Abstract:
A fishing rod can be switched between greater rigidity in one configuration to greater flexibility in another configuration. The configuration having greater flexibility is useful when enhanced sensitivity to fish strikes is desired.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/853,321, filed Apr. 3, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of fishing. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of fishing rods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are known many different types of fishing rods. Some types of fishing rods are directed to the type of fishing. For example, a fly fishing rod or fly rod is primarily directed to fly fishing, while an ice fishing rod or ice rod is primarily directed to ice fishing. Other fishing rods are directed to the type of fish that is sought. For example, sea rods are used for catching large game fish such as in the ocean, whereas an ultra-light rod is primarily directed to small fish or for providing more of a challenge with medium sized fish. 
     When very small fish are sought, for example crappies, sunfish or perch, even an ultra-light rod may not be sensitive enough to detect fish bites or strikes. In order to modify rods to detect such strikes, avid fishers began adding a spring bobber or spring tip to the ends of some rods. However, properly retrofitting an existing rod with a spring bobber or tip can be difficult and frustrating. This problem is compounded if a fisher is going between an application where a spring tip is desired and one where a spring tip is not desired. Buying fishing rods for each application can also be cost prohibitive. Further spring bobbers or tips can be easily lost or misplaced when not in use. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a spring tip or bobber that can be easily added and removed from a fishing rod, that is cost effective, and that can always be located for use. Embodiments of the following invention solve certain problems in existing fishing rods and spring bobbers or tips and provide some or all of the foregoing benefits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention includes a rod with a top portion and a butt portion. To the butt portion is connected a handle. A tip can be adjusted between a first position and a second position. When the tip is in the first position, the rod has a rigidity and when the tip is in the second position, the rod has less rigidity. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a first hollow rod and a second rod. The first hollow rod has a butt end that is connected to a handle. The second rod is sized to fit within the first hollow rod and is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the second rod is in the second position more of the second rod extends from the first hollow rod than when the second rod is in the first position. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a hollow rod with a first end and a second end. To the first end of the hollow rod is connected a handle with a cavity. A wire extends through the hollow rod and has a tip end that extends from the second end of the hollow rod. The second end of the wire is connected to a magnet located within a hollow structure. The hollow structure is located in the cavity of the handle. At one end of the hollow structure is located a first ferromagnetic material located and at a second end of the hollow structure a second ferromagnetic material is located. The tip end of the wire may be moved between a collapsed position and an extended position. When the tip end is in the collapsed position, the tip end is adjacent the second end of the hollow rod and the magnet is adjacent and held by magnetic force to the first ferromagnetic material such that the tip end is held in the collapsed position. When the tip end is in the extended position, the tip end is away from the second end of the hollow rod such that the fishing rod is more flexible than when the tip end is in the collapsed position and the magnet is adjacent and held by magnetic force to the second ferromagnetic material such that the tip end is held in the extended position. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is side view of one embodiment of a fishing rod in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view of the end of the fishing rod of  FIG. 1  from the line  2 - 2  shown with the spring tip collapsed; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of the end of the fishing rod of  FIG. 1  from the line  2 - 2  shown with the spring tip extended; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the rod of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-section of the fishing rod handle of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1  with the spring tip collapsed; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side cross-section of the fishing rod handle of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1  with the spring tip extended. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A fishing rod in accordance with the present invention provides greater rigidity in one configuration and a fishing rod with greater flexibility in another configuration. The fishing rod could also provide incremental flexibility in relation to incremental arrangements. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a fishing rod  10  is disclosed with a handle  12 , a butt portion  14  and a top portion  16 . On the butt portion  14  of the fishing rod are a number of line guides  18  that are held on to the rod  10  by windings  20  as is conventional in the art. At the end of the butt portion  14  adjacent the handle  12  is a hook keeper  22  that is attached to the rod  10  by a winding  24  as is conventional in the art. At the far end of the top portion  16  of the rod  10  are a first tip  26  and a second tip  28 . Although the above described fishing rod, less the multiple tips, is a common configuration, others are known, the use of which would not defeat the spirit of the invention. 
     As seen more clearly in  FIG. 3 , when it is desired to have a fishing rod with a spring bobber or tip, for example, when fishing for crappie, the first tip  26  can be extended out of the rod  10  by a second rod or wire  30  that is slideably contained within a hollow of the rod. In one embodiment described below, the first tip  26  can be incrementally extended based upon the desired rod sensitivity. 
     As seen more clearly in  FIG. 2 , when it is desired to have a fishing rod with more rigidity, for example when fishing for medium sized fish, the first tip  26  can be collapsed into the rod  10  such that substantially the entire wire  30  is slideably contained within the rod. To allow the first tip  26  to be moved between a collapsed and an extended position, the first tip  26  is connected to one end of the wire  30 . 
     To provide greater convenience and stability, the first tip  26  can be held in select positions depending on the amount of rigidity or flexibility desired. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the first tip  26  is movable between a first position and a second position. For example, the first tip  26  can be held in the fully extended position, such as seen in  FIG. 3 , the fully collapsed position, such as seen in  FIG. 2 , or any intermediate position there between. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the first tip  26  is held in position or releasably retained by a retention means  50 . A hollow member  52 , such as plastic piping, is inserted into a hollow top portion  54  of the handle which can be made from cork or any other suitable material. The butt portion  14  of the rod adjacent the handle is inserted into a winding check  56 , the hollow top portion  54  of the handle and then the hollow member  52 , where the butt portion is attached to the hallow member such as by gluing, threading, bonding, welding etc. Into the other end of the hollow member  52  is inserted a first attracting member  58  which can be made from a ferrous or ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the attracting member  58  could be outside the hollow member  52  such as inside the hollow top portion  54  of the handle. In the embodiment seen in  FIG. 4 , the attracting member  58  is a metal washer. 
     The wire  30  is then inserted through the interior hollow portion of the top portion  16  and butt portion  14  until the internal end emerges from the hollow member  52 . The wire  30  can be made from NiTinol spring wire or other suitable material. A magnet  60  is attached to the internal end of the wire  30  emerging from the hollow member  52 . The magnet  60  is then inserted into a hollow structure or housing  62  such as a hollow rectangular brass bar or plastic injection molding, although the structure holding the magnet  60  could be of any suitable material. The hollow interior portion of the housing  62  is preferably sized just large enough for the magnet  60  attached to the wire  30  to freely slide therein. The housing  62  is then inserted into the hollow member  52 . 
     The hollow interior of the hollow member  52  is preferably sized just large enough for the housing  62  to fit inside. The hollow member  52  is then sealed at the butt end  64  opposite the hollow top portion  54  such that the end is capable of attracting a magnet. In the embodiment seen in  FIG. 4 , the hollow member  52  is threaded at the butt end  64  and a set screw  66  is threaded therein. The set screw  66  can be made from a ferrous material or a material, such as metal, that can otherwise attract the magnet  60  such that it is a second magnetic material. Alternatively, another metal washer could be inserted before the hollow member  52  is sealed. The hollow member  52  is then inserted into the hollow handle butt  68  and retained such as by threading the handle butt  68  to the hollow top portion  54  of the handle, or by gluing, bonding, welding, etc. Thus, as seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the retention means  50  is held within a cavity of the handle  12  of the rod  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , when the rod  10  is in its collapsed configuration, the wire  30  and magnet  60  are fully extended into the housing  62 . In the collapsed configuration, the magnet  60  is proximate to the set screw  66 . Because the set screw  66  is made from a ferrous material, the magnet  60  is attracted to and held in position by the magnetic force with the set screw  66 . Thus, the first tip  26  is held in its collapsed configuration. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , when the rod  10  is in its extend configuration, the wire  30  and magnet  60  are almost withdrawn out of the housing  62 . In the extend configuration, the magnet  60  is proximate to the washer  58 . Because the washer  58  is made from a ferrous material, the magnet  60  is held in position by the washer  58 . Thus, the first tip  26  is held in its extended configuration. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first tip  26  can be incrementally extended beyond the second tip  28 . Such incremental positioning of the first tip  26  allows an angler to select a precise sensitivity for a particular fishing application and/or the jig, bait or lure used. One way to provide such an incremental multi-purpose fishing rod is to position additional ferrous or ferromagnetic materials along the housing  62 . Thus as the magnet is moved within the housing  62  by the first tip  26  via the wire  30 , the magnet will be attracted to each of the additional ferrous or ferromagnetic materials at a select position thus providing incremental positions for the first tip  26 . Alternatively, the additional ferrous or ferromagnetic materials could be integrated in the housing  62  or the hollow member  52  at the desired locations. 
     Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein. For example, other materials may be used for the components of the retention means or other configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such components could include using a threaded engagement or a friction fit rather than a magnet or the magnet and the ferrous or ferromagnetic members  58 ,  66  could be switched. For example, the magnet  60  shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , would be replaced with a ferrous or ferromagnetic member and the washer  58  and set screw  66  would be magnetic. In this embodiment, the magnets would be stationary and the ferrous or ferromagnetic member would move. Further, the retention means could even be in retained with the tip or butt of the rod.