GB2444771A

GB2444771A - A fishing rod handling member

Info

Publication number: GB2444771A
Application number: GB0624808A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerry Woodcock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Also published as: GB0624808D0

Abstract

In the field of pole fishing there is a need for a handling member which allows a user to easily handle a fishing pole while fishing. A handling member (10) for a fishing pole (16) comprises a body (12) that defines a hollow interior (14) which receives a fishing pole (16) therethrough. The body (12) has a structural configuration that resists deformation in a lengthwise 10 direction (LD) and is deformable in a widthwise direction (WD). This allows a user when handling a fishing pole (16) extending through the handling member (10) to selectively slide the handling member (10) along the fishing pole (16) and grip the fishing pole (16), as required.

Description

A HANDLING MEMBER

This invention relates to a handling member for a fishing pole.

Pole fishing is a specialised type of float fishing in which a fishing pole is used instead of a fishing rod. The length of a fishing pole can vary between about 6m and about I 8m.

Each fishing pole includes a plurality of sections, each of which is usually between Im and 1.5m long. A user assembles together a given number of these sections to form a. fishing pole of a desired length. Typically the assembled fishing pole tapers from a first end that is held by a user, to a second end from which a fishing line extends.

During fishing with a fishing pole a user extends the fishing pole over a stretch of water. When a fish is caught it is necessary to remove the fish from the fishing line extending from the second, far end of the fishing pole.

In order access the second end of the fishing pole a user must retract the fishing pole from over the stretch of water. Retracting the fishing pole involves a user moving the pole between his hands from over the water to a bank or jetty on which he is stood. Typically the user also "breaks down" the fishing pole into two, more manageable pieces.

While fishing the user handles bait that contaminates his hands. As a result, one problem when handling the fishing pole to remove a caught fish, for example, as outlined above, is that the bait contaminant is transferred to the fishing pole. This causes the user's hands to stick to the fishing pole making it difficult for the user to move the fishing pole between his hands, and thereby hindering the user's handling of the fishing pole.

Therefore there is a need for a device which allows a user to more readily handle a fishing pole while fishing.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a handling member for a fishing pole comprising a body defining a hollow interior to receive a fishing pole therethrough, the body having a structural configuration that resists deformation in a lengthwise direction and is deformable in a widthwise direction so as to allow a user when handling a fishing pole extending through the handling member to selectively slide the handling member along the fishing pole and grip the fishing pole, as required.

io The provision of a handling member provides a barrier between a user's hand and the fishing pole, thereby reducing the likelihood of transfer of bait contaminant to the fishing pole.

The inclusion of a body having a structural configuration that resists deformation in a lengthwise direction helps to prevent an increase in contact area between the body and a fishing pole extending through the handling member, and so helps to ensure that the handling member is able to move readily relative to the fishing pole, as required.

In addition, the provision of a body having a structural configuration that is resiliently deformable in a widthwise direction allows a user to selectively deform the body into contact with the fishing pole in order to grip the fishing pole via the handling member, as required.

A user's hand is, therefore, selectively able to move relative to the fishing pole by sliding the handling member along the fishing pole, and grip the fishing pole by squeezing the handling member.

Accordingly, the user is readily able to handle the fishing pole without hinderence.

in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body includes at least one support member lying adjacent to the hollow interior thereof.

The provision of one or more support members assists the body in resisting deformation in a lengthwise direction while facilitating sliding of the handling member along the fishing pole.

Preferably the or each support member includes an elongate body portion extending in the lengthwise direction thereof. The inclusion of an elongate body portion helps the body to resist deformation in a lengthwise direction along its entire length.

Optionally each end of the body portion of the or each support member curves away from the hollow interior to define a guide portion. Provision of a guide portion at each end of the or each support member helps the or each support member to move readily over the transition between adjacent sections of the fishing pole.

Preferably the body defmes a sleeve that surrounds a fishing pole received therethrough. The provision of a sleeve helps to reduce the likelihood of the handling member becoming separated from a fishing pole while fishing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handling member includes a plurality of support members. This further assists the body in resisting deformation in a lengthwise direction.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a first support member and at least one other support member include first mutually engagable formations co-operable with one another to secure the first support member and the other support member to one another. The ability to secure the first support member and at least one other support member to is a convenient way of forming a sleeve which is less likely to become separated from a fishing pole during fishing.

Optionally each of the other support members includes a first mutually engagable formation. As a result it is possible to select which of the other support members the first support member is secured to. This provides for a degree of adjustment of

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the diameter of the sleeve formed by the body according to the maximum diameter of the fishing pole being used.

Preferably the first support member includes at least one first protrusion, and at least one other support member includes at least one corresponding aperture to receive a corresponding first protrusion. This provides a convenient way of securing the first support member to one of the other support members, which is readily nianufact-urable.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each support member is integrally formed with the body. Such an arrangement simplifies assembly of the handling member.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each support member is coupled with the body. This readily allows the material from which the support member is made to differ from the material from which the body is made.

Optionally the handling member further includes at least one fastener member to couple a given support member with the body, the or each fastener member and the given support member including second mutually engagable formations whereby one is securable to the other. This arrangement provides a convenient way of coupling the or each support member to the body, and allows subsequent removal of a support member for repair or replacement.

Preferably the or each support member includes one or more second protrusions and the or each fastener member includes a recess to receive a corresponding second protrusion. Such features are readily manufacturable while providing the desired coupling of the or each support member to the body.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a heating element secured to the body. The inclusion of a heating element allows for warming of the body which improves a user's comfort when using the handling member while fishing during, e.g. the winter.

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The heating element may be disposed in a sealed housing. Such an arrangement helps to protect the heating element from damage. as well as keep it clean and dry.

Optionally the housing includes at least one second protrusion. This feature permits securing of the housing to the body using one or more fastener members, and thereby helps to rationalise the number and range of components required to assemble the handling member.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a handling member according to a first embodiment of the invention in co-operation with a fishing pole; Is Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the handling member shown in Figure 1 without the fishing pole; Figure 3 shows an exploded, perspective view of the handling member shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an elevational view of a fastener member; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a handling member according to a second embodiment of the invention in co-operation with a fishing pole.

A handling member according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The handling member 10 comprises a body 12 which defines a hollow interior 14 to receive a fishing pole 16 therethrough. In the embodiment shown, the body 12 defines a sleeve 18 that surrounds the fishing pole 16 received therethrough.

In other embodiments of the invention, the body 12 may only partially surround the fishing pole 16

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The body 12 has a structural configuration that resists deformation in a lengthwise direction LD and is deformable in a widthwjse direction WD.

One material for the body 12 is leather, although in other embodiments different materials are possible.

In the embodiment shown, the body 12 includes eight support members 20, each of which lies adjacent to the hollow interior 14 of the body 12. Other embodiments may have a different number of support members 20. One suitable material for the slide members is nylon.

Each support member 20 includes an elongate body portion 22 which extends in the lengthwise direction LD thereof.

Each end of the body portion 22 curves away from the hollow interior 14 to define a guide portion 24.

A first support member 20' includes two first protrusions 26, while each of the other slide members 20" includes two corresponding apertures 28 each of which is able to receive a first protrusion 26. Other embodiments of the invention may include different mutually engagable formations.

In the embodiment shown, each support member 20 is coupled with the body 12.

in other embodiments of the invention (not shown), each support member 20 may be integrally formed with the body 12.

The handling member 10 includes a plurality of fastener members 30.

The fastener members 30 and each support member 20 include second mutually engagable formations to secure one to the other. Each support member 20 includes three second protrusions 32 and each fastener member 30 includes a recess 34 to receive a corresponding second protrusion 32.

The body 12 includes a plurality of apertures 36 through which the second protrusions 32 are able to extend so as to be received in the recess 34 of a corresponding fastener member 30, and thereby couple the given support member 20tothebodyl2.

The handling member 10 also includes a heating element 38 which is located in a sealed housing 40. The housing 40 includes six second protrusions 32 which allow it to be secured to the body 12 in the same maimer as each support member 20.

In use, a user slides the handling member 10 onto a fishing pole 16. The first protrusions 22 on the first support member 20' and the corresponding apertures 28 in one other support member 20" co-operate with one another, such that the body 12 defmes a sleeve 18.

The support members 20 extend in a lengthwise direction LD of the body 12 and impart resistance to deformation in a lengthwise direction to the body 12. The support members 20 help to prevent an increase in contact area between the body 12 and a fishing pole 16 extending through the handling member 10 by maintaining the lengthwise shape of the body and inhibiting, e.g. bunching of the body 12 against the fishing pole 16. As a result the handling member 10 is able to move readily relative to the fishing pole 16, as required.

The spacing of adjacent support members 20 from one another results in the body 12 being deformable in a widthwise direction ED. As a result, a user's hand is able to push the handling member 10 into contact with the fishing pole 16 in order to grip the fishing pole 16.

It follows that a user is able to selectively slide the fishing pole 16 through the handling member 10, or grip the fishing pole 16 via the handling member 10, as desired, in order to extend or retract the fishing pole 16.

If the weather is particularly cold, the user can activate the heating element 38 to warm the handling member 10 and make it more comfortable to use.

Typically a user would employ two handling member 10, one for each hand, when fishing using a fishing pole 16.

A handling member according to a second embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 50.

The second handling member 50 shares many features with the first handling member 10, and these are designated using the same reference numerals.

The second handling member 50 omits the heating element 38 and the corresponding housing 40 but is otherwise identical to the first handling member 10. The second handling member 50 is used in the same way as the first handling member, with the exception of providing warming of the body 12.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A handling member for a fishing pole comprising a body

defining a hollow interior to receive a fishing pole therethrough, the body having a structural configuration that resists deformation in a lengthwise direction and is deformable in a widthwjse direction so as to allow a user when handling a fishing pole extending through the handling member to selectively slide the handling member along the fishing pole and grip the fishing pole, as required.
2. A handling member according to Claim I wherein the body includes at least one support member lying adjacent to the hollow interior thereof.
3. A handling member according to Claim 2 wherein the or each support member includes an elongate body portion extending in the lengthwise direction thereof.
4. A handling member according to Claim 3 wherein each end of the body portion of the or each support member curves away from the hollow interior to define a guide portion.
5. A handing member according to any preceding claim wherein the body defines a sleeve that surrounds a fishing pole received therethrough.
6. A handling member according to any preceding claim including a plurality of support members.
7. A handling member according to Claim 6 wherein a first support member and at least one other support member include first mutually engagable formations co-operable with one another to secure the first support member and the other support member to one another.
8. A handling member according to Claim 7 wherein each of the other support members includes a first mutually engagable fonnation.
9. A handling member according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the first support member includes at least one first protrusion, and at least one other support member includes at least one corresponding aperture to receive a corresponding first protrusion.
10. A handling member according to any preceding claim wherein the or each support member is integrally formed with the body.
Ii. A handling member according to any of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the or each support member is coupled with the body.
12. A handling member according to Claim 11 further including at least one fastener member to couple a given support member with the body, the or each fastener member and the given support member including second mutually engagable formations whereby one is securable to the other.
13. A handling member according to Claim 12 wherein the or each support member includes one or more second protrusions and the or each fastener member includes a recess to receive a corresponding second protrusion.
14. A handling member according to any preceding claim further including a heating element secured to the body.
15. A handling member according to Claim 14 wherein the heating element is disposed in a sealed housing.
16. A handling member according to Claim 15 wherein the housing includes at least one second protrusion.
17. A handling member generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.