GB2200021A

GB2200021A - Fishing rod rest

Info

Publication number: GB2200021A
Application number: GB08700332A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Brownsword; Michael Robert Ellerton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-01-08
Filing date: 1987-01-08
Publication date: 1988-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-08
Also published as: GB8700332D0; GB2200021B

Abstract

A fishing rod rest 10 comprises a base member 12 which may be attached to a seat 16 for an angler by means of a bolt 46. Rod supports 18, 20 are mounted on the base member 12. There is a spacing member 22 between the base member and one support 20 and the arrangement is stabilized by a leg 24 attached to the spacing member 22. The various components are connected by sliding connections to allow an angler to adopt a comfortable position on a variety of terrains and for a variety of rod types and sizes. Set screws 40, 66 hold the arrangement in the selected position. <IMAGE>

Description

Fishing Rod Rest The present invention relates to fishing rod rests.

Fish-ing rod rests are sometimes used by anglers to support their rod so as to allow the angler to continue fishing without holding the rod. This frees the angler to undertake other tasks, or to relax.

Previously proposed rod rests have been found to-be unsatisfactory in use for various reasons, for instance because they lack sufficient versatility for setting the position of the rod or for supporting different rods, or in that they lack sufficient stability to allow the angler to leave the rod unattended on the rest for more than a brief period.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages of the prior art.

The present invention provides a fishing rod rest comprising a base member, means for attaching the base member to a seat for an angler, first and second rod supports mounted on the base member and capable of supporting a fishing rod at respective positions along its length, one of the rod supports being spaced from the base member by an elongate spacing member, and the rest further comprising a ground-engaging stabilising leg attached to the spacing member.

Preferably the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member, to allow the length of leg between the spacing member and the ground to be changed. Preferably the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member to allow the angle of the leg with respect to the spacing member to be changed. Preferably the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member to allow the position on the spacing member at which the leg is attached to be changed.

Preferably then leg and spacing member are attached by means of an attachment member which comprises a collar located around and slidable along the leg or the spacing member, and a set screw for setting the position of the collar along the leg or spacing member. Preferably the attachment member comprises a further collar located around and slidable along the other of the leg or spacing member, and a further set screw for setting the position of the furthe-r collar along the said other of the leg or spacing member. Preferably the collar and the further collar are attached by means of a swivel connection which allows the relative orientation of the collars to be changed. The swivel connection preferably is capable of holding the collars in a relative orientation to which they have been moved.Preferably the swivel connection comprises a threaded stub carried on one of the collars and received in a threaded bore in the collar.

Preferably the spacing member is adjustably attached to the base member, to allow the spacing of the said one rod support from the base member to be changed.

Preferably the rest further comprises a set screw for setting the position of the spacing member with respect to the base member, thereby setting the said spacing.

Preferably the spacing member comprises a rod or bar which is slidably located in a bore in the base member.

Preferably a set screw is mounted in the or a wall of the bore and may be tightened to bear on the spacing member to prevent movement of the spacing member in the bore.

Preferably the other of the rod supports is spaced from the base member by a second elongate spacing member.

Preferably the first and second elongate spacing members extend from the base member in generally perpendicular direction. Preferably the second spacing member is adjustably attached to the base member, to allow the spacing of the other of the rod supports from the base member to be changed. Preferably the rest further comprises a further set screw for setting the position of the other spacing member with respect to the base member, thereby setting the spacing of the other rod support.

Preferably the second spacing member comprises a rod or bar which is slidably located in a further bore in the base member. Preferably a further set screw is mounted in the or a wall of the further bore, and may be tightened to bear on the second spacing member, to prevent movement of the second spacing member in the further bore.

Preferably the other support is located, in use, above the base member for supporting a fishing rod in the region of its handle, the variable spacing between the said other support and the base member allowing fishing rods with different ree-l sizes to be accommodated while holding the reels clear of the base member.

Preferably the base member comprises a threaded bore and the rest further comprises a bolt engageable in the threaded bore, whereby the base may be attached to a seat by passing the shank of the bolt through a hole in the seat, and tightening the bolt in the bore to trap a portion of the seat between the head of the bolt and the base member.

Preferably the rest further comprises a collar which can be located around an elongate member of a seat, the collar comprising two hingedly connected portions which may closed around the seat member and each of which has an opening in which the shank of the said bolt may be located, whereby the bolt may be tightened against the base member to clamp the collar onto the seat member.

One embodiment of the present invention, including members allowing it to be attached to a variety of different types of anglers seat, will now be described in more detail, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rod rest assembled and ready for use; Fig. 1A shows how the rod rest of Fig. 1 may be attached to a different type of anglers seat; and Fig. 2 is an explpded view of the rod rest of Fig.

1 showing its component parts.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a fishing rod rest 10 which comprises a base member 12, and means (indicated generally by the reference 14) for attaching the base member 12 to a seat 16 for an angler.

First and second rod supports 18,20 are mounted on the base member 12 and are capable of supporting a fishing rod at respective positions along its length. One of the rod supports 20 is spaced from the base member 12 by an elongate spacing member 22. The rest 10 further comprises a ground engaging stablilising leg 24 attached to the spacing member 22.

Referring also to Fig. 2, the base member 12 is a generally cylindrical element, such as a moulded plastics rod, having a central axis 26. A first transverse bore 28 extends through the bar 12. A threaded bore 30 extends from the end face 32 of the bar 12 to the bore 28.

The spacing member 22, which is a length of steel tubing or bar, for instance, is located in use in the bore 28 in which it is axially slidable. The axial position of the rod 22 in the bore 28 can be set by a set screw 3 which can be screwed into the threaded bore 30 until its end enters the bore 28 and bears on the rod 22 to hold it against further axial motion. The rod support 20 is detachably mounted on the rod 22 by screwing into one end of an elbow piece 21 which is, in turn, a screw fit on the end of the rod 22. The supports 18;20 are shown as generally U-shaped steel members, but it will be appreciated that other forms of rod support could be used.

A second transverse bore 36 runs through the bar 12, and is- generally perpendicular to the bore 28. A further threaded bore 38 extends from the outer wall of the bar 12 through to the bore 36, and receives a further set screw 40. A further rod 42 is located, in use, in the bore 36 and is axially movable along the bore 36, but can be set in position by tightening the set screw 40. The upper end of the rod 42 carries the rod support 18, so that the support 18 is mounted on the base member 12, with the spacing between the support 18 and base member 12 being variable.

A third threaded bore is formed in the other end face 44 of the bar 12 for receiving the shank of a mounting bolt 46. The bolt 46 has a large head for reasons which will be explained below. A cross-shaped washer 48 is also provided for location on the bolt 46 if desired, as will be described below.

The bolt 46 and washer 48 are used alone when mounting the base member 12 on certain types of anglers seat. A collar 50 is additionally used for attaching the base member 12 to other types of anglers seat.

The collar 50 comprises two portions 50A,50B. These are connected by a hinge 52 and can be closed together to locate around an elongate member located in a bore 54 which is formed as the collar portions 50A,50B close.

Each collar portion 50A,50B also comprises a lug 50C,50D having an opening 56 for receiving the shank of the bolt 46. The shank of the bolt 46 is sufficiently long to allow it to be located through the openings 56 and to engage the threaded bore on the bar 12, so that. it may be tightened to hold the lugs 50C,50D together, thereby clamping the collar 50 around the elongate member located in the bore 54.

The supporting leg 24 comprises a length of steel rod which carries a cross-shaped foot 58 at its lower end. The leg 24 is attached to the bar 22, in use, by means of a connector 60. The connector 60 comprises two members 60A and 608. Each of these members 60A,60B has a cylindrical bore 62 in which a respective one of the leg 24 and bar 22 may be located. Transverse, threaded bores 64 allow set screws 66 to be tightened to set the axial position of the collar 60A,60B along the leg 24 or rod 22.

The collar 60A comprises a threaded stub 68 which can be screwed into a threaded bore formed in a projection 70 integral with the collar 62. The fit between the stub 68 and the bore allows the relative orientation of the bores 62, and thus of the leg 24 and bar 22, to be set by hand and thereafter to be maintained. One -set screw 66 allows the collar 60A to be set to any position along the length of the bar 22, while the other set screw 66 allows the collar 608 to be set to any position along the length of the leg 24. The foot 58 can therefore be set to any of a wide range of positions and angles, to accommodate a wide range of rest positions and terrain variations, as will be described.

Fig. 1 shows the rest in use when the angler is using a fishing box 16 which has a removable top 72 and a vertical side wall 74. To attach the base member 12 to the stool 16, the shank of the bolt 46 is passed from within the stool 16 out through a hole in- the wall 74, through the washer 48 and into the threaded bore in the bar 12. The bolt can then be finger-tightened to securely mount the base member 12 to the wall 74. Once the base member 12 has been securely attached to the stool 16, the set screws 34,40 are loosened to allow the positions of the supports 1-8,20 to be set as desired. Tightening of the screws 34,40 secures the supports 18,20 in the set positions.

The set screws 66 are then loosened to allow the leg 24 attached to the bar 22 at a position chosen to enhance the stability of the combined structure formed by the rod rest 10 and stool 16. Once the position of the collar -60A has been set by tightening the corresponding set screw 66, the angle of the leg 24, and the length of the leg from the collar 60B to the foot 58 is set so that the foot 58 rests at a convenient point on the bank. The foot and leg are then secured by tightening the set screw 66 corresponding to the collar 60B. It will be appreciated that the ability to vary the angle and length of the leg 24 greatly facilitates the use of the rest on uneven terrain, while retaining the additional stability provided for the rod by the provision of a support 22 at some distance from the stool 1 6.

Once the stool and rest have been set up, the fishing rod can be rested on the supports 18,20 to project out over the water being fished, while remaining conveniently located for the fisherman sitting on the box 16. It will be appreciated that the spacing between the supports 18,20 can be set as desired, according to the length of rod being used. Furthermore, the height of the support 18 above the base member 12 can also be set. This changes the angle of the fishing rod, and also allows different reel sizes to be accommodated while retaining the re-el away from the base member 12.

The rod rest can also be attached to a chair 76 having tubular legs 78, as shown in Fig. 1A. In this case, the collar 50 is used. This is hinged open and then closed around the leg 78,-to locate the leg 78 in the bore 54. The shank of the bolt 46 is then passed through the openings 56 in the lugs 50C,50D, before being screwed into the threaded bore in the base member 12. This firmly clamps the collar 50 closed, and clamps it on to the leg 78, to prevent movement of the collar 50 along the leg 78. Once the base member 12 has been attached in this way to the seat 76, the remaining adjustments described above in relation to Fig. 1 ran then be made in the same manner.

It will be appreciated that the ability to secure the base member to box structures and to tubular members increases the versatility in use of the rod rest 10. In particular, it is believed that the rod rest described can be secured to a wheelchair, thereby allowing disabled fishermen to use the rest to support their fishing rod at a position where it may easily be reached by the wheelchair occupant.

It is believed that the rest described can be attached to an anglers seat as described so as to be stable when supporting a fishing rod, even if the angler is not sitting on the-seat. Nevertheless, the additional weight of the angler will further increase the stability of the rest.

Many of the components of the rest described may be manufactured from moulded plastics materials, for instance by injection moulding. These components include the base member 12, the bolt 46 and washer 48, the set screws 34,40,66, the collar 50, the foot 58, the connector 60, and the elbow piece 21.

It will be appreciated that many details of the design of the various components of the rest 10 can be changed considerably without departing from the scope of the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A fishing rod rest comprising a base member, means for attaching the base member to a seat for an angler, first and second rod supports mounted on the base member and capable of supporting a fishing rod at respective positions along its length, one of the rod supports being spaced from the base member by an elongate spacing members, and the rest further comprising a ground-engaging stabilising leg attached to the spacing member.

2. A rest according to claim 1, wherein the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member, to allow the length of leg between the spacing member and the ground to be changed.

3. A rest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member to allow the angle of the leg with respect to the spacing member to be changed.

4. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the leg is adjustably attached to the spacing member to allow the position on the spacing member at which the leg is attached to be changed.

5. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the leg and spacing member are attached by means of an attachment member which comprises a collar located around and slidable along the leg or the spacing member, and a set screw for setting the position of the collar along the leg or spacing member.

6. A rest according to claim 5, wherein the attachment member comprises a further collar located around and slidable along the other of the leg or spacing member, and a further set screw for setting the position of the further collar along the said other of the leg or spacing member.

7. A rest according to claim 6, wherein the collar and the further collar are attached by means of a swivel connection which allows the relative orientatibns of-the collars to be changed.

8. A rest according to claim 7, wherein the swivel connection is capable of holding the collars in a relative orientation to which they have been moved.

9. A rest according to claim 8, wherein the swivel connection comprises a threaded stub carried on one of the collars and received in a threaded bore in the collar.

10. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spacing member is adjustably attached to the base member, to allow the spacing of the said one rod support from the base member to be changed.

11. A rest according to claim 10, wherein the rest further comprises a set screw for setting the position of the spacing member with respect to the base member, thereby setting the said spacing.

12. A rest according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the spacing member comprises a rod or bar which is slidably located in a bore in the base member.

13. A rest according to claim 12, wherein a set screw is mounted in the or a wall of the bore and may be tightened to bear on the spacing member to prevent movement of the spacing member in the bore.

14. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the other of the rod supports is spaced from the base member by a second elongate spacing member.

15. A rest according to claim 14, wherein the first and second elongate spacing members extend from the base member in generally perpendicular direction.

16. A rest according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the second spacing member is adjustably attached to the base member, to allow the spacing of the other of the rod supports from the base member to be changed.

17. A rest according to claim 16, wherein the rest further comprises a further set screw for setting the position of the other spacing member with respect to the base member, thereby setting the spacing of the other rod support.

18. A rest according to claim 17, wherein the second spacing member comprises a rod or bar which is slidably located in a further bore in the base member.

19. A rest according to claim 18, wherein a further set screw is mounted in the or a wall of the further bore, and may be tightened to bear on the second spacing member, to prevent movement of the second spacing member in the further bore.

20. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the other support is located, in use, above the base member for supporting a fishing rod in the region of its handle, the variable spacing between the said other support and the base member allowing fishing rods with different reel sizes to be accommodated while holding the reels clear of the base member.

21. A rest according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base member comprises a threaded bore and the rest further comprises a bolt engageable in the threaded bore, whereby the base may be attached to a seat by passing the shank of the bolt through a hole in the seat, and tightening the bolt in the bore to trap a portion of the seat between the head of the bolt and the base member.

22. A rest according to claim 21, wherein the rest further comprises a collar which can be located around an elongate member of a seat, the collar comprising two hingedly connected portions which may closed around the seat member and each of which has an opening in which the shank of the said bolt may be located, whereby the bolt may be tightened against the base member to clamp the collar onto the seat member.

23. A fishing rod rest substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.