Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Dec. 30, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fishing tip-ups, and in particular, to a tip-up rig having a fishing line monitoring apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of fishing tip-up rigs during wintertime ice fishing is common. They allow fishermen the ability to fish from many different fishing holes at one (1) time. The tip-up provides for a reel system that properly places the hook at a location where fish will strike it and holds it there for hours while the fisherman attends to other tasks. When a fish should strike the hook, a spring mechanism releases a pop-up flag to indicate the strike. The fisherman can then attend to the rig and simply pull the fish out of the water. 
     However, while seemingly simple in design, the conventional tip-up is fraught with disadvantages. It is a common occurrence to have the fishing line tangle, snag, break, or otherwise malfunction, allowing the fish to get away. It is also a common occurrence to have the tip of flag activated by windy conditions and not by a fish hitting the line. Also, when the flag is flipped up, the fisherman knows little about the rate of line deployment, or whether or not the line is even still moving. Some tip-up rig manufacturers have addressed this concern by providing an audible alarm which is activated upon a fish strike. While such audible systems provide some additional information, the loud audible shrill is difficult to differentiate from one fishing tip-up rig to the next. Also, the loud noise disturbs the tranquility and peacefulness of fishing for other fisherman who happen to be in the area as well. While these devices may achieve their purported objective each suffers from one or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization as described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device where fishing tip-up rigs can be modified to address the aforementioned concerns. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a fishing line monitoring system which provides fisherman the ability to catch fish while ice fishing in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a fishing line monitoring apparatus having an aft frame adapted to sit on an ice surface and a forward frame affixed to said aft frame adapted to span an ice fishing hole. A tip up rig frame is rotatably mounted atop the aft frame and a support arm pivotably coupled to the tip up rig frame having a rear end and an opposing front end. A primary spring is attached between the tip up rig frame and the support arm rear end for biasing the support arm front end in an above horizontal position. A fishing reel is mounted to the support arm rear end by a conductive bearing and a fishing line is releasably wound on the fishing reel and guided to the support arm first end. The fishing line terminates in an attached hook. 
     A signaling flag is pivotably coupled to the tip up rig frame having a secondary spring attached between the tip up rig frame and the signaling flag for biasing the signaling flag in a generally vertical position. A flag setting mechanism is affixed to the support arm for retaining the signaling flag in the above horizontal position. The fishing line moves the support arm front end downwardly to an at least horizontal position in response to a pulling force on the fishing line, such that the flag setting mechanism releases the signaling flag. 
     A switch is provided to complete an electrical circuit actuated by rotation of the fishing reel. An audible alarm is in electrical communication with the switch, such that when the fishing reel rotates in response to the pulling force on the fishing line each revolution of the fishing reel momentarily completes the electrical circuit causing a sound from the audible alarm. 
     A stationary RF transceiver is disposed adjacent to the audible alarm and is in wireless communication with at least one (1) remote RF transceiver. The stationary RF transceiver transmits the sound from the audible alarm to the remote RF transceiver. 
     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 a side view of a fishing line monitoring apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the fishing line monitoring apparatus  10  according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the fishing line monitoring apparatus  10  as seen along a section line I-I of  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the major electrical components as used in the fishing line monitoring apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10  
                 fishing line monitoring apparatus 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 base support frame 
               
               
                   
                  20  
                 tip-up rig frame 
               
               
                   
                  25  
                 ice 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 body of water 
               
               
                   
                  35 
                 hole 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 alignment peg 
               
               
                   
                  45  
                 rotatable frame 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 rotating bearing 
               
               
                   
                  55  
                 support arm 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 fishing line 
               
               
                   
                  65 
                 support eyelets 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 fishing line reel 
               
               
                   
                  75 
                 first fulcrum 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 primary spring 
               
               
                   
                  85 
                 fish 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 signaling flag 
               
               
                   
                  95 
                 second fulcrum 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 secondary spring 
               
               
                   
                 105 
                 flag setting mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 protective sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 electrically-conductive bearing 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 contact arm 
               
               
                   
                 125 
                 contact spring 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 first conductor 
               
               
                   
                 135 
                 second conductor 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 145 
                 forward frame 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 aft frame 
               
               
                   
                 155 
                 fixed frame 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 movable frame 
               
               
                   
                 165 
                 fasteners 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 battery 
               
               
                   
                 175 
                 audible alarm 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 portable self-contained transceiver 
               
               
                   
                 185 
                 sliding transmit lock switch 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 stability plate 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     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 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment 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. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
       FIG. 1  shows a front view of the fishing line monitoring apparatus (herein referred to as an “apparatus”)  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a base support frame  15  and a tip-up rig frame  20 . The base support frame  15  sits upon ice  25  over a body of water  30  as would be expected when ice fishing. The base support frame  15  is positioned such that it straddles a hole  35  in the ice  25  as shown. Two (2) alignment pegs  40  extend downward from the base support frame  15  to aid in positioning of the apparatus  10 . The base support frame  15  is adjustable for use on holes  35  that are between eight (8) inches and ten (10) inches as commonly drilled by conventional ice fishing augers. The rearward portion of the base support frame  15  supports a rotatable frame  45  which in turn supports the tip-up rig frame  20  by a rotating bearing  50 . The tip-up rig frame  20  is of an “A”-frame design and provides for components that are normally found on a conventional tip-up fishing rig. 
     A support arm  55  provides support for a fishing line  60  through a series of support eyelets  65 . The fishing line  60  is deployed from a fishing line reel  70  located at the rearward portion of the support arm  55 . The support arm  55  is supported at a first fulcrum  75 . A primary spring  80  provides a counteracting force upon the support arm  55  as the fishing line  60  is pulled upon by a fish  85  in the body of water  30 . In a similar manner, a signaling flag  90  is mounted alongside the support arm  55  and is supported by a second fulcrum  95 . A secondary spring  100  acts against the signaling flag  90  to hold it down under normal, pre-activated conditions. When a fish  85  should strike the fishing line  60  and pull the support arm  55  downward, a flag setting mechanism  105  disengages from the signaling flag  90  and permits it to rise into a vertical alerting position. 
     The apparatus  10  is also provided with a protective sleeve  110  that is attached to the base support frame  15  at the upper portion and hangs below the lower surface of the ice  25  at its lower end. The fishing line  60  is routed through the protective sleeve  110  such that it provides protection for the fishing line  60  against any sharp edges of the ice  25  thus eliminating the chances of accidental severing. Additionally, the protective sleeve  110  provides abrasion protection for the fishing line  60  as well thus leading to overall longer life for the fishing line  60  and associated lower costs of periodic replacement. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of the apparatus  10 . This figure more clearly shows the arrangement of the tip-up rig frame  20  and how it is supported by the rotatable frame  45  and allowed to turn by the rotating bearing  50  and is held stationary by the base support frame  15 . The first fulcrum  75  and the second fulcrum  95  acts as a pivot point for the support arm  55  and the signaling flag  90 , respectively. The fishing line  60  is wound upon the fishing line reel  70  in a conventional manner and is supported by an electrically-conductive bearing  115 . This electrically-conductive bearing  115  is in physical and electrical contact with a contact arm  120  which makes electrical contact with a contact spring  125  once per revolution of the fishing line reel  70 . A first conductor  130  is connected to the electrically-conductive bearing  115  and thus the contact arm  120 , while a second conductor  135  is connected to the contact spring  125 . The opposing ends of the first conductor  130  and the second conductor  135  will be connected to a transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  located on the rotatable frame  45 . It should be noted that the rotatable frame  45  and all components mounted directly to it, turn in relation to the base support frame  15  as provided by the capabilities of the rotating bearing  50  up to ninety degrees (90°) each side. This allows the operating front end of the support arm  55  to be placed above solid ice  25  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), while fish  85  are removed from the apparatus  10 . This is in contrast to the method of removing the entire tip-up rig as is required with conventional rigs. 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the apparatus  10  as seen along section line I-I of  FIG. 1 . The base support frame  15  includes a forward frame  145  and an aft frame  150 . The aft frame  150  is adapted for mounting the rotatable frame  45  (shown as hidden line for illustrative purposes) by the rotating bearing  50 . The forward frame  145  includes a fixed frame  155  and a movable frame  160  that are secured to each other by a plurality of fasteners  165 . The fasteners  165  are of a movable nature to allow the aft frame  150  to be separated entirely from the fixed frame  155  for purposes of conserving space during shipping as well as when the apparatus  10  is stored during off season. It is envisioned that the difference in location of the fasteners  165  will be approximately two (2) inches to allow for the adaptation in the field between holes  35  of eight (8) inches versus those that are ten (10) inches. The fasteners  165  are envisioned to be screws, nuts, or similar fasteners that can be removed or adjusted in a field setting with a minimum use of hand tools.  FIG. 3  shows the movable frame  160  in a disconnected state and also in a connected state, via the broken lines, for purposes of clarity of illustration. The alignment pegs  40  are visible from their upper end orientation where they form a stabilizing force with the sides of the hole  35 . 
       FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram depicting the major electrical components as used in the apparatus  10 . Power for the apparatus  10  is obtained through a battery  170 , such as a 9 volt alkaline battery. It is connected electrically to the electrically-conductive bearing  115  and the contact arm  120  by the first conductor  130 , where it continues the circuit path through the contact spring  125  and back to the transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  by the second conductor  135 . The battery  170  is located in the transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  along with an audible alarm  175 , such as a “sonarlert” or equivalent mechanism. Also located in the transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  is a portable self-contained transceiver  180 , such as a FRS/GMRS radio or equivalent unit. A sliding transmit lock switch  185  on the side of the transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  provides the ability to physically lock the portable self-contained transceiver  180  in a transmit state. The portable self-contained transceiver  180  is physically held in place against the sliding transmit lock switch  185  using two (2) stability plates  190 . In such a manner, the portable self-contained transceiver  180  will allow for the broadcasting of the alert notification made by the audible alarm  175  so that it may be heard a distance away. Another benefit of the current configuration is that the audible alarm  175  will sound only for a short duration of every rotation of the fishing line reel  70 . Thus, the more rapid sound frequency, i.e. the less intervals between sounds, the more rapid the fishing line  60  is being deployed. During periods of long cycles between sounds, one can be assured of no or little payout of the fishing line  60 . Function, construction, and operation of the portable self-contained transceiver  180  is well understood in the art and beyond the scope of the invention. 
     In accordance with the invention, it is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration has be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the apparatus  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 . 
     The user would install an appropriate battery  170  within the transmitter/enunciator weatherproof enclosure  140  and assure the portable self-contained transceiver  180  is in a proper operating mode regarding frequency, volume, range and the like. Next, the fishing line  60  is routed through the support eyelets  65  and the protective sleeve  110  where it is finished with a hook, bait, lure and other suitable fishing aids as is normally used. Once at the fishing location, the apparatus  10  is positioned over the hole  35  such that the alignment pegs  40  engage the sides of the hole  35 . The support arm  55  is placed it is final resting position and the signaling flag  90  is pushed downward and held captive with the flag setting mechanism  105 . At this point in time, the apparatus  10  is ready for use. 
     During use of the apparatus  10 , the fisherman quietly waits for signal notification tied a matching receiver as used with the portable self-contained transceiver  180  by listening to the corresponding channel. Upon receiving the audible signal as produced by the audible alarm  175 , the fisherman would listen to the frequency of the sound segments, or how often they repeat. A quickly repeating sound signal means that the fishing line  60  is being paid out quickly, and that the fisherman should attend to the apparatus  10  as quickly as possible to collect any fish  85 . A slowly repeating sound means a slow fish or random movement of the fishing line  60 , possibly caused by water currents. In any event, as approaching the apparatus  10 , the fisherman would be alerted to the presence of any fish  85  by the audible sound from the audible alarm  175  directly or by the presence of a raised signaling flag  90 . The fish  85 , if present, would be retrieved and processed in a conventional manner allowing the apparatus  10  to be reset and continue operation in a repeating 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 to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Category: 1