Abstract:
A fishing pole holder adapted to provide both audible and visual indication of a strike by a fish. The fishing pole holder can be adapted to accommodate a plurality of fishing poles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to fishing equipment and apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to holders and devices adapted for holding fishing poles while fishing, for detecting a strike and providing a visual and audible signal of the strike. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fishing can require a great deal of patience, since the fisherman must often wait quite a long time for a fish to bite. Holding the fishing pole during this entire time can be tedious. Bank or shoreline fishermen are known to use crude fishing pole holders such as a bucket, however, the poles are bound to topple and possibly be dragged into the water. 
   In addition, many fishermen prefer to cast several lines simultaneously to increase the strike rate. However, it is difficult to hold more than one pole at a time and the invention provides an efficient system for holding more than one pole, while allowing them to be picked up quickly and easily when it is necessary to hook and reel in a fish. Further, the prior art namely holds the fishing pole at the handle portion thereof and allows the tip of the pole to be affected by wind and deceiving the fisherman into believing that there is a strike on the line. 
   Furthermore, fisherman often engage in other activities while waiting for a bite on the line, which distractions prevent setting of the hook when a fish has bit. The present invention provides an audible and visual indication that a bite has occurred on the line and the hook needs to be set. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,274 to Hart discloses a fishing pole support comprised of an elongated rod, one portion of which is formed into a continuous series of coils and the remainder of which forms a spike adapted to be inserted in the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,949 to Fliege discloses a pole holder comprised of a resilient wire framework which is adjustably clamped to a rigid mounting means adapted to be securely anchored to the ground or other support. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,069 to Smith discloses a fishing pole support apparatus. The invention teaches a support apparatus that is capable of retaining a fishing pole during use in an inclined position at a selected angle and prevents dirt from coming in contact with the reel. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,803 to Huber, et al discloses a fishing rod holder and method of using it which relate to the use of the holder having a stake for insertion into the ground, and a fishing pole holding member, which is swingably connected to the stake and which can be swung to a storage position adjacent to the stake. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,803 to Shieh discloses an adjustable pole rest which includes a supporting device which consists of two telescopic rods connected by a connector for supporting a fishing rod. When not in use, the telescopic rods of the mounting device can be collapsed, and the balancing devise and the fork of the mounting device can be dismantled, therefore the storage space of the pole rest is greatly reduced. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,996 to Drish discloses a portable fishing pole support holder that is capable of holding a fishing pole in a range of operating positions. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,340 to Fleener discloses a combination rod anchor and fishing tackle box formed of a bottom and molded top in which one or more recesses are formed in the top and a portion of each recess is threaded to receive an essentially hollow tube member which has a threaded external position to mate with the threaded internal recesses of the top member and in which the hollow tube members are adapted to hold fishing rods firmly in place. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,379,379 to James discloses a fishing pole holding assembly which alerts a user if a fish strikes and also provides a place to store beverages. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,557 to Brake discloses a fishing pole holder that signals a viable strike on the lure or bait. 
   The prior art does not address the need for an adjustable fishing pole holder that efficiently provides a visible and audible signal that a fish has struck the bait or lure. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of fishing pole holders that is simpler in both design and use, more economical and efficient in their construction and use, and provides a more secure engagement of the pole. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   Therefore, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that is movable between a stowed position for transporting and storing the holder and an operable position in which the holder is capable of holding at least one fishing pole. 
   It is another objective of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that visually and audibly notifies the user of a strike by a fish. 
   It is another objective of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that is durable yet cost efficient to produce. 
   It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that is capable of being used for shore, boat or pier fishing. 
   It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that is adjustable to accommodate fishing poles of varying length. 
   It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a fishing pole holder that is capable of being used on uneven ground. 
   In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique fishing pole holder is disclosed that is capable of holding at least one fishing pole in a generally cast position. An alternate preferred embodiment of the fishing pole holder is also disclosed which is capable of holding two fishing poles in a cast position. However, it is to be understood that the number of holders can be expanded as needed and the invention is not limited by the number disclosed herein. The holder comprises a first region which is adapted to hold a middle portion of the shaft of a fishing pole and a second region that is adapted to hold the handle portion of a fishing pole. The first region is rotatably attached to the second region such that the holder can vary between a deployed and stowed position to allow portability thereof. A third region has an element thereon that provides a visual and audible indication of a strike on the line. 
   Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a fishing pole holder of the instant invention, illustrating a dual fishing pole holder in a deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a fishing pole holder of the instant invention, illustrating a single pole holder in a deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a fishing pole holder of the instant invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a fishing pole holder of the instant invention, illustrating a dual fishing pole holder in a stowed configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1–4 , there is generally indicated at  10  a fishing pole holder of the present invention capable of holding at least one conventional fishing pole  16 . The holder  10  comprises a first region generally indicated at  12 , a second region generally indicated at  14  and a third region generally indicated at  18 . The first region  12  is in a generally upright position when holder  12  is deployed and is rotatably attached to second region  14  at attaching region  20 . Second region  14  is in a substantially horizontal position when holder  12  is deployed and is in a vertical position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when holder  12  is in a stowed position. 
   Now referring more specifically to  FIG. 2 , holder  10  is shown in a single configuration and it is to be understood that a mirror image of the same taken along a vertical axis produces the two holder configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, the description of the holder in  FIG. 2  is equally applicable to the holder of  FIG. 1 . First region  12  has a leg  22  with a top portion  24  and a bottom portion  26  at opposing ends. Bottom portion  26  is adapted to engage a surface, such as dirt, sand or a dock when bottom portion  26  is exposed, or a rubber cover can be placed over the bottom portion  26  to allow use of the same on a rigid surface. Top portion  24  is constructed to receive a middle region  30  of a fishing pole  28  therein, which fishing pole  28  also has a handle region  32 . In one preferred embodiment, top portion  24  is substantially U shaped. 
   The holder  10  and its components are preferably fabricated from a rigid material, such as, but not limited to metal or plastic. In addition, the components of holder  10  may be constructed of a tubular material to decrease the weight thereof. 
   Third region  18  is defined by a first connector  34  that extends from first leg  22  in a substantially perpendicular manner and attaches to alarm device  36 . Alarm device  36  has a first section  38  that is substantially perpendicular to  34  and extends forward of first leg  22 . A second section  40  curves downwardly from first section  38  and towards first leg  22  and becomes straight and parallel with the first leg  22 . Second section  40  connects with a third section  42  at an end opposing first section  38 , such that third section  42  is parallel to first section  38 . Third section  42  attaches to a second connector  44  which attaches to bottom portion  26  of first leg  22 . 
   An element  46  has an aperture there through that movably accommodates second section  40  therein. In one preferred embodiment, element  46  is spherical and made of cork material. However, it is to be understood that element  46  may be made of any rigid material. Now also referring to  FIG. 3 , element  46  has a protrusion  48  that is preferably curved and adapted to releasably engage and maintain a fishing line  50  when the line  50  is cast. Once a fish strikes the bait or lure, fishing line  50  becomes taught and thereby disengages from protrusion  48  which results in the fall of element  46 . Element  46  falls and strikes third section  42  (phantom lines of  FIG. 3 ) and visually and audibly notifies the user that a fish has taken the bate and it is time to set the hook. In addition, if a fish takes the bate and swims towards the holder  10 , element  46  would descend and ascend on second section  40  indicating that it is time to set the hook. 
   In its operable position, as indicated more clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , second region  14  rotatably engages second connector  44  at attaching region  20 . Attaching region  20  has a cavity  52  in which second connecter  44  is rotatably maintained. Attaching region  20  also has an elongated member  54  that defines a base region  56  at an opposing end to said attaching region  20 . In one preferred embodiment, elongated member  54  is telescoping in nature to allow the adjustment of its length and rotates about its own longitudinal axis. As a result, member  54  and allows holder  10  to accommodate poles  16  of varying length and can be used on uneven surfaces. Base region  56  is substantially T shaped and allows stable resting thereof on any surface. A handle holder  58  extends from base region  56  and is substantially perpendicular to member  54  and has a spiral portion  60 , comprised of a series of coils, to accommodate the handle region  32  of pole  16 . 
   Now referring more specifically to  FIG. 4 , holder  10  is illustrated in its stowed position to allow facile transportability. Base  56  is rotated upwards at attaching region  20  such that member  54  is substantially coplanar with first leg  22 . Handle holder  58  is received within top portion  24  of first region  12 , such that spiral portion  60  is removably retained within first region  12 . First connector  34  can be used as a handle to transport holder  10 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, first region  12  measures 31 inches from top portion  24  to bottom portion  26 . First connector  34  is placed 4 inches below top portion  24 , and in the two holder configuration extends twelve inches between opposing first legs  22  and in the one holder configuration extends for five inches. Second connector  44  is placed three inches above the end of bottom portion  26  and in the two holder configuration extends twelve inches between opposing first legs  22  and in the one holder configuration extends for six inches. First section  38  and third section  42  extend for three inches each and second section  40  is adapted to be 2¾ inches away from first leg  22 . 
   While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.