Abstract:
An apparatus for use with a fishing rod and reel is provided, which allows ease of use by a person who has the ability to effectively use only one arm and/or hand. The reel has a reel foot and crankshaft, and the rod has a rod seat. The apparatus includes a mounting body having a mounting body foot securely but removably receivable by the rod seat, and also having a mounting body seat in which the reel foot is securely but removably receivable. The apparatus further comprises an electric motor having a drive shaft, a motor mounting means for fixedly but removably mounting the motor to the mounting body, and a linkage mechanism for mechanically linking the drive shaft of the motor to the crankshaft of the reel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for use with a fishing rod and reel which allows ease of use by a person who has the ability to effectively use only one arm and/or hand. 
     Such an unfortunate condition can result from serious injury, amputation, stroke, nerve damage, etc. Conventional fishing equipment requires the use of one arm and hand to hold the rod, and the other arm and hand to operate the crank of the reel. Specially designed and built electric reels are available that do not require cranking by hand. However, these types of reels are quite heavy and very expensive. Attempts to use conventional equipment have proven to be impractical because of modifications to the reel that are required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for use with a conventional rod and reel that is useable by a person who is physically challenged in the manner discussed above, and which requires no structural modifications to the reel. 
     The above object is realized by an apparatus for use with a fishing rod having a rod seat and a reel having a reel foot and crankshaft, wherein the apparatus comprises: a mounting body having a mounting body foot securely but removably receivable by the rod seat, and also having a mounting body seat in which the reel foot is securely but removably receivable; an electric motor having a drive shaft; a motor mounting means for fixedly but removably mounting the motor to the mounting body; and a linkage means for mechanically linking the drive shaft of the motor to the crankshaft of the reel. 
     The mounting body of the invention permits removable attachment of a conventional reel to a rod, while also allowing an electric motor to be removably mounted thereto. No structural modifications to the reel, such as to internal mechanisms and/or to an exterior housing, are required to make it compatible for use with the motor. A conventional reel has a hand crank that is simply removed from the crankshaft, and replaced by a mechanical linkage to the drive shaft of the motor as described above. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrical current is supplied to the electric motor by a battery through a normally open pushbutton switch that has been closed. Accordingly, the crankshaft is rotated so as to rewind fishing line that was previously cast out into a body of water. The fishing rod can be held with the fingers of one hand and the pushbutton switch actuated with the thumb of the same hand, thus allowing a fisherman having the effective use of only one arm and/or hand to fish with ease. 
     It is particularly preferred to further provide a normally closed safety switch, as connected in series with the battery and pushbutton switch, which is opened to thereby terminate operation of the motor in response to a predetermined pull upon the fishing line. This feature prevents overburdening of, and possible damage to, the motor. Consequently, a relatively small motor can be employed since the fisherman does not rely upon the power of the motor to pull in a fish, but instead lifts the rod up and back so as to exert an inward pulling force upon the fish. Even if the fisherman continues to press upon and thus close the pushbutton switch, the safety switch will open in response to a predetermined pull upon the line and consequently turn the motor off. After the fisherman has at least partially pulled in the fish in the manner described above, the motor will resume its operation and rewind line upon the reel as long as the pushbutton switch remains closed while the rod is lowered so as to minimize tension upon the line and thereby return the safety switch to its closed position. This procedure is repeated as many times as necessary until the fish is pulled into the fisherman as positioned on a boat or bank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-3  are respective top and opposing side views of a mounting body and associated motor and switches for control thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view showing the mounting body as it is shown in  FIG. 3 , with the addition of a rod and reel secured thereto for use in fishing. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a circuit as described above, including the motor and switches as well as an external battery connected in series. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , mounting body  10  includes an elongated portion  12  having upper and lower sides, of which only upper side  14  is shown in this FIGURE. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used herein in describing the invention as generally oriented when in use. A mounting body seat, generally indicated at  20 , is incorporated into upper side  14  so as to comprise a recessed area  22 , a U-shaped member  24  having a fixed holding flange  26  at one end of recessed area  22 , and an adjustable holding plate  28  at the other end of recessed area  22 . Fixed holding flange  26  extends from and is integral with transversely extending portion  24   a  of U-shaped member  24 . U-shaped member  24  also has opposing longitudinally extending portions  24   b  and  24   c  respectively affixed to elongated portion  12  with bolts  30  and  32 , of which the heads are visible in  FIG. 1 . With respect to adjustable holding plate  28 , a nut  34  is threadedly received over the shaft of bolt  36 , and may be turned in either rotational direction to allow adjustment of the maximum perpendicular distance between holding plate  28  and the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12 , as will become more clear in subsequent FIGURES. 
     Elongated portion  12  of the mounting body further has a front end  38  and back end  40 . A pushbutton switch  42  is fixedly mounted on the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12  adjacent to its back end  40 . More specifically, pushbutton switch  42  is mounted to elongated portion  12  by means of a bracket  44  having a transversely extending portion  44   a , which has an opening through which the body of pushbutton switch  42  is received and secured with a nut  46 . Bracket  44  further has a flange integral with transversely extending portion  44   a  and secured to elongated portion  12  with a bolt  48 . In addition, a phone jack  50  is secured to a longitudinally extending portion  44   b  of bracket  44 . Phone jack  50  has a sleeve contact  52  in the form of a female socket, and a tip contact  54  as is conventional. As shown, a terminal corresponding to tip contact  54  is connected through conducting line (i.e. wire)  56  to one terminal of pushbutton switch  42 . The other terminal of pushbutton switch  42  is connected to one end of conducting line  58 , and the terminal of jack  50  that corresponds to sleeve contact  52  is connected to one end of conducting line  60 . Conducting lines  58  and  60  extend to and through opening  62  so as to extend to their other ends for connection to terminals of other components of the illustrated apparatus in a manner described below with reference to another FIGURE. 
     A safety switch, generally indicated at  64 , is fixedly mounted on the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12  adjacent to its front end  38 . Safety switch  64  comprises a lever actuated switch  66  and an extension  68  of its lever  70 . Extension  68  has one end fixedly connected to lever  70  by any suitable means, such as solder. An eyelet  72  is provided at the other end of extension  68 . Lever actuated switch  66  is of the type often referred to as a micro switch. Many micro switches are commercially available that would be suitable for use as lever actuated switch  66 . One particular example, which should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner, is from the SM1 series of micro switches manufactured by Zippy Technology Corp. This particular example is a model rated at  5 A, which also has a “heavier” OF Max. of 107 gf. The term “OF Max.” refers to the force applied to lever  70  that is required to actuate internal switch contacts. A “heavier” or high value for OF Max. (i.e. greater than about 75 gf) is preferred insofar as it assists in ensuring that lever actuated switch  66  is not excessively sensitive so as to interfere with successful and consistent operation of the apparatus, as will become more apparent in subsequent description thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, lever actuated switch  66  is secured to the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12  by means of a flanged support  74 . Flanged support  74  has an outer flange fastened to lever actuated switch  66  with bolts received through mounting holes (not shown) in switch  66 , and further has an inner flange mounted to upper side  14  with bolt  76 . 
     Mounting body  10  further has an electric motor  78  mounted thereto in a manner discussed further below. As shown, electric motor  78  has a drive shaft  80 . A gear  82  is fixedly mounted to drive shaft  80  in any suitable manner. Electric motor  78  is preferably a DC motor sufficiently small in size for ease of use with mounting body  10 . It is also desirable that the motor draws minimal current so as to make it useable with a highly portable battery as the power supply. One particular example of a commercially available and highly suitable motor, which should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner, is a 16GA 12V 300 RPM geared motor manufactured by Shenzhen zhiqiangjin Motor Co., LTD. The designation “16GA” simply means that the motor is about 16 mm in diameter. The motor, including the gearbox, is about 40 mm long. It also draws only about 80 mA current with no load. Of course, many commercially available motors could be used with the invention, as long as the particular motor selected is mountable in the mounting body  10  as subsequently described, and is useable with a portable battery that will last for at least several hours in continuous use in the manner described herein. 
     Finally with respect to  FIG. 1 , an idler pulley arm  84  is secured to an edge of elongated portion  12  with bolts  86  and  88 . An idler pulley  90  is rotatably mounted upon one end of arm  84 . As shown, idler pulley  90  is axially offset from gear  82  in a direction generally toward the front end  38  of elongated portion  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this side view of mounting body  10  and various associated elements, shows not only the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12 , but also a longitudinally extending edge of lower side  92 . A mounting body foot  94  is illustrated as being integrally connected to and depending from lower side  92  so as to downwardly extend to lower projecting portions  94   a  and  94   b . With respect to one member being “integrally connected” to another member, this means that such members are fixedly connected to or integral with one another.  FIG. 2  also more clearly illustrates the manner in which electric motor  78  is mounted to mounting body  10 . Mounting body  10  has an opening  95 , transversely extending completely therethrough, for receiving motor  78 . Opening  95  extends through both elongated portion  12  and mounting body foot  94  adjacent to where they connect to one another. Although not shown in the drawings, motor  78  is preferably secured in position by a set screw. One end of electric motor  78 , that is not visible in the view of  FIG. 1 , is shown in  FIG. 2  as having the motor&#39;s terminals  96  and  98  extending therefrom.  FIG. 2  further shows lever actuated switch  66  and its terminals  100 ,  102 , and  104 , as will be discussed further below with reference to the circuit&#39;s schematic diagram. Terminal  104  of lever actuated switch  66  is connected through conducting line  106  to terminal  96  of electric motor  78 . Conducting lines  58  and  60  extend outwardly from opening  62 , and below elongated portion  12 , to their above-mentioned “other ends” (referenced in the description of  FIG. 1 ), which are respectively connected to terminal  100  of lever actuated switch  66  and terminal  98  of electric motor  78 . Other elements associated with mounting body  10 , and previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 , are indicated in  FIG. 2  with their corresponding reference numbers but require no further description. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , this side view of mounting body  10  and associated elements, opposite to that of the side view of  FIG. 2 , more clearly shows the relative positions of gear  82  and idler pulley  90 . As noted previously, idler pulley  90  is axially offset from gear  82  in a direction toward front end  38  of elongated portion  12 .  FIG. 3  further shows the entire diameters of gear  82  and idler pulley  90 . Gear  82 , as fixedly mounted to drive shaft  80 , obscures the motor in this view. Only the end of drive shaft  80  is visible. It should be further noted that fixed holding flange  26  extends from transversely extending portion  24   a  of U-shaped member  24  at an acute angle with respect thereto. As with  FIG. 2 , other elements associated with mounting body  10  are indicated with their corresponding reference numbers but require no further description. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , mounting body  10  is shown in conjunction with a rod  108  and reel  110  for use in fishing. Rod  108  has a rod seat  112  which includes foot receptacles  114  and  116 , in which lower projecting portions  94   a  and  94   b  of mounting body foot  94  are securely but removably received, respectively. Reel  110  has a reel foot  118  having lower projecting portions  118   a  and  118   b . The bottom of reel foot  118  is received in the above-mentioned recessed area (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) on the upper side  14  of elongated portion  12 . Lower projecting portion  118   a  is at least partially received under adjustable holding plate  28 , as held firmly against lower projecting portion  118   a  by appropriately tightened nut  34 . Lower projecting portion  118   b , as indicated by broken lines, is received between the longitudinally extending portions of U-shaped member  24 , and at least partially received securely under fixed holding flange  26 . Accordingly, reel foot  118  is securely received by the mounting body seat that includes fixed holding flange  26  and adjustable holding plate  28 . Reel foot  118  is easily removable from such position by loosening nut  34  to the extent necessary. Reel  110  also has a crankshaft  120  upon which a gear  122 , having a threaded hole of the appropriate size, is threadedly received after having had a crank handle (not shown) unscrewed therefrom. Gear  122  is thus fixedly but removably mounted to crankshaft  120 . 
     A belt  124  is provided to engage with and extend between gears  82  and  122 . Therefore, gears  82  and  122 , as respectively and fixedly mounted to drive shaft  80  and crankshaft  120 , function in combination with belt  124  to mechanically link drive shaft  80  to crankshaft  120 . Idler pulley  90  presses against the outer surface of belt  124  to thereby place the belt under tension. 
       FIG. 4  further shows fishing line  126  extending forwardly from reel  110 , over the front end  38  of elongated portion  12 , and then through eyelet  72  at the upper end of extension  68 . In response to a predetermined pull upon fishing line  126 , lever  70  and its extension  68  pivot to the position indicated by phantom lines, thereby actuating lever actuated switch  66 . The pushbutton of pushbutton switch  42  is also shown in phantom lines to indicate its position when pressed to thereby actuate the pushbutton switch. Although not shown, it should be readily apparent that a fisherman can hold rod  108  by grasping rod handle  128  with the fingers of one hand, while pressing the pushbutton of pushbutton switch  42  with the thumb of the same hand. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the illustrated schematic diagram shows a circuit which includes elements previously described, but in a form that is easier to understand. The circuit includes a phone jack  50  having a sleeve contact  52  and a tip contact  54 . Tip contact  54  has a corresponding terminal connected through conducting line  56  to one terminal of pushbutton switch  42 . The other terminal of pushbutton switch  42  is connected to terminal  100  of lever actuated switch  66  via conducting line  58 . Terminal  100  is marked with the designation “NC”, meaning normally closed. Terminal  104  is connected through conducting line  106  to one terminal of electric motor  78 . Terminal  104  is marked with the designation “C”, meaning common. The other terminal of electric motor  78  is connected through conducting line  60  to that terminal of jack  50  corresponding to sleeve contact  52 . 
     Pushbutton switch  42  is shown in  FIG. 5  as being normally open, as indicated by solid lines. Pushbutton switch  42  can be placed in its closed position, as indicated by phantom lines, by pressing the corresponding pushbutton. The open and closed positions of pushbutton switch  42  are similarly and respectively indicated by solid and phantom lines in  FIG. 4 , as previously discussed.  FIG. 5  further shows lever actuated switch  66  as being normally closed, as indicated by solid lines, connecting common terminal  104  to terminal  100 . Pivotal movement of lever  70  to the position indicated by phantom lines places the internal switch mechanism in its open position, as also indicated by phantom lines, connecting the common terminal  104  to terminal  102 . As shown, terminal  102  is left unconnected to any other element. The positions of the lever  70  corresponding to the closed and open positions of lever actuated switch  66  are also respectively indicated by solid and phantom lines in  FIG. 4 . 
     In addition to those elements of the circuit shown in other FIGURES,  FIG. 5  further shows additional elements for supplying electrical power to electric motor  78 ; namely, a battery  130  and a phone plug  132  for insertion into jack  50 . Plug  132  includes a sleeve  134  extending into and through sleeve contact  52  so as to make electrical contact therewith. Plug  132  also has a tip  136 , insulated from the sleeve, that makes electrical contact with tip contact  54 . A terminal designated as “T”, and corresponding to tip  136 , is connected through conducting line  138  to the negative terminal of battery  130 . Another terminal designated as “S”, and corresponding to sleeve  134 , is connected to the positive terminal of battery  130  via conducting line  140 . Battery  130  is preferably very portable so as to be easily taken to any fishing location, and supplies a voltage compatible with electric motor  78 . Where the motor is of the type previously mentioned, a small rechargeable lead acid battery having a capacity of only about 1-2 Ah is sufficient, and has the advantage of having a small footprint and being light in weight. 
     In actual use of the invention, a fisherman may use only one arm and hand to fish with ease, thus allowing a handicapped individual to enjoy a sport that typically requires one hand to hold the rod and the other hand to operate the crank handle of the reel. More specifically, when a fish has bitten and is on the line, the fisherman uses one arm and hand to lift the rod up and back so as to exert an inward pulling force upon the fish. After at least partially pulling in the fish, the rod is lowered so as to relieve most but not all of the tension on the line, while pressing the pushbutton switch with the thumb of one hand and grasping the rod handle with fingers of the same hand. The pushbutton switch in its closed position causes the motor to operate and rewind line onto the reel. This procedure is repeated as many times as necessary until the fish is pulled into the fisherman as positioned on a boat or bank. Even if the fisherman continues to press upon and thus close the pushbutton switch while lifting up and back on the rod, the lever actuated switch will open in response to a predetermined pull upon the line and consequently turn the motor off, thus acting as a safety switch in preventing an undue burden upon and possible destruction of the motor. 
     The mounting body of the invention is particularly advantageous insofar as being useable with a conventional rod and reel without requiring any structural modifications to the reel. All that is required is to remove the crank handle from the reel, and replace it with a gear. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.