Abstract:
A sport fishing outrigger assembly is disclosed that includes a boom attachment arm having a distal end portion and proximal end portion, a rotating arm having a distal head portion capable of releasable attachment to the proximal end portion and a handle engagement, an adjuster for adjusting the releasable attachment of the distal head portion to the proximal end portion, an indexing sleeve secured to the rotating arm, a rotator operatively engaged to the rotating arm, and a handle operatively engaged to the handle engagement and the rotator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/304,004, filed on Jul. 9, 2001, entitled OUTRIGGER ASSEMBLY. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of sport fishing, and particularly to an outrigger mounting system having a vertically adjustable outrigger mounting arm assembly capable of rotational movement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Saltwater sport fishing typically consists of anglers positioned on boats that are then dispatched to prolific offshore fishing areas. One useful method of catching gamefish involves a technique known as trolling. Trolling is the practice of baiting hooks that are subsequently lowered and dragged behind the stern of a slow moving vessel by the angler. In order to increase the chances of hooking a fish, it is beneficial to have as many lines in the water as possible. To a gamefish, the wake of a vessel generally creates the appearance of a large school of smaller fish to be preyed upon. The angler can strategically simulate bands of straggling or displaced fish from the school with numerous baited lines. These simulated straggling fish are misinterpreted to be the disadvantaged and weakened fish that gamefish frequently utilize as a food source. 
     As stated above, an angler will often drag as many baited lines from behind the boat as possible, thereby increasing the chances of hooking a fish. However, as more baited lines are used, the probability of the lines becoming entangled with one another increases. This is a problem that occurs in a variety of situations, such as with a narrow beam boat or any boat that is in the process of being turned. As a result, sport fishing outriggers have been developed to assist in keeping the various lines separated. However, the positioning and lowering of outrigger booms presents additional problems of rotational movement and preventing the booms from contacting the water. This problem has brought forth various attempts to create mechanisms to rotate the boom and that prevent the boom from contacting the water. 
     Outriggers consist of a long pole, or boom, having one end secured to the boat with deployment resulting from an outward lateral extension of the boom from a side of the boat. Baited fishing lines often have integrated release clips that are attached to the outriggers, thereby providing sufficient separation between the lines to prevent tangling. When a fish is hooked on the bait line, the line clip releases from the outrigger, thus allowing the angler to reel in the fish. 
     Outriggers are required to be freely stowable to a position beside the boat for close quarters operation and docking. For practicality, the outrigger should be swung laterally outward to its deployed position. The prior art includes various types of mounting schemes including outrigger units for horizontal and vertical mounting, on center consoles, flybridges, half towers, tuna towers, radar arches, and/or T-tops. Prior patents disclose a variety of methods for mounting, deploying, and locking such outriggers into place (see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,102 and 3,724,791), with each having distinct drawbacks. Such drawbacks include overall mechanical complexity; powered operation; non-durable construction; and/or ineffective position adjustment and locking mechanisms that slip and/or wear out. 
     Although the prior art discloses a vast array of mechanisms and mounting locations for outrigger mounts, the prior art fails to disclose or otherwise teach a simple and durable outrigger system having an effective boom locking mechanism, a boom stop that prevents excessive lowering, and a positionable arm that allows for both vertical and rotational movement of the boom. This is of particular importance with respect to the excessive forces experienced by an outrigger mount during operation. Both wind and movement (of the boat) impart forces on to a boom, thereby increasing the stresses on the outrigger mount of the boom. Generally, the longer the boom, the greater the stresses at the outrigger mount. If the position adjustment and/or locking mechanism were to succumb to these increases in stress, the outrigger might swing in an unrestricted manner during a critical maneuver or operation, with potentially disastrous or life-threatening results to passengers of the outrigger equipped boat or other surrounding vessels. Accordingly, an outrigger assembly with a novel position adjustment and locking mechanism is disclosed that alleviates this and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
     As described in the aforementioned prior art, the mounting and operation of a conventional outrigger system can be complicated. Booms of considerable length must be stored in an upright position to allow the vessel to pass beneath low bridges, as well as for close quarters maneuvering. Similarly, should the boat pass under or through an object that limits clearance, the boom must be vertically lowered and/or rotated in from the extended position on a non-vertical plane. Preferably the outrigger mount not only rotates in the non-vertical plane in a 360° arrangement from a position on the vessel, but also allows the boom attachment arm to be easily raised and lowered in a vertical plane. Thus, in the operation of a one way of several conventional outrigger booms, the boom is inserted into a vertically adjustable boom attachment arm, usually as part of an elbow, and locked into position with a locking pull pin. The outrigger boom is then rotated in a non-vertical plane to a point determined by the user. Additionally, either before or after the boom is rotated in the non-vertical plane, the user may raise or lower the boom within a vertical plane with respect to the outrigger mount. 
     Accordingly, what is lacking is an outrigger assembly having an effective boom locking mechanism, a boom stop that prevents excessive lowering, and a positionable arm that allows for both vertical and rotational movement of the boom to eliminate the complicated and problematic outrigger mounts commonly used to support outrigger booms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned needs for an outrigger assembly by providing an outrigger assembly having a positionable arm that allows for both vertical and rotational movement of the boom and a boom stop that prevents excessive lowering. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an outrigger assembly. The outrigger assembly includes a boom attachment arm having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, a rotating arm having a distal head portion capable of releasable attachment to the proximal end portion and a handle engagement, and adjustor for adjusting the releasable attachment of the distal head portion to the proximal end portion, an indexing sleeve secured to the rotating arm, a rotator operatively engaged to the rotating arm, and a handle operatively engaged to the handle engagement and the rotator. 
     The present invention is further directed to a method for adjusting a boom. The method includes the steps of inserting a boom into an outrigger assembly, securing the boom with a pin, rotationally positioning the boom within a first plane, rotationally positioning the boom within a second plane, and wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to one another. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to disclose a sport fishing outrigger assembly that is capable of rotation in a first plane and rotation in a second plane. 
     A related objective of this invention is to provide an outrigger mount employing a pull-pin to secure the outrigger boom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partial illustration of the outrigger assembly in disassembled form. 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of the outrigger assembly of FIG. 1 in operative engagement. 
     FIG. 3 is a complete illustration of the outrigger assembly of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of the engagement of the indexing sleeve and locking ring. 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration of the disengagement of the indexing sleeve and locking ring of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of the sealing tube and mounting plate in disassembled form. 
     FIG. 7 is an illustration of the sealing tube of FIG.  6  and locking ring of FIG. 4 in disassembled form. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in disassembled form. Outrigger assembly  10  includes boom attachment arm  20 . Boom attachment arm  20  accommodates an outrigger boom. Boom attachment arm  20  incorporates a pull-pin  25  through hole  22  to secure an outrigger boom within boom attachment arm  20 . 
     Pull-pin  25  is spring loaded and outwardly engaged to subsequently release the outrigger boom. Boom attachment arm  20  terminates into a proximal end portion  21 . Proximal end portion  21  incorporates bullet holes  23  for accommodating bullets  70  and detent bullet  73 . Proximal end portion  21  further includes joint screw hole  26  and detent region  24 . Detent region  24  accommodates detent  71  and detent screw  72 . 
     Boom attachment arm  20  is secured to rotating arm  30  by joint screw  50  and further secured in an angled position by washer group  40 . Washer group  40  is composed of adjustor  41 , locking circlip  42 , cap  43 , washers  61  and  62 , washer plate  60 , bullets  70 , detent plate  71  and detent bullet  73 . 
     Rotating arm  30  also includes distal head portion  31 . Distal head portion  31  has joint screw hole  34  for incorporating pivot bush  33 . Distal head portion  31  further includes dimples  35  and boom stop  32 . Rotating arm  30  also incorporates a sealing tube cap  135 . Sealing tube cap  135  houses a sealing tube hole  136  for permitting sealing tube cap to be tightened to sealing tube  80 . A seal to prevent exposure to the environment can be used between sealing tube cap  135  and rotating arm  30 . 
     Affixed to sealing tube cap  135  is a compressible spring  130  that contacts indexing sleeve  120 . Indexing sleeve  120  has interfacing ridges  125 . Rotating arm  30  has a proximal end region  137  that provides handle engagement opening  138  and front handle slot  139 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the operative engagement of boom attachment arm  20  and rotating arm  30 . Proximal end portion  21  is positioned around distal head portion  31 . Joint screw holes  26  and  34  are aligned, with joint screw hole  34  housing pivot bush  33 . Joint screw  50  is passed through aligned joint screw holes  26  and  34 , and threaded through pivot bush  33 . Pivot bush  33  prevents gauling and seizing during angle adjustment of the boom attachment arm  20 . Joint screw  50  incorporates a retaining circlip on the threaded end to prevent adjustor  41  from being unscrewed too far. Washer group  40  is fastened on threaded region  51  of joint screw  50 . As washer group  40  is positioned closer to proximal end portion  21 , bullets  70  pass into bullet holes  23 . 
     When an appropriate angle for boom attachment arm  20  is desired, the user rotates arm  20  in a vertical plane. Detent  71  provides the user with a feel for the location of the dimples  35 , so that the user can tighten washer group  40 . Detent plate  71  is fastened to proximal end portion  21  by a detent screw  72 . 
     Detent  71  is placed in a position above a detent bullet  73 , so that when the boom attachment arm  20  is pivoted, detent plate  71  presses down on detent bullet  73 . This action causes detent bullet  73  to partially engage dimples  35 , so that the user can determine the location of dimples  35 . Once the appropriate dimple is found, thus providing an appropriate angle for boom attachment arm  20 , washer group  40  secures arm  20 . The tightening of washer group  40  pushes bullets  70  partially through bullet holes  23  and into dimples  35 , and thus provides a secured angle for the boom attachment arm  20 . 
     The angle is limited by boom stop  32  so that the outrigger boom does not contact any undesired objects, such as water or bystanders. 
     FIG. 2 also shows handle  110  in operative engagement with rotating arm  30 . Handle  110  passes through proximal end region  137  and into handle engagement opening  138  by way of front handle slot  139 . Handle  110  has handle pivots  115  to provide a pivot point for handle  110  to push operatively engaged arms  20  and  30  along the longitudinal axis of rotating arm  30 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the complete assembly  10 . In this view, sealing tube cap  135  is affixed to sealing tube  80 . Sealing tube  80  protects the compressible spring  130  and indexing sleeve  120 . Sealing tube  80  is further affixed to locking ring  140 , as is shown in FIG.  7  and discussed in detail below. Locking ring  140  is thus secured to sealing tube  80 , which is integrally connected to mounting plate  90 , as shown in FIG.  6  and also discussed in detail below. Rotator  100  provides an attachment for handle  110  and can include seals to prevent exposure to the environment. Moreover, rotator  100  can include bushes (not shown) to further prevent seizing and gauling between rotator  100  and other structures, such as rotating arm  30  and compressible spring  130 , and to reduce drag. In such a situation, compressible spring  130  can engage a bush, such as one internal to sealing tube cap  135 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show the slidable engagement of the indexing sleeve  120  and locking ring  140 . FIG. 4 illustrates the secured arrangement of indexing sleeve  120  and locking ring  140 . When secured, interfacing ridges  125  of indexing sleeve  120  engage teeth  145  of locking ring  140 . This engagement allows for handle  110  to lift operatively engaged arms  20  and  30  along an axis in a vertical plane. When handle  110  is operatively engaged in a vertical plane, operatively engaged arms  20  and  30  are lifted. This lifting action causes interfacing ridges  125  of indexing sleeve  120  to disengage teeth  145  of locking ring  140 . This disengagement allows for handle  110  to rotate operatively engaged arms  20  and  30  along a 360° axis in a horizontal plane. Thus, handle  110  can be rotationally engaged in a horizontal plane to rotate operatively engaged arms  20  and  30  in a plane parallel to the plane of handle  110 &#39;s rotational movement. When the desired horizontal position is obtained, handle  110  is disengaged from the vertical position, thereby allowing interfacing ridges  125  of indexing sleeve  120  to slide into a new position within teeth  145  of locking ring  140 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the engagements of sealing tube  80  of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, sealing tube  80  can be mounted on mounting plate  90  by way of bolts  92  and anchoring dowels  93 . Anchoring dowels  93  assist in reducing stress on bolts  92  caused by movement of sealing tube  80 . FIG. 7 shows the incorporation of locking ring  140  into sealing tube  80 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the internal surface of sealing tube  80  is configured to accommodate locking ring  140 . Locking ring  140  can be secured to sealing tube  80  by screws  81 . 
     The outrigger assembly of the present invention is intended for mounting on a surface of a boat or related boat support structure. It should be noted that the side surface of a boat as used herein can be any supporting surface of a boat including, but not limited to, the use of a T-top as a base structure for supporting the outrigger assembly. 
     Outrigger assembly  10  has boom attachment arm  20  that incorporates pull-pin  25 . In use, a boom is inserted into boom attachment arm  20 , and then secured within boom attachment arm  20  by pull-pin  25 . Boom attachment arm  20  is operatively engaged to rotating arm, the operative engagement accomplished through an arrangement where adjustor  41  is twisted on a screw  50  running through an intersection point of arms  20  and  30 . 
     Boom attachment arm  20  can then be raised or lowered to the desired angle within the vertical plane. Detent plate  71  and detent bullet  73  in proximal end portion  21  of boom attachment arm  20  imparts the user with the ability to locate a securable angle. As adjustor  41  is twisted in a manner that reduces the distance between adjustor  41  and the operative engagement of arms  20  and  30 , washer plate  60  presses bullets  70  through bullet holes  23  in proximal end portion  21  of the boom attachment arm  20 . 
     Bullets  70  partially pass through bullet holes  23 , terminating in dimples  35  on at least one surface of distal head portion  31  of rotating arm  30 , thereby securing the vertical angle of operative engagement between arms  20  and  30 . Rotating arm  30  includes indexing sleeve  120  to facilitate rotational position adjustment. The body of rotating arm  30  is contained within sealing tube  80  for protection from the environment. Sealing tube  80  is bolted to mounting plate  90  and includes locking ring  140  for accommodating indexing sleeve  120  of rotating arm  30 . 
     Indexing sleeve  120  has interfacing ridges  125  that provide a slideable securement between locking ring  140  and rotating arm  30 . Interfacing ridges  125  engage teeth  145  on the inner wall of locking ring  140 . The outer wall of the bottom portion of locking ring  140  can be secured to a structure, such as sealing tube  80 . 
     Mounting plate  90  can additionally contain boltholes to allow mounting plate  90  to be bolted to at least one surface. Mounting plate  90  is further engaged to rotator  100 . Rotator  100  can utilize bearings, washers, or the like to provide rotational movement for the engagement. Rotator  100  further contains a handle opening (not shown) to accommodate handle  110 . The handle opening contains notches to provide a handle pivot point. 
     Handle  110  passes through the handle opening of rotator  100 , engaging the handle pivot point. The terminal end of handle  110  further engages handle slot  139  of rotator arm  30 . When handle  110  is operatively engaged in a vertical plane, arms  20  and  30  are lifted. This lifting action causes indexing sleeve  120  to disengage from teeth  145  of locking ring  140 . At this point, handle  110  is rotationally engaged in a horizontal plane to rotate arms  20  and  30  in a plane parallel to the plane of handle  110 &#39;s rotational movement. When the desired horizontal position is obtained, handle  110  is disengaged from the vertical position, thereby allowing indexing sleeve  120  to slide into a new position within teeth  145  of locking ring  140 . 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications are to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following numbered claims.