Electronic fishing system

The invention provides an electric fishing gear comprising a fishing reel, a handle, a motor and a motor speed control, the fishing reel can be removed to connect the handle, the fishing reel provides the lead power of the line by the motor, the motor speed control is used to adjust the speed of the motor in real time, to adjust the receiving speed of the fishing reel, the handle is set to provide electric power for the motor power device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an integrated electronic fishing system that is easy to use, even with limited manual dexterity, and uses the benefits of technology to enhance the effectiveness of an angler using the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional fishing systems include a fishing rod and a fishing reel. Each part is purchased separately according to the angler's preferences, assembled, and filled with line for use. Such a system is very modular and affords an infinite number of combinations of rod and reel and can be very effective in the hands of a skilled angler.

The conventional, modular, rod and reel systems are based on hardware that lacks access to stored information and the ability to gain new information that might aid the angler. Thus, a new generation of fishing reels were made that included microprocessors, memory, and displays. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,793. Some reels included motors for control over the winding and unwinding of the line that allowed technique jigging as well as automatic rewinding of cast line (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,072; 8,770,504; and 9,060,500 and US application publication numbers 2008/0289242; 2015/0223440; and 2017/0086438). Such smart reels generally remained a modular system designed to fit on and work with any fishing rod.

As more information exchange was demanded by the reel but with functional limitations on the potential display size that a reel could accommodate, some systems were developed with the ability to communicate with the angler's smartphone for input and output. See, e.g., published application US 2015/0335001. Such a system required some degree of manual dexterity by the user in that many reel systems (e.g., bait casting and spinning reels) already required the use of both hands. Adding a separate device for operation of the reel could become complicated.

It would be advantageous to provide a smart fishing system that would use the benefits afforded by microprocessor technology in a manner that was easy to use by all anglers, even those having reduced, compromised, or impaired manual dexterity.

It would also be desirable to provide a fishing system that included a repository of instructions in a stored memory that could be selected and activated to help control operation of the fishing system to perform one or more fishing techniques that involve jigging (selective wind/unwind reel operations), casting, and rewinding processes.

It would also be desirable to have a fishing system that provided distributed controls so that both hands could both control the rod portion of the system while also allowing operation of the reel portion with the other hand without switching hands or moving the hands from gripping positions on the handle portion.

It would further be desirable to supply a method for controlling the operation of a fishing reel in an integrated fishing system having a rod portion, a handle portion, and an integrated fishing by way of the electronic control panel that includes variable speed subroutine operating on the reel for controlled jigging of a lure attached to a fishing line whose length is controlled by the fishing reel and associated drive system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an integrated fishing system that is readily gripped, controlled, and operated by anglers of all ages having minimal manual dexterity.

It is further an objective of the invention to provide an integrated, smart, fishing system that allows convenient operation of the integrated control systems to select and activate stored subroutine instructions that mimic one or more styles of lure jigging attached to the end of a fishing line whose position is controlled by the reel portion of the system.

In accordance with the above and other objectives of the invention that will become apparent from the description here, a smart fishing system according to the invention comprises:

(a) a fishing rod having an extended length along an axis and integrated with an upper arm section of a handle,

(b) a spinning or spincast fishing reel detachably secured to said lower arm section and to an underside of said upper arm section, and

(c) a motor drive comprising a motor connected to the fishing reel and arranged inline or on one side of the fishing reel to provide a driving force for winding a fishing line on the fishing reel, and

(d) a handle having a human-machine interaction touch screen panel on a top surface thereof and a power supply device, such as a battery, within the handle that supplies power to the motor and said touch screen panel,

(e) a housing arranged around motor, the housing being provided with a speed adjusting button that is configured to adjust the rotation speed of the motor in response to one or more pre-programmed fishing technique routines that are selectable on the touch screen by an angler holding the handle,

wherein, when a user uses the fishing system, one hand of the user grips the handle and controls the human-machine interaction panel to select the fishing mode, and the other hand of the user grips the housing to adjust the speed of the motor by the speed-adjusting slider button, so as to control winding of fishing line on the fishing reel at variable speeds based on a fishing mode selected by the user with the human-machine interaction touch screen panel.

Also provided herein is a method of controlling the operation of a fishing reel in the integrated fishing system described above by way of the touch screen panel that communicates with a microprocessor and stored microprocessor instructions that control operation of the reel motor to provide operational routines that mimic controlled jigging of a lure attached to a fishing line whose length is controlled by the fishing reel and associated drive system.

The smart fishing system of the invention and its method of operation provides an integrated system of rod, reel, and microprocessor-controlled reel hardware under the convenient control of properly a positioned interface panel for an angler to operate the smart fishing system without moving the user's hands from their normal positions when gripping the handle and motor speed control. This system leverages the power of stored fishing technique instructions and a programmed processor to access them to provide anglers of all ages and dexterity abilities with the opportunities of using advanced fishing techniques of experienced anglers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention generally relates to an integrated smart fishing system that uses a motor-driven fishing reel integrated with a handle having a control interface, such as a touch screen panel located on the top of the handle in convenient view and access by the angler. Through the control interface, the angler can select, modify, and/or program the motor drive to act on the operation of the fishing reel in ways that mimic one or more fishing techniques. Typical techniques that would benefit from such controls are jigging techniques that can vary widely by type of fish, bait, lure, region, season, and water conditions. The ability to have such techniques available for recall and implementation by even an inexperienced, young, or dexterity-compromised angler provide for more enjoyable and productive fishing experiences.

In the present invention, the handle is integrated with the reel in a manner that provides all anglers with easy access to the interface panel. The battery or batteries used to power the interface and drive are all secured in internal chambers of the system. A modular design allows the rod, reel, and motor drive components to be removed and replaced for repair, upgrade, or implementing a fishing reel style change between spincasting and spinning.

The handle of the present invention is preferably made to present a non-slip exterior surface that optionally has sufficient buoyancy to float the assembled system in fresh or salt water should the system fall overboard. Suitable materials generally include closed cell, elastomeric foams or buoyant natural materials like cork.

Because the battery used to power the system is located inside the handle, the handle is preferably provided with a connection to allow the battery to be recharged and then sealed against water, dirt, and other environmental contaminants that might affect the electrical functions of the battery. A conventional USB or AC adapter port can be used with a suitable cover. An especially preferred charging system uses inductive charging that avoids the need for piercing the handle with ports and openings.

FIGS. 1, 3 and 4relate to a first embodiment of the invention having an inline drive shaft in a motor chamber located axially behind the reel. The rear of the handle connects to the top of the motor chamber housing for convenient routing of wired connections.

FIGS. 5-7describe a 2ndembodiment of the invention in which the drive motor is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod and reel and interacts with the spool shaft by engaging pinion gears. This embodiment also illustrates a post connector that is secured into a mating receiver connector associated with a descending support arm from the rear or underside of the handle.

The remaining figures illustrate reel structures that are used in either embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, the invention involves a smart fishing system100having fishing rod1of an extended, axial length that is integrally connected at mounting seat2with handle3. Handle3exhibits a grippable upper section4that is axially aligned with rod1.

Touch screen5is disposed on the top surface of handle3for angler interaction with a programmed motor speed control6that allows the angler to use pre-programmed sequences of motor functions acting on fishing reel7to mimic selectable jigging and fishing modes. At this location, the display can be readily seen by the angler in normal use and is within convenient reach of the angler's thumb or pointer finger for selection of a displayed operational option. The display provides the angler with selectable options by touch for different styles of jigging the lure. The selection activates a microprocessor or similar computational device that then runs a series of programmed motor controls stored in a storage memory. These controls mimic the selected series of winding operations and nonoperational times in a sequence that mimics the desired jigging style.

A touch sensitive menu displayed on the screen5allows the angler to select a desired jigging style from among a plurality of options so that the associated microprocessor and motor controls can implement the selected fishing style. Speed-controlling slider button8provides the angler with additional override speed controls to increase or decrease the retrieving action of speed control6as well as reverse operation for fast or controlled sinking action.

Underneath handle3is support arm9that descends from the underside of handle3in a downward angle towards the front of handle3and into contact with the top rear connector10of motor chamber11of fishing reel7to provide a generally triangular shape between reel stem12, handle3, and support arm9. Such a shape helps to ensure overall stability of the resulting system.

Speed control6with a variable speed slider button8is laterally positioned and substantially perpendicular to the axis of rod1and handle3to allow the angler to hold the assembly comfortably and in balance with handle3while also having convenient access to operation of the motor drive and to touch screen5on top of handle3. Although not shown inFIG. 1, fishing reel7is also provided with a corresponding connection on the other side of reel7from that shown to receive speed control module6to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed anglers.

Preferably, the fishing reel7has a trigger13of a trigger-operated spinning reel or spincast reel. Such reels minimize the need to rearrange the angler's hands while retrieving or casting a lure attached to fishing line wound onto the spool reservoir of the reel. Such ease of use is particularly advantageous for new anglers and anglers of more limited manual dexterity.

FIG. 2shows additional details regarding handle3. The underside of handle3includes receiving mount14forward of the underside of upper section4and substantially below touch screen5. Receiving mount14is where reel stem12is secured to handle3.

The interior of handle3preferably includes sealed, waterproof cavities that will provide buoyancy if the assembly is dropped overboard or off the deck. Within such a cavity is rechargeable battery15that is electrically connected to and provides power for all electronic components, e.g., touch screen5, motor speed control6, and motor drive16.

FIG. 3shows additional details of the outside of fishing reel7, such as rear connector10and reel stem mounting foot17. Wiring among touch screen5, speed slider button8, motor10, and battery15can pass through an appropriate opening in rear connector15.

FIG. 4shows additional details of the inside of fishing reel7, such as motor16in which axially oriented motor drive shaft18acts directly on spindle shaft19by the interaction of a 1stspur gear on drive shaft18that engages a 2ndspur gear20on spool shaft19. As shown, motor drive shaft18and spool shaft19are displaced relative to the other but oriented in substantially parallel direction along the same general axis of extension that is substantially parallel to the axis of extension of rod1.

The second embodiment is shown inFIG. 5. Transverse drive motor22in motor drive housing23is connected to one side of the fishing reel7and interacts with the spool drive system24via interacting drive pinion25and spool pinion26.

Transverse motor drive22is electrically connected to battery15within handle3and provides the driving force for winding fishing line into the fishing reel7. When disengaged, such as when casting, fishing line from the reel can be freely cast and allowed to unspool without substantial resistance.

Reel stem mounting foot17extends upwardly from reel7and is used to connect reel7to the underside of handle3at receiving mount14. If desired, appropriate mating connections between mounting foot17and receiving mount14may form a snap connection to handle3. A descending rear connection arm (not shown) from handle3could then also snap into place at rear connector27for structural support as well as forming electrical connections to battery15.

Motor speed control6is integrated with the outer end of transverse drive motor22and includes speed slider button8to override the automated operation of drive motor22.

FIG. 6illustrates the internal connection between the drive pinion gear25and the spool pinion gear26that operates on the spindle shaft19. This interaction controls both rewind of cast fishing line and, when the pinion gears are disengaged due to forward displacement of spindle shaft19by pulling upwardly on trigger13for casting fishing line (not shown) from the internal reservoir spool28(seeFIG. 8). The reel7is covered by a reel cover29and is sealed from contamination at its rear with back plate30(FIG. 7).

FIG. 7is a detailed, cross-sectional view of fishing reel7without the motor drive16connected.FIG. 7also shows the overall layout and organization of the sub-assemblies shown inFIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 8shows the spool sub-assembly. Spindle shaft19extends the length of the reel7and is secured underneath the reel cover29by a spindle nut31. Spool28is secured below the spindle nut31and above a drag washer stack32that is compressed by interaction of the brake adjustment ring33, the brake feed gear34, and the second brake transmission gear35.

The braking device shown in the figures comprises a brake feed gear34, a brake double-linked gear36, a brake adjustment ring33and a drag washer stack32that are centered on the spindle shaft19and sequentially outwardly arranged along its radial direction. The brake double-linked gear36has a first brake transmission gear37and a second brake transmission gear35. External teeth on the first brake transmission gear37engage internal teeth of the brake adjustment ring33. The external teeth of the second brake transmission gear35engage the external teeth of the brake feed gear34. The brake feed gear34engages external thread of the spool fixing base38such that the brake feed gear34is axially movable relative to the spool fixing base38while the drag washer stack32is positioned forward of the brake feed gear34towards the spool28.

When the brake adjustment ring33is rotated for adjustment, the brake adjustment ring33drives the brake feed gear34forward or backward through the brake double-linked gear36to adjust the braking force. When the brake feed gear34is driven forward to exert greater drag, the brake feed gear34presses the drag washer stack32against the spool28to restrict the rotation of the spool28and thereby increase the braking force. When the brake feed gear34is retracted, the compression of the drag washer stack32against the spool28is reduced or removed to reduce the braking force.

FIGS. 9-11show additional details of the mechanisms that interact to allow casting and retrieval of fishing line on spool28, such as the stationary spool of a spincast reel assembly, over the forward end39of the reel casing40.FIG. 10illustrates the underside of reel casing40and the operation of the rewind pin41that is also known as a pickup pin. This pin should extend during when rewinding line and retract when casting line.FIG. 11generally shows the use of a lever arm42at the end of trigger13for one-finger control during casting whereby the rewind pin41is retracted and fishing line (not shown) is pinched by the perimeter of spool28between the forward end39of reel casing40. When casting, lever arm42is released at the point of casting so the line is no longer pinched and is allowed to unspool freely from spool28.

The spool assembly of the reel7includes a spool stop positioner43, a rewind pin41that can extend from the casing opening44when rewinding line onto the spool28, a limit ring45, and an E-shaped retaining ring46. The spool stop positioner43has a spring47and a positioning member48that are detachably connected with each other. The rewind pin41is fixedly arranged on the positioning member48which is rotatably connected to the underside of the casing40. The limit ring45and the E-shaped retaining ring46are sleeved on one end of the spindle shaft19near the casing40.

The limit ring45on the top of the spindle shaft19cooperates with the E-shaped retaining ring46to cause the telescopic movement of the rewind pin41through the casing opening44in the casing40. For example, when the spindle shaft19is located at its original position, the limit ring45presses on the positioning member48to drive the rewind pin41to extend outwardly against the biasing force of the spring47. Fishing line is then caught by the extended pin and rewound onto the spool28as the spindle shaft19turns.

When the lever arm42pushes the spindle shaft19to move axially forward and out of pinion gear engagement, the limit ring45releases the restriction on the positioning member48so that the biasing effects of the spring47acts on the positioning member48and retracts the rewind pin41into the casing40.

Reel casing40is internally threaded to screw onto external threads of fixing frame49. Spool fixing base50is around spindle shaft19and provides support for spool28within reel7.

As shown inFIG. 7, reel7has a main body52that includes an internal support platform53for carrying and supporting the reel components. The perimeter of the platform53includes threads for attaching internal reel casing40and an external reel cover29. The platform53includes a hollow central cavity. A fixing frame49is vertically placed on the platform53. The fixing frame49is hollow and cylindrical. The fixing frame49is close to the brake adjustment ring33and is sleeved on the end closer to the platform53. The brake adjustment ring33rotates on the fixing frame49. Toothed transmission gear sleeve54translates the rotation of spool pinion gear26into rotation of spool28.

As shown in more detail inFIGS. 7 and 11, the transmission structure in reel7includes a spindle shaft19, a toothed transmission sleeve54, a first bearing55, an anti-reverse mechanism56, a second bearing57, and trigger13interacting with lever arm14at the end of spindle shaft19. The spindle shaft19is rotatable relative to the main body52. The transmission gear sleeve54circumferentially surrounds spindle shaft19and is fixedly arranged at the middle of spindle shaft19. The end of the transmission gear sleeve54near the spool fixing base50of the spool28is screwed to a rack nut, and the end away from the spool fixing base50of the spool28is provided with a spool pinion gear26. The first bearing55is along the transmission gear sleeve54is circumferentially surrounded and disposed near the gear bar nut, the anti-reverse system56is threaded on spindle shaft19and is disposed between the spool pinion26and the first bearing55. Anti-reverse gear56is used to allow spindle shaft19to rotate only in a winding direction.

If the fishing line is pulled by an external force, the fishing line cannot be released under the effects of anti-reverse56and spindle shaft19cannot rotate backwards to protect the motor speed control6. The second bearing57is disposed on spindle shaft19between the spool pinion26and the anti-reverse gear56. A double bearing is provided to reduce friction and improve transmission efficiency.

One end of the lever arm42is provided outside the main casing, and the other end is provided at the accommodating space in cooperation with the end of the spindle shaft19opposite away from the spindle nut31. The user operates lever arm42using trigger13to axially displace spindle shaft19towards the front of the reel so that the end of spindle shaft19cooperates with the spool stop positioning member43to retract rewind pin41and allow line to unspool freely during a cast.

FIGS. 12-16illustrate details of the transverse motor drive. As shown inFIG. 12, a housing is arranged around the reel motor58and is provided with a slidable speed-adjusting button8with internal linkages (seeFIG. 14) that adjust the rotation speed of reel motor58for rewinding of line back onto spool28.

Transverse motor drive59includes a motor drive pinion gear25connected to motor58in lower housing60that is sealed with upper housing61by a first sealing ring95. Speed-adjusting slider button8acts on a speed-adjusting double-linked gear62to actuate potentiometer gear63and resistor64. Circuit board65includes appropriate circuits that control power to the motor58as the speed-adjusting slider button8is further depressed against the biasing effects of speed spring66.

FIGS. 13 and 14show that motor drive59includes a sliding speed control slider button8and a speed-adjusting double gear62. Slider button8is placed in slider groove67. Mounted on the underside of slider button8is speed-adjusting tooth68. Motor drive59further includes speed spring66that exerts a biasing force on the movement of slider button8in slider groove67. One end of speed spring66is fixedly locked in the slider groove67, and the other end is retained on retention lip70of slider button8.

A series of gear interactions under slider button8generates an electrical current through potentiometer71that is used to affect the speed of motor58. As shown inFIG. 13, speed-adjusting tooth69interacts with speed-regulating double gear62, 1st speed-adjusting gear72, 2nd speed-adjusting gear73, and potentiometer gear74to produce a current through potentiometer71that is sent to motor58through electrical contacts75. Spacing washers76separate 1st speed-adjusting gear72from 2nd speed-adjusting gear73. Slider button shaft77is a support for the 1st speed-adjusting gear72, spacing washers76, and 2nd speed-adjusting gear73. Spacing washers76also serve as sealing elements that keep water and environmental contaminants out of motor drive58.

Speed spring66biases speed-adjusting slider button8to a resting position in which the motor drive58is not activated. The first speed-adjusting gear72and the second speed-adjusting gear73are rotationally mounted on button shaft77and spaced apart by spacing washers76. Gear teeth on the underside of the speed-adjusting slider button8cause the first speed-adjusting gear72and the second speed-adjusting gear73to rotate thereby turning the potentiometer gear74causing potentiometer71to rotate to adjust the resistance of the resistor79and thereby adjust the speed of motor58. Shaft77fits into opening94of lower case60.

Circuit board78fits in lower housing60of motor drive59over the centrally-located motor section80. Circuit board78is electrically connected to the motor58and configured to control the operation of motor58with potentiometer71.

Upper housing61where it connects to the upper portion of lower housing60is preferably egg-shaped for convenient and ergonomic gripping by the angler. A forward side of upper housing61and lower housing60each have an opening in the shape of an arc. Slider button8fits in the opening formed by upper slider slot81and lower slider slot33C.

Upper housing61is also provided with a charging socket83that is electrically connected to battery15for recharging battery15.

FIGS. 14-16show the connections and sealing features between the upper housing61and the lower housing60. Lower housing60has a motor receiving compartment80, and the motor58is placed in the receiving compartment80. Sealing groove84on the lower housing60receives the first sealing ring85to provide a water resistant seal between the upper housing61and the lower housing60. Upper housing registration holes86and upper housing screw holes87on upper housing61align with lower housing pin holes88and registration pins89. A plurality of first connecting members90, such as stainless steel screws, extend through screw holes93to secure upper housing61to mounting platform91of lower housing60into threaded holes92on mounting platform91.

The shape of the handle and rod wherein when the user uses the electric fishing gear, one hand of the user grips handle3and controls the touch screen5to select the fishing mode. The other hand of the user grips the transverse motor drive59housing to adjust the speed of the motor58by the speed-adjusting slider button8to wind the fishing line on spool28of fishing reel7at variable speeds based on different fishing modes. Speed control slider button8can manually increase the rate of rewind the further the slider button8is pushed. The programmed modes displayed and chosen by touch screen5thus provides a programmed mode of operation while slider button8provides a manual form of control.

The setting of the motor drive in either embodiment enables the electric fishing system of the invention to have an automatic take-up function for adjusting the take-up force in real time. When the motor drive unit is transverse to the handle, the angler can hold the rod and reel with both hands for secure and comfortable fishing.

The electric fishing gear provided by the present invention also has extremely good water resistance. The handle and rod are interconnected so as to feel like an integrated design.

It is understood however that the description above is intended to describe preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

All US patents and publications identified herein are hereby incorporated by reference.