Patent Publication Number: US-2023145014-A1

Title: Fishing pole grip

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 63/263,596, filed Nov. 5, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to fishing equipment, and more particularly to fishing pole grips. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of grips are used on fishing poles. Improvements are needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a fishing pole grip comprises a fishing pole grip assembly. The fishing pole grip assembly includes a shell and an overmolded layer. The fishing pole grip subassembly has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The shell includes a proximal shell component and a distal shell component. The proximal and distal shell components are formed separately and connected to form a joint between the proximal and distal shell components. The proximal and distal shell components form a substantially hourglass shape such that the fishing pole grip assembly has a generally hourglass shape wherein the proximal and distal end portions are wider than the intermediate portion. The overmolded layer overlies the shell. 
     In another aspect, a fishing pole grip comprises a fishing pole grip assembly including a shell, and overmolded layer, and a carbon fiber tube. The carbon fiber tube and overmolded layer overlie the shell and form a joint. 
     Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a fragmentary top view of a first fishing pole of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a fragmentary right elevation of the fishing pole of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a fragmentary top view of a second fishing pole of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a fragmentary right elevation of the fishing pole of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective of components used to manufacture fishing pole grips of the first and second fishing poles; 
         FIG.  6    is a side elevation of a fishing pole grip subassembly of the first and second fishing poles; 
         FIG.  7    is a section of the fishing pole grip subassembly of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a fragmentary top view of a third fishing pole of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a fragmentary right elevation of the fishing pole of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a fragmentary top view of a fourth fishing pole of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a fragmentary right elevation of the fishing pole of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded perspective of components of a fishing pole grip subassembly used to manufacture the fishing pole grips of the second and third fishing poles; 
         FIG.  13    is a right side elevation of the fishing pole grip subassembly of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a section of the fishing pole grip subassembly of  FIG.  12   ; and 
         FIG.  15    is an enlarged fragmentary right elevation of the fishing pole of  FIG.  11   . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a first embodiment of a fishing pole (e.g., spinning rod) is indicated generally by  10 . The fishing pole includes a shaft  12  (e.g., made of carbon fiber), a grip assembly  14 , and a reel seat assembly  16 . The grip assembly  14  and reel seat assembly  16  are installed on a proximal end portion of the shaft  12 . It will be appreciated that only a segment of the shaft is shown. The shaft  12  has a length extending from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion and can include a plurality of line guides configured to support fishing line extending from a reel mounted on the reel seat assembly. 
     The fishing grip assembly  14  includes a proximal end located at the proximal end of the shaft and a distal end spaced distally along a length of the assembly from the proximal end. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip assembly includes a grip subassembly  20  and a proximal end segment  22  (e.g., proximal end plug or cap) and a distal end segment  24 . The grip subassembly  20  can have a composite construction, as explained in further detail below. For example, the proximal end segment  22  and distal end segment  24  can be formed of EVA or another suitable material. The proximal and distal end segments  22 ,  24  close the ends of the grip subassembly  20 . Optionally, EVA can be provided inside the grip subassembly  20  and extend from the proximal end segment  22  to the distal end segment  24 . A reducer  30  is provided to reduce from the distal end segment  24  to a threaded portion of the reel seat assembly  16 . Other configurations of grip subassemblies can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The reel seat assembly  16  includes a reel seat body  16 A supporting proximal and distal reel receivers  16 B,  16 C (e.g., hoods) configured to receive opposite end portions of a reel foot to mount the reel on the fishing pole. The distal reel receiver  16 C is static with respect to the reel seat body  16 A, and the proximal reel receiver  16 B is movable with respect to the distal reel receiver to change a distance therebetween to permit installation of the reel foot. After the reel foot is installed in the distal receiver  16 C, the proximal receiver  16 B is moved distally to capture the reel foot. The proximal receiver  16 B is moved by rotation of an actuator  16 D (e.g., nut) having a threaded connection with the reel seat body  16 A. Other configurations of reel seats can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a second embodiment of a fishing pole (e.g., casting rod) is indicated generally by  110 . The fishing pole is generally similar to the fishing pole  10  of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , and like components are indicated by like reference numbers, plus 100. For example, the fishing pole  110  includes a shaft  112  (e.g., made of carbon fiber), a grip assembly  114 , and a reel seat assembly  116 . The grip assembly  114  and reel seat assembly  116  are installed on a proximal end portion of the shaft  112 . 
     The fishing grip assembly  114  includes a proximal end located at the proximal end of the shaft and a distal end spaced distally along a length of the assembly from the proximal end. The grip assembly  114  includes a grip subassembly  120 , a proximal end segment  122  (e.g., proximal end plug or cap), and a distal end segment  124 . The grip subassembly  120  can have the same construction as the first grip subassembly  20 , which will be described in more detail below. The proximal end segment  122  and distal end segment  124  can be formed of EVA or another suitable material. The proximal and distal end segments  122 ,  124  close the ends of the grip subassembly  120 . Optionally, EVA can be provided inside the grip subassembly  120  and extend from the proximal end segment  122  to the distal end segment  124 . In this embodiment, the distal end segment  124  is longer and transitions to the reel seat assembly  116  without a reducer. Other configurations of grip subassemblies can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The reel seat assembly  116  includes a reel seat body  116 A supporting proximal and distal reel receivers  116 B,  116 C (e.g., hoods) configured to receive opposite end portions of a reel foot to mount the reel on the fishing pole. In this embodiment, the proximal reel receiver  116 B is static with respect to the reel seat body  116 A, and the distal reel receiver  116 C is movable with respect to the proximal reel receiver to change a distance therebetween to permit installation of the reel foot. The distal receiver  116 C is moved by rotation of an actuator  116 D (e.g., nut) having a threaded connection with the reel seat body  116 A. A finger rest  116 E protrudes downward from the reel seat body  116 A below the proximal reel receiver  116 B. Other configurations of reel seats can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 - 7   , the grip subassembly  20 ,  120  comprises an inner shell  150  and a cover  152  overlying the shell. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  152  hides the inner shell  150  from view except for minor portions of the shell. The cover  152  can be formed by overmolding onto the shell  150 . For example, a TPE material or silicone material can be overmolded onto the shell  150  to form the cover  152 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the shell  150  includes two shell portions  154 ,  156 . Each shell portion  154 ,  156  is tubular. The shell portions  154 ,  156  can be formed of plastic (e.g., injection molded polymer) or another suitable material. The first shell portion  154  forms a proximal part of the shell  150 , and the second shell portion  156  forms a distal part of the shell. The first shell portion  154  includes a reduced diameter segment at its distal end configured to be received in a proximal opening of the second shell portion  156  for connecting the two shell portions. For example, adhesive or another type of bonding can be used to connect the shell portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the first shell portion  154  tapers such that it has a smaller distal end than proximal end. Moreover, the second shell portion  156  tapers such that it has a smaller proximal end than distal end. When the shell portions  154 ,  156  are connected, the shell  150  has a generally hourglass shape (smaller diameter intermediate segment). The shell  150  is formed of the two portions  154 ,  156  to facilitate injection molding of the parts to provide this hourglass shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell portions  154 ,  156  include ribs  154 ′,  156 ′ (broadly “protrusions”) that extend outward from outer surfaces of main tubular bodies of the shell portions. When the cover  152  is molded over the shell, the protrusions  154 ′,  156 ′ are exposed through openings in the cover. The protrusions assist in maintaining a position of the cover on the shell. Desirably, the cover has an outer texture (e.g., “gator skin” texture) promoting friction and facilitating gripping of the grip assembly. 
     The proximal and distal end segments  22 ,  24 ,  122 ,  124  can be assembled with the grip subassembly  20  before, after, or during installation of the grip components on the shaft  12 ,  112 . In one example, the grip assembly  114  (comprising the shell  150 , cover  152 , end segments  22 ,  24 ,  122 ,  124 ) is installed onto a shaft  112  or rod blank together. When the shell is received on the shaft, the shell can be filled with a filler such as an expanding foam or other material (e.g., EVA) or mounting component(s) to fill an annular space between the shell and the shaft. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a third embodiment of a fishing pole (e.g., spinning rod) is indicated generally by  310 . The fishing pole includes a shaft (e.g., made of carbon fiber), a grip assembly, and a reel seat assembly. The grip assembly and reel seat assembly are installed on a proximal end portion of the shaft. It will be appreciated that only a segment of the shaft is shown. The shaft has a length extending from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion and can include a plurality of line guides configured to support fishing line extending from a reel mounted on the reel seat assembly. 
     The fishing grip assembly includes a proximal end located at the proximal end of the shaft and a distal end spaced distally along a length of the assembly from the proximal end. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip assembly includes a grip subassembly and a proximal end segment (e.g., proximal end plug or cap) and a distal end segment. The grip subassembly can have a composite construction, as explained in further detail below. For example, the proximal end segment and distal end segment can be formed of EVA or another suitable material. The proximal and distal end segments close the ends of the grip subassembly. Optionally, EVA can be provided inside the grip subassembly and extend from the proximal end segment to the distal end segment. Other configurations of grip subassemblies can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The reel seat includes a reel seat body supporting proximal and distal reel receivers (e.g., hoods) configured to receive opposite end portions of a reel foot to mount the reel on the fishing pole. The proximal reel receiver is static with respect to the reel seat body, and the distal reel receiver is movable with respect to the proximal reel receiver to change a distance therebetween to permit installation of the reel foot. After the reel foot is installed in the proximal receiver, the distal receiver is moved distally to capture the reel foot. The distal receiver is moved by rotation of an actuator (e.g., nut) having a threaded connection with the reel seat body. Other configurations of reel seats can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , a fourth embodiment of a fishing pole (e.g., casting rod) is indicated generally by  410 . The fishing pole is generally similar to the fishing pole of  FIGS.  8  and  9   , and like components are indicated by like reference numbers, plus 100. For example, the fishing pole  410  includes a shaft (e.g., made of carbon fiber), a grip assembly, and a reel seat assembly. The grip assembly and reel seat assembly are installed on a proximal end portion of the shaft. 
     The fishing grip assembly includes a proximal end located at the proximal end of the shaft and a distal end spaced distally along a length of the assembly from the proximal end. The grip assembly includes a grip subassembly and a proximal end segment (e.g., proximal end plug or cap) and a distal end segment. The grip subassembly can have the same construction as the grip subassembly, which will be described in more detail below. The proximal end segment and distal end segment can be formed of EVA or another suitable material. The proximal and distal end segments close the ends of the grip subassembly. Optionally, EVA can be provided inside the grip subassembly and extend from the proximal end segment to the distal end segment. Other configurations of grip subassemblies can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The reel seat includes a reel seat body supporting proximal and distal reel receivers (e.g., hoods) configured to receive opposite end portions of a reel foot to mount the reel on the fishing pole. The proximal reel receiver is static with respect to the reel seat body, and the distal reel receiver is movable with respect to the proximal reel receiver to change a distance therebetween to permit installation of the reel foot. The distal receiver is moved by rotation of an actuator (e.g., nut) having a threaded connection with the reel seat body. A finger rest protrudes downward from the reel seat body below the proximal reel receiver. Other configurations of reel seats can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  12 - 14   , the grip subassembly comprises a proximal (first) grip component and a distal (second) grip component. The proximal grip component includes an inner shell having a layer of TPE or silicone material (or other suitable material) overmolded thereon. The distal grip component comprises a carbon fiber tube. The distal grip component can be made of other materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one method of assembly, after the material is overmolded onto the inner shell to form the proximal grip component, then the distal grip component is installed over the shell to locate a proximal end of the carbon fiber tube to abut and be generally flush with the overmolded material. The construction integrates a carbon fiber section with an overmolded section to form a composite cover that provides a desirable grip feel and ornamental appearance. The overmolded material and carbon fiber tube hide the inner shell from view. The EVA end segments are installed on opposite ends of the grip subassembly for closing the opposite ends of the subassembly. The grip assembly (comprising the shell, cover, and end segments) is installed onto the shaft. 
     The inner shell can be formed of plastic (e.g., injection molded polymer). After the inner shell is formed, the first cover portion (e.g., the TPE or silicone portion) is overmolded onto the shell. The overmolded portion is formed to have a tapered distal edge. The carbon fiber section is formed (e.g., molded and cured) to have a smaller proximal end that tapers to complement the tapered distal edge of the overmolded portion. The proximal end of the carbon fiber section has a proximal opening for receiving the inner shell. The carbon fiber section is received over the shell such that the proximal end of the carbon fiber lies adjacent or abuts the distal end of the overmolded portion. The complementary edges of the overmolded portion and carbon fiber section form a joint behind which the shell is hidden. The carbon fiber section can be secured in place by adhesive or another suitable type of bonding (e.g., to the inner shell). The shell and overmolded portion have a larger proximal end than distal end, and the carbon fiber section has a larger distal end than proximal end. The arrangement is such that the grip sub assembly forms a generally hourglass shape having an intermediate portion of lesser diameter. Other configurations (e.g., other shapes) can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It will be appreciated that the outer surfaces of the overmolded portion and the carbon fiber portion are generally flush at the joint therebetween to provide a smooth transition between the two materials. The arrangement is such that the grip subassembly has a composite construction that provides a user with a desirable overmolded gripping section and smooth surface carbon fiber section. As shown in  FIG.  15   , the overmolded portion can have an outer surface texture, such as a “gator skin” texture, that provides enhanced friction and facilitates gripping the overmolded section. Although the overmolded portion itself is generally flexible and compressible, and thus needing the inner shell for support, the carbon fiber section is rigid and self-supporting, and relies on the inner shell primarily for connection to and maintaining position with respect to the overmolded portion. When the shell is received on the shaft the shell can be filled with a filler such as an expanding foam or other material (e.g., EVA) or mounting component(s). Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure 
     It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.