment, the controller60may have substantially pre-configured durations and delay periods. In this case, the user may only need to adjust the intensity control as desired.

The controls62may be simple switches, potentiometers, or other common electrical components. In complex embodiments, the controls62may interact with a computer processor in order to control the actuator30, and therethrough the lure. Thus, the controller60allows the user to ensure that the lure realistically imitates live bait and/or other things that may induce a fish to strike.

The power input64preferably connects to a battery68or another similarly convenient power source. For example, the battery68may be a commonly available nine volt battery and may fit within the housing46. Alternatively, or additionally, the power input64may include a connector which penetrates the housing46. In this latter case, the battery68is preferably a marine battery, such as those commonly used in fishing boats, and connects to the controller60through a battery cable70. Where the power input64allows connection of both internal and external batteries, the power switch preferably allows the user to select between the internal and external batteries.

It can be seen that the device10does not capture the fishing pole12, and therefore does not interfere with normal operation of the fishing pole12. Rather the device10supports the fishing pole12in the fishing pole holder28, which is preferably conventional and does not interfere with the fishing pole12. This feature is especially advantageous when a fish strikes the lure and a fisherman needs to set his or her hook quickly without interference.

While the present invention has been described above, it is understood that substitutions may be made. For example, the spring50may be secured to the frame22, rather than the housing46. Similarly, the actuator30may also be secured to the frame22, rather than the housing46. Furthermore, it should be noted that there are many types of fishing pole holders. Therefore, the fishing pole holder receiver26may be designed to accept any or all of these types. Furthermore, the frame22may be designed to mate with any or all types of conventional fishing pole holder receiver s. These and other minor modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

In use, a user first secures the frame22to the support32and the fishing pole holder28to the fishing pole holder receiver26. The user then connects the power input64to the power source. The user then casts the lure as he or she normally would and places the fishing pole12into the fishing pole holder28. Using the controls62, the user configures the controller60as desired. When a fish strikes, the user may simply snatch the fishing pole12from the fishing pole holder28, thereby setting his or her hook in one swift motion.