FISHING DEVICE
A fishing device, for use with a reel and rod combination having fishing line with attached terminal tackle, includes a base, an indicator device, a trigger mechanism, and a tine device. The base has a hole and slot configuration to allow a fishing line to feed through the base. The indicator device is coupled to the base and is configured to indicate the presence of a fish. The trigger mechanism is configured to cause the indicator device to pop up when the trigger device is activated. The line device attaches to the fishing line and is configured to activate the trigger mechanism. When a fish pulls on the terminal tackle, the line device activates the trigger mechanism that causes the indicator device to pop-up indicating to a user the presence of a fish.
The present patent application is a. continuation and is related to and claims priority from application Ser. No. 12/851,064, filed Aug. 5, 2010, entitled “FISHING DEVICE”, which application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/231,866, filed Aug. 6, 2009, entitled “FISHING DEVICE”, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by this reference and are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention in this cross-reference section.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a fishing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ice fishing device for use with an ice fishing rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA fishing pole holder may be used to support fishing poles in a raised position during use. Thus, the need for the fisherman to handle the pole at all times may be eliminated. In ice fishing, conventional fishing pole holders include a spike for pounding into the ice to provide a pole support, Other conventional fishing pole holders may be attached to an item, such as a bucket, for pole support. Conventional fishing pole holders do not assist the fisher in keeping the hole in the ice from freezing or assist in keeping snow from drifting into the hole. Additionally, conventional fishing pole holders may freeze in cold conditions.
Fishing pole holders may also include an indicating device, which is triggered by movement of the fishing line to signal the presence of a fish. One conventional indication may be a tipping up of the fishing pole. A conventional tip-up device for a fishing pole may include a spool of line. The spool of line is fed through a tip-up indicating device such that when a fish pulls on the line the indicating device is triggered. When reeling in the line of a conventional tip-up device the line is pulled in hand-over-hand, which is a disadvantage to the fisher. Additionally, conventional tip-up devices place restrictions on the type of line that may be used.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base having a hole to allow a fishing line to go through the base. The apparatus also includes an indicator device coupled to the base. The apparatus further includes a trigger mechanism configured to cause the indicator device to activate when the trigger mechanism is tripped. The apparatus also includes a line device coupled to the fishing line and configured to trip the trigger mechanism.
According to another embodiment, a method of using a fishing device having a base, trigger mechanism, an indicator device, and a line device includes setting the base over a hole. The method also includes feeding a fishing line through the line device. The method further includes attaching the line device to the trigger mechanism. The method also includes setting the trigger mechanism to hold down the indicator device.
According to a. further embodiment, a line device includes a loop. The line device also includes a hook end connected to the loop, the hook end having a first and second slot.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the technology of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure relates to a fishing device for use with a fishing rod and reel combo having fishing line and terminal tackle. The fishing device may include a base, a trigger mechanism, a line device, and an indicator device. The indicator device may be, for example, a flag. During use, the fishing line may be fed through the line device. At an end of the fishing line, a jig, hook, or other terminal tackle may be used. The line device may be attached to the trigger mechanism. The line device may be configured to activate the trigger mechanism when a fish pulls on the fishing line, such as by biting on the terminal tackle. The trigger mechanism may cause an indicator device to activate to notify a fisher that a fish is on the line.
A base for the fishing device may fit over an ice fishing hole such that the base may be supported by ice around a circumference of the hole. According to one embodiment, the base may be constructed from a material, such as plastic, that reduces the likelihood of the base freezing to the ice. in another embodiment, the base may be constructed from a dark material to retain solar heat to reduce the likelihood of the base freezing in cold weather. In additional embodiments, the base may include a wind deflector and/or solar warming devices. The base may include a hole and/or slot for the fishing line to enter the water. The base may also include a rod holder for holding a rod or a rod and reel combo. The base may further include a storage port for the rod holder.
Referring to
The base 110 may include a hole 215 and/or a slot 220. The hole 215 allows a fishing line and terminal tackle (not shown) to enter the water through the base 110. The hole 215 may be between 1 and 3 inches in diameter. According to one embodiment, the hole 215 is 2 inches in diameter. The slot 220 may facilitate larger terminal tackle by allowing the fishing line to be slid through the slot 220 while the terminal tackle remains below the base 110. According to one embodiment, the base 110 may include a wind deflector 225. The wind deflector 225 may reduce likelihood of the base 110 freezing and/or deflect blowing snow from gathering around or in the hole 215.
The base 110 may include a trigger receiver 230 configured to receive the trigger mechanism 115. Reference will now be made to
The trigger mechanism 115 may include a trigger 320. Referring to
Referring back to
The indicator device 120 may include a pole 130, a flag 135, and a spring 140. The flag 135 may be attached to one end of the pole 130. The pole 130 passes through or attaches to the spring 140 at the other end of the pole 130. The spring 140 and the pole 130 may be attached to the base 110, while the flag end of the pole 130 may be unattached. Thus, when the straight portion 510 of the trigger 320 is pulled out from under the receiver hook 315 the spring causes the pole 130 to stand straight up along with the flag 115.
Referring now to
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Through way of example, a use of a fishing device is described with reference to
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present invention, disclosure, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a base having a hole to allow a fishing line to go through the base;
- an indicator device coupled to the base;
- a trigger mechanism configured to cause the indicator device to activate when the trigger mechanism is tripped; and
- a line device coupled to the fishing line and configured to trip the trigger mechanism.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator device pops up when activated by the trigger mechanism.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator device is configured to indicate a presence of a fish and when a fish pulls on a terminal tackle coupled to the fishing line, the line device activates the trigger mechanism that causes the indicator device to pop-up indicating to a user the presence of the fish.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rod holder coupled to the base for receiving a reel and rod combination coupled to the fishing line.
5. The apparatus of claim.4, further comprising a pivotal extension arm for coupling the rod holder to the base.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a holding device for storing the rod holder.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wind deflector coupled to the base.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel coupled to the base.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solar warming device coupled to the base.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the line device comprises a loop portion and a hook portion.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator device comprises a spring, a pole, and a flag.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is substantially circular in shape.
13. A method of using a fishing device having a base, trigger mechanism, an indicator device, and a line device, the method comprising:
- setting the base over a hole;
- feeding a fishing line through the line device;
- attaching the line device to the trigger mechanism; and
- setting the trigger mechanism to hold down he indicator device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein when a fish strikes, the line device triggers the trigger mechanism causing the indicator device to indicate the presence of a fish.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein causing the indicator device to indicate the presence of the fish comprises causing the indicator device to pop-up.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein attaching the line device comprises sliding a loop portion of the line device over a straight portion of the trigger mechanism.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein setting the trigger mechanism comprises:
- pushing down the indicator device; and
- sliding the straight portion of the trigger mechanism over the indicator device and under a hook portion of the trigger mechanism.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein setting the base over the hole comprises setting the base over a hole in ice.
19. A line device, comprising:
- a loop; and
- a hook end connected to the loop, the hook end having a first and second slot.
20. The line device of claim 19, wherein the second slot is approximately twice the size of the first slot.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 7, 2014
Inventors: Levi John Christianson (Nisswa, MN), Michael John Christianson (Nisswa, MN)
Application Number: 14/258,116
International Classification: A01K 97/12 (20060101); A01K 91/04 (20060101); A01K 97/01 (20060101);