Electric clip receiver for outriggers

An Electric clip receiver that is attached to an outrigger. The electric clip receiver comprises of a housing that is configured to attach to either to a shock cord clip or to a fixed mount on a boat via a mounting bracket that is attached to the housing. An electric motor that has a gear that is powered by a battery source that is housed within the housing. a pulley that is attached to the housing and an outrigger line that is looped on the pulley that is configured to be connected to the outrigger. An outrigger release clip that is attached to the outrigger line at a specific location. A microchip that is programmed to control the electric motor's forward and reverse function that is housed within the housing. And, a switch that controls the microchip's control of the electric motor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to an electric clip receiver for outriggers that are used on fishing vessels. The electric clip receiver allows a user to set a fishing line on an outrigger release clip using a minimal amount of force.

BACKGROUND

Outriggers are long poles deployed from the back or the sides of fishing vessels to widen the trolling area and accommodate multiple lines. Outriggers are normally used when trolling for fish.

Outriggers are long poles that may be fitted on both sides of a fishing vessel and that are designed to hold a fishing line. Outriggers allow a user to reel in and release his or her fishing line from an outrigger release clip via a system of pulleys and clips. Outriggers vary in lengths and normally they range from 12 to 35 feet.

Trolling is a fishing technique that involves dragging several fishing lines off the back or the sides of a boat as the boat moves through a body of water.

Outriggers are advantageous to fishermen because they minimize fishing lines from being tangled and they also increase the chances of the fishermen hooking the fish. The chances of hooking fish are increased because outriggers allow a fisherman to cover more water, outriggers keep bait out of whitewater, and they provide the fishermen a clear view of the fish.

Presently, most outrigger require a fisherman to manually reel and release the fisherman's fishing line from the outrigger release clip using the manual force of the fisherman. The present invention provides an electronic device that allows the fisherman to reel and release the fisherman's fishing line from the outrigger release clip without the fisherman having to use manual force.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an electric clip receiver that is attached to an outrigger.

The electric clip receiver comprises of a housing that is configured to attach either to a shock cord clip or to a fixed mount on a boat via a mounting bracket that is attached to the housing. An electric motor that has a gear that is powered by a battery source that is housed within the housing. A pulley that is attached to the housing and an outrigger line that is looped on the pulley is configured to be connected to the outrigger. An outrigger release clip that is attached to the outrigger line at a specific location. A microchip that is programmed to control the electric motor's forward and reverse function that is housed within the housing. And, a switch that controls the microchip's control of the electric motor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device that will allow a fisherman to set a line on an outrigger release clip using a minimal amount of manual force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that will automatically move an outrigger release clip inward and outward from an outrigger.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that will speed the reloading of a fishing line on an outrigger release clip.

DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, the present invention is an electric clip receiver for outriggers.

The electric clip receiver comprises of a housing1or1.2that is configured to attach to either to a shock cord7or to a fixed mount15on a boat10via a mounting bracket6that is attached to the housing1or1.2. An electric motor30that has a gear32that is operatively connected and powered by a battery source19and21that is housed within the housing1or1.2. A pulley2that is attached to the housing1or1.2and an outrigger line4that is looped on the pulley2that is configured to be connected to the outrigger8. An outrigger release clip3that is attached to the outrigger line4at a specific location, the specific location is configured to be determined by the distance in which a user desires a user's fishing line14to be separated from an edge of the boat11. A microchip34that is programmed to control the electric motor's30forward and reverse function that is housed within the housing1or1.2, the microchip34is configured to be programmed to move the outrigger line4inward and outward from the pulley2so that when the fishing line14is released from the outrigger release clip3the user does not have to manually pull the outrigger line toward the pulley2to reload the outrigger release clip3with the fishing line14and then manually have to let out the outrigger line4to the desired location in which the user wishes to have the fishing line14. The fishing line is attached to a fishing pole13, rest on the outrigger8. And, a switch5or20that controls the microchip's34control of the electric motor30.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the electric clip receiver further comprises of a forward and reverse relay controller18that is operative connected to the microchip34that controls the electric motor30. The forward and reverse relay controller is operatively connected to the microchip via a power and control cord17. The forward and reverse relay controller18preferably is a two-channel motor forward and reverse relay control. The shock cord is attached to a shock cord clip12in this embodiment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the microchip34has an internal timer40that determines the distance for the specific location in which the outrigger release clip3will rest on the outrigger8when the fishing line14is placed on the outrigger release clip3, and wherein the switch5is a three-position momentary toggle switch5.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electric clip receiver comprises of a micro sensor22that is housed within the housing1.2and that is operatively connected to the microchip34, the micro sensor22is configured to detect a mark23on the outrigger line4, the mark23will allow the microchip34to control the movement of the outrigger line4, and wherein the switch5is a three-position momentary polarity reverse switch20.

All embodiments of the present invention can have a an outrigger line guide25that is defined on the pulley2.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device that allows a fisherman to set a fishing line on an outrigger release clip using a minimal amount of manual force.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device that automatically moves an outrigger release clip inward and outward from an outrigger.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device that speeds the reloading of a fishing line on an outrigger release clip.

The embodiments of the electric clip receiver for outriggers described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the electric clip receiver for outriggers should be construed as limiting the invention to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the description, drawings, and appended claims.