Abstract:
An automated fishing line jigger, comprising a rotatable member adapted for rotation-such that fishing line associated with the rotatable member is jigged as the rotatable member rotates. An electromagnet operatively connected to the rotatable member, the rotatable member having a first position and a second position such that in the first position the electromagnet is energized causing rotation in a first direction and in the second position gravity causes rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a device for producing oscillatory motion. More specifically, and without limitation, this invention relates to providing oscillatory motion to a fishing line in an automatic fishing jigger. 
     Fishing jiggers and related devices provide oscillatory motion to fishing lines. Conventionally, such motion is imparted by the fisherperson raising and lowering the tip of the rod to cause motion that attracts fish to the bait or lure on a fishing line. The motion of the bait or lure makes the bait or lure appear more life like and/or otherwise attracts the attention of fish. Manually providing this motion is problematic. First, manually moving the fishing line can become tiring. This is particularly true in ice fishing, the cold environmental conditions causing manual jigging to be more burdensome. Further, there are other problems with manually jigging a fishing line. For example, a fisherperson may wish to use multiple fishing lines at the same time to improve the likelihood of catching more fish. Jigging multiple lines at the same time then become impractical if not impossible for a single person. 
     Further, elderly people, physically disabled individuals, and small children have difficulties jigging fishing lines, especially for long periods of time. 
     Various attempts have been made to create automatic fishing jiggers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,411 to Ecker discloses an electrically operated fishing jigger. The Ecker device uses rotation of a cam to provide oscillatory movement to the fishing line. Other attempts have used different configurations of electric motors to create this motion. Such attempts include U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,900 to Nestor; U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,215 to Otremba; U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,534 to Ford; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,656 to Knepp. In addition, other attempts have been made at automatic fishing jiggers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,596 to Heuke uses a wind driven method instead of an electrical system and U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,840 to Guith uses a foot pedal to provide movement. 
     A further problem with automatic fishing jiggers is that the effect of a strike by fish on the bait or lure is not taken into account. Once a fish bites, there is a need to set the hook. If the hook is set manually by a fisherperson, then the fisherperson must be able to access the fishing rod and set the hook. This can be problematic in some prior art attempts at fishing jiggers where the fishing rod is not easily accessible. 
     Despite these and other attempts at providing an automatic fishing jigger, problems remain. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for producing oscillatory motion. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for producing oscillatory motion that is appropriate for jigging a fishing line. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fishing device that provides for jigging as well as setting a hook. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fishing device that is versatile enough to be used for either ice fishing, be mounted on a boat, or other use. 
     These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for producing oscillatory motion. In particular, the present invention provides for, but is not limited to, providing oscillatory motion to a fishing line. 
     The invention includes an electromagnetic device having a conductor operatively wound around a structure. A mass is disposed within the structure such that energizing the electromagnetic device moves the mass in a first direction. A rotatable member can be connected to the electromagnetic device such that the weight of the mass causes the rotatable member to rotate. A fishing rod holder is then operatively connected to the rotatable member such that the fishing rod holder and any attached fishing rod is also moved. 
     The electromagnetic device of the present invention and its mass can be configured in various ways to impart oscillatory motion. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention of automatic fishing jigger has a fishing rod holder. A moveable structure is operatively connected to the fishing rod holder and an electromagnet is operatively connected to the movable structure for imparting movement to the movable structure. The movable structure has at least a first jigging position and a second jigging position. The movable structure being such that the movable structure in the second jigging is above or upward of the movable structure when the fishing jigger is in the first jigging position. The automatic fishing jigger can be mounted on a base, the movable structure movably connected to the base. In addition, the automatic fishing jigger can include an arm operatively connected to the base. Further, the automatic fishing jigger can include an adjustable weight operatively connected to the arm. The automatic fishing jigger can include a latch operatively connected to the arm such that when a fish strikes, the latch is unlatched to set the hook. 
     The present invention also includes a jointed fishing rod that can be used with the fishing jigger. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a front view of an automatic fishing jigger according to the present invention in a first position. 
     FIG. 1B is a front view of an automatic fishing jigger according to the present invention in a second position. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of a fishing jigger according to the present invention corresponding to FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of an automatic fishing jigger according to the present invention in a hook setting position. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A is a detailed view of the electromagnetic device of the present invention when in a first position. 
     FIG. 5B is a view of the electromagnetic device of the present invention when in a second position. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a jointed fishing rod according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a jointed fishing rod according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is set forth. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention contemplates numerous variations, embodiments, and applications and is not to be limited to those specifically disclosed herein. The present invention is not limited to a fishing jigger or the specific embodiment of a fishing jigger disclosed herein. 
     FIG. 1A discloses a front view of a fishing jigger  10  of the present invention in a first position. The fishing jigger  10  includes a base  12 . A rotatable member  14  such as a wheel is rotatably mounted on the base  12  at a pivot  16 . Mounted on the rotatable member  14  are a series of stops  17 A,  17 B, and  17 C. 
     A fishing rod  18  is also operatively connected to the rotatable member  14 . A fishing line  20  extends downward from the fishing rod  18  through a guide  22 . A hook  23  with bait or a lure is connected to the fishing line  20 . 
     As the rotatable member  14  rotates, the fishing line  20  and attached hook  23  is jigged. Movement of the rotatable member  14  in a back and forth fashion thereby provides oscillating movement to jig the line  20 . 
     To create this oscillating motion, a battery  24  or other power source is electrically connected through a switch  26  to an electromagnetic device  27 . The present invention can use any number of power sources. One convenient power source is a car battery or a battery used with a trolling motor. The electromagnetic device includes a conductor  28  coiled or wrapped around a structure  30  such as a tube. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5A, the electromagnetic device is shown in greater detail. Within the electromagnetic device  27 , there is a mass  32  within the structure  30 . The structure  30  being a tube, pipe or other structure that a conductor  28  can be wrapped around to create an electromagnet. Although preferably the structure  30  is cylindrical such as a PVC pipe, the present invention is not limited to any specific shape. A contact  42  is provided on the rotatable member  14 . When the rotatable member rotates sufficiently, the contact  42  is in operative connection with a contact  43 . When contacts  42  and  43  are connected, the electromagnet created by the conductor  28  is energized. The resulting electromagnet force imparts movement to the mass  32  within the structure  30 , moving in a direction indicated by arrow  47 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5B, the mass  32  is now located on the opposite end of the structure  30 . This force also moves the rotatable member  14  accordingly as the rotatable member  14  is operatively connected to the structure  30  in which the mass  32  is located. Gravitational forces acting on the mass  32  then move the mass  32  within the structure  30  in a direction indicated by arrow  49 . This results in the rotatable member being rotated back towards the contact  43 . When the rotation is sufficient that contact  42  and  43  come in contact, the electromagnet is energized again. 
     This interaction between the electromagnetic force on the mass  32  creates motion in one direction while the gravitational force on the mass  32  creates motion in the opposite direction. Thus, in this manner, the present invention provides for oscillatory movement. In the present preferred embodiment of an automatic fishing jig, this oscillatory movement imparts movement to a fishing rod  18  mounted on the rotatable member  14 . 
     Returning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a fishing rod  18  and reel  48  are shown in a first position in FIG. 1A and a second position in FIG.  1 B. In the second position, the rod  18 , reel  48  and line  20  are positioned upward or above the rod  18 , reel  48  and line  20  of the first position. The fishing rod  18  is attached to the rotatable member  14  using a fishing rod holder, such as one or more straps  50 . Using velcro™ straps  50  allows the fishing rod  18  to be easily placed on the rotatable member  14  or removed from the rotatable member  14 . The present invention, however, contemplates that any number of types of fishing rod holders can be used, such that the fishing rod  18  can snap into place or otherwise be releasably secured. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a rear view of the automatic fishing jigger  10  is shown. An arm  36  is pivotally attached at pivot  37  to the base  12 . A latch mechanism  40  is pivotally connected to the arm  36  at pivot  38 . The latch  40  is releasably attached to a catch  41 . When sufficient downward force is applied to the line  20 , such as occurs when a fish strikes, the rotatable member  14  is rotated accordingly with enough force that the latch  40  is released from the catch  41 . Once this occurs, the adjustable mass  34  and arm  36  swing downward as this weight is no longer being supported at the latch  40  and catch  41  connection. 
     FIG. 3 shows the automatic fishing jigger  10  of the present invention in the hook setting position. As the fishing jigger  10  transitions from one of the jigging positions to the hook setting position, the fishing line  20  and connected hook  23  are pulled upward with force. This upward movement is preferably sufficient to result in setting the hook  23  in a fish (not numbered). When the latch  40  releases from the catch  41 , the arm  36  with operatively connected weight  34  is thrust downward by the force of gravity. This rotates the rotatable member  14 , the connected rod  18  and fishing line  20 . The fishing rod  18  can then be removed from the straps  50  so that a fisherperson can reel in the fish. The downward force applied to the fish must be sufficient to rotate the rotatable member  14  such that the stop  17 A hits the arm  36  hard enough to dislatch the latch  40  from the catch  41 . FIG. 4 shows how the stop  17 A is brought in contact with the arm  36 . In a normal oscillating position, the arm  36  rotates with the rotatable member  14  but without extending past the stop  17 A or the stop  17 B. When the arm  36  swings downward in a hook setting position, it can swing no further downward than when the stop  17 B contacts the stop  59 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a jointed fishing rod  61  that can be used according to the present invention. The jointed fishing rod  61  includes a first rod portion  18 A and a second rod portion  18 B connected at a joint  62 . FIG. 7 shows those details of FIG. 6 cut away at line  7 — 7 . In FIG. 7, a band  64 , such as a rubberband, is connected between band supports  66 . In addition, the first rod portion  18 A is connected to rod portion  18 B at the joint  62 , as well as with a latch  68  that is releasably connected to a catch  70 . The band  64  provides tension between the first rod portion  18 A and the second rod portion  18 B. When a sufficient downward force is applied to the rod portion  18 B, such as when a fish strikes, the latch  68  is released from the catch  70  and the tension of the band  64  causes the rod portion  18 B and accompanying line  20  and hook  23  to snap upward, thus setting the hook  23 . The fishing rod shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be used with the fishing device of the present invention or may otherwise be used to set a hook. 
     The present invention contemplates numerous variations. For example, the adjustable weight of the fishing jigger  10  of the present invention can take on other forms or physical configurations. Preferably, the weight is adjustable in the most convenient manner possible. For example, the adjustable weight could be configured such as merely screwing a screw allows the weight to be adjusted. Another variation contemplated by the present invention is that a mercury switch can be used to switch the automatic jigger  10  off and on. For example, a mercury switch can be mounted on the rotatable member  14  or on the arm  36  such that when the fishing jigger  10  is in a hook setting position, the automatic jigger is turned off. 
     The present invention contemplates that the structure of the base  12  as shown is convenient for ice fishing. However, the present invention contemplates other such physical configurations can be used. For example, a different configuration can be used if the automatic fishing jigger  10  is to be mounted on a watercraft such as a boat. 
     The present invention also contemplates that the automatic fishing jigger  10  need not include a wheel  14 . Instead, the electromagnetic device  27  can be configured to slide upward and downward on a plane with either the fishing line  20  or the fishing rod  18  attached or otherwise operatively connected to the electromagnetic device  27 . 
     The present invention contemplates variations in the power source use. A battery  24  is shown such as a car battery. The present invention contemplates that other types of power sources may be used. For example, the battery for a trolling motor is one way to power the fishing jigger  10 . 
     The present invention further contemplates that the guide  22  of the present invention can allow fishing line to be strung through an eyelet or else can be of a wrap around configuration so that the line  20  need not be threaded through the guide  22 . 
     The present invention contemplates other variations in the particular configuration used, the specific application used, and other such variations as may be apparent to one skilled in the art.