Motorized push pole device

A motorized push pole device having a standard mounted to a raised poling platform on a boat. A housing is mounted to the standard wherein the housing is adapted to removably clamp around a push pole. A drive wheel is mounted under the housing, wherein a periphery of the drive wheel is in contact with the push pole and adapted to rotate in a first direction causing push pole to move in an extendable motion and the drive wheel adapted to rotate in an opposing second direction causing push pole to move in a retractable motion. An electrical switch is connected to a motor for controlling operation of the motor for rotating the drive wheel. The motor includes a rotating motor shaft terminating in a worm gear. The drive wheel further comprising a cog wheel for engaging the worm gear of the motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to boats, and more specifically to a novel apparatus to assist a fisherman using a push pole to propel a boat across the surface of a water body.

2. Description of the Prior Art

One of the best ways to approach and catch fish on shallow water flats is to use a push pole. The push pole is used to propel the boat quietly from the transom of the boat using manual labor. The length of the pole is generally around twenty feet but can vary depending on the depth of water, the user's personal preference, and the boat setup, among other things. In use, the fisherman stands on an elevated platform at the transom of the boat and inserts the lower end of the pole into the water until the foot of the pole contacts the bottom. The fisherman firmly grasps an upper portion of the pole as the foot of the pole remains stationary and the fisherman uses the pole to push away from the bottom causing the boat to thrust forward. The user's hands slide up the pole as the boat moves forward. This process is repeated continuously to move the boat across the water. Accordingly, it takes a significant amount of energy and becomes tiresome to the fisherman.

There have been attempts to improve push poles to reduce the amount of energy expended by a fisherman. By way of example, note U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0202756 to Hardwick that discloses a power push pole that includes a drive wheel. The drive wheel is at the lower end of the pole and is operated by a switch on the handle of the pole so that the drive wheel can be turned off and on. The fisherman lowers the drive wheel in the water until it is resting on the bottom. An electrical motor attached to the drive wheel is switched on causing the drive wheel to rotate and propel the boat forward. A shortcoming of this prior art is that the motor is in the water causing vibrations that will scare fish away. Another shortcoming is that the device cannot be used with any pole but requires a specially made pole. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a push pole device that assists a fisherman in poling a boat that can be used with any existing pole and easily adapted for use with a boat.

It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed.

However, in view of the prior art at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a motorized push pole device comprising a standard mounted to a raised poling platform on a boat. A housing is mounted to the standard wherein the housing is adapted to removably clamp around a push pole. A drive wheel is mounted under the housing, wherein a periphery of the drive wheel is in contact with the push pole and adapted to rotate in a first direction causing push pole to move in an extendable motion and the drive wheel adapted to rotate in an opposing second direction causing push pole to move in a retractable motion. An electrical switch is connected to a motor for controlling operation of the motor for rotating the drive wheel. The motor includes a rotating motor shaft terminating in a worm gear. The drive wheel further comprising a cog wheel for engaging the worm gear of the motor.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a motorized push pole device that improves the ability of a fisherman to pole a boat for long periods of time without fatigue.

Another object of the present invention to provide a motorized push pole device that can be easily retrofitted for use with any standard push pole and of any length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1shows the motorized push pole device10mounted to poling platform12of boat14. Boat14is floating on water surface18, which typically is a few feet above bottom16when the present device is used for poling boat14. Housing20is clamped around push pole70. Drive wheel50is mounted to standard60, wherein drive wheel50rotates in a first direction and causes push pole70to move in the extended direction. When the direction of drive wheel50is reversed, push pole70moves up in a retracted position. The periphery of drive wheel50is comprised of a rubber material to provide traction to drive wheel50as it rotates and contacts push pole70. Electric switch85located on handle80operates electric motor30that drives drive wheel50and controls the direction of rotations. In the preferred embodiment, switch85is in electrical communication with electric motor30by conventional wiring (not shown). The power supply for motorized push pole device10is provided by a 12, 24 or 36-volt, direct current (DC) power supply such as a battery. In alternative embodiments, switch85can control motor30using a wireless transmitter, receiver and controller.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a partial side view of the motorized push pole device10is shown. The housing for electric motor30, worm gear35and cog wheel40is not shown for clarity. Standard60slides within mounting base65, which is secured to platform12of boat14. This allows standard60to rotate in a horizontal plane along with device10. Once device10is located in the desired location in the horizontal plane, housing20, which is clamped around push pole70, can be rotated in the vertical plane to be in the desired angle to bottom16using joint62and upper portion61as illustrated inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 4, an edge of drive wheel50contacts the outer surface of push pole70. As drive wheel50rotates, friction force between drive wheel50and push pole70causes push pole70to move in the direction drive wheel50is rotating. Electric motor30turns worm gear35in either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational direction. Worm gear35causes drive wheel50to rotate in a first direction to extend push pole70further away from boat14to propel boat14forward. Motor housing32covers motor30, worm gear35and drive wheel50to protect from the environment and the user from being injured by the moving parts of device10. As worm gear35turns in a second opposing direction, drive wheel50is rotated in a second direction that retracts push pole70from the water. Standard60includes joint62that allows housing20that is clamped to push pole70to be adjusted the angle of push pole70with respect to the bottom as the user is poling boat12in the desired direction. Although, a worm gear and cog wheel arrangement is shown to rotate drive wheel50, any type of mechanical arrangement to rotate drive wheel50is contemplated by the present invention (e.g., rack and pinion gear).

Referring now toFIG. 5, shows a perspective view of housing20, which clamps around push pole70. Electric switch85is located on handle80to allow a user to toggle between extending or retracting push pole70. Housing20includes two halves84,85that are hingedly connected about longitudinal edge87. In operation, housing20is rotated open about longitudinal edge87and push pole70is placed within housing20. Aperture88is located on each opposing end of housing20and adapted so that push pole70slides through housing20.

Now that the invention has been described,