GB2293301A - Fishing rods - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing rod comprises a plurality of tapered sections (10, 11) and joints (12) for coupling the ends or each pair of sections together comprising a ferrule (13) formed on the larger of the cross-sections having a hexagonal socket (14) (Fig 3) tapering from its open end and a tapered tip portion 15 on the end of the other section of similar cross-section and dimensions to the socket to fit in the socket and hold the two sections together without relative rotation between the sections. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FISHING RODS This invention relates to fishing rods.

Conventional fishing rods whether of plain bamboo or split cane construction invariably have a number of rod sections which are joined together by means of a cylindrical metal ferrule on one section providing a socket in which a cylindrical metal tube on the other section is a push fit.

In recent years fishing rods have also been formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics. Such rods may be of circular cross section or of hexagonal cross-section spigot/socket joints. Our UK Patent No 2149050 discloses such a fishing rod formed from rod sections of hexagonal cross section having an outer wall of carbon fibre reinforced plastics and a core of foam to prevent collapse of the rod section under extreme bending. The joint between adjacent rod sections is formed by a dowel projecting from the end of one rod section and engaging in a sleeve embodied in the end of an adjacent rod section.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fishing rod in which the rod sections are formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics with a stronger joint between adjacent rod sections which lifts relative rotation between the rod sections. The latter feature is of particular importance where the rod is constructed to have different bending characteristics in different planes to ensure that the rod sections remain in their correct alignment to provide the required bending characteristics both in the vertical plane and laterally.

This invention provides a fishing rod comprising a plurality of tapered sections and joints for coupling the or each pair of sections together comprising a ferrule formed on the larger of the cross-sections having a polygonal socket tapering from its open end and a tapered tip portion on the end of the other section of similar cross-section and dimensions to the socket to fit in the socket and hold the two sections together without relative rotation between the sections.

On one arrangement according to the invention the ferrule may be formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

More specifically the ferrule may comprise carbon fibre rovings wound in a circumferential direction around the ferrule and embodied in a plastics material.

In any of the above arrangements the rod sections may have a polygonal cross-section.

In a particular example according to the invention the cross-section of the rod is hexagonal and the ferrule on said one rod section has a hexagonal internal cross-section to receive the hexagonal cross-section tip portion of the other rod section.

In any of the above arrangements the rod sections may be formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

For example the rod sections may have an outer wall of carbon fibre reinforced plastics and a core of foam.

Also any of the above arrangements an end stop may be provided on said other rod section adjacent the tip portion to limit insertion of the tip portion into the ferrule.

The following is a description of a specific embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a joint between two rod sections of a fishing rod; Figure 2 is a cross-section through one part of a joint; and Figure 3 is a cross-section through the other part of the joint.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated part of a fishing rod having three sections, part of a bottom section being indicated at 10 and part of a middle section being located at 11. The rod sections are of hexagonal cross-section having a carbon fibre reinforced plastics wall and a foam core and are tapered lengthwise as described and illustrated in our US Patent No 2149050 to which reference should be made.

The joint between the sections illustrated at 12 will now be described in greater detail. At the tapered end of the bottom section 10 a ferrule 13 of hollow hexagonal cross-section is fitted over and bonded to an end part ofthe rod section. The ferrule provides a slightly tapering hexagonal cross-section socket 14 (see Figure 3) to receive a tip portion of the other rod section.

The larger end of the middle rod section is built up to form a tapering tip portion 15 which is a push fit in the ferrule and which terminates in an end stop 16 bonded to the rod section to limit the section of the tip into the ferrule.

The joint between the middle and top sections of the rod is similarly formed.

HEXAGON FERRULES Made on tapered steel hexagonal mandrels and then cemented on Hexagraph sections.

1. Hair constructed: perimpregnated carbon material rolled on hexagon steel mandrel.

2. Outside pressure obtained by: a) pressure in vacuum bag and cured in oven b) pressure from hexagon tube fired on outside and then cured in oven c) tape applied to outside as in production of tubular rods - cured in oven and then tape removed.

Hexagon tube then removed from hexagon steel mandrel and then cemented on "Hexagraph'1 section.

HEXAGON MALE SECTION 1. Low temperature cure pre-impregnated carbon material wrapped on ends of "Hexagraph" sections and cured in oven.

2. Ends, that is the tip portions are then ground in grinding machine to exact fitting size to match accurately in corresponding ferrule.

HEXAGON STOPS Stops 16 to be cemented on sections adjacent to the tip portions 15. The angler assembles the rod sections to these stops.

The hexagonal tube may also be made from unidirectional carbon cloth on a glass scrim - rolled onto a hexagonal steel mandrel - taped with cellulose tape - cured at 120 degrees centrigrade - extracted from mandrel.

A cross weave carbon cloth may be used to get more hoop strength.

The tube may also be cured in a vacuum bag instead of taping.

The hexagonal tube is then cemented on to a section of "Hexagraph" to form the female ferrule.

The male section of "Hexagraph" will be built up with a carbon or glass scrim and then machined in order to obtain an accurate fit.

Advantages 1. Will completely eliminate twisting during casting 2. Will decrease wear because of above 3. Rod will be lighter

Claims (9)

1. A fishing rod comprising a plurality of tapered sections and joints for coupling the ends or each pair of sections together comprising a ferrule formed on the larger of the cross-sections having a polygonal socket tapering from its open end and a tapered tip portion on the end of the other section of similar cross-section and dimensions to the socket to fit in the socket and hold the two sections together without relative rotation between the sections.

2. A fishing rod as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ferrule is formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

3. A fishing rod as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the ferrule comprises carbon fibre rovings wound in a circumferential direction around the ferrule and embodied in a plastics material.

4. A fishing rod as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod sections have a polygonal cross-section.

5. A fishing rod as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the cross-section of the rod is hexagonal and the ferrule on said one rod section has a hexagonal internal cross-section to receive the hexagonal cross-section tip portion of the other rod section.

6. A fishing rod as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the rod sections are formed from carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

7. A fishing rod as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the rod sections have an outer wall of carbon fibre reinforced plastics and a core of foam.

8. A fishing rod as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein an end stop is provided on said other rod section adjacent the tip portion to limit insertion of the tip portion into the ferrule.

9. A fishing rod substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.