Abstract:
A hook setting fishing pole holder holds and secures a fishing pole to allow for unattended fishing includes a base having a pointed stake and a bracket that pivotably holds a fishing pole holder connected by an axle mechanism. The bracket is held between a pair of bracket flanges and the pole holder is secured in a ready position by a retaining clip. The axle mechanism allows the rod to be balanced and to slightly bob up and down as a line and bait are taken by a fish. The force of a fish strike and subsequent movement disengages the pole holder from the clip allowing the fishing pole to pivot forward. The forward motion is immediately limited by a stop feature which sets the hook.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fishing pole holders, and in particular, to a hands-free fishing pole holder configured to automatically set a hook. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The technology used by anglers to catch fish has become increasingly complex in nature. Fishermen no longer rely on the traditional hook and worm approach to attract their game. Instead, a broad range of products have hit the market, designed to aid the fisherman in catching more fish quickly. 
     One (1) tool utilized by fisherman is that of a stationary fishing rod holder and a tip up. These tools however present various disadvantages and deficiencies related to design and utilization. Particularly, traditional fishing pole holders are not suitably constructed to retain the fishing pole once the line has been struck by a fish and often times leads to loss of the pole. Holders which address this problem fail to allow the pole to pivot in a natural manner. Fishing pole holders also lack a way to visually and audibly indicate that the line has been struck by a fish. Finally, these devices lack a mechanism that automatically sets the hook after the line is struck and the fish begins to swim away when the fisherman is not directly attending to the pole. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a fishing pole holder that can securely support a fishing pole in an unattended manner and that provides an automatic hook setting mechanism, which addresses the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of certain embodiments, the hook setting fishing pole holding device includes a stake, a bracket attached to the stake, a pole holder pivotably mounted to the bracket, a clip affixed to the stake and removably attached to the pole holder, and a stop feature disposed on the bracket. The clip releasably retains the pole holder in a generally vertical orientation and the stop feature limits a forward pivotable motion of the pole holder. 
     In accordance with other features and aspects of the embodiments, the stake includes a shaft, a pointed tip disposed on a lower end of the shaft, and a threaded portion disposed on an upper end of the shaft. 
     In accordance with other features and aspects of the embodiments, the bracket includes a generally flat connecting member, a pair of parallel flanges extending angularly upward from opposing sides of the connector member, a pair of fastener slots with a fastener slot disposed at an end of each of the flanges, a coupling nut affixed to a bottom surface of the connector plate. The coupling nut is attachable to the upper portion of the stake. The stop feature extends perpendicularly upward from a front edge of the connecting member between the pair of flanges. 
     In accordance with other features and aspects of the embodiments, the pole holder includes a tubular body having an open top and a closed bottom and a pair of axles protruding outwardly from opposing sides of the body. The axles are pivotably mounted between a pair of flanges of the bracket. 
     In accordance with other features and aspects of the embodiments, the clip includes a “C”-shaped member having an opposing pair of curved arms and an opening. The “C”-shaped member has an inner diameter slightly larger of than an outer diameter of the body of the pole holder and the opening being suitably sized for insertion of the pole holder body. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental side view of a hook setting fishing pole holder depicted in a ready state, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental side view of the hook setting fishing pole holder depicted in a tripped state; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of a bracket of the hook setting fishing pole holder; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a pole holder of the hook setting fishing pole holder; and, 
         FIG. 4   b  is a section view of the pole holder taken a long section line A-A of  FIG. 4   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  hook setting fishing pole holder 
               20  stake 
               21  shaft 
               22  threaded portion 
               23  eyelet 
               30  bracket 
               31   a  first flange 
               31   b  second flange 
               32  fastener slot 
               33  connecting member 
               34  coupling nut 
               35  stop feature 
               40  pole holder 
               41  body 
               42  bottom closure 
               43  fishing pole slot 
               44  clip 
               45  axle 
               47  annular slot 
               100  fishing pole 
               110  ground surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4   b , depicting a hook setting fishing pole holder, identified generally by reference to an apparatus  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the apparatus  10  provides for unattended fishing while along a bank area of a body of water and an automatic hook setting function. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus  10  includes a metal, rod-like anchoring stake  20  having a pointed tip, a “U”-shaped bracket  30  connected to the stake  20 , a fishing pole holder  40  mounted to the bracket  30 , and a clip  44  releasably secured to the pole holder  40 . A fishing pole  100  is inserted within a hollow interior of the pole holder  40  and the fishing pole  100  and pole holder  40 , in combination, are retained in a generally vertical orientation at the ready state until the bait and hook is taken by a fish. Upon receiving a force from a fish on the fishing line, the fishing pole  100  and the pole holder  40 , in combination, pivot forward against a stop feature  35 . 
     The force applied and forward motion being sufficient in strength to detach the restraining clip  44  from the lower end of the rod holder  40 . The forward motion of the fishing pole  100  and the pole holder  40 , in combination, is limited by the stop feature  35 . The sudden stopping of the fishing pole  100  and the pole holder  40 , in combination, upon impact of a front surface of the pole holder  40  with the stop feature  35  enables the hook to set into the fish. The stop feature  35  also retains the pole holder  40  and the fishing pole  100  at a slightly forward angle until the fisherman removes the fishing pole  100  from the apparatus  10  to reel in the fish in a conventional manner. 
     The clip  44  is a generally “C”-shaped member removably attachable to a lower end of the front surface of the pole holder  40 . The opposing curved arms of the clip  44  snuggly wrap at least partially around a body  41  of the pole holder  40 . A rear surface of the clip  44  is freely attached to the stake  20  such that it is movable relative to the stake  20 . In the example embodiment, the clip  44  is attached to the stake by a pair of conjoined eyelets  23 . A first eyelet  23  is threadingly affixed to a side surface of a shaft  21  of the stake  20  and a second eyelet  23  is threadingly attached to the rear surface of the clip  44 . 
     During use, the pole holder  40  is held at a vertical or nearly vertical orientation, in the ready state, by attachment of the clip  44 . Upon striking of the hook by a fish, a forwardly directed force is transferred to the pole  110  and the pole holder  40  is forcibly detached from within the clip  44  allowing the pole holder  40  and fishing pole  100 , in combination, to pivot forwardly against the stop feature  35 . The connected eyelets  23  keep the clip  44  attached to the stake  20  following detachment from the pole holder  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the bracket  30  is a metal, generally “U”-shaped fixture having first flange  31   a  and a second flange  31   b  arranged in a parallel and generally vertical manner. The flanges  31   a ,  31   b  are connected along a bottom edge by a horizontal connecting member  33 . The flanges  31   a ,  31   b  each include a respective fastener slot  32  disposed at an end opposite the connecting member  33 . A coupling nut  34  is attached to and protrudes downwardly from a bottom surface of the connecting member  33 . The coupling nut  34  includes a threaded bore which provides for threaded attachment of a threaded portion  22  of an upper end of the stake  20 . The stop feature  35  is integrally formed along a forward edge of the connecting member  33  and protrudes upwardly between the flanges  31   a ,  31   b  in order to limit the forward movement of the pole holder  40  in the tripped state, as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4   a , the pole holder  40  is tubular body  41  having an inner diameter suitably sized to snuggly receive a handle portion of the fishing pole  100  and is preferably made from plastic or metal. The pole holder  40  includes an open top having a fishing pole slot  43  which extends from the open top downward along a rear surface to provide for simple insertion of the fishing pole  100  within the hollow interior of the pole holder  40 . A bottom end of the pole holder  40  is closed by a perpendicular bottom closure  42  onto which the end of the handle of the fishing pole  100  rests when inserted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4   b , the pole holder  40  is pivotably mounted between the flanges  31   a ,  31   b  which allows the pole holder  40  and the fishing pole  100 , in combination, to pivot rearwardly and forwardly about the bracket  30 . The pole holder  40  includes a pair of opposing integral axles  45  protruding outwardly from opposing sides of the body  41  along a common axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body  41 . The axles  45  are generally spool-shaped members, each having an annular slot  47  designed to receive respective edges of the flanges  31   a ,  31   b  when inserted within the fastener slots  32 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the apparatus  10  can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4   b . It can be appreciated that the steps required to utilize the apparatus  10 , as described, can performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The method of preparing the apparatus  10  to the ready state can be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; inserting a pointed end of the stake  20  down into a ground surface  110 ; threadingly engaging the coupling nut  34  of the bracket  30  to the threaded portion  22  of the stake  20 ; inserting the axles  45  of the pole holder  40  into respective fastener slot s  32  of the flanges  31   a ,  31   b ; attaching the clip  44  to the pole holder  40  by forcing the clip  44  around the body  41  of the clip  44 ; preparing and casting the fishing pole  100  in a conventional manner; and inserting a handle portion of the fishing pole  100  into the open top end of the pole holder  40 . The apparatus  10  is now ready to catch a fish in a hands-free manner. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  to catch a fish may be achieved by performing the following steps: using the apparatus  10  to fish in a hands-free manner until hooking a fish and in turn causing the clip  44  to be detached from the pole holder  40 ; setting a hook into the fish upon contact of the pole holder  40  with the stop feature  35 ; removing the fishing pole  100  manually from the pole holder  40 ; and, reeling in the fish using the fishing pole  100  in a conventional manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.