Abstract:
An automatic alarm system that indicates the presence of a fish strike at an unattended fishing pole comprises a small transmitter located at an upper tip of the fishing pole activated by a motion sensor that energizes a transmitter and a light whenever a fish moves the rod. The sensitivity of the movement is adjustable via a switch, which allows the user to ignore small movement caused by breezes or other effects. A receiver is carried by the fisherman, comprising a small enclosure which is provided with both a vibrating and audible alarm. The receiver is capable of receiving pages up to hundreds of feet away. Both components are powered by user replaceable batteries.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/289,462 filed Dec. 23, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fishing rod alarms, and in particular, to a wireless fishing rod alarm including a variety alarm functions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The technology used by anglers to catch fish has become increasingly complex in nature. Fishermen no longer rely on the traditional hook and worm approach to attract their game. Instead, a broad range of products have hit the market, all designed to aid the fisherman in catching fish more quickly. 
     In general, fishermen have to hold the fishing rod no matter the additional technologies utilized. While some may argue that this is a perfect way to spend a day, long periods of holding a rod while nothing is happening is boring and tedious. 
     As a result, many fishermen resort to attaching or bracing their rod against something while waiting for a fish to bite. While this method may work, it often results in a lost catch or even a lost fishing rod if a fish should strike when the fisherman is away or unaware. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide apparatuses which alert a fisherman as to a bite upon a fishing line. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,688, issued in the name of Sondej et al., describes a fish strike alarm system actuated when a fish pulls downwardly on a fishing line. The Sondej system emits a high pitched alarm or similar indicator means when actuated. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,931, issued in the name of Morris et al., describes an electrical strike alarm including a tension detector placed in line with the fishing line to activate both an audio and visual alarm when a struck fish affects a change in the fishing line tension. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,510, issued in the name of Klein, describes a fishing bobber including a transmitter housed within the bobber which is actuated when a line attached to the bobber is placed under tension such as by a fish. 
     While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such apparatuses include alarms which can be easily missed in many situations. Also, many such apparatuses limit a user&#39;s movement either physically or to a certain range according to the type of alarm. Furthermore, many such apparatuses do not provide features of adjustability which allow a user to adjust parameters of the sensor and alarm to accommodate their particular situation and preferences. In addition, many such apparatus include sensors which are difficult or time consuming to set up or which may require significant resetting between activations. Accordingly, there exists a need for a fish strike alarm without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a reliable, customizable, easily resettable fish strike alarm which does not require the user to remain in visual or auditory range of a fishing rod nor inhibit their movement in any way. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to determine whether an aquatic animal such as a fish has come in contact with a fishing line on an unattended fishing rod and alert a user when this contact occurs. The apparatus includes a sensor/transmitter device attachable to a fishing rod and a pager carried by the user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to receive an alert of contact to the fishing line even when they are a distance away from the fishing rod. This is achieved by wireless transmission of an alert from the sensor/transmitter device to the pager. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to prevent accidental damage to the sensor/transmitter device should the fishing rod fall into water when the user is away by including a waterproof housing. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include an electronic motion sensor which detects motion of the fishing rod or a nearby body of water and produces a signal which can then be transmitted to the pager. The motion sensor preferably includes an ultrasonic motion sensing unit. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor using a sensor switch. In this manner, the user can ensure that incidental motioning of the fishing rod caused by wind or the like does not trip the alarm. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide quick, secure attachment of the sensor/transmitter device to a fishing rod with a rod attachment bracket and a thumb screw. The clamping function of the rod attachment and the adjustable thumb screw enable secure engagement of fishing rod portions of varying diameters. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include a pager enclosure and a clip which enable the user to quickly attach the pager to an article of clothing or similar location. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alert to the user upon receipt of an alert from the sensor/transmitter device by the pager. The pager includes a plurality of alarm functions including a pager light providing a visual alert, a speaker providing an audible alert, and a vibrating mechanism providing a tangible alert. The pager further includes a volume switch for adjusting the volume of the speaker and the power of the vibrating mechanism. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow the user to adjust parameters of transmitting circuitry of the sensor/transmitter and receiving circuitry of the pager in order to facilitate proper operation of the wireless functions of the apparatus over a desired area while conserving battery power. The strength of the transmitting radio frequency and the radio frequency of the receiver are controlled by a transmitter switch and a receiver switch, respectively. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to be able to function as a security device when not used during fishing by utilizing the sensor to monitor a desired physical location and receiving an alert over a distance when that location is disturbed. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of acquiring the apparatus attaching the sensor/transmitter to a desired position on a fishing rod with the thumb screw and the rod attachment; selecting a desired setting for the sensor switch, the transmitter switch, the receiver switch, and the volume switch; placing the pager in a desired secure position on the user by using the clip; transmitting a current from the sensor to the transmitter when an aquatic animal is on the line of the fishing rod; transmitting a signal from the transmitter to the receiver and relaying the received signal to the pager light and audible alerting means with the speaker; retrieving the aquatic animal on the fishing rod in a conventional manner; deactivating the sensor/transmitter and pager as necessary; and repeatedly utilizing the apparatus as desired. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a fish strike alarm  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a sensor/transmitter  20   a , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a rod attachment  29   a , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a pager  30 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the pager  30 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical block diagram of the fish strike alarm  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  fish strike alarm 
               20   a  sensor/transmitter device 
               20   b  sensor/transmitter enclosure 
               21  light 
               22   a  sensor switch 
               22   b  sensor 
               23   a  transmitter switch 
               23   b  transmitter 
               24  on/off switch 
               25  battery compartment 
               26  battery 
               27  brace 
               28   a  thumb screw 
               28   b  aperture 
               29   a  rod attachment 
               29   b  gap 
               30  pager 
               31  pager light 
               32  receiver 
               33  receiver switch 
               34  pager on/off switch 
               35  volume switch 
               36  pager battery compartment 
               37  pager battery 
               38  speaker 
               39  clip 
               40  signal 
               41  pager enclosure 
               45  audible alerting means 
               50  fishing rod 
               60  user 
               70  electrical wiring 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a fish strike alarm (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for determining whether an aquatic animal such as fish or the like has come in contact with an end portion of fishing line on an unattended fishing rod  50 . The apparatus  10  comprises a sensor/transmitter device  20   a  which senses the presence of a fish via a sensor  22   b  and transmits a signal  40  to a pager  30  which alarms a user  60 . Materials required to fabricate said apparatus  10  are readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  enables the user  60  to be a distance away from an existing fishing rod  50  to alarm said user  60  via the pager  30  when an aquatic animal is in contact with the fishing line as abovementioned. The sensor/transmitter  20   a  (also see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is positioned on a desired distal portion of the fishing rod  50  and the pager  30  (also see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is positioned on or carried by a desired portion of the user  60 . The sensor/transmitter  20   a  and the pager  30  are fabricated of plastic in an injection molding process, yet other materials and processes may be utilized without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of sensor/transmitter  20   a  and  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the rod attachment  29   a , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a sensor/transmitter  20   a  which provides for a device which senses a physical stimulus, which is preferably the aquatic animal biting the bait upon the fishing rod  50 , and transmits a signal  40  to the pager  30  via a transmitter  23   b . The sensor/transmitter  20   a  comprises a sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  which comprises an oblong shape, yet other shapes may be provided without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . The sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  is preferably comprised of a water-resistant casing which prohibits the passage of water to internal components. The sensor/transmitter  20   a  is fabricated in a variety of colors to complement and correspond to other fishing gear. 
     A front portion of the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  comprises a light  21 , a transmitter switch  23   a , an on/off switch  24 , and a battery compartment  25 . The sensor/transmitter  20   a  receives power via a conventional user replaceable battery  26  (see  FIG. 6 ) housed within the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  and is accessed via the battery compartment  25 . The electrical signal from the battery  26  is manipulated via a conventional on/off switch  24  which enables the user  60  to position the sensor/transmitter  20   a  to an ON/activated position or an OFF/deactivated position as desired. The on/off switch  24  is preferably a conventional electrical switching device such as, but not limited to: a sliding switch, a pushbutton, a toggle switch, or the like. 
     The light  21  and a sensor  22   b  are positioned on a proximal portion of the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  and provide an illumination means to the sensor/transmitter  20   a  when said sensor  22   b  has been activated to visually indicate to the user  60  that an aquatic animal has made contact with the line. The light  21  and sensor  22   b  are preferably positioned away from the fishing rod  50 . The light  21  is comprised of a light-emitting diode (LED), yet other illumination means may be provided without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . The sensor  22   b  is preferably an ultrasonic motion sensor or detector that transforms physical motion into an electrical signal to be transmitted to the pager  30  via a transmitter  23   b  (see  FIG. 6 ) and also illuminates the light  21 . The sensor  22   b  senses a change in its field of view by sending out pulses to measure the reflection off of the body of water in which the fishing rod  50  is being utilized and may be manipulated with a sensor switch  22   a  located on the pager  30 . The sensor switch  22   a  adjusts the sensitivity of the sensor  22   b . The transmitter  23   b  receives the indication from the sensor  22   b  and sends a signal  40  (see  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) to the pager  30 . The transmitter  23   b  is located at an internal position within the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  and is controlled via a transmitter switch  23   a . The transmitter switch  23   a  is preferably a multi-positional sliding switch which enables the user  60  to adjust the strength of the transmitting radio frequency which is dependant upon the distance between the user  60  and the fishing rod  50 . Other switching devices may be utilized such as, but not limited to: pushbuttons, toggle switches, or the like without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The sensor/transmitter  20   a  is attached to a fishing rod  50  via a rod attachment  29   a  which is attached to the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  via a pair of integrally molded braces  27 . The braces  27  extend downwardly from the sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b  and are fabricated from a material similar to said sensor/transmitter enclosure  20   b . The rod attachment  29   a  comprises a “C”-shaped form which encompasses a desired portion of the fishing rod  50 . The fishing rod  50  is set within a gap  29   b  of the rod attachment  29   a  to partially encompass an exterior portion of said fishing rod  50 . The gap  29   b  will preferably correspond to the average outer diameters of most fishing rods  50 . The rod attachment  29   a  is adjusted and secured to the fishing rod  50  with a digit-operated clamping device which includes a thumb screw  28   a . The thumb screw  28   a  engages an aperture  28   b  on the rod attachment  29   a  and further the exterior surface of the fishing rod  50  to tighten or loosen said rod attachment  29   a  to a desired position upon said fishing rod  50 . The thumb screw  28   a  and aperture  28   b  preferably comprise opposing threads which engage each other in a common fashion. The rod attachment  29   a  and thumb screw  28   a  are fabricated from or coated with non-damaging materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, rubber, or the like so as to prohibit marring of the fishing rod  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a front perspective view of the pager  30  and  FIG. 5 , a rear perspective view of the pager  30 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a rectangular pager  30  which alerts the user  60  that the sensor  22   b  has been activated. The pager  30  includes a pager enclosure  41  to provide protection of internal devices. The pager enclosure  41  is secured in a downwardly hanging position via a conventional clip  39 . The clip  39  is located on a rear surface of the pager enclosure  41  and enables the user  60  to slidably engage said pager enclosure  41  to a secured position within a pocket or belt as desired. The clip  39  is integrally molded or attached via mechanical fastening devices to the pager enclosure  41  and is preferably fabricated from flexible materials such as, but not limited to: spring steel, plastic, or the like. The pager enclosure  41  is fabricated from a water-resistant material similar to the sensor/transmitter  20   a.    
     A front portion of the pager enclosure  41  comprises a sensor switch  22   a , a pager light  31 , a receiver  32 , a receiver switch  33 , a pager on/off switch  34 , a volume switch  35 , and a speaker  38 . As abovementioned, the sensor switch  22   a  adjusts the sensitivity of the sensor  22   b  so as to differentiate between strong winds or the like and an actual aquatic animal. The receiver  32  enables the pager  30  to obtain the signal  40  from the transmitter  23   b  and further alert the user  60  with a sound or vibration. The radio frequency of the receiver  32  is adjusted via a multi-position receiver switch  33  which enables the user  60  to adjust the strength of the transmitting radio frequency. The receiver switch  33  is preferably multi-positional sliding switch, yet other switching devices may be utilized such as, but not limited to: pushbuttons, toggle switches, or the like. 
     The pager  30  comprises a conventional pager on/off switch  34  which enables the user  60  to activate and deactivate said pager  30 . The on/off switch  34  is comprises a switching device such as, but not limited to: a pushbutton, a toggle switch, a sliding switch, or the like. In an ON position the pager  30  receives current from a conventional user replaceable pager battery  37  which is enclosed in a pager battery compartment  36  which activates the pager  30 . In an OFF position the current from the pager battery  37  is deactivated which prohibits the flow of current. The pager battery compartment  36  is depicted as being located on a side surface of the pager enclosure  41  for illustration purposes only, it is known that other locations may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The pager  30  also comprises a pager light  31  which provides an illuminating warning means to the user  60 . The pager light visually alerts said user  60  that the sensor  22   b  on the sensor/transmitter  20   a  has been activated. The pager light  31  is preferably an LED, yet other illumination devices may be utilized without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . 
     The pager  30  further comprises a conventional volume switch  35  which provides an adjustable controlling device to an audible or tangible alerting means  45  (see  FIG. 6 ) such as a sound or vibration as abovementioned. The audible altering means  45  to be broadcasted via a conventional speaker  38  located on the pager  30 . The volume switch  35  comprises a switching device such as, but not limited to: a pushbutton, a toggle switch, a sliding switch, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The sensor/transmitter  20   a  receives power from the battery  26  which is accessed via the battery compartment  25  and interconnected via electrical wiring  70  to the corresponding internal components. With the on/off switch  24  positioned in an activated position the current is able is activate the light  21 , the sensor  22   b , the transmitter switch  23   a , and the transmitter  23   b . In use, as an aquatic animal comes in contact with the fishing line on the fishing rod  50  the sensor  22   b  will illuminate the light  21  and activate the transmitter  23   b  to send a signal  40  to activate the pager  30 . 
     The pager  30  receives power from the pager battery  37  which is accessed via the pager battery compartment  36  and interconnected via electrical wiring  70  to the corresponding internal components. With the pager on/off switch  34  activated current is able to activate the receiver  32  which accepts the signal  40  from the transmitter  23   b . This concurrently illuminates the pager light  31  and broadcasts the audible alerting means  45  through the speaker  38 . The sensor switch  22   a , receiver switch  33 , and volume switch  35  may also be manipulated with the pager  30  in an activated state. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; attaching the sensor/transmitter  20   a  to a desired position on a fishing rod  50  by loosening the thumb screw  28   a  from the aperture  28   b  and positioning the rod attachment  29   a  around a desired surface upon the fishing rod  50 ; tightening the thumb screw  28   a  within the aperture  28   b  to secure the rod attachment  29   a  in the desired position; position the on/off switch  24  in an activated position; positioning the pager on/off switch  34  in an activated position; selecting a desired setting for the sensor switch  22   a , the transmitter switch  23   a , the receiver switch  33 , and the volume switch  35 ; placing the pager  30  in a desired secure position on the user  60  via the clip  39 ; allowing the sensor  22   b  to transmit a current to the transmitter  23   b  and illuminate the light  21  when an aquatic animal is on the line of the fishing rod  50 ; allowing the transmitter  23   b  to transmit a signal  40  to the receiver  32  and relaying the received signal  40  to the pager light  31  and audible alerting means  45  via a speaker  38 ; retrieving the aquatic animal on the fishing rod  50  in a conventional manner; deactivating the sensor/transmitter  20   a  and pager  30  as necessary; utilizing the apparatus  10  as necessary; and, determining the presence of an aquatic animal on an unattended fishing rod  50  as desired. 
     The method of alternately utilizing the apparatus  10  as a security system may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; attaching the sensor/transmitter  20   a  to a desired position on a door, window, or the like by loosening the thumb screw  28   a  from the aperture  28   b  and positioning the rod attachment  29   a  around the desired surface; tightening the thumb screw  28   a  within the aperture  28   b  to secure the rod attachment  29   a  in the desired position; position the on/off switch  24  in an activated position; positioning the pager on/off switch  34  in an activated position; selecting a desired setting for the sensor switch  22   a , the transmitter switch  23   a , the receiver switch  33 , and the volume switch  35 ; placing the pager  30  in a desired secure position on the user  60  via the clip  39 ; allowing the sensor  22   b  to transmit a current to the transmitter  23   b  and illuminate the light  21  when an intruder or unwanted disturbance activates said sensor  22   b ; allowing the transmitter  23   b  to transmit a signal  40  to the receiver  32  and relaying the received signal  40  to the pager light  31  and audible alerting means  45  via a speaker  38 ; taking care of the intruder or disturbance in a conventional manner; deactivating the sensor/transmitter  20   a  and pager  30  as necessary; utilizing the apparatus  10  as necessary; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  as a security system as desired. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.