Abstract:
A fishing light stringer system having: a multiplicity of lights, each light configurable to attach to a fishing rod eyelet, an electrical distribution system connected to the multiplicity of lights, wherein the electrical distribution system has a battery pack and wires, such that the electrical distribution system forms a complete circuit with the lights, so that when the electrical distribution system is connected to the multiplicity of lights and the multiplicity of lights are attached to the fishing rod eyelets, each eyelet is illuminated.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present inventive subject matter claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application 61/178,983 submitted Mar. 17, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present inventive subject matter relates to apparatus and methods for the illumination of the eyelets of fishing rods. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,348 issued on Sep. 14, 2004 to Kneller, et. al describes a fishing rod with a lighting element on the end of the rod. The figures in this patent do not depict illumination of the individual eyes on the rod. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,403 issued on Dec. 24, 1996 to Ward describes a fishing rod with a lighting elements along the length of the rod. The figures in this patent do not depict illumination of the individual eyes on the rod. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,618 issued on Oct. 3, 1978, to Ulster describes a fishing rod with a lighting elements also along the length of the rod. The figures in this patent do not depict illumination of the individual eyes on the rod. 
         [0006]    Therefore it is an object of the inventive subject matter to provide a light stringer with a battery pack that can be attached to any fish rod to illuminate the eyelets of the fishing rod. 
         [0007]    Therefore it is the object of the inventive subject matter to provide a light stringer with a battery pack with color variation that can be attached to the eyelets of any fishing pole. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present inventive subject matter overcomes problems in the prior art by having in the preferred embodiment a fishing light stringer system having a multiplicity of lights, each light configurable to attach to a fishing rod eyelet, a electrical distribution system connected to the multiplicity of lights, wherein the electrical distribution system has a battery pack and wires, such that the electrical distribution system forms a complete circuit with the lights, so that when the electrical distribution system is connected to the multiplicity of lights and the multiplicity of lights are attached to the fishing rod eyelets, each eyelet is illuminated. The fishing light stringer system wherein each light is a light emitting diode (L.E.D.). The fishing light stringer system wherein the multiplicity of lights further has the number of lights is selected from a group consisting of 4 lights, 5 lights, 6 lights, 7 lights, 8 lights, and 10 lights. The fishing light stringer system as further having a battery pack, the battery pack selected from a group comprising 18 volts, 24 volts, and 30 volts. The fishing light stringer system as in claim  1  wherein the lights further having one of the lights illuminated in red; one of the lights illuminated in white; and one of the lights illuminated in blue; such that the lights ornamentally project the colors of the American flag. 
         [0009]    A method for illuminating eyelets on fishing rods, said method selecting a multiplicity of lights matching one or more lights to an eyelet wiring the lights in series, connecting the lights to a battery pack, so that when the electrical circuit is completed, the lights are illuminated on or near each eyelet. 
         [0010]    These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the following detailed descriptions and the figures. 
         [0011]    The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the present inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of the light stringers with the battery packs. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of the alternative embodiment of the light stringer with red, white, and blue lights (aka Patriot lights). 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of the alternate embodiment of the clear blue and white stringers. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the alternate embodiment of the multi-light stringer. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of the battery pack configurations 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  are plans for a tube battery and supply and caps. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
           110 —Fishing Rod 
           120 —Reel 
           130 —Line 
           140 —Grip 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Representative embodiments according to the inventive subject matter are shown in  FIGS. 1-8  wherein similar features share common reference numerals. Now referring to  FIG. 1  which depicts the preferred embodiment of the inventive subject matter. A typical fishing pole  100  has a grip  140 , a reel  120 , line  130 A,  130 B, a rod  110 . The line  130 A, 130 B is fed by the reel  120 , through the eyelets, and into the water  160 . 
         [0023]    An embodiment of the inventive subject matter provides for the attachment of a light stringer connect to the fishing pole  100 . The light stringer consists of a battery pack  170 , conductive wire  190 , and lights  180 . In one configuration of the light stringer, the battery pack  170  is attached to the grip  140 , and the lights  180  are attached to the eyelets  150 . 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 2  which depicts the light stringer  200  separated from the fishing pole  100 . As noted the light stringer consists of a battery pack  170 , conductive wire  190 , and lights  180 . Those skilled in the arts will recognize that the electrical wire forms a complete circuit from the battery pack  170 , through the conductive wire  190 , and passing current through the lights  180 . 
         [0025]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  which depicts a schematic for the light stringer  200 . The electrical operation of the light stringer involves a battery  220 , an optional current limiting resistor, a light  180 , and conductive wire  190 . Those skilled in the arts will recognize that the lights  180  can be light emitting diodes, incandescent lamps, or other illumination technologies (such as fluorescent and/or halogen lamps). 
         [0026]    Although numerous configurations exist involving the arrangement of L.E.D&#39;s, batteries, and wire; the following are representative examples as shown in Table 1: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Configuration 
                 Battery Pack 
                 Lights 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. 
                 18 V 
                 5-6 
                 LED&#39;s in series 
               
               
                 2. 
                 24 V 
                 7-8 
                 LED&#39;s in series 
               
               
                 3. 
                 30 V 
                 10 
                 LED&#39;s in series 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    As noted the lights  180  may be affixed to each of the individual eyelets  150  on the fishing rod in a 1 to 1 configuration. Furthermore the Lights may be configured as one color, or as alternating colors, such as RED-YELLOW-GREEN. 
         [0028]    An alternative ornamental configuration involving the alternating colors for the lights in the configuration of RED-WHITE-BLUE. This alternative embodiment of the ornamental configuration (e.g. specific colors on the eyelets) may be done such that there are more RED lights than WHITE or BLUE lights. 
         [0000]    Other configurations exist as shown in Table 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Configuration 
                 Battery Pack 
                 Lights 
                 LED Voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 4. 
                 24 V 
                 7 LED&#39;s 
                 3.6 
                 v 
               
               
                   
                 5. 
                 18 V 
                 5 LED&#39;s 
                 3.6 
                 v 
               
               
                   
                 6. 
                 24 V 
                 5 LED&#39;s 
                 4.5 
                 v or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 3.7 
                 v (Blue) 
               
               
                   
                 7. 
                 30 V 
                 6 LED&#39;s 
                 4.5 
                 v or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 3.7 
                 v 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]    Further ornamental configurations existing that depict different configurations for the stringers. For example, one configuration may have a 5, 6, and 8 light  180  light stringer with alternating blue and clear lights. 
         [0030]    Further alternate battery pack configurations exists and may be implemented by those with skill in the electrical arts. By assembling a certain number of batteries in series the proper voltage may be obtained. In the case where an individual battery is 1.5V, then TABLE 3 depicts the configurations needed to obtain a specific voltage: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Configuration 
                 Voltage 
                 # Packs 
                 # 1.5 Volt Batteries 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 1. 
                 18 V 
                 1.5 
                 12 Batteries 
               
               
                   
                 2. 
                 24 V 
                 2.0 
                 16 Batteries 
               
               
                   
                 3. 
                 30 V 
                 2.5 
                 20 Batteries 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    Although the installation and configuration of batteries are well known to those in the electrical arts, a preferred embodiment has the battery packs assembled, encased in a rubber tubing, and the rubber tubing heat shrunk around the battery packs to provide resistance to the elements. Alternately the battery packs may be manufactured using an aluminum exterior shell with non-conductive contact points. 
         [0032]    Now referring to the schematic diagram as show on  FIG. 4 . This schematic is an alternate embodiment of the circuit as shown in  FIG. 3 . Here the lights  180  are placed in parallel with the battery pack  320 . Current flows through the parallel current limiting resistors  310 . Those skilled in the arts will recognize that a combination of parallel-series lamp circuits may also be used to produce the desired effect. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 5  which shows an embodiment of the battery pack located inside the grip  140  of the fishing pole  100 . This embodiment has the advantage that an external battery pack is not needed and the batteries may be inserted and removed a screw plug at the base of the grip. Those skill in the arts will recognize that this screw plug arrangement is used in flashlights. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 6  which shows an detailed view of the pole  110  and the eyelet  150 . The light  180  is attached to the eyelet  150  in a manner that the light  180  does not become detached from the eyelet during normal use. Various types of attachments  610  may be used, including, but not limited to: mechanical metal clips, plastic clips, and/or fabric type clips, which may include hook and loop type connectors, such as, Velcro®. 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates an alternate embodiment of an eyelet—pole configuration. In this embodiment, the eyelet  150  is bifurcated into two sections,  150 A, and  150 B, each side carrying current from and to the light. This provides for ease of attaching lights and a reduction in wiring to the light  180 . 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , which illustrates a further alternate embodiment of the pole-eyelet configuration. This configuration has the light  810  mounted inside the pole which is translucent. Light  820  is transmitted through the pole  110 . This further reduces the need for exterior wiring. The lights may also be mounted either adjacent to and/or in-between the eyelets  150 . 
         [0037]    Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive concept and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein. 
         [0038]    All patent and non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporated by references in its entirety for all purposes.