Ice fishing hole chamferer and method

The present invention provides an ice fishing hole chamferer 10 with an elongated shaft 20 for inserting into an ice fishing hole 160 having a top end 60 and a submerged end 30 with an axle 40 and an axis 50, and a propeller 90 having a cutter side 96 with at least one cutter 94 and a thrust side 98 configured for propelling water, said propeller having a hub 80 for connecting to the axle and at least two radiating propeller blades 92, wherein the propeller blades are hinged to the hub to move between a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole 160 and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft and an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom 162 of the ice fishing hole at a chamfering angle 128, and a propelling means 70, 110, 100 for rotating the propeller, wherein the propeller revolves about the axis and the propeller blades are configured to centrifugally extend to the extended open position and thrust upwardly to engage the at least one cutter against the bottom 162 of the ice fishing hole when the propelling means is activated. The invention also provides a method for using an ice fishing hole chamferer 10 by drilling an ice fishing hole 160, inserting the ice fishing hole chamferer into the hole, rotating the elongated shaft 20 of the chamferer to revolve a collapsible propeller 90 around the axis 50 and centrifugally extend the collapsible propeller from a narrow closed position to an extended open position angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole 162.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory for angling and more particularly the invention relates to an invention to chamfer the bottom of an ice fishing hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice fishing is a type of angling that typically involves a fisherman fishing on top of a body of water that has a frozen surface layer. The fisherman can drill a hole through the frozen surface layer with an auger. This typically leaves an ice fishing hole with sharp edges at the bottom of the hole. If the angler drills straight down, the bottom of the hole will often have edges at approximately right angles. This can be undesirable because those edges can damage the fishing line by frequently nicking the line and it can be difficult to guide a caught fish through the hole, particularly if the fish is fighting the angler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an improved device and method for cutting a chamfer into the bottom of an ice fishing hole.

The invention provides for an ice fishing hole chamferer having an elongated shaft for inserting into an ice fishing hole having a top end and a submerged end with an axle. The elongated shaft also can have an axis. This axis can be an imaginary line situated along the center length of the elongated shaft.

The elongated shaft can be of sufficient length to allow an angler to operate the top end of the shaft above the ice hole and to allow the submerged end to reach below the ice hole. The length of the elongated shaft can be adjustable to accommodate differing thicknesses of the ice surfaces on a body of water. The elongated shaft can have at least three adjustable lengths between approximately 50 inches and approximately 90 inches. The elongated shaft can comprise two telescoping poles for adjusting the length. The inner telescoping pole can have a series of inner holes along the length of the pole. The outer telescoping pole can have a matching hole and a securing pin for inserting through the matching hole and into one of the inner holes for setting the length of the elongated shaft.

The elongated shaft can include a foot stop on the submerged end for resting the ice fishing hole chamferer on a solid surface, such as the ice, ground, or floor. The foot stop can extend beyond the propeller blades when in the narrow closed position.

The top end of the elongated shaft can be configured to attach a hand brace for rotating the elongated shaft. The hand brace can have a top spindle that the angler can hold with one hand and a U-shaped crank with a crank spindle that the angler can hold with the other hand. The spindles can freely turn so that the angler can turn the brace without adjusting her hands. The hand brace and elongated shaft can also be configured to attach with a quick-release adapter for quickly removing the hand brace from the elongated shaft.

The top end of the elongated shaft can also be configured to attach a motor for rotating the elongated shaft. The motor can be a power auger motor, such as an ice fishing auger motor. The motor and the elongated shaft can be configured to be removably attached with a quick-release adapter for quickly removing the elongated shaft from the motor. With the use of a quick-release adapter, the angler can quickly switch the motor between a power auger drill for drilling ice fishing holes and the elongated shaft of the ice fishing hole chamferer.

The elongated shaft can be configured for inserting into an ice fishing hole. The elongated shaft can have a submerged end opposite the top end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft can be an axle for rotating the submerged end. The submerged end can attach to a hub so that the hub can be rotated by the turning axle.

The invention also provides for a propeller. The propeller can have a hub for connecting to an axle. The axle can be the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft can be rotated by a hand brace or a motor to turn the axle.

The invention can also have a propelling means for rotating the propeller, wherein the propeller revolves about the axis and the propeller blades are configured to centrifugally extend to the extended open position and thrust upwardly to engage the at least one cutter against the bottom of the ice fishing hole when the propelling means is activated.

The propelling means can be removably connected to the top end of the elongated shaft and can turn the axle and the hub and the propeller around the axis. The propelling means can be a hand-powered mechanism, such as a hand brace. The propelling means can be a motor. The propelling means can be an adapter configured to removably connect to an auger motor. The propelling means can be selected from a group consisting of a hand-powered mechanism, a motor, and an adapter configured to removably connect to an auger motor.

The rotating axle can rotate the hub and the propeller. The submerged and turning propeller can generate a downward thrust and cause an upward lift forcing the top side of the propeller upwards towards the bottom of the ice fishing hole. The downward thrust can also cause the propeller blades to extend to the extended open position.

The propeller can have a cutter side with at least one cutter and a thrust side configured for propelling water. The cutter side can be on the top side of the propeller with the thrust side on the bottom side of the propeller. The upward lift can cause the cutter side to engage the bottom of the ice fishing hole for cutting a chamfer into the ice forming the circumference of the bottom of the ice fishing hole.

The propeller can have at least two radiating propeller blades. The propeller can have three radiating blades. The propeller blade can have a guide surface on the cutter side for aligning the cutting blade at a cutting position against the bottom of the ice fishing hole.

The propeller blade can have a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge can be the edge of the blade that cuts through the water first when the propeller turns. The blade can have a leading guide plate having a leading edge and a trailing fin having a trailing edge. The leading guide plate and the trailing fin can form a blade angle on the thrust side of the blade. The blade angle can be an angle configured for cutting the ice. The blade angle can be an angle configured for trimming the ice. The blade angle can be configured to prevent the propeller from become stuck in the ice when chamfering. The blade angle can be approximately between 115 and 125 degrees. The blade angle can be approximately 120 degrees. In one embodiment, the blade angle is 121.5 degrees. The trailing fin can be angled or contoured to propel the water when turning to generate upward thrust.

The propeller blade can be a single sheet with a blade bend forming the blade angle between the leading guide plate and the trailing fin. The trailing fin can have a cutter attached to the cutter side of the trailing fin. The cutter can be removably mounted to the trailing fin. This can allow the cutter to be removed for sharpening. The cutter can also be adjustably mounted to the cutter side of the propeller blade. The cutter can also be adjustably mounted to the trailing fin. This can allow the cutting depth to be varied or to allow for resetting the desired cutting depth after wear of the cutter from use and sharpening. The cutter can also have a sharpened edge. The sharpened edge can extend beyond the blade bend to establish the cutting depth. In one embodiment, the cutting depth is ⅛″.

The leading guide plate can be configured as a leading guide or a sole for the cutter. When the propeller blade is thrust against the ice of the bottom of the hole, the sole can contact the ice at the bottom of the ice fishing hole at the chamfer angle. The leading guide plate or sole can position the cutter to shave the ice at the chamfer angle. The leading guide plate can also have at least one clearance opening for allowing ice to be washed away from the cutter. The clearance opening can be a slot in the leading guide plate situated between the leading edge and the sharpening edge the cutter.

The propeller blades can be hinged to the hub. This can allow the propeller blades to move between a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft and an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole at a chamfering angle. The narrow closed position can allow the chamferer to have a narrow diameter that is less than the ice fishing hole diameter. This can allow the chamferer to be inserted into the ice fishing hole. When the propeller blade are in the narrow closed position, they can also be in a relaxed position when the propelling means is idle. The activation of the propelling means can cause the propeller blades to move to the extended open position.

The propeller blades can be approximately 17 inches long and extend approximately 14 inches from the axis when the propeller is in the extended open position. The propeller blades can be approximately 11 inches long and extend approximately 9 inches from the axis when the propeller is in the extended open position. The propeller blade can have an adjustable length between approximately 9 inches and approximately 17 inches. The longer length can be beneficial to a hand-powered mechanism to generate more thrust whereas a shorter length can reduce the thrust when using a motor.

The invention also provides for a means for rotating the elongated shaft and engaging the rotation of the propeller, wherein the propeller blades revolve and centrifugally extend to the extended position and thrust upwardly to engage the at least one cutter against the bottom of the ice fishing hole. By turning the elongated shaft, the propeller action of the propeller blades can force the propeller blades to move to the extended position. The hub can have a propeller stop for setting the fully extended open position at the chamfering angle.

The chamfering angle can be approximately 45 degrees. The chamfering angle can be between approximately 30 and 60 degrees.

The invention also provides for a method of using an ice fishing hole chamferer by drilling an ice fishing hole, inserting an elongated shaft with an axis and having a collapsible propeller configured to revolve around the elongated shaft, said propeller having a cutter side with at least one cutter for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole and a thrust side for propelling water and thrusting the cutter side against the bottom of the ice fishing hole, and rotating the elongated shaft to revolve the collapsible propeller around the axis and centrifugally extend the collapsible propeller from a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft to an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the Figures, the invention provides for an ice fishing hole chamferer having an elongated shaft20for inserting into an ice fishing hole160having a top end60and a submerged end30with an axle40. As shown inFIG. 1, the elongated shaft20also can have an axis50. This axis can be an imaginary line situated along the center length of the elongated shaft.

The elongated shaft20can be of sufficient length to allow an angler to operate the top end60of the shaft above the ice hole160and to allow the submerged end30to reach below the ice hole. The length of the elongated shaft can be adjustable to accommodate differing thicknesses of the ice surfaces on a body of water. The elongated shaft can comprise two telescoping poles for adjusting the length. The inner telescoping pole22can have a series of inner holes24along the length of the pole. The outer telescoping pole20can have a matching hole25and a securing pin28for inserting through the matching hole and into one of the inner holes for setting the length of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft can have at least three adjustable lengths between approximately 50 inches and approximately 90 inches.

The ability to adjust the length of the elongated shaft20can be particular useful to accommodate anglers of differing heights or to switch from fishing directly on the ice to fishing in a fish house that may have a floor elevated above the ice fishing hole.

The top end60of the elongated shaft20can be configured to attach a hand brace70for rotating the elongated shaft manually or by hand. The hand brace can have a top spindle72that the angler can hold with one hand and a U-shaped crank76with a crank spindle74that the angler can hold with the other hand. The spindles can freely turn so that the angler can turn the brace without adjusting her hands. The hand brace and elongated shaft can also be configured to attach with a quick-release or quick-connect adapter110for quickly removing the hand brace from the elongated shaft.

Operating the ice fishing hole chamferer10manually can be useful because some fishing areas do not allow motors. Additionally, the hand-operated chamferer can be advantageous because it does not need an electrical or fuel power source and it does not create gas fumes. This is particularly beneficial when fishing inside a fish house that may trap gas fumes and lack electricity. Another advantage of the hand-operated chamferer can be that it can be cheaper, lighter in weight, smaller in size, and more convenient to have and carry and store, particularly in a small ice-fishing house, for periodic chamfering of an ice fishing hole160. Anglers sometimes desire a motorized auger to drill an initial ice-fishing hole, but thereafter may keep the hole open with use of heat or foam. An hand-operated ice-fishing hole chamferer can quickly chamfer or re-chamfer the bottom of an ice fishing hole.

As shown inFIG. 5, the hand brace70can be removably connected to the elongated shaft20. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, the hand brace is removably connected to the elongated shaft by a threaded end77inserted through a hole near the top end of the elongated shaft and secured by a wing nut78. This can allow the hand brace to be removed for making it easier to transport and store and package.

As shown inFIG. 2, the top end60of the elongated shaft20can also be configured to attach a motor100for rotating the elongated shaft. The motor can be a power auger motor100. The motor can have a quick-release108. The elongated shaft can be configured to attach with a quick-release adapter110, or an adapter110configured to removably connect to an auger motor100, for quickly removing the elongated shaft from a motor configured with a quick-release. With the use of a quick-release adapter, the angler can quickly switch the motor between a power auger drill for drilling ice fishing holes160and the elongated shaft20of the ice fishing hole chamferer10. This can be useful for an angler that uses a motorized power auger for drilling ice fishing holes. After such an angler drills the ice-fishing hole, the motor can be removed from the power auger drill and can be attached to the ice-fishing hole chamferer10for chamfering the bottom162of the ice fishing hole. Notably, after the power auger drill breaks through the ice, the drill or auger can cause water from the ice-fishing hole to be drawn up through the hole and into the angler and on top of the ice. This can be undesirable. By removing the power auger drill from the motor and replacing it with an ice fishing hole chamferer, or alternatively using a hand-operated ice-fishing hole chamferer, the bottom of the ice fishing hole can be shaped or chamfered without excess water being drawn up through the hole.

The elongated shaft20can be configured for inserting into an ice fishing hole160. The elongated shaft can have a submerged end30opposite the top end60of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft can be an axle40for rotating the submerged end. The submerged end can attach to a hub so that the hub80can be rotated by the turning axle.

The invention also provides for a propeller90. As shown inFIG. 7, the propeller can have a hub80for attaching to an axle40. The axle can be the elongated shaft20. The elongated shaft can be rotated by a hand brace70or a motor100to turn the axle and the hub and the propeller.

The invention can also have a propelling means for rotating the propeller90, wherein the propeller revolves about the axis50and the propeller blades92centrifugally extend to the extended open position and thrust upwardly to engage the at least one cutter94against the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160when the propelling means is activated.

The propelling means can be removably connected to the top end60of the elongated shaft and can turn the axle and the hub and the propeller around the axis. The propelling means can be a hand-powered mechanism, such as a hand brace70, a motor100, or, as shown inFIG. 6, an adapter110configured to removably connect to an auger motor, such as an auger motor that has been removed from the auger used to drill the ice fishing hole and switched to be used with the ice fishing hole chamferer.

The rotating axle40can rotate the hub80and the propeller90. The submerged end30and turning propeller can generate a downward thrust and cause an upward lift forcing the top side or cutter side96of the propeller upwards towards the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160.

The propeller90can have a cutter side96with at least one cutter and a thrust side98configured for propelling water. The cutter side can be on the top side of the propeller with the thrust side on the bottom side of the propeller. The upward lift can cause the cutter side to engage the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160for cutting a chamfer into the ice forming the circumference of the bottom of the ice fishing hole.

The propeller90can have at least two radiating propeller blades92. The propeller can have three radiating blades, as shown in the Figures. As shown inFIG. 3, the propeller blade can have a guide surface120for aligning the cutting blade94at a cutting position against the bottom of the ice fishing hole.

The propeller blade92can have a leading edge122and a trailing edge132. The leading edge can be the edge of the blade that cuts through the water first when the propeller turns. The blade can have a leading guide plate120having a leading edge and a trailing fin130having a trailing edge132. The leading guide plate and the trailing fin can form a blade angle140. The blade angle can be approximately between 115 and 125 degrees on the thrust side of the blade. The blade angle can be approximately 120 degrees. In one embodiment, the blade angle is 121.5 degrees. The trailing fin can be angled or contoured to propel the water when turning to generate upward thrust.

As shown inFIG. 3, the propeller blade92can be a single sheet with a blade bend forming the blade angle140between the leading guide plate120and the trailing fin130. The trailing fin can have a cutter94attached to the cutter side96of the trailing fin. The cutter can be removably mounted to the trailing fin. This can allow the cutter to be removed for sharpening. The cutter can also be adjustably mounted to the cutter side of the propeller blade. The cutter can also be adjustably mounted to the trailing fin. This can allow the cutting depth to be varied or to allow for resetting the desired cutting depth after wear of the cutter from use and sharpening. This can also allow for the cutting blade to be adjusted radially from the axis50to accommodate chamfering different diameter ice fishing holes160. For example, the cutting blade can be mounted closer to the axis for a 6 inch diameter ice fishing hole or farther from the axis for an 8 inch or a 10 inch ice fishing hole. In this manner, the ice fishing hole chamferer can accommodate different size ice fishing holes without the need to have a longer cutting blade94. This can decrease costs and sharpening time and unnecessary drag in the water and unintentional interference or cutting of away from the chamfering target area. In one embodiment, the cutting blade is 7 inches long.

The cutter94can also have a sharpened edge150. The sharpened edge can extend beyond the blade bend140, as shown inFIG. 3, to establish the cutting depth. In one embodiment, the cutting depth is ⅛ inch. In other embodiments, the cutting depth is approximately ⅛ inch.

The leading guide plate120can be configured as a leading guide120or a sole120for the cutting blade94. As shown inFIG. 4, when the propeller blade92is thrust against the ice of the bottom162of the hole160, the sole120can contact the ice at the bottom of the ice fishing hole at the chamfer angle128. The leading guide plate or sole can position the cutter94to shave the ice at the chamfer angle. The chamferer can be configured with a chamfering angle128between approximately 30 and 60 degrees. The chamfering angle can be 45 degrees. The chamfering angle can be approximately 45 degrees.

The leading guide plate can also have at least one clearance opening124for allowing ice shaved off the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160to be washed away from the cutter. The clearance opening can be a slot in the leading guide plate situated between the leading edge122and the sharpened edge150the cutter94.

The propeller blades92can be hinged to the hub80. This can allow the propeller blades to move between a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole160and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft, as shown inFIG. 1, and an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole at a chamfering angle128, as shown inFIG. 4. The narrow closed position can allow the chamferer10to have a narrow diameter that is less than the ice fishing hole diameter. This can allow the chamferer to be inserted into the ice fishing hole160.

When the propeller blades92are in the narrow closed position, they can also be in a relaxed position when the propelling means is idle. The activation of the propelling means can cause the propeller blades to move to the extended open position.

as shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the ice fishing hole chamferer10can also have a foot stop170at the bottom of the submerged end30of the elongated shaft20. This can allow the chamferer to be rested on a solid surface164, such as the ground, floor, or ice, without the propeller90touching the ground, floor, or ice. This can help prevent damage to the propeller and blades92and provide stability when resting the chamferer on the ground or against a wall. The foot stop can be a rubber material attached to the end of the elongated shaft. The foot stop can be configured to prevent slippage and to absorb shock from setting it down.

The elongated shaft20can have a spacer (not shown) around the submerged end30of the elongated shaft between the thrust side98of the propeller blades92and the elongated shaft. This can space the propeller blades slightly away from the axis50for positioning the propeller blades in a better start position for thrusting water downward. Other means for positioning the propeller blades in a start position can be utilized, such as adding an additional propeller stop configured on the hub80towards the axis50.

The invention10also provides for a means for rotating the elongated shaft20and engaging the rotation of the propeller90, wherein the propeller blades92revolve and centrifugally extend to the extended position, as shown inFIG. 4, and thrust upwardly to engage the at least one cutter94against the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160. By turning the elongated shaft20, the propeller action of the propeller blades92can force the propeller blades to move to the extended position. As shown inFIG. 8, the hub80can have a propeller stop82for setting the fully extended position at the chamfering angle128. The propeller stop can be an angled seat on the hub that stops the propeller blades from extending past the desired chamfering angle128.

As shown inFIG. 1, the propeller blades92can be configured to be longer or larger for hand-operation and, as shown inFIG. 2, the propeller blades can be configured to be shorter or smaller for motor-operation of the ice fishing hole chamferer10. The longer blades can generate more thrust power for use in hand operation. The shorter blades can reduce the thrust power for use with a motor, which can allow the angler to have better control of the chamferer when used at the high rotational speed of the motor. In one embodiment of a hand-operated chamferer, the propeller blades are approximately 17 inches long and extend approximately 14 inches from the axis50when the propeller blades are in the extended open position. In one embodiment of a motor-operated chamferer, the propeller blades are approximately 10¾ inches long and extend approximately 9¼ inches from the axis50when the propeller blades are in the extended open position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ice fishing hole chamferer10has 1) an elongated shaft20for inserting into an ice fishing hole160with a top end60and a submerged end30and an axle40and an axis50,2) a propeller90, and 3) a propelling means for rotating the propeller. The elongated shaft is the axle40and includes a foot stop170on the submerged end for resting the ice fishing hole chamferer on a solid surface164. The foot stop extends beyond the propeller blades92when in the narrow closed position. The elongated shaft also has at least three adjustable lengths between approximately 50 inches and approximately 90 inches. The propeller has a cutter side96and a thrust side98configured for propelling water and a hub80for connecting to the axle three radiating propeller blades92, each blade having a cutter removably and adjustably mounted on the cutting side of a trailing fin130, an adjustable length between approximately 9 inches and approximately 17 inches, and a guide surface120on the cutting side of a leading guide plate120for aligning the cutter94at a cutting position against the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160. The leading guide plate and the trailing fin form a blade angle140of approximately 121 degrees on the thrust side of the blade. The leading guide plate has at least one clearance opening124for allowing shaved ice to be washed away from the cutter94. The propeller blades92are hinged to the hub to move between a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft and an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole at a chamfering angle128. When the propelling means is activated, the propeller90revolves about the axis and the propeller blades are configured to centrifugally extend to the extended open position and thrust upwardly to engage the cutters94against the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160. The propelling means is removably connected to the top end60of the elongated shaft and turns the axle and the hub and the propeller around the axis. The hub80has a propeller stop82configured to set the extended open position at the chamfering angle128at approximately 45 degrees. The cutter has a cutting depth of approximately ⅛ inch.

The invention also provides for a method of using an ice fishing hole chamferer10by drilling an ice fishing hole160, inserting an elongated shaft20with an axis50and having a collapsible propeller90configured to revolve around the elongated shaft20, said propeller having a cutter side96with at least one cutter94for chamfering the bottom162of the ice fishing hole and a thrust side98for propelling water and thrusting the cutter side against the bottom162of the ice fishing hole160, and rotating the elongated shaft to revolve the collapsible propeller around the axis50and to centrifugally extend from a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft, as shown inFIG. 1, to an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole160and angled for chamfering the bottom of the ice fishing hole, as shown inFIG. 4.