Patent Publication Number: US-2003234311-A1

Title: Device for enabling anglers to practice fishing technique and to exercise muscles used during fishing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention provides a device for enabling fishermen to practice reeling in a fish against the spool brake.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] The sport of fishing and the required equipment such as fishing rods and reels are well known and have been used for many years. Many fishing rods include apparatus for automatically winding and unwinding the fishing line from the fishing reel, the apparatus including a motor.  
       [0005] When a fish strikes the fish hook and attempts to escape, the angler, or fisherman, starts to reel in the fish and applies a braking force to the fishing line in order to reel in the fish without damaging the fishing rod and line. The caught fish is, at the same time, attempting to escape and as a result, applies a force to the fishing line.  
       [0006] The ability to safely brake the line is dependent on the strength of the fish and the fishing gear utilized, particularly for deep sea fishing. It would thus be advantageous for fish tackle stores to have the capability of allowing customers to practice using fishing gear on land prior to embarking on a fishing trip. In addition, fisherman tend to have extended periods of inactivity between fishing trips and thus the back and neck muscles that are utilized when reeling in a fish are little exercised, the muscles as a result becoming severely strained during the actual fishing trip.  
       [0007] What is thus desired is to provide a device that allows anglers to both practice using desired fishing gear and to exercise muscles used during fishing prior to embarking on the fishing trip.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0008] The present device provides a device which allows anglers to practice using desired fishing gear and also enables anglers to exercise the muscles used to reel in the fish. The device comprises a housing with a variable speed motor and spool contained therein. The outside of the housing has a guide which leads the fishing line to the spool, the line being secured thereon. The motor torque is controllable and enables an angler to simulate the reeling in of a fish at a selected torque level; the angler, through the use of a remote control, simulates the running of a fish by winding the fishing line at a predetermined speed and torque level.  
       [0009] The device also enables old fishing line to be unwound from reels, sharpen used treble hooks on lures using an inserted grinding stone, send damaged jigs for repainting and polish and clean eye-guides, knives and fishing reels. In addition, the device can be used to instruct children and beginning anglers prior to embarking on fishing trips; the device also aids in tackle shop sales by enabling customers to test new fishing gear prior to purchase. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010] For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates accessories which can be used with the device of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a view along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a view of the slide and lock channel used to mount the device of FIG. 1 to concrete;  
     [0016]FIG. 6 illustrates in more detail the slide and lock channel of FIG. 5;  
     [0017]FIG. 7 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 with side channels for engagement with the slide and lock channel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;  
     [0018]FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart of the motor control software; and  
     [0019]FIG. 9 a simplified view illustrating an angler using the device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, device  10  of the present invention is illustrated. Device  10  comprises a housing  39 , preferably fabricated from extruded aluminum, having lid  40 , an electric plug  11 , fish line cutter  12 , a motor energizing button  13 , a button  14  to open lid  8 , intensity meter  15 , a remote control receiver window  16 , on/off switch  17 , variable speed control knob  18 , fish line inlet guide  20 , clutch resistance knob  21 , intermittent line runs control knob  22  and spool spindle receiver  23 . A remote control device  24  can be provided which provides a technique for remotely controlling the operation of device  10 . Device  24  comprises start reel windup button  26 , power on/power off button  27  and sending window  29 . Control  24  thus enables an angler to control the action of device  10  without having to bend to adjust the device parameters including button  27  for remotely turning on the device  10 .  
     [0021]FIG. 2 illustrates the accessories for use with device  10  and includes new fish line spool spindle  30  for insertion into spindle receiver  23 , disposable spindle  31  for old fish line, hook sharpener  32 , brush  34  and fishing line guide extension  36 .  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  of Figure illustrating the interior components of housing  39 . The components comprise hinges  41 , motor  42 , reeling spool  43  and variable electric clutch  44 . The accessories shown in FIG. 2 (other than spindle  30 ) are received in accessory drive  37 . The output shaft  49  of motor  42  is coupled to reeling spool  43 ; when motor  42  is energized by a power source (not shown) via leads  47 , shaft  49  causes spool  43  to rotate clockwise (thus reeling in the fishing line connected thereto) or counterclockwise (thus unreeling the fishing line) depending upon the the characteristics of the voltage applied thereto.  
     [0023]FIG. 4 shows accessory drive  37  and recess  38  for pin  36 .  
     [0024]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating how device  10  is secured to a concrete slab  50  using a slide and lock channel  52 , slide and lock channels  52 , preferably fabricated from extruded aluminum, being fastened to block  50  using concrete anchors  53 . FIG. 6 illustrates the slide and lock channel  52  secured to plywood member  54  using screws  55 . A plurality of lock pin holes  58  are drilled through channel  52  into plywood member  54 . FIG. 7 illustrates device  10  having rounded side channels  60  which slide into the groves  62  formed on lock channel  52 . Lock pins  64  are inserted into holes (not shown) formed in the bottom of device  10  into the lock pin holes  58  formed in plywood member  54  to secure device  10  thereto.  
     [0025]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 1 showing in more detail, snag proof fishline guide  20 . In particular, glass eyelid  46  is positioned at the guide opening  80 , heat resistant member  47  being positioned adjacent eyelid  46 .  
     [0026] Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified flow chart of the software which can be utilized to control motor  42  is illustrated.  
     [0027] An entry device, such as key press  90 , is provided for the user who enters a particular code corresponding to the desired fish fighting characteristics. The output from key press  90  is coupled to user input block  92  comprising device  94  for monitoring the key strokes and encoding device  96 . The output from block  92  is coupled to processing block  98  which decodes the encoded output via decoder  100 ; the output from decoder  100  is coupled to memory table  102  having stored data corresponding to the desired fish fighting characteristics. The output of memory  102  is coupled to output buffer  104 , the output of buffer  104  being coupled to motor control block  106 . Block  106  controls the amount of current supplied to motor  42  and thus the torque characteristics thereof  
     [0028] A conventional microprocessor can be programmed to perform the tasks set forth in the above-described flow chart.  
     [0029]FIG. 10 illustrates angler  110  practicing with fishing gear  112 , fishing line  114  being coupled to device  10  as illustrated.  
     [0030] In operation, a user introduces fishing line through inlet guide  20  and then ties the line about spool  43 . Remote control  24  is used initially to couple the power source to motor  42 , motor  42  in turn causing reeling spool  43  to reel in approximately  100  feet of fishing line. The motor is then shut off and the torque, or intensity, of the motor slip clutch and brake is then set. The motor is then turned on to a predetermined degree of intensity, thus causing the fishing line to tug, run and pull, simulating a fish running. In this regard, motor  42  is preferably provided with a microprocessor to determine the torque, or intensity, ranges and run and clutch characteristics. A knob on control panel  24  then enables a user to select the motor settings that correspond to the fighting characteristics of a particular sport fish being targeted in an upcoming fishing trip.  
     [0031] Housing  39  is provided with counter  33  to keep track of the fishing line furnished and then retrieved. The internal reeling spool  43  has a level wind  45  for evenly collecting the fishing line without buildup of line capacity on reeling spool  43 .  
     [0032] The present invention thus provides a simple device that allows an angler to practice his/her fishing technique prior to embarking on a fishing trip and also to exercise the muscles utilized when deep sea fishing. In addition, the device of the present invention enables tackle stores to provide a way for customers to try fishing tackle prior to purchase.  
     [0033] While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.