Fishing rod

A fishing rod having a handle which stores a bolt having a pointed shank or spike that can be axially extended from the handle to be extended into the ground or engaged in other structure to support the fishing rod, as when a hook is being baited or the rod is left unattended, or the like. A locking arm is provided fixed to the shank of the bolt for movement thereof and to releasably secure the shank in the stored or the extended position. The pole portion of the fishing rod can have an axial passage for accommodation of the fishing line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: 
When fishing with a fishing rod, the fisherman has frequent occasion to 
perform incidental functions, such as baiting a hook, changing a lure, 
removing a fish, and the like. Difficulties are encountered in attempting 
to perform these functions and at the same time hold the fishing rod. In 
addition, the fisherman has occasion to leave the rod unattended, as when 
going to fetch a beverage. 
The invention pertains to a fishing rod having a handle in which there is 
stored a fishing rod supporting bolt. The handle has an interior axial 
bore at the end of the handle. The bolt has a shank located in the bore 
axially movable therein and having a pointed end extendible outward of the 
bore and handle upon outward axial movement of the shank. The bolt is 
releasably securable in the outwardly extended position whereby the shank 
can be stuck into the ground or assembled in other structure, such as an 
oar lock, thereby to support the fishing rod and free the fisherman to 
perform other incidental functions. The bolt is readily retracted back 
into the handle so as not to interfere with the general use of the rod. A 
slot on the handle is open to the bore. A locking arm has a stem attached 
to the shank of the bolt and extending through the slot in the handle. A 
cap is located on the outward end of the stem so that the locking arm can 
be manually manipulated to extend and retract the shank with respect to 
the handle. Means are provided for securing the locking arm of the bolt in 
order to fix a position of the bolt. 
In one form of the invention the fishing rod includes a pole having an 
axial passage open at either end of the pole for accommodation of a 
portion of the fishing line normally trained through eyelets. The handle 
is axially offset from the pole and a spinning reel feeds fishing line 
straight into the rear opening of the pole.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a fishing rod 10 
according to a first form of the invention terminating in a handle 11 and 
having the usual flexible pole or rod section 12 axially extended from 
handle 11 and carrying the usual fishing line 14 trained from a reel 15 
mounted on handle 11. Fishing rod 10 is supported with respect to a ground 
surface 16 whereby the fisherman is free to perform incidental functions. 
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, handle 11 terminates at a rearward grip or base 18 
adapted to be grasped by a fisherman for manipulation of the rod 10. Base 
18 is generally cylindrical and has an internal axial bore 19. Bore 19 is 
open at the butt end of base 18 and extends axially forward in handle 11. 
Bore 19 can be lined by a tubular sleeve 20 of plastic or metal or similar 
suitable material. 
A rigid bolt 22 has an elongate shank 23 located in bore 19 and axially 
movable therein. Shank 23 has a pointed end 23A and is adapted to slide 
easily within the bore 19. Upon axial movement of bolt 22, the end 23A is 
movable between the position of storage in bore 19, as shown in full lines 
in FIG. 3, and an outwardly extended position extended rearwardly and 
outwardly from the bore 19 and the base 18 of handle 11, as shown in 
phantom in FIG. 2. When so extended, the shank 23 can be driven into the 
ground or engaged in other structure, such as the oar lock of a boat, to 
support the rod 10. 
An elongate longitudinal slot 24 is formed in base 18 and through sleeve 20 
open to bore 19 and parallel to the axis of bore 19. Slot 24 is 
close-ended and has a first circumferential notch 26 at the forward end 
thereof offset from the axis of slot 24, and a second circumferential 
notch 27 at the rearward end thereof. The width of slot 24 is less than 
the diameter of shank 23 of bolt 22. Bolt 22 includes a locking arm 28 
having a stem 30 fixed to the shank 23 of bolt 22 as by threading. Stem 30 
extends from a location near the forward end of shank 23 outwardly 
generally perpendicular to the axis of shank 23 through slot 24. A cap 31 
is provided on the outward end of stem 30. Cap 31 is manually operable by 
the fisherman to adjust the position of shank 23 of bolt 22. The stem 30 
of locking arm 28 is engageable in either the forward notch 26 or the 
rearward notch 27. When engaged in the forward notch 26, the bolt 22 and 
the corresponding shank 23 are in the stored position shown in full lines 
in FIG. 3 for unencumbered normal use of rod 10. The fisherman can rotate 
the locking arm 28 to unseat it from the forward notch 26 and move it down 
the base in the slot 24 to the second or rearward notch 27 and then rotate 
it so as to be releasably engaged in the second notch 27. In this 
position, shank 23 is extended with the pointed end 23A extended away from 
the handle 11 and is releasably locked in this position. The shank 23 can 
be driven into the ground to support the rod or it can be engaged in other 
structure, as by inserting it in an oar lock. When this is accomplished, 
the fisherman is free to perform incidental functions. Movement of the 
bolt 22 between the stored position and the extended position is 
accomplished quickly and easily by the fisherman. 
A second form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5-8 wherein there is 
provided a fishing rod handle 34 having a rearward grip or base 35. An 
interior cylindrical axial bore 36 is disposed in base 35 and rearwardly 
open at the butt end thereof. A tubular sleeve 38 of plastic, metal, or 
other suitable material can define bore 36. A bolt 39 has an elongate 
shank 40 disposed in bore 36 and axially movable therein. Shank 40 has a 
pointed end 40A readily movable in bore 36 with shank 40 between a 
position of storage completely confined within the bore 36, as shown in 
full lines in FIG. 6, and an extended position outwardly and rearwardly 
extended from bore 36 and base 35 of handle 34, as shown in phantom in 
FIG. 6. 
An elongate longitudinal slot 42 is formed in base 35 parallel to the axis 
of bore 36 and open to bore 36 through base 35 and sleeve 38. Bolt 39 
includes a locking arm 43 assembled to the shank 40 near the forward end 
thereof. Locking arm 43 includes a stem 44 extended from shank 40 
generally perpendicular to the axis thereof and through slot 42. A cap 45 
is exteriorly connected to the end of stem 44 extended through slot 42 for 
manual manipulation by a fisherman to set the position of shank 40 
relative to the handle 34. 
An aperture 47 extends transversely through shank 40 of bolt 39 near the 
forward end thereof. The interior end of stem 44 of locking arm 43 is 
movably assembled in the aperture 47. The end of stem 44 assembled in 
aperture 47 can undergo limited transverse movement inwardly and outwardly 
of aperture 47 or movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of 
bore 36 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of shank 40. A 
first or forward transverse locking indent or hole 48 is formed in the 
side wall of bore 36 near the interior or forward end thereof disposed 
opposite slot 42. With the aperture 47 of shank 40 aligned with locking 
indent 48, the end of stem 44 is movable into the locking indent 48 to 
lock the position of shank 40 with respect to bore 36. When so engaged, 
the bolt 39 is in the stored position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 6. 
Stem 44 is readily movable outward of locking indent 48 by pulling cap 45. 
Stem 44 has a notch 49 proximate the end thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, a 
transverse pin 51 is secured to the shank 40 and extends across the 
aperture 47. Pin 51 is located in the notch 49 so as to restrict the 
outward movement of stem 44 and maintain it engaged with the aperture 47. 
A second locking indent or hole 52 is located in the side wall of bore 36 
opposite slot 42 and near the rearward end of bore 36. Shank 40 can be 
moved to a position where the aperture 47 thereof is in alignment with the 
locking indent 52 such that stem 44 of locking arm 43 can be moved into 
locking engagement with the second locking indent 52. In this position, 
the shank 40 is extended from the bore 36 and rearwardly from handle 34, 
as shown in phantom in FIGS. 5 and 6, whereby the pointed end 40A of shank 
40 can be inserted into the ground or assembled with other structure, such 
as an oar lock on a boat. This frees the fisherman's hands to perform 
other incidental functions. 
The position of bolt 39 is quickly and easily adjusted between the stored 
position with the stem 44 of locking arm 43 in engagement with the first 
indent 48 wherein there is permitted unobstructed use of the fishing rod 
in normal fashion, and the extended position with the stem 44 of locking 
arm 43 engaged in the second indent 52. This is accomplished simply by 
pulling the cap 45 to disengage the stem from one of the locking indents 
wherein the bolt 39 is moved to the desired position. It will be apparent 
that intermediate locking indents could be provided for locking the bolt 
39 in intermediate positions. The longitudinal ends of slot 42 limit the 
range of movement of bolt 39, and the longitudinal edges of slot 42 guide 
movement of locking arm 43 and, hence, bolt 39. 
A third form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein there is 
provided a handle 56 having a base 57. A longitudinal, central axial bore 
58 is located in the base 57 and can be defined by a tubular sleeve 60 of 
metal, plastic, or other suitable material. Bore 58 is open at the butt 
end of base 57 and contains an elongate longitudinal bolt 61. Bolt 61 has 
a shank 62 with a pointed end 62A. An elongate slot 64 is open through 
base 57 and tubular sleeve 60 to the bore 58. The width of slot 64 is less 
than the diameter of shank 62 whereby shank 62 is retained in the bore 58. 
A locking arm 65 has a stem 66 with an interior end connected to the shank 
62 of bolt 61. The outer end of stem 66 has a cap 67 which can be manually 
manipulated by a fisherman. The shank 62 has a threaded hole 69 near the 
forward end thereof. The inner end of stem 66 is also threaded to 
threadably engage the hole 69. The hole 69 is sufficiently deep such that 
the turning of the cap 67 threads the stem 66 into hole 69 drawing the 
shank 62 of bolt 61 up tight against the inner edges of the slot 64 to 
secure the shank 62 in place. As shown in full lines in FIG. 10, the stem 
66 is drawn inward of the hole 69 to the point where the shank 62 is 
securely held in the stored position. Rotating the cap 67 in such a 
direction as to unseat the stem 66 in the hole 69 and loosen the shank 62 
with respect to the interior edges of the slot 64 permits movement back 
and forth of the locking arm 67 and, thus, bolt 61. The bolt 61 can be 
moved outwardly toward the rear end of base 57 and then secured again. In 
this position, the shank 62 and shank 62A extend rearwardly and outwardly 
from the base 57. In this position, the shank can be extended into the 
ground or into other structure in order to hold the handle 57 in the 
corresponding fishing rod (not shown). The locking arm 65 is quickly 
engaged and disengaged to adjust the bolt 62 to the proper and desired 
position. 
A further embodiment of fishing rod according to the invention is shown in 
FIGS. 11 through 18 and is indicated generally at 70. Fishing rod 70 
includes a generally longitudinal handle section 71 connected to a 
tubular, generally longitudinal resilient pole section 72. Handle section 
71 includes a reel mount section 74 and an offset connecting member 75 
with a forwardly open end 76. The rearward end of pole 72 is 
telescopically engaged in the forward end 76 of connecting member 75 and 
is secured therein by suitable means such as glue. The mid portion of 
connecting member 75 curves laterally outward then rearwardly, terminating 
in a rearwardly open end 77 which is parallel to but axially offset from 
the forward end 76 of connector 75. The forward end 79 of reel mount 74 is 
secured to the rearward end 77 of connecting member 75 as by a threaded 
collar 80 being rotatably assembled to the end 77 of connector member 75 
and engaging suitable threads provided on the forward end 79 of base 74. 
Reel mount 74 has a recess 73 to mount a fishing reel. A fishing reel 
housing 81 is secured to reel mount 74 in conventional fashion. A bracket 
82 secured to the housing 81 has forwardly and rearwardly extended legs. 
The rearwardly extended leg of bracket 82 engages a slot 84 provided in 
base 74. The forward leg of bracket 82 is secured by a plate 85 which is 
releasably secured to the reel mount 74 by a bolt 86. Reel housing 81 
contains a conventional fishing reel (not shown) carrying a supply of 
fishing line 87. The usual reel handle 89 is provided for taking in the 
line 87. Fishing line 87 is let out and taken up with respect to reel 
housing 81 through a forward opening 90. 
Pole 72 has a longitudinal axial passage 91 open at the tip and rearward 
end of the pole. Offset connecting member 75 has an opening 93 in 
alignment with the axial passage 91. A toroidal eyelet or guide 94 is 
disposed in surrounding relationship to the opening 93 in offset 
connecting member 75. The inlet-outlet point of fishing line 87 from reel 
housing 81 is in axial alignment with the opening 93 and axial passage 91. 
The fishing line 87 extends from the reel housing 81 through reel opening 
90, through the offset connector opening 93 and through the axial passage 
91 of pole 72, emerging at the tip 95 of pole 72. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 
18, tip 95 terminates in a toroidal eyelet or guide 96 having rounded 
edges to prevent damage to fishing line 87. Guide 96 can be ceramic or 
plastic or the like. Fishing line 87 thus avoids the usual eyelets mounted 
along the outer periphery of the pole. Tangling of the line is avoided and 
more efficient casting and taking up is permitted. The eyelet or guide 94 
on offset connector member 75 also has rounded edges to prevent damage to 
fishing line 87. Normally, the fishing line 87 will not be in contact with 
the guide 94 as the inlet-outlet point of fishing line 87 from reel 
housing 81 is aligned with the opening 93 of offset connector member 75. 
Handle section 71 terminates in a rearward grip or base 98 adapted to be 
grasped by a fisherman for manual manipulation of the rod 70. Base 98 is 
generally cylindrical and has an internal axial bore 101. Base 98 is 
assembled to the reel mount section 74 as by a plug 99 secured to base 98 
and inserted into the open end of reel mount 74, being secured therein by 
suitable means such as glue, threads or the like. Bore 101 is open at the 
butt end of base 98 and extends axially forward in handle grip 98. 
A rigid bolt 102 has an elongate generally cylindrical shank 103 located in 
bore 101 and axially movable therein. Shank 103 has a pointed end and is 
adapted to slide easily within base 102. Longitudinal movement of shank 
103, like handle 71, is along an axis that is laterally offset from the 
axis of passage 91 of pole 72 and line 87. Upon axial movement of bolt 102 
the end of shank 103 is movable between a position of storage in base 98 
and an outwardly extended position extended rearwardly and outwardly from 
the bore 101 and the base 98. When so extended, the shank 103 can be 
driven into the ground as shown in FIG. 11 or engaged in other structure 
to support fishing rod 70. 
An elongate longitudinal slot 104 is formed in base 98 and open to bore 101 
parallel to the axis of bore 101. Slot 104 is closed ended and has a first 
circumferential notch 106 at the forward end thereof offset from the axis 
of slot 104, and a second circumferential notch 107 at the rearward end 
thereof. First and second slots 106, 107 are reversely turned with respect 
to slot 104. First notch 106 extends circumferentially and rearwardly with 
respect to slot 104 forming an acute angle with slot 104. Second notch 107 
extends circumferentially and forwardly with respect to slot 104 forming 
another acute angle with slot 104. The width of slot 104 is less than the 
diameter of shank 103. Bolt 102 includes a locking arm having a stem 108 
fixed to the shank 103 in similar fashion to the handle configuration 
shown in FIG. 3. A cap 110 is provided on the outer end of stem 108. Cap 
110 is manually operable by a fisherman to adjust the position of shank 
103 of bolt 102. The stem 108 is engagable in the forward circumferential 
notch 106 to releasably lock the stem 103 in the storage position. The 
reverse turn of the notch 106 with respect to the slot 104 more securely 
and positively locks the stem 108 therein. The stem 108 is engagable in 
the rearward or second slot 107 to lock the shank 103 of bolt 102 in the 
outwardly extended position. The reverse turn of the notch 107 with 
respect to the slot 104 more positively and securely locks the stem 108 
therein to inhibit accidental disengagement. 
In use, as shown in FIG. 11, spinning reel 81 is mounted at the recess 73 
of mount portion 74 which is laterally offset from the axis of pole 72 by 
offset connecting member 75. The inlet-outlet point of fishing line 87 
trained from reel housing 81 is aligned with the axis of pole 72. Fishing 
line 87 extends straight from reel housing 81 through the opening 93 of 
offset connecting member 75 and through the axial passage 91 of pole 
section 72, emerging at tip 95. In such configuration, line 87 is not apt 
to be tangled. Casting with the fishing rod 70 is facilitated. Shank 103 
of bolt 102 is in the outwardly extended position with stem 108 releasably 
locked in reverse turned notch 107. Shank 103 is extended into a ground 
surface 111 supporting fishing rod 70 in an inclined orientation with the 
line 87 extended from the tip 95 into a body of water 112. The axis of 
shank 103 is laterally offset from the axis of pole section 72. When 
extended into the ground surface 111, the shank 103 is better able to 
withstand a moment in supporting the fishing rod 70 than it is able to 
resist an outward pulling force. When a load is imposed upon the fishing 
line 87 as by catching a fish, the lateral offset between the axis of 
shank 103 from the axis of pole section 72 results in less outward force 
upon the shank 103 that would tend to disengage it from the ground surface 
111. The rounded eyelet 94 at the opening 93 of offset connector 75, and 
the rounded eyelet 96 at the tip 95 of pole section 72 reduce frictional 
wear upon fishing line 87 as it is reeled out and drawn in. When the 
fishing rod 70 is disengaged from the ground surface 111, the cap 110 of 
bolt 102 is manipulated to disengage the stem 108 from the rearward notch 
107 and move it forwardly to a position in engagement with the forward 
notch 106 where it is securely located because of the reverse turned 
relationship of the forward notch 106 with respect to the slot 104. The 
bolt 102 is less apt to become accidently disengaged from the forward 
notch 106.