Abstract:
A fishing pole holder suitable for use with a conventional pole and reel, but secured into ice is contemplated to provide deep securement of the holder into the ice, and self stabilizing by the holder against the ice. The holder may actually work in other materials, such as logs and earth, but may be sized and shaped to be particularly well adapted to securement into ice. The handle for turning the shaft may eventually come to rest on the ice to stabilize the holder and fishing pole handle disposed therein.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/446,338 filed Feb. 24, 2011 and entitled FISHING POLE HOLDER, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to fishing equipment, and more particularly to novel methods and apparatus for holding a fishing pole. 
         [0004]    2. The Background Art 
         [0005]    Fishing has been a favorite pastime and vocation both for centuries and millennia. In the process of fishing, the fishing pole has become ubiquitous. In some circumstances, it is required by law that a fisherman be in close proximity and firm control of fishing apparatus. In other circumstances, a fisherman is allowed to use a holder. Various holders have been developed over the years for river fishing, lake fishing, fishing from a boat, fishing from land, and fishing from ice. 
         [0006]    In ice fishing, one common fishing rig is called a “tip up.” With a tip up, the three legs of the tip up form a relatively stable tripod sitting on the ice. One of the legs is longer, and serves as a short fishing pole of sorts. In response to the tug of a fish pulling on the hook and line connected to the tip up, the tip up tips over. Thus, a flag is raised by the tip up and a fisherman is notified thereby that a fish has take the bait. 
         [0007]    Regardless of mode, a fishing pole holder suitable for ice fishing, where the pole is a conventional pole, is still needed. Some of the features that are important include light weight, simplicity of operation, penetration ability for ice, holding ability to anchor the holder to the ice, and stability once anchored to the ice. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a simple, effective, compact mechanism for holding a fishing pole when ice fishing. Being completely stationary or nearly so, a fisherman has enough difficulty staying warm, without frightening fish by the movement above the ice. Accordingly, it would be an advance in the art to provide a fishing pole holder that can remain stationary while a fisherman moves about elsewhere. Nevertheless, it would be an advance in the art if such a system could be lightweight, simple to use, provide simple and quick penetration into the ice, but remain firmly held by the ice after penetration. 
         [0009]    Likewise, it would be an advance if such a system could have some stabilization mechanism to maintain the orientation of the pole once the fishing pole holder has been anchored to the ice. Thus, it would be an advantage to have multiple points of contact in order to stabilize the holder. If such a device could fit in a backpack, tackle box, or pocket, rather than being a large cumbersome apparatus, it would be so much the better. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a holder formed to have a handle, which may be formed as a tubular member. Perpendicular to the handle is secured, typically by welding or other suitable fastening means a shaft. The shaft is threaded with flutes or flights of threads that have a deep cut or bite, being set off from the inner diameter of the threads, the shaft, by sufficient distance to provide good “purchase” in the ice when the threads are threaded into the ice. 
         [0011]    In order to start the threads, and in fact to point is provided, which may be protected by a protective cover, such as a stiff piece of plastic or rubber tubing that can be slipped over or even threaded onto the threads on the shaft. 
         [0012]    In certain contemplated embodiments, the handle may actually serve as a tubular member having an aperture therethrough. The aperture may be provided with grommets, gaskets, or other trim at the ends thereof in order to not wear on the handle of the fishing pole inserted therein. In other embodiments, the trim may actually serve at one end as a cutter in order to cut into the ice. 
         [0013]    The shaft may be secured by threading, welding, or other fastening mechanisms. For example, the shaft may be provided with a hoop that extends round the handle portion, so that the shaft need not penetrate into the handle. By the same token, the shaft may simply be welded to the handle and thus be securely integrated therewith without any penetration through the handle to interfere with the location where the handle of the fishing pole needs to rest. 
         [0014]    In use, an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may involve finding a suitable location, cutting a hole through the ice, and dropping a baited hook from the end of the fishing hole down through the hole in the ice. Accordingly, upon determining a suitable location for resting the pole, a user may take the handle of the holder apparatus and applying palm pressure from the hand of a user dig the point of the shaft into the ice. The point may be angled at an angle that sets the handle or tube at the angle it will maintain in order to hold the handle of the fishing pole. 
         [0015]    By turning the handle, the threads on the shaft form an effective auger. However, with applied pressure to the handle with the heel of the hand, a user may effectively not auger into the ice, so as to dig ice out, but rather force the threads to enter into the ice. Often, the ice may be cracked about the threads as the threads penetrate into the ice. However, given the energy applied to threading the shaft into the ice, the ice may temporarily fracture, and even have some local melting. Nevertheless, a metal shaft and threads readily conduct heat, and the ice surrounding any hole or fractured ice formed by the threads will typically re-freeze about the threads, thus anchoring the shaft in the ice. 
         [0016]    A user may continue to push and rotate the handle, thus driving the threads and shaft further into the ice. Ultimately, one end of the handle will strike the ice first. At that time, a user may then continue to rotate until the other end of the handle strikes the ice, this time being drawn closer. Accordingly, a user may turn the handle back and forth to cut with one end of the handle a groove in the ice. Upon driving the shaft sufficiently deeply into the ice, the handle will be engaged by friction and otherwise against the ice, thus maintaining that particular position. 
         [0017]    Thereupon, a user may then drop the handle of the fishing pole into the aperture or tubular opening in the handle of the holder. At that point, the fishing pole may be left unattended in the holder. 
         [0018]    Moreover, the unit may also be used for shore fishing. For example, the threaded shaft may be anchored in a log or even in the ground. The large threads are particularly effective in large, old logs, which tend to have less integrity, due to decomposition. The length of the shaft and the depth of the threads combine to provide a secure grip into the log. Likewise, the orientation of the shaft may be selected to insert an any convenient angle to orient the holder portion and the fishing pole as desired. 
         [0019]    Similarly, the threads may be sunk into a log or the earth at an angle, just as in ice. In this configuration, the tubular handle may engage the log or earth, stabilizing the handle of the holder and thus the fishing pole placed therein. 
         [0020]    Likewise, anchored into a side of a log opposite the body of water being fished, the holder may be threaded into the log until the shaft is completely sunk thereinto. One may select any suitable angle, turning the threads into the log to partially or completely bury the threads therein. With the variations in log density, more or less of the threads may be engaged. In softer conditions, one may completely sink the shaft, securing the tubular handle snugly against the log. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fishing pole holder apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a left end elevation view thereof; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a right end elevation view thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view thereof, showing the shaft and the threads formed therearound; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a frontal perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention in use with a fishing pole placed therein after penetration by the apparatus into the ice; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, anchored into the ice, and securing the handle of a fishing pole therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , while referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , a fishing pole holder  10  or apparatus  10  in accordance with the invention may be formed to have a handle  12 , typically a tubular member having an open tubular form and secured to a shaft  14  at approximately the center thereof. The apparatus  10  functions best if the shaft  14  is spaced to extend perpendicularly from a midpoint on the outside of the handle  12 . The shaft may be provided with threads. It has been found that the threads  16  serve best if they are very deep. Accordingly, the shaft  14  obtains greater purchase on the ice, and the fracture of ice has been found to be less problematic since it can re-freeze within the large threaded openings, thus securing the shaft  14  in the ice. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the shaft  14  may terminate in a sharp point  18 . The point may include threads, or not. That is, for example, the threads  16  may advance along a majority of the shaft  14 , and come completely to the point  18 . In other embodiments, the point  18  may not include threads, but nearly a pick  18  that may be used to pick into the ice before engaging the threads  16 . Nevertheless, in the illustrated embodiments, the threads  16  advance all the way to the point  18 . 
         [0035]    In one currently contemplated embodiment, the apparatus  10  maybe formed entirely of metal. In such an embodiment, the handle  12  may be formed of metal tubing, having an aperture  20  passing from end to end therethrough. In particular, it is a benefit to have the shaft  14  made of a metal such as steel. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft  14  may be secured to a hoop, through which the handle  12  is fitted. Thus, the handle  12  need not always be formed of the same material of the shaft  14 . 
         [0036]    The aperture  20  may be sized to fit a handle of a fishing pole. In certain embodiments, the aperture  20  may be trimmed with some sort of trim  22 , such as a rubber gasket, a roughened or knurled treatment, a polymeric material to cover any metal edges, or the like. The trim  22  may be for decoration, but may also serve to protect the handle of the fishing pole inserted therein against damage. 
         [0037]    In one currently contemplated embodiment, the securement  24  of the shaft  14  to the handle  12  may be provided in any suitable mechanically stable means. For example, in one embodiment, the shaft  14  may be welded  24  to the handle  12 . Thus, the holder  10  becomes a fully integrated, single piece, unit. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , the fishing pole  30  of a user may include a handle  32 . Accordingly, the holder  10  may be sized to fit a variety of handles  32 . Presently, most fishing poles have a more-or-less standardized size for handles, in order to be able to support handles  32 , in order to support attachment of a reel  34 , and to provide space for the hands of a user to operate the reel  34  while holding the handle  32 . Accordingly, the pole  30  may extend down into the aperture  20  of the handle  12  of the holder  10 , once the apparatus  10  has been anchored into the ice. For example, referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , a user may select the approximate angle at which the holder  10  is to extend away from the ice. Accordingly, a user may then orient the handle portion  12  of the holder  10  at that angle, and drive the shaft  14  directly into the ice. Beginning with the point  18 , a user may cut into the ice, engaging the threads  16  as the user rotates the shaft  14  under pressure by rotating and pushing on the handle  12  of the holder  10 . After suitable application of force to the shaft  14  and the point  18 , along with the rotating of the handle  12 , the threads  16  will turn down into the ice. To a certain extent, the threads will cut into the ice as if cutting into wood or other solid materials. However, to a certain extent the threads  16  sometimes tend to break up the ice. Nevertheless, once rotation of the shaft  14  terminates, the ice trapped within the threads  16  quickly re-freezes by losing any additional energy back into the surrounding ice, thus anchoring the shaft  14  and the threads  16  securely in the ice. 
         [0039]    As a user rotates the handle  12  and drives the shaft  14  further into the ice, the handle  12  eventually contacts the ice. As soon as the handle  12  begins to contact the ice, a user may begin to consider terminating the driving of the shaft  14  into the ice. The handle  12 , the ends thereof will tend to cut into the ice and make a hollow therein. Thus, a user may cut the handle  12  into the ice in order to stabilize it, and resist any rotation of the shaft  14  forward or backward. Thus, one end of the handle  12  of the holder  10  digs into the ice, while the shaft  14  secures the handle  12  against the ice. 
         [0040]    Once the holder  10  has been secured by means of the shaft  14  and its threads  16  into the ice, and has been stabilized in its position by engagement of one end of the handle  12  against the ice at a location away from the shaft  14 , the holder  10  then has a certain amount of leverage in order to hold a fishing pole  30  in position. A user may then set the anterior end of the handle  32  into the aperture  20  of the handle  12 . Typically, the length of the handle  12  of the holder  10  is of a length to provide a positioning of the reel  34  in a suitable location. Nevertheless, in one contemplated embodiment, the handle  32  of the fishing pole  30  may extend through the entire length of the handle  12 , and may itself rest on the ice at the bottom end of the handle  12  of the holder  10 . Meanwhile, the user may leave the line  36  extending from the reel through the ferules  38 , eventually dropping off the end of the rod  40  into the water, where the bait and hook may do their service. 
         [0041]    When a user sees the distal end of the rod  40  dipping, vibrating, bending, or the like, the user may grasp the handle  32  of the fishing pole  30 , remove the handle  32  from the tube  12  or handle of the holder  10 , and return to regular operation of the reel  34 . After removing a fish, the user may then reset the bait, preparing the hook and bait and dropping the bait through the hole in the ice. Thereupon, the user may replace the handle  32  of the fishing pole  30  into the holder  10 , and await another fish. 
         [0042]    The unit  10  may also be used for shore fishing. For example, the threaded shaft  14  may be anchored in a log or even in the ground. The large threads  16  are particularly effective in large, old logs, which tend to have less integrity, due to decomposition. The length of the shaft  14  and the depth of the threads  16  combine to provide a secure grip into the log. Likewise, the orientation of the shaft  14  may be selected to insert an any convenient angle to orient the holder portion  12  and the fishing pole handle  32  as desired. 
         [0043]    Similarly, the threads  16  and shaft  14  may be sunk into a log to position the handle  12  flush or tangent to the log. Also, the shaft  14  may be inserted into a log or the earth at an angle, just as in ice, coming to a stop once the handle portion  12  digs into the ground and stabilizes. In this configuration, the tubular handle  12  may rotate with the turning of the shaft  14  until it engages the log or earth, stabilizing the handle of the holder and thus the fishing pole handle  32  placed therein. 
         [0044]    Likewise, anchored into a side of a log that is opposite the body of water being fished, the holder  10  may be threaded by the shaft  14  into the log until the shaft  14  is completely sunk thereinto. One may select any suitable angle, turning the threads  16  into the log to partially or completely bury the threads  16  therein. With the variations in log density, more or less of the threads may be engaged. In softer conditions, one may completely sink the shaft  14 , securing the tubular handle  12  snugly against the log. 
         [0045]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its fundamental functions or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the illustrative embodiments are to be embraced within their scope.