Fishing pole leverage device

A device to afford leverage to fishermen when handling a fishing rod and reel. The device is attached to or formed with the handle of a conventional fishing rod and sized to extend to the underarm of the fisherman. One embodiment of the device is formed of material having lower density than water to afford flotation characteristics.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to devices for facilitating the handling of fishing 
rods. More particularly, the subject invention relates to devices for 
providing leverage to fishing rods to minimize the strength needed to 
react to forces imposed on the rod. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Description of the Prior Art 
It has long been recognized that fishing poles are subjected to variable 
forces which result primarily from the various size and aggressiveness of 
the fish caught on the line. Heavy sinkers and other auxiliary tackle 
devices also contribute to the force imposed on the line of a fishing rod. 
As a result, it has been thought desirable to provide auxiliary apparatus 
which can be attached to the fishing rod to facilitate handling of the 
rod. Many such devices are now known. 
For example, auxiliary handles, adapted to extend transversely from the rod 
or rod handle either vertically or horizontally have been designed. These 
auxiliary handles require that one hand of the fisherman be used to 
control the pole and one hand be used to control the auxiliary handle. An 
auxiliary handle is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,236 (Sept. 4, 
1956). 
Further, fishing rod handle attachments have been provided which are formed 
with a contour surface to conform to the wrist or forearm of a fisherman. 
An illustration of such devices is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,016 (Nov. 
12, 1968). Further combinations of the auxiliary handle and auxiliary 
contour fitting surface are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,510 (Mar. 12, 
1968) discloses such a device. 
In addition, mounts for fishing rods which provide a pivot about which the 
fisherman can rotate the entire rod also exist. Generally, these mounts 
are tubular devices into which the fishing rod handle can be inserted. The 
mounts are either fixed to a seat or elsewhere on a fishing boat or are 
arranged to be secured by a belt to the fisherman. U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,939 
(Dec. 8, 1964) illustrates a mount into which a fishing rod can be 
inserted. 
The state of the art does not include a device which provides a rigid 
column that automatically makes the fisherman's shoulder or underarm a 
reaction point against any load imposed on the fishing pole. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a device which 
automatically and naturally enables a fisherman's body to react to the 
variable forces imposed on a fishing rod. It is a further objective of the 
invention to provide a device to afford a fisherman with added leverage 
when forces are imposed on a fishing rod, and, at the same time, allow the 
free use of both hands of the fisherman to handle the fishing rod and 
reel. 
The device of the present invention is an extension attached to or formed 
with a fishing rod handle comprised of a rigid column which is adapted to 
nest in the underarm of the fisherman handling the rod. The extension 
terminates in an upper surface which is contoured to fit snugly and 
securely under the arm of the fisherman.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The device of the present invention is a leverage brace 2 which forms a 
rigid column between the handle 14 of a conventional fishing rod 4 and the 
underarm area of a fisherman. In practice, the rod 4 and leverage brace 2 
act as a unified force transmitting column to the fisherman's body. The 
leverage brace 2 can be formed with the rod 4 or attached to the rod 4 as 
shown herein in the preferred embodiment. 
As best seen in FIG. 1, the leverage brace 2 of the preferred embodiment is 
comprised of rigid column members 6 and 8, a base member 10 and an upper 
surface 12. The base 10 is adapted to attach directly to the rod handle 14 
of a fishing rod 4. Means such as clamps 16 are provided to securely 
attach the base 10 directly against the upper surface of the handle 14 to 
project the leverage brace 2 vertically upwardly. The clamps 16 are 
attached to bear with sufficient force on both the rod handle 14 and base 
10 to prevent rotation of the leverage brace 2 about the handle 14. 
The rigid columns 6 and 8 extend directly upwardly and react the force from 
the body of the fisherman through the rod 4. In the preferred embodiment, 
an opening 18 is shown to provide a lightweight device. It should be noted 
that a single column or a brace formed with a center section connecting 
columns 6 and 8 can be used. 
The upper surface 12 of the leverage brace 2 is configured to fit securely 
under the arm of the fisherman. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the 
upper surface 12 is provided with a concave centrally disposed section 20 
and forward elevation 22 and rear elevation 24 to provide sufficient 
surfaces to retain the leverage brace 2 under the arm of the fisherman in 
the event horizontal forces occur which tend to move the brace forward or 
backward. 
FIG. 2 shows the leverage brace 2 in actual use. The fisherman 26 is shown 
handling the reel 28 and rod 4 without any requirement of manually 
retaining the leverage brace 2 with his hand. The concavity 20 of the 
upper section 12 is shown nested in the underarm of the fisherman 26. The 
elevations 22 and 24 are shown somewhat above the underarm area of the 
fisherman 26 regardless of the fisherman's orientation. Thus, positive 
securement of the leverage brace 2 is provided. 
In operation it can be seen that any force such as shown by arrow 30 is 
naturally and automatically transmitted through columns 6 and 8 as shown 
by arrows 32 and 34 to the underarm of the fisherman 26. The fisherman 26 
is not required to make any adjustment or provide any manipulative action 
to tend to the leverage brace 2. The fisherman's hands remain free to 
manipulate the reel 28 and rod 4. 
In the preferred embodiment the leverage brace 2 is constructed of a rigid 
styrofoam with a polyethylene covering. This design provides sufficient 
structure to react the pressure imposed by the forces attending normal 
fishing operations. The design also provides flotation to enable the 
entire rod, reel and brace assembly to float if the pole is inadvertently 
dropped in the water.