GB2399481A

GB2399481A - Rod holder with releasable retaining jaws

Info

Publication number: GB2399481A
Application number: GB0305440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William George Southerden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-10
Filing date: 2003-03-10
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Also published as: GB0305440D0

Abstract

An apparatus for releasably retaining an elongate member such as a fishing rod 6. The apparatus comprises a first member 4 including a holder 18, the first member further including means 8,10 for attaching a second member 12. The second member includes receiving means 14 for receiving the rod, and fixing means\pressure plate 16. The holder includes a retaining jaw 38 responsive to movement of fixing means 16 to close and/or open the retaining jaws 38 around the rod. The holder 18 may comprise an additional plate (Fig 2, 30). The slot (Fig 2, 46) between plates 28 and (Fig 2, 30) is provided to hold a rod butt controller (Fig 2, 48). The device may be anchored by a rod inserted into the ground or by a clamp (Fig 4). The device may be inclined in use by pivot unit (Fig 3, 51).

Description

- 2399481 Releasable Retaining Apparatus This invention relates to a

releasable retaining apparatus, such as a rest for a fishing rod.

Whilst we will describe a fishing rod rest, the invention is not restricted to such an apparatus. For example the apparatus may be used for other purposes such as a rest for a snooker cue or other sporting accessory, a walking stick, or musical instrument.

When fishing much time may pass between catches, and a device on which to rest a fishing rod while waiting for a bite is a useful addition to a fisherman's equipment.

Such a rest is most useful if it holds the fishing rod securely while in use, and easily releases the rod when the fisherman wishes to resume control of the rod such as, for example, when a fish bites on the line. There are a number of fishing rod rests available for a fisherman which securely hold a fishing rod, but all have disadvantages, a common disadvantage being that it requires two hands to release the rod from the rest and consequently, no hands arc available to control the line and secure the catch. It would be desirable to provide a device on which a fishing rod may be securely retained and from which the rod may be removed one handed, freeing the fisherman's other hand to secure the catch.

The present invention provides according to a first aspect an apparatus for releasably retaining an elongate member such as a fishing rod. The apparatus comprises a first member including a holder, the first member further including means for attaching a second member. The second member includes receiving means for receiving the rod, and fixing means. The holder includes a retaining jaw means responsive to movement of said fixing means to close and/or open the retaining jaw mechanism around the rod.

Preferably said receiving means comprises a forked portion. - 1

1313(1-1!.' 1113\-1); t1. .;il'l' 1ilC,1 \1;t t1\ The holder may comprise a first plate, perpendicular to and attached to the first member and connected to second and third parallel plates by bolts. The holder may further comprise a retaining jaw means comprising two jaws, each jaw pivotally secured between said first and second plates by a pivot pin. The plates may be separated from each other by spacers; the space between the second and third plates forming a slot.

Each jaw may comprise a shaped rod with a first and second end, the rods shaped such that when secured between said plates and at rest said first ends are close together and said second ends are far apart, and when first ends are urged apart then second ends are urged together.

Preferably said fixing means comprises a shaped portion adapted to urge said second ends apart.

The weight of a fishing rod on said forked portion causes said second member to rotate about said pivotal attachment means urging said shaped portion between said ends of jaws and urging ends of jaws together to grip the fishing rod, and wherein when the weight of the fishing rod is removed from the forked portion, the ends return to their rest position and ends separate to release the fishing rod.

Preferably said first and second members comprise curved bars or rods made from a strong material such as metal, wood or strong plastic.

Preferably said means for attaching a second member comprises a slot in said first bar or rod through which the second rod passes, and a pivot pin connecting the first and second rods.

Preferably said anchor attachment means includes a nut and screw thread.

I l t) 5( A.'- l l If \ i 1)t. IS i 3 ' ;I a.' . I i lt ti N} i) Preferably said anchoring device receives said anchoring means and comprises a rod for inserting into the ground to anchor the fishing rod rest.

Alternatively, said anchoring means may comprise a clamp which clamps onto a boat such that the fishing rod rest may be used while on water.

A pivot unit may be inserted between said anchoring means and anchoring device such that the fishing rod may be inclined, in use.

A rod butt controller may be inserted into the slot formed by the second and third plates. The rod butt controller may be a flat piece of strong material with one end inclined to fit into slot, and the other end inclined to provide a stop for the fishing rod.

A fishing rod rest comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fishing rod rest with a fishing rod, the holder shown without a third plate, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a holder of the fishing rod rest of Figure 1, with rod butt controller, Figure 3 shows a pivot unit, for use with the fishing rod rest, Figure 4 shows a boat clamp, for use with the fishing rod rest, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rod butt controller as used in the fishing rod rest of Figure 2.

Figure l shows a fishing rod rest 2 comprising a fork 14 to support a fishing rod 6 and a holder 18 spaced inwardly of the fork 14 through which the fishing rod 6 passes.

The apparatus comprises a first member or jaw mounting arm 4 and a second member or fork mounting arm 12, the fork arm being adapted to fit through a slot 10 in the jaw arm 4, and pivotally connected to it by means of a pivot pin 8. The jaw arm comprises a 1{lil 't i>. -I 1 l; \\ -I L'S L liti''l" .lI''-it '. I i 1t'(l \1;' ' preferably curved bar or rod with a bolt 20 and a screw thread 22 at one end, the jaw arm being attached to a holder 18 at the other end. The fork arm 12 comprises a preferably curved rod one end of which comprises a fork 14, and the other end 24 of which forms a fixing apparatus such as a wedge shaped pressure plate 16. The two arms of the fishing rod rest comprise a material strong enough to bear the weight of a fishing rod, such as steel or aluminium, wood or strong plastic.

The holder 18, shown in Figure 2, comprises three metal plates 26, 28, 30 secured together by means of rivets or bolts 32, and separated by spacers 34 between plates 26 and 28, and spacers 36 between plates 28 and 30. The holder further comprises a jaw mechanism which includes jaws 38 positioned pivotally between plates 26 and 28 by means of pivot pins 40, the jaws being shaped such that when closed they form a closed ring. Each jaw includes fingers 42 on the opposite side to the pivot. Each jaw 38 whilst retained by the holder 18 may move freely about the pivot pin 40, between a closed position and an open position. A slot 46 between plates 28 and 30 is provided to hold the rod butt controller 48 of Figure 5.

When an object such as a fishing rod 6 is placed between the jaws 38 and on the fork 14, of the fishing rod rest 2, the forked arm 12, being pivotally secured to the jaw arm 4 by pivot pin 8 rotates around the pivot pin due to the weight of the fishing rod on fork 14, forcing the pressure plate 16 between the fingers 42 of the jaws 38 urging them apart and urging the jaws 38 to close to securely hold the fishing rod 6 in place. The jaws will continue to remain closed, holding the fishing rod, until the weight of the fishing rod is removed from the fork 14, whereupon the pressure plate 16 of the forked arm 12 is no longer forced between the fingers 42 of the jaws 38. The jaws 38, now able to move freely, open and release the fishing rod.

Screw thread 22 on the end of the jaw arm 4 remote from the holder 18 is adapted to screw into a conventional anchor pole, such attachment being secured by a nut 20. The anchor pole may then be inserted into the ground.

!11-' 111\\\ iamb. vI;tittiil'.t:. I 11 Nl;t i; \ The remaining figures show optional attachments for the fishing rod.

Figure 3 shows a pivot unit 51 including an upper internally screwthreaded portion 52 for attachment to the screw thread 22 of the jaw arm 4 which is connected by a bolt 54, a flat washer 56, spring washer 58, and nut 60 to a base 62 which screws into the conventional anchor pole already described. The pivot unit provides for the fishing rod rest to retain the fishing rod at an inclined angle for the convenience of the fisherman.

Figure 4 shows a boat clamp 61, adapted to attach the fishing rod holder to a boat.

The clamp has an internally secured attachment 63 for attaching to the screw thread 22 of the jaw arm 4.

Figure 5 shows the rod butt controller 48, one end 64 of which may be inserted into opening 46 of the jaw carrier 18, such that the other end 66 provides a stop for the fishing rod, controlling the positioning of the fishing rod when placed in the fishing rod holder.

The fishing rod rest described may be used as follows.

End 64 of a butt rod controller 48 is placed in slot 46 of the holder 18 of the fishing rod rest 2, such that end 66 of the butt rod controller 48 may provide a stop for a fishing rod 6. The butt of a fishing rod is placed between open jaws 38 of the holder 18, resting against end 66 of the butt rod controller 48, and the fishing rod is then laid upon fork 14 of the forked arm 12. The weight of the rod resting between the prongs of the fork 14 forces the forked arm to rotate about the pivot pin 8 (anticlockwise in Figure 1), the forked end 14 being forced down and the end of the forked arm 24, remote from the fork 14, being forced up, urging the pressure plate 16 between the fingers 42 of the jaws 38 and forcing the jaws 38 to close, retaining the butt of the fishing rod securely therebetween. The screw thread 22 of the jaw arm 4 may be screwed into a conventional anchor rod (not shown) which may be inserted into the ground. Alternatively, the screw thread 22 of the jaw arm 4 may be screwed into the pivot unit 51, which may then be 141< 1-1.'-111\\-1).,, 1.'It}s 111.11 iV 1 11 \1:' t); attached to the conventional anchor rod, permitting the fishing rod rest to be secured at an inclined angle, or the screw thread 22 of the jaw arm 4 may be screwed into a boat clamp 61, which may be clamped to a boat or other vessel (not shown), for use on water. In each case the screw attachment is secured by nut 20.

A fisherman using the fishing rod holder is then free to await a "bite" on his line without the constraint of holding the fishing rod in position. When the fishing rod 6 is picked up from a position close to the fork 14, the weight of the rod no longer acts to force the pressure plate 16 between the fingers 42 of the jaws 38. The jaws 38 then open and release their grip on the fishing rod 6. By this means the fisherman may remove the fishing rod 6 from the fishing rod holder 2 using only one hand, leaving his other hand free to control his fishing line and secure his catch. This apparatus has the additional advantage that a disabled fisherman may control his fishing rod one-handed.

Another benefit for the disabled fisherman is that he only needs one rod instead of two. The pivot unit allows the fisherman to rotate the rod around on the rest to that it would lay across his lap while attending to a catch or to renew the bait on the hook.

Features such as the jaws 38 of the holder 18, the rods 12, 4, or the various attachment means may take different shapes. In addition, a much larger and stronger version of the apparatus described may be adapted for use in deep-sea fishing. (

111), 111\\-1), t1.t iti. i11.1t. 1 141 ale 11\

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for releasably retaining a rod, said apparatus,

comprising: a first member (4) including a holder (18) for the rod, the first member including means (8, 10) for attaching a second member (12); the second member (12) including receiving means (14) for receiving the rod and fixing means (16); and the holder (18) including a retaining jaw means responsive to movement of said fixing means (14) to close and/or open the retaining jaw means around the rod.
2. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I wherein said receiving means comprises a forked portion (14).
3. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the holder (18) comprises: a first plate (26), perpendicular to and attached to the first member (4), connected to second and third parallel plates (28, 30) by bolts (32), and a retaining jaw means comprising two jaws (38), each jaw pivotally secured between said first and second plates by a pivot pin (40), the first and second plates being additionally separated from each other by spacers (34); the second and third plates being separated from each other by spacers (36), to form a slot (46).
4. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each jaw (38) comprises a shaped rod with a first (42) and second end (44), the rods shaped such that when secured between said plates (26, 28) and at rest said first ends (42) are close together and said second ends (44) are far apart, and when first ends (42) are urged apart then second ends (44) are urged together.
5. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said fixing means (16) comprises a shaped portion adapted to urge said second ends (42) apart. - 7

BB03052-HRW-Desc claims abstr-as filed Mar 03
6. A releasable retaining device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the releasable retaining device is a fishing rod rest.
7. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the weight of a fishing rod (6) on said forked portion (14) causes said second member (12) to rotate about said pivotal attachment means (8) urging said shaped portion (16) between said ends (42) of jaws (38) and urging ends (44) of jaws together to grip the fishing rod, and wherein when the weight of the fishing rod is removed from the forked portion (14), the ends (42) return to their rest position and ends (44) separate to release the fishing rod.
8. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member (4) is a curved bar or rod made from a strong material such as metal, wood or strong plastic.
9. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means (8, 10) for attaching a second member comprises a slot (10) in said first bar or rod (4) through which the second rod (12) passes, and a pivot pin (8) connecting the first (4) and second (12) rods.
10. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I wherein said anchor attachment means (20, 22) includes a nut (20) and screw thread (22) .
11. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I wherein said second member (12) is a curved bar or rod made from a strong material such as metal, wood or strong plastic.
12. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anchoring device receives said anchoring means (20, 22) and comprises a rod for inserting into the ground to anchor the fishing rod rest (2). - 8

BB03052-HRW-Dcsc claims abstr-as fiend Mar 03
13. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I wherein said anchoring device receives said anchoring means (20, 22) and comprises a clamp (61) which clamps onto a boat such that the fishing rod rest (2) may be used while on water.
14. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim I wherein a pivot unit (30) is inserted between said anchoring means and anchoring device (20, 22), such that the fishing rod (6) may be inclined, in use.
15. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 3 wherein a rod butt controller (48) may be inserted into the slot (46) formed by the second (28) and third (30) plates.
16. A releasable retaining device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the rod butt controller (48) is a flat piece of strong material with one end (64) inclined to fit into slot (46), and the other end (66) inclined to provide a stop for the fishing rod (6).

BB03052-HRW-Desc claims abstr-as fiend Mar 03