Patent ID: 12219946

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

The present disclosure is directed towards a fishing rod having a support structure for securing the fishing rod in a vertical position on ground. A surf fisherman may use the support structure to secure the fishing rod on the ground, when the fisherman may not be fishing and may be engaged in other activities (e.g., taking breaks, correct fishing rod angle, etc.). The support structure may be a part of the fishing rod or may be integrated with the fishing rod to form a unitary structure. In some aspects, the support structure may include a sleeve and a blade. The sleeve may be a hollow cylindrical body and configured to engage with the fishing rod. The blade may be engaged with the sleeve and configured to slide vertically up and down along a sleeve longitudinal axis. Specifically, the fisherman may keep the blade in an original position (e.g., an upward position) when the fisherman may be performing fishing activities. The fisherman may slide the blade in an extended position (e.g., a downward position) and secure the fishing rod in the ground, when the fisherman performs activities other than fishing.

In some aspects, the sleeve may include collars at sleeve's edges to limit blade movement between the collars, along the sleeve longitudinal axis. In further aspects, the sleeve and the blade may be engaged via a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include male fastening members in the sleeve and corresponding female fastening members in the blade. In alternate aspects, the locking mechanism may include at least one male fastening members in the blade and female fastening members in the sleeve. The locking mechanism may include pegs and notches, thumb screws and holes, or concave groove and lock arrangement.

In some aspects, the sleeve may secure the fishing rod by using C-shaped clamp(s). In further aspects, the sleeve and the fishing rod may be secured by using fastening members, such as thumbscrews.

The present disclosure provides various advantages over conventional fishing rods. For instance, the present disclosure provides a reliable way for the fisherman to secure the fishing rod in the vertical position in the ground, giving the fisherman freedom and flexibility to perform tasks other than active fishing. In addition, the support structure may be integrated with fishing rod of any length. Further, the blade may easily slide upwards or downwards and does not interfere with the fisherman's casting ability or other fishing rod functionalities. Furthermore, the fisherman need not carry additional equipment to secure the fishing rod to the ground and does not require a separate fishing rod holder.

Illustrative Embodiments

The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

FIG.1depicts an example fishing rod100in accordance with the present disclosure. The fishing rod100may include a fishing rod body105and a fishing rod holder110. In some aspects, the fishing rod holder110may affixed to the fishing rod body105. In other aspects, the fishing rod body105and the fishing rod holder110may form an integrated unitary structure.

The fishing rod body105may be of any type including, but not limited to, spin fishing rod, spincast/casting rod, telescoping fishing rod, fly fishing rod, ultralight fishing rod, surf fishing rod, trolling fishing rod and the like. The fishing rod body105may be made of graphite, fiberglass, bamboo rods and/or the like. Furthermore, the fishing rod body105may be of any length and thickness. In some aspects, the fishing rod body105may be a solid cylindrical body.

The fishing rod holder110may be configured to hold/secure the fishing rod body105on ground/sand. For example, a surf fisherman may use the fishing rod holder110to secure the fishing rod body105on beach sand, when the surf fisherman is engaged in other activities (e.g., taking a break, correcting a fishing rod angle and/or the like). In some aspects, the fishing rod holder110may include a sleeve115and a ground support structure120(e.g., a blade/spike, hereinafter referred to as a blade120). The sleeve115may have a hollow structure that may be configured to engage with the fishing rod body105. In particular, the sleeve115may be configured to attach to a fishing rod body outer surface. In one or more aspects, the blade120may be configured to engage with the sleeve115via a locking mechanism (not shown inFIG.1).

As described above, the sleeve115may be hollow from inside to hold/secure the fishing rod body105. In one or more aspects, the sleeve115may be cylindrical in shape, having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The sleeve interior surface may hold the fishing rod body outer surface. In some aspects, the sleeve115may of any other shape that complements a fishing rod body outer surface shape. In further aspects, the interior surface and the exterior surface may be smooth. Alternatively, the exterior surface may be curved or in a zigzag shape, which may assist the fisherman in holding the fishing rod holder110.

The sleeve115may be made of any material such as rubber, plastic, wood and the like. A sleeve diameter may be greater than a fishing rod body thickness/diameter to secure the fishing rod body105inside the sleeve115. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve diameter may be 30-70% greater than the fishing rod body diameter. Further, a sleeve length may depend on a fishing rod body length. For example, the sleeve length may be greater for a long fishing rod body and may be smaller for a short fishing rod body.

In some aspects, the blade120may be configured to engage or attach to the sleeve exterior surface and may be configured to slide up or down along a sleeve longitudinal axis. For example, the blade120may slide down to lock the fishing rod100in the ground and may slide up when the surf fisherman needs to use the fishing rod100for fishing activities. In some aspects, a blade length may be same or equivalent to the sleeve length. Thus, the blade120may not protrude from a sleeve distal end, when the surf fisherman slides the blade120up to use the fishing rod100.

In further aspects, the blade120may have a proximal end and a distal end (shown inFIG.2). In some aspects, the surf fisherman may insert the blade distal end to the ground, which enables locking the fishing rod100in the ground. Specifically, the blade distal end may be a sharpened end (or a spike) that may be configured to secure the fishing rod100to the ground/sand. Further, the blade proximal end may be configured to engage with the sleeve exterior surface and slide along the sleeve exterior surface. In some aspects, the blade proximal end may be a circular or C-shaped structure to enclose the sleeve115. In one or more aspects, the blade proximal end may cover a portion of a sleeve circumference. For example, as shown inFIG.1, the blade proximal end may cover half the sleeve circumference. In other aspects, the blade proximal end may cover/enclose an entire sleeve circumference.

As described above, the blade120may be configured to engage with the sleeve115such that the blade120may slide between an original position (e.g., an “up” blade locked/secured position) and an extended position (e.g., a “down” blade locked/secured position) along the sleeve longitudinal axis. For example, the surf fisherman may keep the blade120in the original position when the surf fisherman performs activities associated with fishing. Further, the surf fisherman may slide the blade120to the extended position and insert the fishing rod100inside the ground, when the surf fisherman performs activities other than fishing. The blade's sharpened end may allow the fishing rod100to stick/lock to the ground so that the surf fisherman may perform other activities. Further, the surf fisherman may slide the blade120back to the original position when the surf fisherman wants to use the fishing rod100again for fishing activities. In this manner, according to the present disclosure, the surf fisherman does not have to carry any additional equipment to hold/secure the fishing rod100when the rod is not in use. In addition, the fishing rod holder110does not interfere with the fishing activities, as the fishing rod holder110is a part of the fishing rod100.

FIG.2depicts an exemplary embodiment of a fishing rod holder200(same as the fishing rod holder110) in accordance with the present disclosure. As discussed above, the fishing rod holder200may be affixed to (or be a part of) a fishing rod (same as the fishing rod100). The fishing rod holder200may include a sleeve205and a blade210.

In some aspects, the sleeve205may be cylindrical in shape and may be hollow from inside. In further aspects, the sleeve205may have an open proximal end (e.g., at a top to receive the fishing rod body105) and a closed distal end (e.g., at a bottom). In another aspect, the sleeve205may be open from the distal end as well. The open end(s) may be circular in shape, or in a shape that complements the fishing rod body outer surface shape. The closed end may be flat or curved to enclose a fishing rod butt. In one or more aspects, the closed end may be shaped corresponding to a fishing rod butt shape and may have a diameter greater than a fishing rod butt diameter.

The sleeve205may have a sleeve proximal extended edge215aand a sleeve distal extended edge215b. In some aspects, a sleeve proximal extended edge diameter may be same as or equivalent to a sleeve distal extended edge diameter. Alternatively, the sleeve proximal extended edge diameter may be different from the sleeve distal extended edge diameter. In further aspects, the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215bmay have a diameter greater than the sleeve diameter. The sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215bmay act as a barrier or a stopper to limit the blade movement along the sleeve exterior surface. In other words, the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215bmay prevent the blade210from falling off the sleeve205, when the blade slides along the sleeve longitudinal axis (as described above). In some aspects, the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215bmay be turned upwards and rounded, which may act as the barrier/stopper. In further aspects, the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215bmay be collars having ring shape.

The blade210may include a blade proximal end230aand a blade distal end230b. The blade proximal end230amay be C-shaped or circular that may surround or enclose the sleeve exterior surface. A blade proximal end diameter may be greater than a sleeve outer surface diameter. Further, in some aspects, the blade proximal end diameter may be less than the sleeve proximal extended edge diameter and the sleeve distal extended edge diameter. Thus, in this arrangement, the blade210may slide on the sleeve exterior surface but the blade movement is restricted/limited between the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the sleeve distal extended edge215b. In other words, the blade210may not move above the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand below the sleeve distal extended edge215b.

In some aspects, the blade distal end230bmay be a rod having sharpened end (e.g., having a spike at the end) which may be configured to engage with the ground/sand. The rod be flat, circular, curved, or any other shape. In some aspects, a blade proximal end length may be less than a blade distal end length. This arrangement provides a secure mechanism to hold the fishing rod100in the ground/sand as a substantial length may be inserted in the ground. Further, the blade proximal end length and the blade distal end length may vary, based on the fishing rod body length.

The sleeve205may be engaged with the blade210via a locking mechanism220ainterconnected with225aor220binterconnected with225b. In some aspects, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of male fastening members220a,220bon the sleeve205and a corresponding plurality of female fastening members225a,225bon the blade210. In some aspects, the plurality of male fastening members220a,220bmay include pegs220a,220bon the sleeve205. The peg220amay be located near the sleeve proximal extended edge215aand the peg220bmay be located near the sleeve distal extended edge215b. In further aspects, the plurality of female fastening members225a,225bmay include notches225a,225bon the blade210. The notches225aand225bmay be located in the blade proximal end230a. In other aspects, the notches225aand228bmay be located in the blade distal end. In some aspects, the notches225aand225bmay be L-shaped, circular, or any other shape. Each of the notches225aand225bmay further include an open end through which the pegs220aand220bmay be inserted or slid into the notches225aand225b. Each of the notches225aand225bmay further include a closed end that restricts blade movement when the pegs220aand220bare locked in the notches225aand225b.

A person ordinarily skilled in the art may appreciate that the sleeve205and the blade210may include additional pegs and notches, which may assist in adjusting a blade length that may be inserted in the ground. Further, a number of pegs or notches may depend on the fishing rod length and/or the fishing rod holder length.

In some aspects, the peg220a(located near the sleeve proximal extended edge215a) may be engaged with the notch225ain the blade original position. In the original position, the blade proximal end230amay touch (or may be located near to) the sleeve proximal extended edge215a. In further aspects, the surf fisherman may disengage the peg220awith the notch225aand may engage the peg220bwith the notch225bin the blade extended position. In the extended position, the blade proximal end230amay touch (or may be located near to) the sleeve distal extended edge215b. At this position, the blade distal end230bmay protrude from the sleeve205and may be inserted in the ground (which may assist in securely holding the fishing rod100in the ground). This way, the blade210may be moved between the original position and the extended position.

In additional aspects, the locking mechanism may include at least one male fastening member on the blade210and a corresponding plurality of female fastening members on the sleeve205. In some aspects, the at least one male fastening member may include peg(s) on the blade210. In further aspects, the plurality of female fastening members may include notches on the sleeve205.

In other aspects, the locking mechanism may include at least one screw (e.g., a thumbscrew) that may engage the blade210on the sleeve205. In yet another aspect, the locking mechanism may include a concave groove and lock arrangement (shown inFIG.3) to engage the blade210on the sleeve205. For example, the sleeve205may include a plurality of vertical and horizontal concave grooves and the blade210may include one or more protrusions. The one or more protrusions may lock inside the grooves, which may engage the blade210on the sleeve205.

In further aspects, the fishing rod holder200may include two blades that may be located on opposite sleeve exterior surfaces. The use of two blades may provide additional support and rigidity in securing the fishing rod100in the ground. Second blade locking mechanism and other structural details may be similar to the locking mechanism and structural details of the blade210.

FIG.3depicts an example locking mechanism of a fishing rod holder300in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular,FIG.3depicts a sleeve305(same as the sleeve205) and a blade310(same as the blade210). In accordance with the present disclosure, the fishing rod holder300may include a concave groove and lock arrangement to engage the blade310on the sleeve305. The concave groove and lock arrangement may be configured to position the blade310between the original position and the extended position, as discussed in conjunction withFIG.2. In other words, the concave groove and lock arrangement may be configured to “adjust” a blade length that may be inserted in the ground.

In particular, the fishing rod holder300may include a concave groove structure315in the sleeve305. The concave groove structure315may be a female fastening member and may have concave cavities. In some aspects, the concave groove structure315may be formed on the sleeve exterior surface and may not be located on the sleeve interior surface (that houses the fishing rod body105).

In further aspects, the blade310may include a corresponding locking mechanism320interconnected with315. In particular, the blade310may include corresponding male fastening member(s). In one or more aspects, the male fastening member(s) may be peg(s)320or other fastening members with protrusion(s). The peg(s)320may be placed in the blade proximal end230a. In alternative embodiments, the blade310may include the female fastening member (like the concave groove structure315) along the blade length and the sleeve305may include the corresponding male fastening member (e.g., pegs) that may protrude from the sleeve exterior surface.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the concave groove structure315may include a vertical portion325and a plurality of horizontal portions330. The horizontal portions330may be placed in a layered arrangement through the sleeve length to adjust blade length in the ground. In some aspects, the plurality of horizontal portions may be arranged in layers that are placed at same distance. The plurality of horizontal portions may have concave shape. In the original blade position, the blade310may be mounted at a top portion of the concave groove structure315. When the surf fisherman needs to position the fishing rod100on the ground, the surf fisherman man may unlock the blade original position and may slide the blade310down via the vertical portion325. The surf fisherman may decide whether the blade310is to be locked at the extended position (lower most position) or any intermediate position. In some aspects, the surf fisherman may lock the blade310in any horizontal portion (i.e., at any desired length). In one or more aspects, the surf fisherman may lock the blade310in the horizontal portion by moving the blade310left or right in the horizontal portion.

A person ordinary skilled in the art may appreciate that a concave groove structure shape as described above is an exemplary shape and may be changed to adjust the blade position between the original position and the extended position, without departing from the present disclosure scope.

FIGS.4A and4Bdepict a first view and a second view of a fishing rod holder400in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically,FIG.4Adepicts a fishing rod holder lateral bottom view (or a lateral top view) andFIG.4Bdepicts a fishing rod holder lateral side view. As discussed above, the fishing rod holder400may be affixed to (or be a part of) a fishing rod405(same as the fishing rod100). The fishing rod holder400may include a sleeve410and a blade (not shown inFIGS.4A and4B) that are engaged via a locking mechanism.

In some aspects, the sleeve410may be cylindrical in shape and may be hollow from inside. In further aspects, the sleeve410may have an open proximal end and a closed distal end (as described above). The closed end may be flat or curved to enclose a fishing rod butt415. In one or more aspects, the closed end may be shaped corresponding to the fishing rod butt shape and may have a diameter greater than the fishing rod butt diameter.

In another aspect, the sleeve410may have both the proximal and the distal ends open (as shown inFIGS.4A and4B). In this case, the fishing rod butt415may protrude from the sleeve distal end.

The sleeve410may further include an attaching mechanism to hold the fishing rod405inside the sleeve410. In other words, the sleeve410may secure the fishing rod405and may not allow the fishing rod405to move off its position (such as due to wind or when the surf fisherman uses the fishing rod405to fish). In some aspects, the attaching mechanism may include at least one clamp420that may be affixed to a sleeve inner surface. In some aspects, the attaching mechanism may include two clamps420. One clamp420may be located near the sleeve proximal edge (e.g., the sleeve proximal extended edge215a) and another clamp420may be located near the sleeve distal edge (the sleeve distal extended edge215b). In some aspects, the sleeve410may include additional clamps between the two clamps420.

In further aspects, the two clamps420may be affixed to a same sleeve lateral side, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B. In other aspects, the two clamps420may be affixed on opposite sleeve sides. Further, the clamps420may be made of plastic or rubber and may be flexible to open and receive the fishing rod405. In addition, the clamps420may be configured to close and lock the fishing rod405after receiving the fishing rod405. In particular, the clamps420may be configured to open to receive the fishing rod butt415and then close to restrict the fishing rod movement. In some aspects, the clamps420may be C-shaped or any other shape that may securely hold the fishing rod405.

Further, the fishing rod405and the sleeve410may be additionally secured with each other via one or more thumbscrews425or any other similar fastener. Specifically, in this case, the sleeve410may have one or more holes to receive the one or more thumbscrews425and securely fasten the fishing rod405. In some aspects, the one or more thumbscrews425may secure the fishing rod405via an open end of the clamp420(e.g., via a C-shaped clamp open end).

In additional aspects, the blade210may engage with the sleeve410by using the same thumbscrews (e.g., the thumbscrews425) that engage the fishing rod405with the sleeve410. Specifically, as discussed above, the blade210may engage with the sleeve410via the locking mechanism. In some aspects, the locking mechanism may include the thumbscrews425. In this case, the blade210may include corresponding holes to receive the thumbscrews425. The thumbscrews425may pass through the blade holes and securely fasten the blade210and the fishing rod405with the sleeve410.

FIG.4Bdepicts a side view of the thumbscrews425inserted through the sleeve410. AlthoughFIGS.4A and4Bshow two thumbscrews425, a person ordinarily skilled in the art may appreciate that additional thumbscrews may be inserted through the sleeve410, depending on a number of clamps in the sleeve410. In yet another aspect, only one thumbscrew425(that may be located either near the sleeve proximal extended edge215aor near the sleeve distal extended edge215b) may be inserted through the sleeve410.

FIG.5depicts a third view of the fishing rod holder500in accordance with the other exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,FIG.5depicts an isometric lateral top view of the fishing rod holder500(same as the fishing rod holder400).FIG.5depicts a fishing rod505that may be inserted in a sleeve (not shown inFIG.5). As discussed above, the fishing rod505may be secured inside the sleeve by using a clamp510(same as the clamp420). The clamp510may be C-shaped having an open end. In some aspects, the clamp510may cover a portion of a fishing rod circumference, e.g., 65-95% of the fishing rod circumference.

As shown inFIG.5, there may be only one clamp510to hold the fishing rod505. The clamp510may be placed in a middle portion along the sleeve length, or at any other position along the sleeve length. In other aspects, there may be more than one clamp to hold the fishing rod505. The clamp510may be flexible and may be configured to receive or attach to fishing rods of varying thickness/diameter.

FIG.6illustrates a method600to secure a fishing rod (e.g., the fishing rod100) on ground/sand, in accordance with the present disclosure.FIG.6may be described with continued reference to prior figures, includingFIGS.1-5. The following process is exemplary and not confined to the steps described hereafter. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include more or less steps that are shown or described herein and may include these steps in a different order than the order described in the following example embodiments. As discussed above, the fishing rod100may be attached to and form an integrated unitary structure with the fishing rod holder110that may include a sleeve and blade arrangement.

Referring toFIG.6, at step602, the method600may commence. At step604, the method600may include sliding the blade120from the original locked/secured position to the extended locked/secured position, when the surf fisherman performs activities other than fishing. The blade original locked/secured position and extended locked/secured position details may be understood in conjunction with above figures. In some aspects, the surf fisherman may slide the blade120by locking/unlocking the blade120using the locking mechanism described above. In some aspects, the surf fisherman may lock the blade120at a position between the original locked/secured position and the extended locked/secured position, depending on the blade length that the surf fisherman may require to hold the fishing rod100in the ground/sand.

At step606, the method600may include inserting the fishing rod100in the ground, via the fishing rod holder110. In other words, the fishing rod100may be inserted into the ground via the blade distal end (having spike at the end). The spike may create cavity in the ground and the blade120may be inserted into the ground to secure the fishing rod100in vertical position in the ground.

As discussed above, the surf fisherman may insert the fishing rod100in the ground to perform activities other than fishing. When the surf fisherman needs to use the fishing rod100for fishing, the surf fisherman may pull the fishing rod100from the ground at step608. At step610, the surf fisherman may slide the blade120back from the extended locked/secured position to the original locked/secured position, so that the fishing rod holder110does not interfere with the fisherman's fishing activity. The method600stops at step612.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.