Abstract:
A big game fishing chair provides a rocking action to enhance the rod movement while fighting big game fish. The rocking action is controlled by the legs of the operator, which lessens fatigue. The rocking mechanism includes a casting that is supported on the rotational mount of a standard pedestal. The chair is supported on the casting by two pairs of front and rear pivot links that are angled toward one another to provide the desired pivotal action for the chair relative to the pedestal which is fixed to the boat deck. The rocking action supplied by the rocking mechanism, between a full rearward position and a full forward position, provides arcuate movement to the fishing rod with requiring any traditional movement supplied to the fishing rod through the pivotal movement of the rod holder. A locking mechanism is operable to fix the rocker mechanism in a non-pivoting configuration to prevent the rocking mechanism from being operable, thus disabling the rocking action while the chair is not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims domestic priority on co-pending U. S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/146,992, filed Aug. 3, 1999, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to big game fishing chair mounted on a boat from which a fisherman will fight a big game fish and, more particularly, to a rocking mechanism interposed between a standard fishing chair and pedestal mount to enhance the operation of the chair. 
     Big game fishing chairs are mounted on the stern or aft deck of a boat to provide a station from which a fisherman can fight and land a big game fish, such as a blue marlin, sailfish, swordfish and the like. The conventional fishing chair has a seat, a back rest, a foot rest, and a pivoted rod holder for receiving the fishing rod. All of this structure is typically mounted on a pedestal for rotational movement about a generally vertical axis to enable the chair to swivel with the movement of the big game fish as it moves about beneath the surface of the water relative to the boat. The conventional fishing chair requires the fisherman to brace against the foot rest and pull backward on the fishing rod to pull the big game fish toward the boat. This action is quite strenuous and can require a significant amount of time, e.g. 4 to 8 hours, to land a big game fish. Even for muscular fishermen, this activity is tiring, particularly on the arms and back of the fisherman. 
     It has been recognized that it is preferable to use the leg muscles, being the strong muscles of the human body, in the fighting of big game fish. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,086,676 and 3,851,916, for example, have been granted for big game fishing chairs incorporating a sliding mechanism for the seat so that the fisherman can push against the foot rest and, using his leg muscles, slide the seat portion rearwardly relative to the rod holder to effect a rearward movement of the fishing rod to fight the big game fish. Such devices, however, do not effect a pivotal movement of the rod holder, and the supported fishing rod, without the fisherman pulling rearwardly with his arms and back on the fishing rod. While such seat sliding mechanisms divide the effort between the legs, arms and back, the effort remains quite strenuous. 
     Another prior art apparatus to enhance the effectiveness of a big game fishing chair by providing a mechanism for utilizing the leg muscles of the fisherman can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,161. This apparatus involves a complicated lever and linkage mechanism operatively connected to the rod holder to permit the angler to effect pivotal movement of the rod holder relative to the chair by using leg muscles pressing against a sliding foot rest. Such linkage apparatus is complicated and can be quite dangerous if not used properly in that a big game fish can cause a sudden movement of the foot rest and connected linkage through the fishing rod mounted in the rod holder if the linkage is not properly seated. Furthermore, such linkage does not interconnect with the seat and back rest of the fishing chair. 
     Furthermore, these known prior art devices require specially manufactured chairs, supports, linkages, etc. which are not readily adaptable to standard fishing chairs on currently available boats. As a result, existing fishing chair structures could not be modified within the scope of the known prior art to enable the owner of an existing fishing chair to take advantage of these features without undertaking considerable expense and structural modifications. 
     It would be desirable to provide a big game fishing chair that would effect pivotal movement of the rod holder with an exertion of the fisherman&#39;s legs, while allowing the use of the upper body to effect yet further pivotal movement of the rod holder for fighting big game fish. It would be further desirable that such an improvement to a big game fishing chair be adaptable to existing fishing chairs without requiring substantial expense and modification. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a big game fishing chair that is capable of rocking to enhance the operation thereof in catching big game fish. 
     It is an advantage of this invention that the rocking big game fishing chair utilizes the leg muscles of the operator to fight big game fish. 
     It is a feature of this invention that a greater arc of pivotal movement is possible for a fishing rod when using the rocking action of the big game fishing chair as the pivotal rocking movement of the chair is added to the pivotal movement of the rod holder. 
     It is another feature of this invention that the rocking mechanism for the big game fishing chair is supported on a pedestal that incorporates a rotational mechanism so that the rocking motion can be aligned with the position of the big game fish. 
     It is another advantage of this invention that a big game fisherman is less fatigued when using the rocking action of the instant invention to fight big game fish. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a rocking mechanism that can be interposed between a standard big game fishing chair and a standard pedestal mount. 
     It is still another feature of this invention that the rocking mechanism of the instant invention can be used to convert a standard big game fishing chair to a rocking action version. 
     It is still another advantage of this invention that the rocking mechanism can be installed into a standard big game fishing chair with a minimum of inconvenience. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a number of adjustments for a big game fishing chair to allow the rocking mechanism to be utilized by operators of different stature and size. 
     It is yet another feature of this invention that the rocking mechanism can be locked to disable the rocking action at the discretion of the operator. 
     It is yet another advantage of this invention that the rocking action of the instant invention can be locked to prevent movement thereof while the big game fishing chair is not in use. 
     It is a further feature of this invention to provide an optional, alternative mounting holes for the rocker links of the rocker mechanism for selectively varying the rocking characteristics of the rocker mechanism. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a big game fishing chair which is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a big game fishing chair that provides a rocking action to enhance the rod movement while fighting big game fish. The rocking action is controlled by the legs of the operator, which lessens fatigue. The rocking mechanism includes a casting that is supported on the rotational mount of a standard pedestal. The chair is supported on the casting by two pairs of front and rear pivot links that are angled toward one another to provide the desired pivotal action for the chair relative to the pedestal which is fixed to the boat deck. The rocking action supplied by the rocking mechanism, between a full rearward position and a full forward position, provides arcuate movement to the fishing rod with requiring any traditional movement supplied to the fishing rod through the pivotal movement of the rod holder. A locking mechanism is operable to fix the rocker mechanism in a non-pivoting configuration to prevent the rocking mechanism from being operable, thus disabling the rocking action while the chair is not in use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic right side elevational view of the big game fishing chair incorporating the principles of the instant invention, a representative fishing rod being depicted in the pivoted rod holder; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial schematic right side elevational view of the big game fishing chair, the foot rest and other portions of the chair being broken away for purposes of clarity, the sliding movement of the conventional bucket and of the associated fishing rod being depicted; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic right side elevational view of the big game fishing chair shown in FIG. 2, but with the chair rocked rearward to pull the fishing rod rearwardly with the rocking motion of the chair, the bucket being moved to it rearward most position; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic right side elevational view of the big game fishing chair shown in FIG. 2, but with the chair rocked forward to allow the fishing rod to arc forwardly with the rocking motion of the chair, the bucket being moved to a forward position on the chair; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic right side elevational view of the base portion of the big game fishing chair shown in FIG. 1 mounted on the pedestal; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the base portion of the big game fishing chair depicted in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic right side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the rocker assembly mounted to the base portion, optional alternative mounting holes are representatively shown; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic front elevational view of the base portion of the big game fishing chair, similar to that of FIG. 6, but with the rocker assembly mounted to the base portion, as depicted in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the cast base portion of the big game fishing chair; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the cast base portion depicted in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a right side elevational view of the cast base portion of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a right side perspective view of the big game fishing chair corresponding to the view of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the big game fishing chair in the rearward rocked position corresponding to the view of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 14 is a right side perspective view of the big game fishing chair similar to that of FIGS. 12 and 13, but depicting the forward rocked position corresponding to the view of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the big game fishing chair shown in FIGS. 12-14, a bucket being placed on the seat of the chair to receive a fisherman, the rod holder is pivoted downwardly as the fishing rod has been removed for purposes of clarity; and 
     FIG. 16 is a left rear perspective view of an enlarged portion of the big game fishing chair to show the pivotal mounting of the base portion on the support pedestal and the mounting of the foot rest to the rear of the base portion. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 12-16, a big game fishing chair  10  incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen. Any left and right references are used as a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the chair  10  behind the back rest  13  and facing the seat portion  14  and rod holder  19  supporting a fishing rod R at the forward portion of the chair  10 . The big game fishing chair  10  is mounted to the deck  11  at the aft portion of a fishing boat B. The support pedestal  12  is preferably bolted to the deck  11  in a conventional manner facing the stem of the boat B to fish for big game fish, such as blue marlin, sailfish, swordfish, shark and the like in a customary manner. 
     The big game fishing chair  10  is pivotally mounted to the top of the support pedestal  12  by a conventional bearing mechanism (not shown) to permit the entire chair assembly  10  to rotate about a generally vertically extending axis to permit the chair  10  to move with a big game fish caught on the fishing rod R. In a conventional big game fishing chair  10 , the pivotal connection between the seat portion  14  of the chair  10  and the pedestal  12  provides the only freedom of movement permitted to the fisherman and to the chair. Additional movement is provided for between the chair  10  and the fisherman in the form of a “bucket”  15 , a formed seat harness in which the fisherman sits and to which the fishing rod R is connected by ties T. The bucket  15  is free to slide over the surface of the seat portion  14  to allow the fisherman to move fore-and-aft by pushing with his feet against the foot rest  16 . As best seen in the diagram of FIG. 2, the sliding movement of the bucket  15  effects a pivotal movement of the fishing rod R about the rod holder  19  due to the connection of the ties T between the fishing rod R and the bucket  15 . 
     Additional pivotal movement of the fishing rod R can be accomplished through utilization of the fisherman&#39;s legs according to the principles of the instant invention. The sliding movement of the bucket  15  has been duplicated by complex fishing chairs within the prior art, but such devices are not adaptable to presently conventional fishing chairs. To be economically effective, this additional movement is preferably accomplished by modifying conventional fishing chairs. The imposition of a rocking mechanism  20  between the seat portion  14  and the pivotal support pedestal  12 , will provide such additional movement. The rocking mechanism  20  includes a base member  21  pivotally mounted to the support pedestal  12  to provide the conventional swivel movement to the fishing chair  10 , a mounting frame  31  attached to the seat portion  14  of the chair  10  and a set of rocker links  35 ,  36  interconnecting the base member  21  and the mounting frame  31  to allow relative movement therebetween, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The base member  21  is best seen in the enlarged detail views of FIGS. 9-11, but also as part of the chair  10  in substantially all of the drawings. The base member  21  is preferably formed as an aluminum casting, although other fabricated embodiments, such as a welded fixture, and other materials can also be operatively effective. The base member  21  is preferably formed with a pair of laterally spaced side portions  22 , each of which is formed with a rear set of holes  23  arranged in a generally vertical pattern and a front set of holes  24  arranged in an inclined pattern. A central web  25  laterally interconnects the spaced side portions  22 . The central web is formed with a single opening  26  oriented in a vertical manner to permit the passage of a mounting bolt  27  to connect the central web  25  and consequently the base portion  21  to a bearing assembly (not shown) in the support pedestal  12 . 
     Accordingly, the base portion  21  is free to swivel in a generally horizontal plane about the generally vertical axis of the support pedestal  12 . The central web  25  is also provided with a horizontally oriented opening  28  to receive a locking member  29  that can be manipulated to selectively engage the support pedestal  12  to prevent rotation of the base portion  21  relative thereto. The preferable configuration of the locking member  29  is one that will be threadably received within the opening  28  and have a compressible friction member (not shown) at the tip thereof to engage the surface of the support pedestal  12  and restrict movement through friction, as opposed to positively engaging holes in the support pedestal  12 . 
     The mounting frame  31  is a formed member having a generally U-shaped configuration with the bight  32  thereof detachably connected to the seat portion  14  of the chair to become an integral part thereof and the legs  33  depending downwardly in general register with the side portions  22 , but outside thereof. The legs  33  carry bosses at a lower extremity thereof to receive and pivotally support the rocker links  35 ,  36 . The base member  31  is also provided with pivot supports to receive the rocker links  35 ,  36 , as will be described in greater detail below. The rod holder  19  is pivotally supported on the front part of the seat portion  14  so that a fishing for R supported therein will move with the seat portion for reasons to be made clear below. Preferably, the front part of the chair is formed with a plurality of mounting holes through which a pivot pin connected to the rod holder  19  can be fastened to pivotally support the rod holder  19 . 
     The foot rest  16  is carried by the base member  21 . The foot rest  16  is constructed with a pair of laterally spaced mounting legs  17  with the foot rest  16  interconnecting the forward ends thereof. The mounting legs  17  are formed with a plurality of open slots  18  on the upper surfaces thereof. The foot rest  16  can then be detachably supported on the base member  21  by engaging a pin  23   a  positioned in a selected one of the rearward set of holes  23  and then resting on another pin  24   a  in a selected one of the forward set of holes  24 . Since the majority of the weight of the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17  is forward of the pin  24   a,  the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17  pivots about the forward pin  24   a  and forces the slots  18  of the mounting legs  17  into engagement with the rearward pin  23   a.  The slots  18  keep the foot rest  16  from moving fore-and-aft. 
     Detachment of the foot rest, as for transport from one location to another, can be easily accomplished by raising the foot rest  16  at the forward end of the mounting legs  17  to disengage the rearward pins  23   a  from the slots  18  through a pivoting of the mounting legs  17  about the forward pins  24   a,  and then sliding the mounting legs  17  over top of the forward pins  24   a.  The multiple holes in both the rearward set  23  and the forward set  24  provide a multitude of positioning for the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17 , not only vertically, but also in an inclined orientation, as one skilled in the art will readily realize. The plurality of slots  18  allow for a selective positioning of the foot rest  16  toward and away from the seat portion  14  to accommodate different leg lengths of the fisherman. 
     An alternative arrangement for mounting the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17  is shown in FIGS. 12-16. The rear portion of the base member  21  is provided with the pins  23   a  fixed therein on the opposing sides. A selected pair of the forward set of holes  24  is used to support a rod  24   b  that spans the gap between the opposing sides of the base member  21 . The slotted rails  17  can then slide over top of the rod  24   b  until the rear pins  23   a  are aligned with a selected pair of slots  18  to position the foot rest  16  at the desired location to accommodate the size of the operator to be using the chair  10 . The weight of the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17  can then be lowered to engage the rear pins  23   a  with the selected slots  18  and restrain the foot rest assembly  16 ,  17  at the desired location. The rod  24   b  is preferably formed with a cotter pin  24   c,  or the like, to prevent the rod  24   b  from accidentally disengaging the holes  24 . 
     A set of four rocker links  35 ,  36  are connected to the bosses on the legs  33  of the mounting frame  31  and to the pivot supports of the base frame  21  and are positioned between the legs  33  of the mounting frame  31  and the base member  21  so that the rocker links  35 ,  36  are not exposed to the outer surface of the fishing chair  10 . This pivotal connection permits a rocking movement of the mounting frame  31  relative to the base member  21 ; however, the pivotal connections are preferably assembled with at least one cupped, Belleville-type washer  36   a  on each rocker link  35 ,  36  to provide some resistance to the rocking motion. 
     The rocker links  35 ,  36  are preferably arranged so that in the central, non-rocked position, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rocker links  35 ,  36  are somewhat symmetrical mirror images, as seen when comparing the front rocker links  35  to the rear rocker links  36 . The pivotal connection of the rear rocker links  36  with the mounting frame  31  is forwardly of the pivotal connection of the rear rocker links  36  with the base member  21 . Conversely, the front rocker links  35  have the pivotal connection with the mounting frame  31  rearward of the pivotal connection with the base member  21 . This orientation of the rocker links  35 ,  36  provide the rocking motion to be described in greater detail below. 
     Since the foot rest  16  is fixed via the mounting legs  17  to the base member  21 , an operator sitting on the seat portion  14  of the fishing chair  10  can push against the foot rest  16  with his/her feet through extension of his/her legs and effect a relative movement of the seat portion  14  about the pivotal linkage of the rocker links  35 ,  36 . As demonstrated in FIG. 3, the rearward movement of the seat portion  14  causes the mounting frame  31  to move rearwardly taking the pivotal connections with the rocker links  35 ,  36 . The rear rocker links  36 , due to their orientation as described above, pass through a generally horizontally positioned arc segment which takes the rear of the seat portion  14  and back rest  13  generally horizontally rearwardly. The front rocker links  35 , however, must move through a generally vertical arc segment due to the orientation thereof causing the front of the seat portion  14  to move vertically relative to the back rest  13 . This combined movement of the rocker links  35 ,  36  tips the seat portion backwardly and effects an exaggerated movement of the fishing rod R, as depicted in FIG.  3 . This movement corresponds to a substantial pulling on the fish to urge the hooked fish toward the boat B, without using any arm motion of the operator at all. 
     Conversely, a bending of the operator&#39;s legs to allow the force of the hooked fish fighting on the fishing rod R to move the seat portion  14  forwardly effects an exaggerated movement of the fishing rod R forwardly to give the hooked fish some play before pulling rearwardly again. With particular reference to FIG. 4, one skilled in the art will readily see that the movement of the rocker links  35 ,  36  from the central position shown in FIG. 2 causes the opposite movement of the seat portion  14  of the chair  10  from the rearward movement. The orientation of the rocker links  35 ,  36  is such that the forward movement of the mounting frame  31  and attached seat portion  14  causes the front part of the seat portion to move in a generally horizontal arc segment while the rear rocker links  36  move through a somewhat vertically inclined arc segment to cause the seat portion  14  to tip forwardly and effect an exaggerated movement of the fishing rod R. 
     An alternative configuration of the mounting frame  31  would provide optional mounting holes, as depicted in FIG. 7, for the attachment of the rocker links  35 ,  36  thereto to change the rocking characteristics of the rocking assembly  20  and/or the orientation of the seat  14  in the central non-rocked position, as well as the forward and rearward fully rocked positions. For example, by re-positioning the rocker links  35 ,  36  into a parallel orientation, the movement of the seat  14  during the rocking action would be equivalent to a sliding connection, as the parallel links would operate as a four-bar linkage to maintain the seat  14  in a fixed orientation throughout the movement thereof fore-and-aft. Although such a parallel orientation of the rocker links  35 ,  36  would not provide the exaggerated rocking action, as described above, such rocking action can be lessened or minimized at the election of the operator when setting up the chair  10 . 
     The base member  21  is preferably formed with front and rear stop members  38 ,  39  on the opposing side portions  22 . The stop members  38 ,  39  are engageable with the rocker links  35 ,  36  to limit the amount of pivotal movement of the seat portion  14  and attached mounting frame  31  relative to the base member  21 . When the seat portion  14  is rocked rearwardly, the front rocker links  35  engage the front stop members  38  to prevent the tipping of the seat portion rearwardly more than a predetermined amount, preferably corresponding to about 10 degrees of arcuate movement of the fishing rod R from the central, non-rocked position shown in FIG.  2 . Similarly, the tipping of the seat portion  14  forwardly causes the rear rocker links  36  to engage the rear stop members  39  and limit the forward tipping of the seat portion  14  to a predetermined amount, again preferably corresponding to about 10 degrees of arcuate movement of the fishing rod R from the central, non-rocked position shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The movement of the fishing rod R as a result of the rocking of the seat portion  14  is cumulative to the movement of the fishing rod R caused by the fore-and-aft sliding movement of the bucket  15  over the top surface of the seat portion  14 . Generally, the sliding movement of the bucket  15  can effect an angular movement of the fishing rod through an arc of approximately 20 degrees. Adding the exaggerated angular movement of the fishing rod R due to the rocking motion of the seat portion  14  to the movement associated with the sliding motion of the bucket  15  can result in a total arcuate motion of the fishing rod through an angle of approximately 40 degrees, all without the utilization of the operator&#39;s arms. 
     In the event that the rocking motion of the seat portion  14  is not desired, the rocking assembly  20  is provided with a locking mechanism  40 . To prevent the rocking assembly  20  from moving, a locking pin  42  can be inserted through an appropriately placed opening  34  in one of the legs  33  of the mounting frame  31  and engage a hole  37  in one of the rocker links  35 ,  36  passing in register therewith. The holes  34 ,  37  in the leg  33  and the corresponding rocker link  35 ,  36  are arranged so that the locking pin  42  interengaging the holes  34 ,  37  and preventing relative movement therebetween locks the rocking mechanism  20  in the central, non-rocked position shown in FIG.  2 . The locking pin  42  is preferably of the quick disconnect variety that incorporates a spring detent to permit the rapid engagement and disengagement of the locking pin from the holes  34 ,  37 . One skilled in the art will readily realize that the rapid engagement of the rocking mechanism  20  is sometimes desirable when a big game fish is hooked, whereas the rocking motion may not be desired when the fishing chair  10  is not in active usage. 
     Accordingly, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that a novel fish fighting chair  10  is provided to enhance the use of the operator&#39;s leg muscles in fighting a big game fish. Arcuate movement of the fishing rod R can be effected via the use of the operator&#39;s legs through both a sliding movement of the bucket  15  over the top surface of the seat portion  14  and also through the rocking motion of the seat portion  14  relative to the base member  21 . The seat portion, and the operator sitting therein, can still swivel about the upright axis of the support pedestal  12  to stay in line with the hooked fish as it moves beneath the surface of the water, while rocking and sliding motions are achieved simultaneously in alignment with the hooked fish. The rocking mechanism  20  can be quickly and easily converted between a conventionally operable fishing chair  10  and an enhanced rocking fishing chair  10  through manipulation of the locking pin  42 . 
     A standard, presently conventional chair can be easily converted to the enhanced rocking fishing chair. The seat portion  14  need only be disconnected from the support pedestal  12  and the rocking mechanism  20  interposed therebetween to convert the standard fishing chair to an enhanced rocking fishing chair  10 . The mounting frame  31  will be fastened to the seat portion  14 , while the base member  21  is pivotally fastened to the support pedestal  12  in lieu of the conventional seat portion  14 . The provision of the rocker links  35 ,  36  between the mounting frame  31  and the base member  21  will provide the desired rocking motion without sacrificing any other motion associated with the standard fishing chair, including the sliding motion of the bucket  15  over top of the seat portion  14  and the swivel motion of the chair  10  relative to the support pedestal  12 . 
     It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.