Devices and process to keep ice fishing holes from freezing
A process and devices useful in ice fishing or spearing to keep the water surface in the hole free of ice. The innate reservoir of warm water in a lake or river is utilized with a pump or bubbler to keep the surface of the water above freezing and free of ice. Devices with a small submergible pump, bubbler, or other water transfer means together various inlet and outlet nozzles, inlet and outlet extensions, with a support frame, power source, and operating conveniences are adapted to move the warmer water from lower levels to the surface of the ice hole.
This invention relates generally to the field of thermodynamics, hydraulics, the unique properties of water, and more specifically to devices and the process to keep ice fishing and spearing holes from refreezing. Water freezes at 32 F and has a maximum density at 39.2 F, so in a body of water that is covered with ice the temperature will vary from 32 F at the top to approximately 39 F at the bottom because the more dense warm water will sink to the lowest point. Water just below the surface of the ice will be approximately 34F and 4 to 5 feet lower the temperature will be approximately 37F. Warmer and colder water have different viscosities and do not mix readily so ideally one would want to move the warmer water to the surface rather than mix it with the cold water. The dynamic and kinematic viscosity of water both change by more than 15% when the water temperature varies from 32 F to 39 F resulting in specific layers with different temperatures as they move past each other. It follows that an objective is to move the warmer water from lower levels to the surface utilizing various water moving devices and techniques to replace the colder water and thus keep the surface from freezing.
This invention addresses the problem associated with sport ice fishing or spearing in cold weather where the ice holes freeze over or become closed. An ice fishing or spearing hole is bored or chiseled through the ice to the water below to gain access to catch fish. One of the troublesome problems encountered, is the surface of the bored or chiseled holes will freeze and continue to freeze due to the exposure to cold air requiring that the thin layer of ice be periodically strained and removed. Water at the surface of the ice hole freezes because it is exposed to air that is lower than 32 F degrees. The ice will form faster on the surface if the air temperature is very cold and also if the wind is blowing across the open hole. When it is zero degrees F. and the wind is blowing 10 to 15 MPH the open hole will start to freeze in less than 2 minutes. As the thin layer of ice freezes on the surface of the hole, the fishing line or the bobber eventually become frozen in the ice and the quality of fishing deteriorates. With a layer of ice on the top of the hole it is difficult to tell if a fish is biting and difficult to retrieve ones line or pull in a fish through the frozen ice. Rather than continually chopping and straining off the ice it is desirable to have devices and a method to keep the holes free of ice.
Many different means have been tried to keep the ice holes open but none are very desirable or effective for a number of reasons. One group of prior inventions use various scooping devices and strainers to periodically remove the ice as it freezes. These are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,024,757, 4,718,188, 3,857,787, 3,289,850, 5,072,538, 5,140,767, 3,747,253, and 4,978,156.
Another group of inventions reference and describe some sort of a cover or plug for the ice hole to try to keep the cold air from refreezing the hole. Examples of inventions utilizing these protective features are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,675,523 and 6,526,689.
Another group of art that address this refreezing issue falls into an area where heating devices of some sort are used to try to keep the ice holes open. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,774,856, 4,006,732, 3,204,630, 4,739,747, 5,844,210, 4,911,141, 3,545,118, 4,612,910, 3,507,268, and 4,294,030 describe the use of electric heaters, propane cartridges, charcoal, or gelled fuel cells to provide heat to keep the ice holes from refreezing.
As one can see numerous attempts have been made to deal with or try to alleviate the formation of ice on the top of the ice hole. There are ways described to improve the scooping and skimming of the ice from the surface, but this still requires the constant attention and effort to remove the ice and it is a distraction from fishing. The references describing covers or plugs for the holes are basically to reduce the ice build up when away from the fishing holes or over night so that new holes do not need to be bored or chiseled. These cannot be used while fishing and they are quite cumbersome to use and handle.
The heated devices to keep the ice from forming have many draw backs and can be quite dangerous. They are expensive to operate because in order to be effective a large amount of fuel or electricity is needed. These devices remain complex and cumbersome, require high manufacturing costs, typically produce insufficient or dispersed heat levels, can cause burning or tangling of the fishing line and exhibit varying degrees of stability when mounted in place. Some of these heated devices require a means to control the heat which in itself is a big drawback. A more serious drawback for some of these heated devices to keep the ice hole open is that they can be dangerous. If someone slipped and fell against them they could be burned severly. In the clamshell ice houses the fabric could easily be ignited and in the ice houses there have been a number of deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
This invention does not require a heating device and operates on a small amount of energy to accomplish the objective of keeping the ice hole open. Warm water from lower levels is moved to the surface of the ice hole by various water moving devices. This invention is inexpensive to produce, portable and user friendly, small in size, and easily transported with other fishing gear. It can be used in any size of fishing hole and can be easily and quickly removed from the ice hole when catching a fish. The most important feature is the ability to keep the ice holes open even at very low temperatures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of this invention relates to a small efficient inexpensive device and the process that will keep ice fishing or spearing holes from refreezing even at very low temperatures. The device will transfer warmer water from lower levels to the surface of the hole utilizing a liquid transfer means that is electrically, mechanically, or manually operated, located in or below the hole, or in a seperate hole with the outlet directed to the area of interest in another hole or holes.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to the process and device for moving water to create agitation or various flow patterns in ice fishing holes to assist and enhance fishing techniques to catch more fish.
Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a device comprising a water moving apparatus with the ability to adjust the transfer rate or the warmer water supply level and incorporate parts such as a pump or bubbler, support frame, power supply, extending arm and inlet, and additional tubing and deflectors as required.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is the utilization of a bubbling source to keep the ice fishing or spearing holes from refreezing with a device for individual holes or comprising a central source with connecting lines that would keep multiple holes free of ice.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is the process and devices for eliminating the ice formation in the fishing or spearing holes require a very small amount of power, are compact, user freindly, and a provide a definite asset that will improve the ice fishing or spearing experience.
Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
The detailed description that follows defines the various designs and operation modes for the fishing hole de-icer. While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Similarly
Upon inspection of
One of the preferred designs is shown in
Claims
1. A process for keeping an ice fishing or spearing hole or multiple holes free of ice comprising the steps of: a) providing a umping or liquid transfer means with an inlet and outlet, and b) using said pumping or liquid transfer means to move water from a warmer location to the surface, and optionally providing a means for adjusting the water transfer type or rate to meet various ice hole supply or maintenance requirements which might be melting or weather related.
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the liquid transfer means is electrically, mechanically, or manually operated.
3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the liquid transfer means is located in or below the hole in the ice.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the inlet for the liquid pumping means is located in a seperate hole in the ice and the outlet of the pump is directed to areas of interest in another hole or holes.
5. A process according to claim 1 wherein a bubbling liquid transfer means directs air to multiple ice holes.
6. A process for moving water to create agitation or various flow patterns in an ice fishing hole to assist and enhance fishing techniques to catch more fish.
7. A device for keeping the water surface of an ice fishing or spearing hole from freezing comprising:
- a. a pumping or water transfer means with access to warmer water below the surface;
- b. an outlet from the pumping or water transfer means able to direct the warmer water flow to the surface of the ice fishing hole.
8. A device as recited in claim 7 that utilizes electrical, mechanical, or manual power as a method for creating a water movement.
9. A device as recited in claim 7 where the method of bringing the warm water to the surface comprises a water moving apparatus.
10. A device as recited in claim 7 comprising various means of adjusting the pumping or bubbling flow rate or the ability to adjust the level from which the water is drawn or sourced.
11. A device as recited in claim 7 comprising a method of supplying warmer water to the ice fishing or spearing hole, or series of holes, from an adjacent or different hole in the ice to keep the hole or holes from refreezing.
12. A device as recited in claim 7 comprising a bubbler and inter-connected tubing which provide a method of keeping an ice hole or multiple ice holes from refreezing.
13. A device as recited in claim 7 comprising the addition of sensors and a temperature controller, voltage control, timer or other control to adjust the device's output and the deicing process based on ambient temperature, water temperature, ice hole size or other parameter to provide a desired melting objective.
14. A device according to claim 7 for moving the warmer water from lower levels to the surface of an ice fishing or spearing hole to keep it from freezing comprising:
- a pump or bubbler placed above or in the ice hole at various depths to move the warmer water to the surface of the hole;
- a frame with optional legs that provides a stationary location and supports an extending arm or tube, the pump or bubbler, the battery, and accessories and sits adjacent to or above the ice hole and can be adjusted for varying types of fishing or varying heights of water in the ice fishing hole;
- an extending arm that is attached to the frame for mounting and supporting the pump or bubbler and tubes or hoses in the ice fishing hole with the capability of folding and disassembly for convenient storage and transporting and able to be quickly removed from the ice hole while catching a fish;
- an extension that can be added to the inlet of the pumping device or means for lowering the bubbler outlet so warmer water from lower levels can be brought to the surface;
- an adjustable pump or bubbler outlet to direct the water flow to the surface or tailor the flow pattern or bubbling to provide the desired agitation or water movement in the ice fishing hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2007
Inventors: Chalres Gifford (Stillwater, MN), Roland Knapton (Fridley, MN)
Application Number: 11/182,324
International Classification: F04B 53/00 (20060101);