Abstract:
A portable fishing pole holder is a device for supporting a fishing pole without manually holding the pole. It is a substantially “Y” shaped frame which further comprises a support and an anchor. The support contains the fishing pole. The anchor secures the fishing pole holder. Optionally, the fishing pole holder includes a bridging member to more securely contain the fishing pole. The an anchor for securing the in which the fishing pole is placed while fishing. The other end is used to anchor the device. Optionally, it has members to more securely support the fishing pole or to more securely anchor the device.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to provisional application 60/932,262, which has a filing date of May 30, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to fishing pole holding devices, more specifically fishing pole holding devices which are portable. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An individual might wish to fish at a remote destination which can be a significant distance from a car, boat or cabin. Once the individual reaches the fishing destination, he might seek to place fishing bait secured to fishing line and fishing pole in the water. After placing the bait in the water, the fishermen would like to be free from manually holding the fishing pole, yet keep the fishing pole in sight to see any motion on the fishing line or pole and to minimize the risk of losing the pole to a fish while it is not held. Currently, a fishermen would be forced to lean the fishing pole against a rock or on the ground. For the foregoing reasons, such a person would find it helpful to have a portable fishing pole holder. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a fishing pole holder that can be carried by a fisherman. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device that satisfies the need for a portable device that supports fishing poles without the need of the fisherman to manually hold the fishing pole while fishing. These embodiments can be quickly and conveniently anchored and unanchored without the use of additional tools. These embodiments allow fishing poles to be placed so that the fishing pole and fishing line can be easily monitored by the fisherman. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a front side view of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a rear side view of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a left side view of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a right side view of an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    One embodiment of the fishing pole holder comprises a generally “Y” shaped frame which further comprises two members. The first support member  10  is a bent shaft. Optionally, the shaft may be curved. It&#39;s unbent length ranges from about 2 to 14 inches. The second anchor member  11  is a substantially straight shaft ranging from about 6 to 60 inches in length. The first end  13  of the second member  11  is joined to the first member  10 , preferably at the elbow  14  of the first member  10 . The second end  15  of the second member  11  extends downwardly from the first member  10 . The two members  10   11  may be composed of any rigid material, including wood, ceramics, polymers, or metals. 
         [0014]    A second embodiment of the fishing pole holder comprises a generally “Y” shaped frame and an additional bridging member  16 . The frame further comprises two members  10   11 . The first support member  10  is a bent shaft with slots on both ends. Optionally, the shaft may be curved. It&#39;s unbent length ranges from about 2 to 14 inches. The second anchor member  11  is a substantially straight shaft ranging from about 6 to 60 inches in length. The first end  13  of the second member  11  is joined to the first member  10 , preferably at the elbow  14  of the first member  10 . The second end  15  of the second member  11  extends downwardly form the first member  10 . The additional bridging member  16  is a straight shaft with recessed ends. Its length varies, being long enough to bridge the two ends  17   18  of the first member. When this second embodiment is used, the recessed ends of the additional bridging member are placed into the slots of the first member. Those skilled in the art would appreciate methods other than a slot and recess pairing to secure the two members. All members may be composed of any rigid material, including wood, ceramics, polymers, or metals. 
         [0015]    A third embodiment of the fishing pole holder comprises a generally “Y” shaped frame which further comprises three members  10   11   12 . The first support member  10  is a bent shaft. Optionally, the shaft may be curved. It&#39;s unbent length ranges from about 2 to 14 inches. The second anchor member  11  is a substantially straight shaft ranging from about 6 to 60 inches in length. The first end  13  of the second member  11  is joined to the first member  10 , preferably at the elbow  14  of the first member  10 . The second end  15  of the second member  11  extends downwardly from the first member  10 . The third member  12  is spiral shaped and extends downwardly from the second end  15  of the second member  11 . The height of the spiral should be about 2 to 24 inches and the diameter of the spiral should be about 1 to 12 inches. All members may be composed of any rigid material, including wood, ceramics, polymers, or metals. 
         [0016]    A fourth embodiment of the fishing pole holder comprises a generally “Y” shaped frame which further comprises three members  10   11   12 . 
         [0017]    The first support member  10  is a bent shaft with a gripping surface on one end. Optionally, the shaft may be curved. At least a portion of the gripping surface has small grooves, The grooves give the gripping surface the consistency of a textured surface material such as sandpaper or a file. The first member&#39;s  10  unbent length ranges from about 2 to 14 inches. The second anchor member  11  is a substantially straight shaft ranging from about 6 to 60 inches in length. The first end  13  of the second member  11  is joined to the first member  10 , preferably at the elbow  14  of the first member  10 . The second end  15  of the second member  11  extends downwardly from the first member  10 . A third bridging member  16  is a substantially straight shaft with a second gripping surface  19  on one end. Its length varies, being substantially the distance between the ends  17   18  of the first member  10 . 
         [0018]    The second end  17  of the first member  10  is joined to the second end  20  of the third member  16 . One method of joining the ends  17   20  is via a hinge  22  such that the third member  16  rotates in a manner substantially coplanar with the first and second members  10   11 . The selected hinge  22  should provide sufficient resistance to handle the jostling of a fishing pole when it is placed inside the enclosure created by hinging the first and third members  10   16 . Optionally, the selected hinge  22  can have play  23  so that the hinged end  20  of the third member  16  can move slightly out of plane. This play allows additional motion of the fishing pole within the fishing pole holder, enhancing the ability to monitor the fishing pole for activity. Additionally, the play allows less resistance on the fishing line, enhancing the ability to catch fish who may be sensitive to the resistance on fishing line when engaging the bait. All members may be composed of any rigid material, including wood, ceramics, polymers, or metals. However, the preferred material is stainless steel. 
         [0019]    In the above embodiment, the fisherman would first carry the fishing pole holder to a desired location and anchor the device into the ground. Then he would open the unhinged end  21  of the third member  16 . Next, he would place the fishing pole vertically next to the device, leaning part of the fishing pole into the elbow  14  in the first member  10 . Finally, the unhinged end  21  of the third member  16  is closed, leaving the fishing pole secured in the enclosed region. The fisherman is then free to move about and can monitor the fishing pole for activity. 
         [0020]    While the foregoing detailed description has disclosed several embodiments of the fishing pole holder, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. For example, one embodiment uses grooves  19  to secure the members&#39;  10   16  ends. However, other options may include surface to surface contact with smooth nongripping surface ends, matching slots, matching corrugated ends, or other means in the art. For example, one embodiment uses a hinge  22  to join the members  10   16 . However, other options to join the members  10   16  may include riveting, a prefabricated screw and bolt, or other means in the art. For example, an embodiment uses a spiral shaped member  12  as an anchor. However, other options for an anchor may include a straight sharpened end, a set of legs configured as a tripod, or other means in the art. It will be appreciated that the discussed embodiments and other unmentioned embodiments may be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the single claim below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.