Abstract:
The instant invention proposes to utilize a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix to construct superior outriggers that do not require cable truss systems for support. By utilizing the aforementioned materials, the thickness and flex characteristics of the outrigger can be tailored and controlled. The combination of utilizing a non-circular cross section, an ellipse for example, allows the bending stiffness in the fore-aft and lateral planes to be tailored individually for optimum outrigger performance. The separate control of the bi-directional bending properties will allow a much higher control of fishing baits during trolling.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of fishing and more particularly to a multi-ply composite tubular outrigger for use on fishing boats.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In sportfishing operations, a conventional procedure is to troll fishing lines astern of the fishing boat from outrigger devices that hold the lines sufficiently spaced apart to prevent the lines from becoming entangled with one another while allowing the vessel to cover larger areas of water.  
           [0003]    Outriggers in the trolling position allow more than one bait to be effectively attached to each outrigger without the danger of entanglement. To position multiple lines along the beam of an outrigger, the fishing pole line is secured to release clips attached to a positioning line that is drawn along the length of the outrigger pole to a desired location. When a fish strikes the bait, the release clip disengages the fishing line from the positioning line, and the fisherman is free to reel in the fish without interference. Proper placement of the outrigger pole and fishing line increases the chances of fish being drawn to the bait.  
           [0004]    On large offshore sportfishing boats, the outrigger devices are typically of the tubular, cable trussed, mast type having the inboard end pivotally secured to a portion of the boat. A plurality of boom elements enable the outrigger to be held either in a stowage or trolling position while permitting movement between the two positions.  
           [0005]    Typically, each outrigger device includes an elongated tubular structure, e.g. 10-40 feet long, having its inboard end fastened to the boat in a manner that allows the outboard or distal end to be moved from a stowage position to a fishing position. In order to minimize weight, outrigger poles are generally constructed from aluminum tubing. On smaller boats, an outrigger system can be a simple pole that carries the rigging halyard. However, on larger boats the outriggers can be as long as 40 feet; a simple aluminum pole of this length would bend and/or buckle under the loads imposed by wave action. In order to minimize weight and maintain rigidity of the long poles, the prior art typically utilizes a relatively small diameter center tube with a plurality of longitudinal cable trusses to increase its structural rigidity.  
           [0006]    The prior art is functional, but it has a number of drawbacks. Cable trusses are generally unappealing in appearance, create a significant amount of wind noise even at relatively low speeds and require a significant amount of space due to the spreader arms that carry the truss cable guides. Additionally, the cable trusses tend to corrode due to the harsh atmosphere in which they are used and require a considerable amount of maintenance. The different expansion rates of the cable and the pole can create even more problems. A relatively small change in temperature can cause the cable trusses to become loose and allow the pole to bend or become extremely tight and overload the cables or the cable guides.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, what is lacking in the art is an aesthetically appealing outrigger that provides controllable thickness and flex characteristics for outrigger sportfishing without the high maintenance, space requirements, and wind noise of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The objectives are accomplished in accordance with the invention by the provision of an improved outrigger assembly constructed with a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix that is mounted on sport fishing boats for movement between an inboard storage position and an outboard fishing position.  
           [0009]    Outriggers of the prior art are almost always straight circular aluminum shafts with cable truss systems to support the extended lengths required for large boats. The instant invention proposes to utilize a judicious selection of materials and cross-sectional geometric shapes to construct superior outriggers that do not require cable truss systems for support. By utilizing the aforementioned materials the thickness and flex characteristics of the outrigger can be tailored and controlled. The combination of utilizing a non-circular cross section, an ellipse for example, allows the bending stiffness in the fore-aft and lateral planes to be tailored individually for optimum outrigger performance. The separate control of the bi-directional bending properties will allow a much higher control of fishing baits during trolling.  
           [0010]    In addition, the ability to cost effectively produce an outrigger having a varying non-circular cross section will greatly increase the design flexibility for outriggers and lead to the development of outriggers with higher aerodynamic performance. Composite materials have the ability to be formed into aerodynamically advantageous cross-sectional shapes. For example, ellipse, teardrop, and diamond non-circular shapes reduce wind drag and wind noise normally associated with the current designs.  
           [0011]    An essential component of the instant invention is the use of composite materials, more generally, heat curable synthetic resins reinforced with structural fibers. More specifically, the composite materials used in the construction of the outrigger contains a plurality of organic fiber layers, the fibers comprising each layer being oriented at a specific angle depending on the design requirement, and all of these sheets being impregnated with a resin that hardens to form the finished outrigger.  
           [0012]    In addition to the structural advantages provided by the composite structure, the ability to form devices such as video or still cameras integrally into the outrigger to capture the fishing action is now attainable. If desired multiple cameras can be integrated into the outrigger, eliminating external mounts and wires while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.  
           [0013]    Accordingly, a primary objective of the instant invention is to teach the use of an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix that provides an increase in rigidity of the outrigger pole with minimal weight.  
           [0014]    Another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix having reduced space requirements.  
           [0015]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix having a variable cross-section along its length, e.g. wherein the chord and/or thickness of each tube may change over the length of the tube in order to increase strength at the points of greatest stress while reducing weight.  
           [0016]    Still another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix wherein the utilization of non-circular cross sections allows the bending stiffness in the fore-aft and lateral planes to be tailored for optimum outrigger performance.  
           [0017]    Yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix wherein the tubes are shaped to provide enhanced aerodynamic performance.  
           [0018]    Still yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix wherein the tubes are shaped to provide a high structural performance.  
           [0019]    Still yet another objective of the instant invention is to teach an outrigger utilizing a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix wherein the outrigger is configured to contain at least one camera.  
           [0020]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objectives and features thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view illustrating the multi-ply composite outrigger of the instant invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a plane side view of the outrigger mast of the instant invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is an partial isometric view of the foot member of the outrigger mast assembly;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the collar member of the outrigger mast assembly;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the base member;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the typical universal joint;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a plane side view of the back tube assembly of the instant invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 7 showing the sliding and locking cooperation of the back tube assembly of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is an exploded plane side view of the layout tube assembly of the instant invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the layout tube assembly;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is an isometric section view illustrating the preferred shape and multi-layer composite construction of the tubular members of the instant invention; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 1 set forth is a fishing vessel  10  having a centrally located cabin  12 . The outrigger device  14  of the current invention comprises an outrigger mast assembly  16 , a layout tube assembly  20 , a back tube assembly  18 , and a docking tube assembly  22 . The docking tube assembly  22  functions generally as a means for maintaining the outrigger mast  24  in a stowed position, while the layout tube assembly  20  and the back tube assembly  18  function generally as a means for maintaining the outrigger mast in a fishing position.  
         [0033]    Now referring to FIGS.  2 - 5 , the outrigger mast assembly  16  includes an elongated composite tube  24  having an inboard portion  26  and an outboard end portion  28 . Fixedly attached to the inboard end portion  26  of the composite tube  24  is a foot member  34 , the foot member  34  being constructed as a conjugate sleeve extending around and gripping at least part of the inboard end portion  26  of the composite tube  24 . A typical base member  30  is securely attached to a surface of the boat and constructed to allow the outrigger mast  16  to move between a stowage position and a fishing position. A typical universal joint member  32  pivotally secures the inboard end portion  26  of the outrigger mast assembly  16  to the base member  30  via the foot member  34 . A conjugate collar member  36  is sized to encircle the outrigger mast tube  24  at a position between the inboard end  26  and the outboard end  28  and fixedly attached to the mast tube  24 . The collar member is constructed and arranged to allow releaseable attachment of the back tube assembly  18 , the layout tube assembly  20 , and the docking tube assembly  22 . The tip member  38  is secured to the outboard end  28  of the composite tube  24 . The tip member  38  in the preferred embodiment is constructed and arranged to contain a camera as well as for aesthetic appearance and/or aerodynamic purposes. The tip member  38  may be attached to the mast tube  24  by any suitable means well known in the art, but preferrably utilizes a conjugate sleeve arrangement.  
         [0034]    Now referring to FIG. 3, the conjugate sleeve arrangement of the foot member  34  in relation to the inboard end  26  of the outrigger mast tube  24  is shown. The conjugate sleeve arrangement allows attachment to the sides and/or the ends of the composite tubes thereby providing added strength and rigidity to the outrigger assembly  14 . The typical conjugate sleeve arrangement is utilized to attach the foot  34  and tip members to the various tube members throughout the outrigger assembly  14 . The conjugate sleeve of the foot member  34  being attached to the inboard end  26  of the mast tube  24  by any suitable means well known in the art, which may include but should not be limited to glueing, bolting, clamping, pinning or the like. It is also understood and anticipated that the foot, tip, and sleeve members could be formed integrally to the outrigger mast tube.  
         [0035]    Now referring to FIG. 5, the base member is illustrated. The base member is constructed and arranged to fixedly cooperate with a surface of the fishing vessel and flexibly cooperate with a tube assembly via a universal joint. The base member is constructed with a generally flat base surface  54 . The base surface  54  can be mounted against any generally flat fishing vessel surface using fasteners and/or adhesives that are well known in the art. The base is also provided with a universal joint yoke  42  and a pin bore  56  for cooperation with a central bearing block  32  to provide pivotal movement to the tube assemblies.  
         [0036]    Now referring to FIG. 6, the central bearing block member  32  of one of the typical universal joint assemblies  40  is illustrated. The universal joint assembly generally includes two yokes, the central bearing block, and two pins that pass through the central bearing block at right angles. The central bearing block  32  is constructed to allow a first end  46  to cooperate with a base yoke  42  and a first pin  44 , while the second end  48  cooperates with a foot yoke  50  and a second pin  52 . In this manner the universal joint allows the outrigger tube assemblies to be pivoted between an inboard position and an outboard position. It is also understood and anticipated that other types of universal joints well known to those skilled in the art could be substituted for the universal joint described.  
         [0037]    Now referring to FIG. 7, the back tube assembly  18  is illustrated. The back tube assembly  18  is constructed and arranged to provide support to the outrigger beam assembly  16  while allowing the outrigger beam in the stowed position to be manually lowered to pass under bridges or other obstructions. The back tube assembly preferably includes an outer composite tube and a telescoping inner composite tube. The outer composite tube  58  includes a foot member  34  cooperating with a base member  30  via a universal joint  40  for pivotal movement and a lock assembly  60  to control telescoping of the inner tube  62 . The inner composite tube  62  is constructed to telescope through the lock assembly  60  and into the outer tube  58 . In this manner the length of the back tube assembly can be manually adjusted. The head  64  of the inner tube  62  pivotally cooperates with the outrigger beam sleeve  36 .  
         [0038]    Now referring to FIG. 8, a section view along lines  2 - 2  of the lock assembly  60  is illustrated. The lock assembly  60  is constructed and arranged for conjugate sleeve engagement between the lock housing  68  and the outer tube  58  of the back tube  18  assembly; the lock housing  68  being attached to the outer tube  58  by any suitable means well known in the art which may include but should not be limited to glueing, bolting, clamping, pinning or the like. The typical conjugate sleeve arrangement is utilized to attach the lock assemblies  60  to the tube members throughout the outrigger assembly  14 . The overlapping arrangement allows attachment to the sides and/or the ends of the composite tubes thereby providing added strength and rigidity to the telescoping back tube assembly  18 . The lock release  66  is pivotally attached to the lock housing  68  and preferably biased to the locked position.  
         [0039]    Now referring to FIG. 9, the layout tube assembly  22  is illustrated. The layout tube assembly  20  is constructed and arranged to attach to the fishing vessel via a base member  30  and a universal joint  40  and the foot member  34 . The attachment point of the layout tube assembly  22  should be at a point on the fishing vessel  10  above the attachment point of the outrigger mast assembly  16  and the back tube assembly  18 . The layout tube assembly  22  includes a first tube  70 , a second tube  72 , and an elbow joint  74  that allows the layout tube  22  to fold when the outrigger assembly  14  is in the stowed position and straighten when the outrigger assembly  14  is in the fishing position. The elbow  74  includes two yokes  76 , a bar joint  78 , and a pair of pivot pins  80  that cooperate to allow the elbow to pivot about 180° in either direction.  
         [0040]    Now referring to FIG. 10, the docking tube assembly  22  is illustrated. The docking hook assembly  80  includes a composite tube member  84 , a hook member  86 , and a yoke member  76 . The docking hook assembly is constructed and arranged to attach to the fishing vessel  10  via a base member  30 , a universal joint  40 , and the yoke member  76 . The docking hook assembly releasably engages the collar member  36  of the outrigger beam  24  to hold the outrigger assembly  14  in the stowed position. Disengaging the docking hook assembly  22  from the collar  36  allows the outrigger assembly  14  to pivot into the fishing position.  
         [0041]    Now referring to FIG. 11, the composite tube construction utilized throughout the preferred embodiment is illustrated. The tubes are generally elliptical shaped multi-ply composite tubular structures of fibers and a polymer matrix. The benefits of carbon and other high modulus fiber reinforcements, i.e. high strength and low weight, are well known. The composite materials used are generally heat curable synthetic resins reinforced with structural fibers. More specifically, the composite material used in construction of the tubes contains a plurality of organic fiber layers, the fibers composing each layer being oriented at a specific angle depending on the design requirement, and all of the layers being impregnated with a resin which hardens to form a finished tubular component.  
         [0042]    The composite tubular construction allows the tubes to be tailored to a particular need. The tubes can be constructed with a generally constant thickness and diameter over their length or they can be constructed with varying thickness and diameter over their length to provide strength to the areas of the greatest stress concentration. In a preferred embodiment the outrigger pole  24  is constructed thicker and wider at the inboard end  26  than at the middle and outboard end  28 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art the fibers may be woven, wrapped, or layered into the polymer matrix directionally or randomly to provide different characteristics to the tubes. This construction also allows numerous different cross sectional shapes to be constructed which may include but should not be limited to round, square, rectangle, ellipse, teardrop, and diamond.  
         [0043]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.  
         [0044]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.  
         [0045]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.