Marker for fishing rig

A lightweight, resilient, flexible, one piece holding device formed by a pair of cylindrical, co-extensive resilient tubes, one for resiliently holding a chemiluminescence capsule, and the other for dynamically attaching the holding device to a fishing rig to enable a user to fish in low-light conditions without impeding the dynamic action of the fishing rig.

This invention relates generally to luminous markers, and more 
specifically, chemiluminescence markers that can be mounted on a fishing 
rigs such as bobbers or fishing rods to provide a night-time visual 
indication of the motion or location of the bobber or the fishing rod. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The concept of night fishing and the use of illuminating devices or markers 
for night fishing and low light fishing is old in the art. Typically, when 
one is fishing at night, seeing the line or the bobber is difficult. 
Consequently, some type of a fluorescent material or light is attached to 
the rod tip or the bobber to provide a visual indication of the position 
of the bobber or fishing rod. One of the difficulties with the prior art 
devices is that some of the devices operate only if reflected light shines 
on the unit, and others are bulky and cumbersome to use. Still others 
require bulky batteries to power a light bulb. 
The present invention comprises an improved, lightweight chemiluminescence 
marker comprising a one piece, flexible, lightweight holding device and a 
disposable chemiluminescence capsule for temporary attachment to a fishing 
rig such as fishing rod, fishing bobber or the like that enables a user to 
replace the chemiluminescence capsule once the light energy in the 
chemiluminescence capsule is spent. The lightweight marker provides a 
dynamic illumination marker that can be used on sensitive fishing rigs 
such as fishing bobbers. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,496 shows a resilient, luminous fishing rod clip which 
has the shape of a hairpin. The clip has a U-shaped section that attaches 
to the end of a fishing rod. The clip relies on reflected light to 
indicate the movement of the fishing rod. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,063 shows a night-fishing-signal device which comprises 
a container with bulbous end and a chemiluminescence liquid in the 
container. In operation, the inner container is broken so that the 
reactants can mix and produce light through a chemiluminescence reaction. 
The bulbous end of the container extends in a direction perpendicular from 
the fishing rod. If a fish bites, the tip of the rod moves up and down to 
indicate to the user a fish is on the line. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,500 shows an attachment for the end of a fishing rod 
comprising a tubular member with a flag projecting outward from the 
tubular member. The member is made of a fluorescent, polyvinyl plastic to 
draw the user's attention to any movement of the rod and the attachment. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,409 shows a multi-purpose fishing rod attachment for 
clipping onto a rod. The attachment includes a tubular member that 
attaches to the rod with a line cutter located on the attachment. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,158 shows a fishing line activity indicator which 
includes contacts to turn on a light when the fishing rod is bent. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,472 shows a hose handling keeper which has two 
cylindrical sleeves which are open on both ends and along a longitudinal 
axis to facilitate the coiling, storage and handling of noncollapsible, 
flexible hoses. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,349 shows a ski clip device which has two 
longitudinally slit cylindrical tubes located in the parallel 
relationship. One tube attaches to the skis and the other tube attaches to 
the ski poles to hold the ski poles proximate the skis. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,036 shows a line holding a signal attachment for a 
fishing rod that includes a contact arm that completes a circuit to turn a 
light on when the line pulled on by a fish. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,185 shows another embodiment of a line operated 
signaling device using a lever arm to activate a light mounted on the 
fishing rod. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,907 shows a fishing pole signal attachment that uses a 
luminous member having wire ends that can be attached to the fishing rod 
in order to call the user's attention to any movement of the fishing rod. 
U.S. Pat. No. 351,941 shows a member for holding fur boas which has 
parallel clips, one next to the other. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,191,782 shows a thermometer holder for putting on a bedpost 
to hold a thermometer. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, the invention comprises a lightweight, resilient, flexible, one 
piece holding device formed by a pair of cylindrical, co-extensive 
resilient tubes, one for resiliently holding a chemiluminescence capsule, 
and the other for dynamically mounting the holding device on a fishing rig 
.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10, generally identifies a 
lightweight, portable device for attaching to a fishing rig. Device 10 
comprises a first resilient tube 11 having an interior surface 12 and a 
slot 13 extending longitudinally along the length of the tube. Tube 11 is 
made of a resilient material, such as rubber or the like. Located 
coextensive and secured in a longitudinal manner thereto is a second 
cylindrical resilient tube 15 having an inner surface 16. Located in 
frictional engagement with the interior surface 16 is a chemiluminescence 
capsule 17 which extends into member 15a as evidenced by the distended 
portion 15a. 
Referring to FIG. 2, our invention 10 is shown temporarily located on 
fishing rig such as fishing rod 20 having a handle 23 and a reel 21. The 
invention is located at tip portion 24 of rod 20. 
Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 30, identifies an alternate 
embodiment of the invention which is attached to a spherical fishing float 
32. A fishing line 31 extends from above water 33 to below water 33 and to 
a weighted sinker (not shown). Located on the stem on the top of the 
bobber is fishing marker 30 which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. 
FIG. 4 shows a chemiluminescence capsule 35 resiliently mounted in 
distended portion 41a through frictional forces produced by the resilient 
tube 41. Located partially co-extensive with tube 41 is a second larger 
tube 42 which has a slot 45 therein and a fist lip 42a and a second lip 
43a for placing around a portion of a fishing rig such as the stem of 
fishing bobber 32. 
FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment with a chemiluminescence capsule 71 
resiliently mounted in member 70 of resilient tube 74 through frictional 
forces produced by a resilient tube 74. Located co-extensive with tube 70 
is a second tube which has a fist resilient lip 72 and a second resilient 
lip 73 for placing around a top portion of body 61 of elongated fishing 
bobber 60. The chemiluminescence capsule 71 extends parallel to the 
vertical axis of fishing bobber 60 with the top of the chemiluminescence 
capsule 71 being at approximately the same height as the top of bobber 60 
so that the chemiluminescence light is visible to a viewer fishing in the 
dark or under low light conditions. 
FIG. 6 shows a further alternate embodiment with a chemiluminescence 
capsule 71 resiliently mounted in member 70 of resilient tube 70 through 
frictional forces produced by resilient tube 70. It should be pointed out 
that like parts in the drawings contain identical numbers. Located 
coextensive with tube 70 is second tube 74 which has fist resilient lip 72 
and second resilient lip 73 for placing around a portion of top stem 78 of 
stick bobber 80. The chemiluminescence capsule 71 extends parallel to the 
vertical axis of fishing bobber 80 with the top of the chemiluminescence 
capsule 71 being at approximately the same height as the top of stem 78 of 
stick bobber 80 so that the chemiluminescence light is visible to a viewer 
fishing in the dark or under low light conditions. Line 63 extends under a 
spring 81 and through a slot 82 in lower stem 79 of bobber 80. 
More specifically, our invention comprises a lightweight device for 
temporary, dynamic, attachment to a fishing rig such as a fishing pole or 
fishing bobber to enable a user to quickly and temporarily mount a 
chemiluminescence light stick therein. Chemiluminescence capsule are known 
in the art and are commercially available in a cylindrical, closed end 
capsule that contains a crushable internal ampule. One such 
chemiluminescence capsule is sold under the Trademark CYALUME (Registered 
Trademark of American Cyanamid Company) Chemiluminescence capsule are 
described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,597,362 and 3,539,794. When 
the internal ampule is crushed the chemicals in the chemiluminescence 
capsule mix and emit light for several hours. The light generated is 
achieved without the aid of batteries and bulbs and solely within the 
confines of a closed capsule making it suitable for use in fishing rigs 
since the chemiluminescence materials are sealed within the capsule and 
will not pollute the fishing waters or provide a scent that might scare a 
fish away. 
The holding device 10 includes a first, resilient, cylindrical member 11 
having a central axis 11b and an elongated opening 13 extending 
substantially parallel to axis 11b. The first cylindrical member 11 has an 
interior frictional surface 12 for frictionally engaging at least a 
portion of a fishing rig. Located on the outside of the first cylindrical 
member 11 is an exterior surface with a first resilient lip 11a located 
proximate one side of elongated opening 13 and a second resilient lip 12a 
located proximate the other side of elongated opening 13. The first 
cylindrical member 11 is made from a resilient material to permit the 
flexing of first lip 11a and second lip 12a to permit a user to bend and 
flex the cylindrical member so that a user can temporarily attach the 
first cylindrical member 11 to a portion of a fishing rig through 
placement of the interior surface of the cylindrical member into contact 
around a portion of a fishing rig such as a fishing pole 24 or a fishing 
bobber 32. The resiliency of the first cylindrical member holds the 
interior frictional surface 12 in a fixed position on the portion of the 
fishing rig so that when the fishing rig is moved it causes first 
cylindrical member 11 to move in response to movement of the fishing rig. 
The cylindrical members are sufficiently light in relationship to the 
fishing rod tip or the fishing bobber so that the dynamic action of the 
bobber or the fishing rig is not impeded by the inertia or the weight of 
the holder and the chemiluminescence capsule. 
Located adjacent to the first resilient, cylindrical member 11 is a second 
resilient, cylindrical member 15. The second cylindrical member 15 is 
located substantially coextensive with the first cylindrical member 11 
with an exterior portion of cylindrical member 15 secured to a similar 
exterior portion of first cylindrical member 11. The attachment of the 
first cylindrical member 11 to the second cylindrical member 15 causes the 
movement of the fishing rig and the first cylindrical member 11 attached 
thereto to be transferred to second cylindrical member 15. The second 
cylindrical member 15 which is formed of a resilient material has an 
interior frictional surface for frictionally engaging and holding a 
portion of a chemiluminescence capsule containing a crushable ampule for 
mixing the chemicals in the chemiluminescence capsule. 
FIG. 4 shows the chemiluminescence capsule 35 secured to member 41 and 
projecting outward from distended portion 41a of resilient member 41. The 
chemiluminescence capsule projects sufficiently far from the holding 
device so as to permit a person to follow the movement of the fishing rig 
during conditions of low light. The amount of the capsule that projects 
outward from the device can be determined by the fisherperson. If only a 
small amount of light is needed the capsule can be inserted sufficiently 
far into the member 41 so as to obscure a significant portion of the 
emitted light. On the other hand if more light is desired the capsule can 
be extended further out of device 30. In addition if desired the resilient 
cylindrical members can be made of a translucent material to permit the 
light from the chemiluminescence capsule to not only be emitted out of the 
capsule but also through the sides of the holding device that are securing 
the chemiluminescence capsule 35 to the holding device. 
In operation of our invention first cylindrical member 11 and second 
cylindrical member 15 dynamically attach to a fishing rig so that 
chemiluminescence capsule 17 can emit sufficient light so that a person 
fishing in low light conditions can readily detect the motion of the 
fishing rig by observing the motion of the illuminated chemiluminescence 
capsule 17. mounted on the fishing rig. By having the holding device 
lightweight and of one piece construction one can mount the holding device 
and chemiluminescence capsule directly on a fishing bobber without 
impairing the action of the bobber. In addition the lightweight of the 
holding device does not interfere with the feel of the line as a person 
reels in the fishing line.