# Patent

## Title
Fishing pole with integrated line tension scale

## Abstract

The invention is a fishing pole with an integrated line tension measuring device. Measured line tension is displayed in quantitative units, pounds or kilograms. A line tension warning system activates when the sensed line tension exceeds a threshold set by the fisherman. The line tension measuring device does not touch the fishing line so the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device fishes and operates like a normal fishing pole. The line tension measuring device may be integrated into the fishing reel seat which, in turn, is an integral part of the fishing pole.

## Background
The invention is a fishing pole with an integrated line tension measuring device. Measuring fishing line tension or “drag” has always been subjective. Most often a fisherman pulls on the line by hand and adjusts the drag, or braking force on the reel, based on what the pull ‘feels’ like. While fighting a fish, it is difficult to know how hard the fish is pulling on the line. The invention, a fishing pole that measures and displays the actual pull on the line in quantitative units, e.g. pounds or kilograms, enables the fisherman to accurately set the drag and know how hard a fish is pulling on the line. The line tension is measured and displayed continuously, thereby enabling the fisherman to accurately adjust the drag even when fighting a fish.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention applies to the field of fishing and more particularly to the design of fishing poles.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
In the field of sport fishing, the desire for a proper drag setting is a continuing, yet unsatisfied goal. Current fishing reels apply a drag, or braking force, to the line by a variety of mechanisms. In an effort to measure the drag or braking force on the line, a variety of apparatus have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 960,535 Gilfillan, Jun. 7, 1910; U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,474, Mandolf, Jul. 15, 1952; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,666; Reder, Apr. 28, 1987, disclose fishing scales and weights that are equipped with hooks to attach to a reel to be adjusted. In the practical environment, however, fishermen prefer to keep their fishing line threaded through the “eyes” of their fishing rods with a lure or hook tied at the end of the line. A rod and reel set maintained in this form is termed “rigged.” To measure the drag on a rigged rod and reel using the aforementioned systems, the hook would either have to be attached at the lure, or to a loop tied on the fishing line between the reel and the first eye of the rod. In the first method, setting the drag would require one person to hold the scale, while a second person holds the reel to monitor the drag release. While the second method can be performed by a single person by attaching the scale to the loop, this would require re-threading the line through the eyes of the rod and retying the lure each time that a drag measurement is performed. Both approaches are impractical and not used by the average fisherman.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,198 issued to Yamanouchi, Jan. 15, 2002 discloses a hand held scale to measure line drag by threading the line through a pulley and pulling the scale apparatus away from the reel until the drag slips. This approach is difficult and requires the fisherman to carry this extra apparatus with him.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,038 issued to Hirose Jun. 17, 1997 discloses a fishing reel with a mechanism for measuring line tension. This device employs a coil opposed to thin magnetostrictive bands bonded to the spool shaft to determine the torque applied to the spool shaft. In order to translate torque into line tension, the height of the line wound onto the spool must be determined with, for example, an ultrasonic measuring device. While this device may actually produce a quantifiable measurement, the circuitry involved is relatively complex and would be correspondingly expensive. Fishing reels are already one of the more significant expenses in fishing and purchasing new reels with this type of mechanism would be very expensive. The present invention described herein allows significant cost savings versus a reel based measurement system. The present invention allows the fisherman to use any existing fishing reel. Often times a fisherman will use a single pole with a variety of different reels, depending on the species of fish he is targeting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,258 issued to Adams, et al. Dec. 27, 1983 discloses a device for measuring and signaling of fishing line pull which can be attached to a fishing pole. This device does not measure the line pull in quantitative units, but displays various color lights to indicate the amount of pull. This device requires the fishing line to be internally threaded through it for the line to press against the spring biased rod which switches the lights. Those skilled in the art realize that threading the fishing line through any device adversely impacts its practical application for fishing. For most types of fishing, the fishing line must run free from the reel through the fishing pole guides with no obstruction. Any additional routing of the fishing line through measuring apparatus will adversely impact both casting, where the line must run free and unimpeded from the reel, and fishing, where the fisherman needs the line sensitivity to feel the bait swimming and the target fish biting.
In spite of the aforementioned patents and devices, incorporated herein by reference, drag setting is still a practice normally performed prior to fishing by pulling the line by hand and setting the fishing reel drag to what ‘feels’ right. The present invention will change this and provide the user with accurate feedback in quantitative units, pounds or kilograms, to assist in accurately set the drag.
Reporting actual fishing line tension is important because current fishing reels do not apply constant fishing line tension. Fishing reel drags apply a near constant braking torque on the fishing line spool. The actual line tension applied by the drag varies due to a variety of factors however. It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that the actual line tension applied by the drag is dependent on the distance from the center of the spool to the outside of the fishing line winding. Therefore, the drag applied tension on the line varies relative to the amount of line on the spool. Additionally, the amount of drag applied by a reel may change as the drag mechanism heats or cools or binds.
Once a fisherman is engaged on a fish, the line tension varies due to the factors discussed in the previous paragraph. It is currently impossible to know the actual line tension when fighting a fish. It is also impossible to know accurately how the line tension changes when adjusting the drag while fighting a fish.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention, a fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device, measures the fishing line tension at all times without any ancillary apparatus. The invention provides the constant measurement and display of fishing line tension in quantitative units, e.g. pounds or kilograms. Using the invention, the user can monitor the fishing line tension applied by the drag precisely both before fishing, and more importantly, while a fish is being fought. The invention allows the fisherman to adjust the drag and view the resulting line tension change immediately.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments in which the principles of the invention are described.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed specification and drawings, in which:
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention;
(2) FIG. 2 is a view of the same embodiment detailing the fishing pole handle with integrated line tension measuring device.
(3) FIG. 3 is a view of the same embodiment detailing the sliding reel mount mechanism that applies the line tension pressure to the measurement device.
(4) FIG. 4 is a view of the same embodiment with the sliding reel mount removed to show the internal slide apparatus.
(5) FIG. 5 is a view of the same embodiment detailing the sliding reel mount removed from the slide.
(6) FIG. 6 is a view of the same embodiment detailing the display, warning devices, and electronics package in the handle of the fishing pole.
(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention;
(8) FIG. 8 is a view of the reel seat embodiment detailing the sliding reel mount mechanism that applies the line tension pressure to the measurement device.
(9) FIG. 9 is a view of the reel seat embodiment with the sliding reel mount mechanism removed to show the internal slide apparatus.
(10) FIG. 10 is a view of the reel seat embodiment detailing the sliding reel mount removed from the reel seat.
(11) FIG. 11 is a view of the reel seat embodiment detailing the electronics package integrated in the reel seat.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Many of the figures describing the preferred embodiments of the inventions show a fishing reel for illustrative purposes. The fishing reel itself is not part of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. A fishing pole consists of a rod (1) and handle (2). The rod extends all the way through the center of the handle to the base of the fishing pole. A reel seat (3), or place to connect the reel, is commonly situated in the center section of the handle. In this embodiment, the line tension measuring device (4) and line tension display (5) are integrated into the handle portion of the fishing pole.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view detailing the handle portion of the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The handle consist of the forward grip (11), a sliding reel mount (7), and the butt (10). The reel (9) is connected to the sliding reel mount (7) in the standard fashion. The reel (9) is solidly affixed to the sliding reel mount (7) and together act and move as a single unit. The sliding reel mount (7) is mounted on an internal spline or slide (8) which allows the reel/reel mount body (7,9) to move in the longitudinal direction along the long axis of the pole. The length of travel is very small and will be barely noticeable by the user. Rotation is prevented by the internal spline or slide (8). The sliding reel mount (7) contacts the pressure sensor (6) which measures the force applied by the fishing line (1). The fishing line (1) pulls the reel (9) and sliding reel mount (7) into the pressure sensor (6). The signal from the pressure sensor (6) drives the line tension display device (2) through the electronics package (5). Since the fishing line (1) pulls parallel to the internal spline or slide (8), the force applied on the pressure sensor (6) is essentially equivalent to the force exerted by the fishing line (1) and reel drag mechanism. FIG. 2 shows a visual line tension warning device (3) and an audible line tension warning device (4) placed in the forward grip (11). These devices warn the user when the line tension exceeds the line tension threshold as set by the user.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view detailing the internal construction of the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 depicts the fishing pole handle with the butt (10 in FIG. 2) removed. The sliding reel seat (7) slides on the internal spline or slide (8). The sliding reel seat (7) has a contact point (12) which applies pressure to the pressure sensor (6) when the handle is in its normal configuration.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view detailing the internal construction of the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the fishing pole handle with the sliding reel seat and reel (7 & 9 in FIG. 2) removed for clarity.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view detailing the construction of the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the sliding reel mount and reel (7 & 9). The internal spline or slide (8) allows the sliding reel mount (7) contact point (12) to apply pressure on the pressure sensor (6 in FIG. 2). For clarity, the reel clamps on the sliding reel mount have not been shown. They are of the standard twist lock type, well known to those skilled in the art. The actual method of attaching the reel to the sliding reel mount is not material to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view detailing the electronics package of the preferred embodiment of the fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The electronics package contains the control buttons (13), battery cover (14), and data jack (15). The actual electronics are inside the electronics package and not shown. The batteries (internal, not shown) supply the power to the pressure sensor (6), electronics (internal, not shown), display (2) and warnings (3,4). In this embodiment, the line tension display (2) is a liquid crystal display commonly called an LCD. The line tension visual warning (3) is a light emitting diode commonly called an LED. The line tension audible warning (4) is a piezo buzzer. The data jack (15) allows the connection of other electronic equipment to the pressure sensor output. In this embodiment, the data jack (15) provides an analog voltage output proportional to the pressure applied to the pressure sensor (6).
The control buttons (13) control the modes of operation of the display (2) and warning indicators (3,4). The modes of operation of the preferred embodiment are: Setup, real-time tension, maximum tension, and threshold sensing.
Setup mode controls the display and warning parameters. The display (2) can be configured to show pounds or kilograms. Setup allows the user to specify a line tension threshold in the selected units. Setup allows the user to activate or de-activate the line tension threshold alarms.
Real-time mode displays the current line tension on the display (2) in the selected units, pounds or kilograms.
Maximum tension mode holds and displays the maximum tension in the selected units. Pressing either control button while in maximum tension mode resets the maximum tension hold register to 0. Maximum tension mode would be used to set the drag on the fishing reel. The user would pull the line from the reel until the reel drag slipped. The display would show the maximum amount of line tension applied by the reel drag.
Threshold sensing mode monitors the line tension and activates the audible (4) and visual (3) warnings if the measured line tension exceeds the set threshold. Pressing either control button when the alarms are activated turns off the alarms. Threshold sensing could be used to detect fish biting, or detect fouling of lures or hooks while fishing or trolling.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of a reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. Integrating the measuring device into a self contained reel seat mechanism reduces the complexity of building a fishing pole with an integrated line tension measuring device. During fabrication of fishing poles, the reel seat is slid onto the fishing rod blank and permanently affixed to the handle end of the rod. The complete reel seat mechanism as depicted in FIG. 7 can be fixed to the blank in the identical fashion, thereby simplifying production of a fishing pole with integrated line tension measuring device. In FIG. 7 the reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device is shown on the rod blank (11). The reel seat consist of a sliding reel mount (7), pressure sensor (6), electronics (5), line tension display and warnings (2,3,4), internal spline or slide (8), and lock nut (10) at the end of the spline or slide. The lock nut (10) controls the length of travel for the sliding reel mount (7). The lock nut (10) is adjusted to keep the reel mount (7) very close to the pressure sensor (6). The reel (9) is connected to the sliding reel mount (7) in the standard fashion. The reel (9) is solidly affixed to the sliding reel mount (7) and they move together as a single unit. The sliding reel mount (7) is mounted on an internal spline or slide (8) which allows the reel/reel mount body (7,9) to move in the longitudinal direction along the long axis of the pole. Rotation is prevented by the internal spline or slide (8). The sliding reel mount (7) contacts the pressure sensor (6) which measures the force applied by the fishing line (1). The fishing line (1) pulls the reel (9) and sliding reel mount (7) into the pressure sensor (6). The signal from the pressure sensor (6) drives the line tension display device (2) through the electronics package (5). Since the fishing line (1) pulls parallel to the internal spline or slide (8), the force applied on the pressure sensor (6) is essentially equivalent to the force on the fishing line (1).
FIG. 8 is a perspective view detailing the internal construction of the preferred embodiment of the reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 depicts the reel seat with the lock nut (10 in FIG. 7) removed and the sliding reel mount (7) partially pulled down the internal spline or slide (8). The sliding reel mount (7) has a contact point (12) which applies pressure to the pressure sensor (6) when the sliding reel mount (7) is in its normal configuration.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view detailing the internal construction of the preferred embodiment of the reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows the reel seat with the sliding reel mount and reel (7 & 9 in FIG. 8) removed for clarity. FIG. 9 shows the threading (13) for the lock nut (10 in FIG. 7) at the end of the internal spline or slide (8). In normal configuration the lock nut limits the sliding reel mount travel and maintains a tight fit between the sliding reel mount and the pressure sensor.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view detailing the sliding reel mount and reel (7 & 9). The internal spline or slide (8) allows the sliding reel mount (7) contact point (12) to contact the pressure sensor (6 in FIG. 8). For clarity, the reel clamps on the sliding reel mount have not been shown. They are of the standard twist lock type, well known to those skilled in the art. The actual method of attaching the reel to the sliding reel mount is not material to the invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view detailing the electronics package and display of the preferred embodiment of the reel seat with integrated line tension measuring device according to the invention. The numbering of the individual parts are the same as in FIG. 7. The electronics package (5 in FIG. 7) contains the control buttons (13), battery cover (14), and data jack (15). The actual electronics are inside the electronics package and not shown. The batteries (internal, not shown) supply the power to the pressure sensor (6), electronics, display (2) and warnings (3,4). In this embodiment, the line tension display (2) is a liquid crystal display commonly called an LCD. The line tension visual warning (3) is a light emitting diode commonly called an LED. The line tension audible warning (4) is a piezo buzzer. The data jack (15) allows the connection of other electronic recording equipment to the pressure sensor output. In this embodiment, the data jack (15) provides an analog voltage output proportional to the pressure applied to the pressure sensor (6). Operation of the buttons, alarms and display are as described above.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

## Claims

1. A fishing pole comprising:
(a) a longitudinally elongated tapered rod having a larger proximal end and a smaller distal tip end, and
(b) a handle on said larger proximal end of said rod, and
(c) a plurality of line guides mounted to said rod intermittently spaced from said handle to said distal tip end configured to guide a fishing line from said distal tip end to said handle portion of said rod, and
(d) a force measurement device configured, when in operational mode, to produce a response indicative of an externally generated force wherein the force measurement device generates a response indicative of a force applied in a substantially longitudinal direction of the pole, from proximal to distal tip end, which includes the force of said fishing line pulled through said line guides and wherein said response will vary over a range extending from a minimum response level indicative of a lower externally generated force to a maximum response level indicative of a higher externally generated force, and including a plurality of intermediate response levels between the minimum response level and the maximum response level, and wherein said response is substantially independent of flexure of said rod, and
(e) a reel seat configured to receive and secure a fishing reel, and
(f) a reel seat receiving portion, wherein said reel seat is configured to move with respect to said reel seat receiving portion in response to the force applied in the substantially longitudinal direction from proximal to distal tip end which includes the force of said fishing line pulled through said line guides, and
(g) wherein said force measurement device comprises a sensor configured to continuously produce a response, in operational mode, indicative of said externally generated force based on the movement of said reel seat with respect to said reel seat receiving portion.

2. The fishing pole of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a visual display configured, when in operational mode, to continuously display a value based on said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.

3. The fishing pole of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) an audible monitoring device configured to generate a sound which varies in relation to said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.

4. The fishing pole of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) an electrical data connection configured to allow external equipment to monitor an electrical signal which varies in relation to said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.

5. The fishing pole of claim 1 wherein said reel seat is configured to slide within said reel seat receiving portion in a substantially longitudinal direction.

6. A fishing reel seat comprising:
(a) a reel mounting mechanism having a longitudinal axis configured for firmly attaching a fishing reel, and
(b) a reel mount receiving portion, wherein said reel mounting mechanism is configured to move in a substantially longitudinal direction with respect to the reel mount receiving portion in response to an externally generated force, and
(c) a force measurement device in communication with said reel mounting mechanism and said reel mount receiving portion configured, when in operational mode, to continuously produce a response indicative of said externally generated force based on the movement of said reel mounting mechanism with respect to said reel mount receiving portion and wherein said response will vary over a range extending from a minimum response level indicative of a lower externally generated force to a maximum response level indicative of a higher externally generated force, and including a plurality of intermediate response levels between the minimum response level and the maximum response level.

7. The fishing reel seat of claim 6 further comprising:
(a) a visual display configured, when operational, to continuously display a value based on said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.

8. The fishing reel seat of claim 6 further comprising:
(a) an audible monitoring device to generate a sound which varies in relation to said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.

9. The fishing reel seat of claim 6 further comprising:
(a) an electrical data connection configured to allow external equipment to monitor an electrical signal which varies in relation to said response of said force measurement device indicative of said externally generated force.