Patent Description:
Basic fishing rod and reel constructions have been known and used by sport anglers for a considerable period of time. As sport fishing has become more sophisticated, modifications of the equipment have become increasingly important in order to optimize one's experience and ability to catch different species of fish under various conditions. <CIT> discloses a top guide, tip section rod and fishing rod according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, comprising a shape memory alloy or superalloy. <CIT> discloses a fishing rod according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, especially a spear point rod comprising metal-rod material. <CIT> discloses a fishing rod according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, comprising an arrangement of anisotropically aligned and axially aligned short fibers in a matrix resin material.

Avid anglers strongly prefer a fishing rod that is light-weight, durable, and exhibits a desired level of action, stiffness or flexibility (or "responsiveness"). For example, the stiffness or flexibility to enable casting and placing a lure in the water at a desired location, and the strength and structural robustness to lift the catch out of the water. The term "action" is used to describe how much of the rod bends or deflects when a force is applied at a tip of the rod. A slow action rod deflects less than one that is a fast or moderate action rod of the same type. The responsiveness of a rod is generally in reference to the ability of the entire rod to flex under load and then return to an original shape or state when the load is removed or released.

A fishing rod typically includes one or more rod bodies carrying line guides (e.g., metal rings) or forming an inner line guide passageway. In some instances, a single, long rod body is provided; with other fishing rod designs, two or more rod bodies are provided and connected to one another. The rod body can be solid or hollow. Regardless, the single rod body or connected rod bodies extend from a handle or butt end (at which a fishing reel is attached) to a tip end, generally tapering in diameter from the handle end to the tip end. The rod body or rod bodies are normally formed of a reinforced fiber material such as fiberglass or carbon fiber sheets. While well-accepted, conventional fishing rod body constructions do not meet all performance characteristics desired by skilled anglers.

The inventors of the present disclosure have recognized a need to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

The invention is defined in claim <NUM> and discloses a fishing rod comprising a shape memory material, such as a shape memory metal, metal alloy, shape memory polymer, or some combination of carbon fiber, fiberglass and metal, metal alloy, or polymer with shape memory attributes.

With some fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure, the shape memory material provides or exhibits the same performance properties as a conventional (e.g., fiber glass) fishing rod, but with a lighter and/or smaller construction (e.g., by adding a shape memory material, the rod bodies of the present disclosure can be made smaller or lighter and exhibit the same performance characteristics as a larger or heavier fishing rod body made of conventional or existing fishing rod body materials). A user will thus experience less fatigue using the fishing rods of the present disclosure as compared to conventional fishing rods, and will beneficially be able to fish for longer periods of time.

Alternatively or in addition, the fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure can exhibit improved or longer casting performance properties in some embodiments as compared to conventional fishing rods. For example, the shape memory material(s) incorporated into the rod bodies of the present disclosure will inherently self-act to return to or toward a pre-set or fixed natural orientation or shape following removal of an applied load. When, for example, the rod body is configured to naturally assume a linear or straight shape when not under load, as energy is applied to the rod body during a back cast motion, the shape memory material will inherently self-return to or toward the natural or normal shape, thus multiplying the force applied onto the fishing rod line with the forward casting motion. These characteristics can, for example, provide for longer casting of the fishing lure as compared to conventional fishing rods.

Alternatively or in addition, the fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure can exhibit more accurate casting properties as compared to conventional fishing rods in some embodiments. For example, the added force with the forward casting motion as described above may allow the user to point the tip of the fishing rod at the desired location while requiring less force by the user to access the desired location thereby increasing accuracy of lure delivery as compared to conventional fishing rods.

Alternatively or in addition, the fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure can provide an increased ability to retrieve a caught fish as compared to conventional fishing rods in some embodiments. For example, the shape memory material(s) incorporated into the rod bodies of the present disclosure will inherently self-act to return to or toward a pre-set or fixed natural position or shape following removal of an applied load, thus generating an additional back force as compared to conventional fishing rods. This additional back force, in turns, lessens the level of force required by the user to retrieve a caught fish.

Alternatively or in addition, the fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure can decrease the likelihood of a caught fish releasing from the line as compared to conventional fishing rods in some embodiments. As a point of reference, one of the difficulties in reeling in a caught fish is that the fish will oftentimes jump out of the water and shake or swim rapidly toward the rod. These actions, in turn, temporarily released the force applied by the fish onto the hook and, as a result, the fish will release from the hook before being reeled in. The shape memory material(s) incorporated into the rod bodies of the present disclosure will inherently self-act to return to or toward a pre-set or fixed natural position or shape, thus applying a continuous force onto the line as a fish is being reeled in, thereby decreasing the likelihood that a motion of the fish will cause the fish to release from the hook.

Some of the fishing rods, and in particular rod bodies, of the present disclosure provide a marked improvement over conventional carbon fiber constructions that while highly sensitive and responsive, are prone to breaking or fracturing. The addition of metal, metal alloy, or other shape memory material allows small tubing or rod shafts to maintain responsiveness and sensitivity but with increased durability that overtly resists breaking.

Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to fishing rods. One example of a fishing rod <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>. The fishing rod <NUM> includes a rod body <NUM> and optionally one or more guides <NUM>. The rod body <NUM> extends from a handle or grip end <NUM> to a tip end <NUM>. A handle or grip region <NUM> adjacent the handle end <NUM> is generally configured to receive a reel (not shown) as is known in the art. The rod body <NUM> can be provided as a singular, uninterrupted component, or can consist of two (or more) rod body sections that are separately formed and subsequently assembled. Regardless, a diameter (or maximum transverse dimension with embodiments in which the rod body <NUM> has a non-circular cross-sectional construction) of the rod body <NUM> generally tapers from the handle region <NUM> toward the tip end <NUM>, and a working length L is defined from the handle region <NUM> to the tip end <NUM>. The line guides <NUM> are of a type known in the art (e.g., metal rings) attached to and projecting from the rod body <NUM>. Any number of line guides <NUM> can be provided. The line guides <NUM> can be spaced at various distances along the rod body <NUM>, and are generally aligned with one another at one "side" of the rod body <NUM>. In some embodiments, a location of the line guides <NUM> is at a "forward" side of the rod body <NUM>. When provided as part of a fishing rod and reel assembly, a reel (not shown) is attached to the handle region <NUM> and a fishing line (not shown) wound about the reel is threaded through the line guides <NUM>. A leading end of the fishing line extends beyond the line guide <NUM> at the tip end <NUM> and is fastened to a hook, lure, etc. In yet other embodiments, the fishing rods of the present disclosure can have an internal line guide format (e.g., at least a portion of the rod body <NUM> is hollow, and the fishing line is interiorly fed through the rod body <NUM> to the tip end <NUM>); with these and similar embodiments, the line guides <NUM> can be omitted. Further, the fishing rods of the present disclosure can incorporate various features known in the art appropriate for a particular end use application (e.g., a spinning rod (used with a spinning reel), a casting rod (used with a casting reel), a baitcasting rod (used with a baitcasting reel), etc.).

With the above in mind, the rod body <NUM> includes or comprises a shape memory material, in the form of a shape memory member that is comprised of a shape memory material. Various embodiments of a shape memory member incorporated into the rod body <NUM> are described below. In more general terms, the shape memory member extends along at least a portion of the working length L, optionally along an entirety of the working length L, and promotes a desired level of flexibility and responsiveness to the rod body <NUM>, including the rod body <NUM> more consistently maintaining and returning to a desired longitudinal shape or bend with the application and removal of a load at the tip end <NUM>, optionally in the presence of an external stimulus (e.g., heat). The shape memory members of the present disclosure are characterized by an ability to deflect or change from a predetermined, natural or normal shape in response to an applied load, and to self-return to or toward the predetermined, natural or normal shape upon removal of the applied load. Shape memory materials of the present disclosure can include a shape memory metal or metal alloy, such as titanium, titanium alloy, nickel-titanium alloys (e.g., NiTi™ or Nitinol™), aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, iron alloy, steel, chromium, chromium alloy, cobalt, cobalt alloy, platinum, platinum alloy, copper-zinc-aluminum alloys, copper-aluminum-nickel alloys, iron-manganese-silicon alloys, etc. Other shape memory materials of the present disclosure can include a shape memory polymer (e.g., linear block copolymer such a polyurethanes, etc.). The shape memory members of the present disclosure can be provided as a singular structural component, or can be incorporated into a composite structure such as a fiber reinforced polymer composite containing a thin shape memory member (metal, metal alloy, or thin shape memory polymer), a shape memory alloy embedded into a fiber material such as carbon fiber or fiber glass, etc. In yet other embodiments, the shape memory material can be combined with other materials to form the rod body <NUM> or a portion thereof (e.g., the rod body <NUM>, or a segment thereof, can be formed as a mixture of a conventional fishing rod body fiber material (e.g., carbon fibers) and shape memory material fibers (e.g., Nitinol fibers)). In the descriptions below, reference to a "shape memory member" is inclusive of any structure incorporating or including a shape memory material as described above. In embodiments that do not form part of the invention, the "shape memory member" need not include a material conventionally termed a "shape memory material", but instead is a metal such as steel (e.g., spring steel) or titanium. For example, in some embodiments, the "shape memory member" is a metal, or a combination of carbon fiber or fiberglass with metal.

Portions of one embodiment of a rod body 20a in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20a includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be a tubular body as shown; in other embodiments, the shaft <NUM> is solid. The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member <NUM> can have a rod-like shape and is embedded into a thickness of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>).

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20b in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20b includes the shaft <NUM> and the shape memory member <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory member <NUM> can have a rod-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, the shape memory member <NUM> is secured (e.g., adhered, bonded, molded, etc.) to an interior surface of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>).

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20c in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20c includes the shaft <NUM> and a plurality of the shape memory members <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory members <NUM> can have a rod-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, each of the plurality of shape memory members <NUM> are embedded into a thickness of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory members <NUM> can each extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>); one or more of the shape memory members <NUM> can have different lengths. While four of the shape memory members <NUM> are shown, any other number, either greater or lesser, is also acceptable. While the shape memory members <NUM> are shown as being equidistantly spaced from one other (about a circumference of the shaft <NUM>), in other embodiments, the shape memory members <NUM> are non-uniformly positioned relative to one another.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20d in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20d includes the shaft <NUM> and a plurality of the shape memory members <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory members <NUM> can have a rod-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, each of the plurality of shape memory members <NUM> are secured (e.g., adhered, bonded, molded, etc.) to an interior surface of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory members <NUM> can each extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>); one or more of the shape memory members <NUM> can have different lengths. While four of the shape memory members <NUM> are shown, any other number, either greater or lesser, is also acceptable. While the shape memory members <NUM> are shown as being equidistantly spaced from one other (about a circumference of the shaft <NUM>), in other embodiments, the shape memory members <NUM> are non-uniformly positioned relative to one another.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20e in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20e includes the shaft <NUM> as described above and a shape memory member <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can have a band-like shape (e.g., non-circular in cross-section) and is embedded into a thickness of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>).

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20f in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20f includes the shaft <NUM> and the shape memory member <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory member <NUM> can have a band-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, the shape memory member <NUM> is secured (e.g., adhered, bonded, molded, etc.) to an interior surface of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>).

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body <NUM> includes the shaft <NUM> and a plurality of the shape memory members <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory members <NUM> can have a band-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, each of the plurality of shape memory members <NUM> are embedded into a thickness of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory members <NUM> can each extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>); one or more of the shape memory members <NUM> can have different lengths. While four of the shape memory members <NUM> are shown, any other number, either greater or lesser, is also acceptable. While the shape memory members <NUM> are shown as being equidistantly spaced from one other (about a circumference of the shaft <NUM>), in other embodiments, the shape memory members <NUM> are non-uniformly positioned relative to one another.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body <NUM> includes the shaft <NUM> and a plurality of the shape memory members <NUM> as described above (e.g., the shape memory members <NUM> can have a band-like shape). With the embodiment of <FIG>, each of the plurality of shape memory members <NUM> are secured (e.g., adhered, bonded, molded, etc.) to an interior surface of the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory members <NUM> can each extend along a portion or an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>); one or more of the shape memory members <NUM> can have different lengths. While four of the shape memory members <NUM> are shown, any other number, either greater or lesser, is also acceptable. While the shape memory members <NUM> are shown as being equidistantly spaced from one other (about a circumference of the shaft <NUM>), in other embodiments, the shape memory members <NUM> are non-uniformly positioned relative to one another.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20i in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20i includes a shape memory member <NUM>, an inner coating <NUM> and an outer coating <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can be a braided or coiled shape memory material (e.g., braided or coiled Nitinol™), and is formed to a tubular shape. The inner and outer coatings <NUM>, <NUM> are applied to the shape memory member <NUM> and can be a carbon fiber material, a fiberglass material, a urethane material, etc. The coatings <NUM>, <NUM> serve to protect the shape memory member <NUM> and serve to retain the shape memory member <NUM> in the tubular format. In related embodiments, the wall of the rod body 20i is made of a braided shape memory material or braided shape memory material embedded within another material such as urethane. Alternatively, the wall can just be made of the braid without one or both of the inner coating <NUM> and/or the outer coating <NUM>. In yet other embodiments, the rod body 20i is formed by an electroplated or welded braided mesh and fixed, for example, into an elongated tapered shape. In yet other embodiments, the rod body 20i can have a more solid construction in transverse cross-section (e.g., is not a tube), with the shape memory member <NUM> being a braided or coiled shape memory material that may or may not be covered by the outer coating <NUM>.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body 20j in accordance with principles of the present are shown in cross-section (along the line A-A of <FIG>) in <FIG>. The rod body 20j includes a shape memory member <NUM> and a coating <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> serves as a core of the rod body 20j, and can be a solid body of shape memory material extending along a portion, or entirety, of the working length L (<FIG>). The shape memory member <NUM> can have the generally cylindrical shape as reflected by <FIG>. The coating <NUM> is applied to an exterior of the shape memory member <NUM> and can be a carbon fiber material, a fiberglass material, a urethane material, etc., serving to protect the shape memory member <NUM>. In some embodiments, a thickness of the coating <NUM> can taper in a direction of the tip end <NUM> (<FIG>). For example, the shape memory member <NUM> can have a constant or uniform diameter, with the thickness of the coating <NUM> tapering to mimic the tapering shape of a conventional fishing rod.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in <FIG>. The rod body <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member <NUM> (referenced generally). The shaft <NUM> can be a tubular body; in other embodiments, the shaft <NUM> is solid. The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member <NUM> can be a shape memory material in the form of a wire or braid (e.g., a Nitinol™ wire or braid) that is wrapped or wound about the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can be attached to the shaft <NUM> in various fashions implicated by the materials employed (e.g., the welded, adhered, bonded, mechanical attachment, etc.). The shape memory member <NUM> can be applied along an entire length of the shaft <NUM> (e.g., extending along an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>), or can be applied to one more selected portions of the shaft <NUM>. While the shape memory member <NUM> is shown as having been applied to an exterior of the shaft <NUM>, in other embodiments, the shape memory member <NUM> can be disposed along or at an interior of the shaft <NUM>.

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in exploded from in <FIG>. The rod body <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is a tubular body having the tapering shape as shown (e.g., tapering in a direction of the tip end <NUM> (<FIG>)). The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member <NUM> is a sheet or film of shape memory material (e.g., Nitinol™ sheet or Nitinol™ film) that is wound or wrapped onto itself for insertion into the central passage of the shaft <NUM>. Upon final assembly, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the wrapped shape memory member <NUM> is disposed within the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> can extend along a portion of, or an entirety of, the working length L (<FIG>). The shape memory member <NUM> can be secured to the shaft <NUM> in various manners commensurate with the materials employed (e.g., bonded, adhesive, welded, mechanical attachment, frictional connection, etc.).

Portions of another embodiment of a rod body <NUM> in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in exploded from in <FIG>. The rod body <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be solid or tubular, and can have the tapering shape as shown (e.g., tapering in a direction of a tip region <NUM>). The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member <NUM> is a tubular body of shape memory material or other metal that is sized and shaped for mounting over at least the tip region <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. Upon final assembly, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the shape memory member <NUM> is disposed over the shaft <NUM>. The shape memory member <NUM> extends along at least a portion of the tip region <NUM>; in other embodiments, the shape memory member <NUM> can extend beyond the tip region <NUM>, and optionally along an entirety of the working length L (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the shape memory member <NUM> can have a length that is greater than <NUM>% of the working length L; for example, the shape memory member <NUM> can have a length that is at least <NUM>% of the working length L, alternatively at least <NUM>% of the working length L, alternatively in the range of <NUM> - <NUM>% of the working length L. It has surprisingly been found that by forming the shape memory member <NUM> to have a length that is greater than <NUM>% of the working length L, performance characteristics implicated by the present disclosure are enhanced. While the shape memory member <NUM> is generally shown, in embodiments that do not form part of the invention, as being a complete, uniform tube (e.g., a continuous side wall with uniform thickness over <NUM> degrees), in other embodiments, the shape memory member <NUM> is an incomplete tube, wherein a section of the tubular shape of the shape memory member <NUM> is removed. In embodiments, the shape memory member <NUM> is a non-uniform tube (e.g. the shape memory member <NUM> can be a tube with non-uniform wall thickness). The shape memory member <NUM> can be secured to the shaft <NUM> in various manners commensurate with the materials employed (e.g., bonded, adhesive, welded, mechanical attachment, frictional connection, etc.).

The shape memory member <NUM> can have a tapered shape or can be akin to a right cylinder. As shown in <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> and the shape memory member <NUM> can be configured such that upon final assembly, an entirety of the shape memory member <NUM> nests against or contacts a surface or structure of the shaft <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an alternative embodiment of the shape memory member <NUM> assembled to a shaft <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can have any of the constructions described above (e.g., akin to a conventional fishing rod body such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc.), and terminates at a shaft end <NUM>. A receiving region <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> proximate the shaft end <NUM> has a reduced outer diameter, commensurate with an inner diameter of the shape memory member <NUM>. Upon final assembly, the shape memory member <NUM> is mounted over the receiving region <NUM>, with a portion of the shape memory member <NUM> extending beyond the shaft end <NUM>. Thus, with these and other optional constructions, at least a portion of the shape memory member <NUM> is not directly in contact with or directly supported by the shaft <NUM>. In some related embodiments, an outer diameter of the shape memory member <NUM> can be commensurate with an outer diameter of the shaft <NUM> immediately proximal the receiving region <NUM>.

Portions of a related embodiment rod body 20n are shown in <FIG>, and includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member assembly <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be solid or tubular, and can have a tapering shape in a direction of a shaft end <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member assembly <NUM> can include two or more shape memory members, such as shape memory members 116a, 116b, 116c. The first shape memory member 116a is assembled over the shaft end <NUM> as described above; the remaining shape memory members 116b, 116c are connecting to one another in a telescoping fashion (as indicated by arrows in <FIG>). With these and related constructions, an overall length and/or responsiveness of the rod body 20n can be selected by a user by manipulating the shape memory members 116a-116c relative to one another.

With the embodiments of <FIG>, the rod body <NUM>, 20n can be or include a tip on a thin inner carbon fiber shaft. The tip can be a nitinol tip, a metal tip, a nitinol with carbon fiber tip, or a metal with carbon fiber tip. The tip and/or the shaft can have a tapering shape or can have a telescoping design.

In some embodiments, the rod bodies of the present disclosure are configured to exhibit differing flexibility or rigidity characteristics along opposing sides thereof. For example, the rod bodies 20a (<FIG>), 20b (<FIG>), 20e (<FIG>), and 20f (<FIG>) can exhibit reduced flexibility (or enhanced rigidity) along the "side" thereof at which the corresponding shape memory member <NUM> is located. Along these same lines, portions of another rod body 20o in accordance with principles of the present disclosure are shown in <FIG>. The rod body 20o includes a shaft <NUM> and a shape memory member <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is a tubular or solid body having the tapering shape as shown (e.g., tapering in a direction of a tip end <NUM>). The shaft <NUM> can have a construction akin to a conventional fishing rod body, such as carbon fiber material, fiber glass material, urethane material, etc. The shape memory member <NUM> can be comprised of any of the shape memory materials of the present disclosure, and can be secured to the shaft <NUM> in various manners (e.g., embedded into a thickness of the shaft <NUM>, adhered or bonded or welded to a surface of the shaft <NUM>, etc.). As indicated at <NUM>, a segment <NUM> of the rod body 20o is characterized by the absence of the shape memory member <NUM>; in other embodiments, the segment <NUM> can be defined by a shape memory member or material having differing rigidity characteristics as compared to other portions of (or an entirety of) the shape memory member <NUM>. Regardless, an elongated shape of the shaft <NUM> (or the rod body 20o as a whole) defines a longitudinal axis A. The segment <NUM> is located at a first "side" <NUM> of the longitudinal axis A. Relative to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and passing through the segment <NUM>, the shape memory member <NUM> exists at an opposing, second "side" <NUM> of the longitudinal axis. With this and similar constructions, the shape memory member <NUM> is configured and positioned relative to the shaft <NUM> such that the rod body 20o exhibits a first degree of flexibility in a direction of the first side <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis A and a second degree of flexibility in a direction of the second side <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis A. The first direction is opposite the second direction, and the first degree of flexibility is greater than the second degree of flexibility.

As a point of reference, some anglers may desire certain fishing rod performance attributes in the context of a normal casting motion. The casting motion is generally viewed as having an initial, rearward motion in which the user applies a torque or moment force onto a handle region <NUM>, causing the tip end <NUM> to move rearwardly, in a direction toward and then behind the user's body. At the end of the rearward motion, a forward motion is then effected in which the user applies an opposite direction torque or moment force onto the handle region <NUM>, causing the tip end <NUM> to move forwardly, in direction forward (in front) of the user's body. As part of the forward motion, the reel (not shown) is operated to release the fishing line, thus launching or casting the hook, lure, bait, etc., forwardly away from the tip end <NUM> (and thus user). Relative to this casting motion, an orientation of the user's hand while grasping the handle region <NUM> and reel effectively defines which side <NUM>, <NUM> primarily affects the rearward casting motion and the forward casting motion, and the orientation of the user's hand is dictated by a location and arrangement of the reel (not shown) and thus the line guides <NUM> (where provided). For example, where the rod body 20o is used with a spinning-type reel, as the fishing rod is naturally held by the user in a normal, forward fishing position, the reel (and the line guides <NUM>) face downwardly. In other words, the first side <NUM> is "below" the second side <NUM>. When casting with this so-constructed fishing rod and reel assembly, the rod body 20o is forced to a curved shape in a direction of the second side <NUM> during rearward motion (i.e., at the end of the rearward casting motion, the second side <NUM> defines a concave curve and the first side <NUM> defines a convex curve). An opposite curved shape is generated by the subsequent forward casting motion (i.e., at the end of the forward casting motion, the second side <NUM> defines a convex curve and the first side <NUM> defines a concave curve). Forming or locating the segment <NUM> of increased flexibility at the first side <NUM> may result in the rod body 20o more readily flexing in the rearward casting motion as compared to the forward casting motion. Where an opposite performance attribute is desired, the segment <NUM> of increased flexibility (or reduced rigidity) can instead be formed at the second side <NUM> of the rod body 20o (again, in the context of the rod body 20o being used with a spinning-type reel arranged at the first side <NUM>). It will be understood that the descriptions above can be reversed in the context of other fishing rod and reel arrangements. For example, where the rod body 20o is used with a casting-type reel, as the fishing rod is naturally held by the user in a normal, forward fishing position, the reel (and the line guides <NUM>) face upwardly. In other words, the first side <NUM> is "above" the second side <NUM>.

In other, related embodiments, fishing rods of the present disclosure can include a locking feature or mechanism that prevents or limits the rod body from bending in one direction. For example, fly fishermen often desire that the rod body flex or curve appreciably during the rearward casting motion, but prefer that the rod body minimally flex or curve during the subsequent forward casting motion. Any of the rod bodies described above can format and/or locate the corresponding shape memory member(s) to promote this desired performance characteristic. Alternatively or in addition, a locking-type mechanism can be carried by or assembled to the rod body that permits flexing or curving in the rearward casting motion or direction, and limits flexing or curving in the forward casting motion or direction. For example, two strips of complimentary fastener materials (e.g., akin to cable tie or zip tie strips) can be applied to the side of the rod body that will assume a concave curvature during the rearward casting motion, arranged such that the strips readily slide relative to one another during the rearward casting motion, but become locked when the rod body is linear (e.g., at the "top" of the forward casting motion).

The locking features or mechanisms of the present disclosure can assume other configurations, for example as shown with the fishing rod <NUM> of <FIG>. The fishing rod <NUM> includes a rod body <NUM>, the optional line guides <NUM>, and a locking mechanism <NUM>. The rod body <NUM> can assume any of the forms described elsewhere in the present disclosure (e.g., can include a shape memory member as described above), and is not limited to the format reflected by <FIG>. The locking mechanism <NUM> is mounted to the rod body <NUM> at a desired "side" (e.g., the side opposite the line guides <NUM> where the fishing rod <NUM> is used as a spinning rod (with a spinning-type reel (not shown)), and can include a leading member <NUM> and a trailing member <NUM>. The leading member <NUM> is attached to the rod body <NUM> near a tip end <NUM>, and extends from the point of attachment to a lock body <NUM>. The trailing member <NUM> is attached to the rod body <NUM> opposite the leading member <NUM> and carries or forms a receiving body <NUM>. The leading member <NUM> extends through a passage of the receiving body <NUM>, with a shape or size of the lock body <NUM> being greater than that of the passage in the receiving body <NUM>. With this construction, the leading member <NUM>/lock body <NUM> are freely slidable relative to the trailing member <NUM>/receiving body <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., downward relative to the orientation of <FIG>). In an opposite direction, the lock body <NUM> is brought into abutment against the receiving body <NUM> to impede further movement.

During use, when the fishing rod <NUM> is subjected to forces causing the rod body <NUM> to flex at the tip end <NUM> in the direction shown in <FIG> (e.g., back casting motion), the locking mechanism <NUM> permits the desired flexure, with the lock body <NUM> sliding away from the receiving body <NUM>. When the fishing rod <NUM> is subsequently subjected to forces causing the rod body <NUM> to flex at the tip end <NUM> in the opposite direction (e.g., forward casting motion), the locking mechanism <NUM> impedes over deflection of the rod body <NUM>. More particular, and as shown in <FIG>, as the rod body <NUM> reverts from the back cast flexed shape of <FIG> with forces applied at the tip end <NUM> reflected by the arrow in <FIG>, the lock body <NUM> slides into abutment against the receiving body <NUM> and prevents the rod body <NUM> from flexing or deflecting beyond the arrangement shown. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism <NUM> is configured to "hold" the rod body <NUM> in a nearly linear arrangement during the forward casting motion.

Claim 1:
A fishing rod (<NUM>) comprising:
a rod body (<NUM>) extending from a handle end (<NUM>) to a tip end (<NUM>), wherein the rod body comprises:
a shaft (<NUM>); and
a shape memory member (<NUM>) including a shape memory material and configured to self-return toward a normal shape upon removal of an applied load,
wherein the shape memory member (<NUM>) is secured over at least a portion of a tip region (<NUM>) of the shaft,
said fishing rod (<NUM>) being characterized in that the shape memory member (<NUM>) is a tubular body having a tubular shape with a section of the tubular shape removed to define an incomplete tube.