GB2534602A

GB2534602A - Improved fishing equipment for fishing rods

Info

Publication number: GB2534602A
Application number: GB1501487.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Tennyson Patrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-29
Filing date: 2015-01-29
Publication date: 2016-08-03
Also published as: GB201501487D0

Abstract

A mechanism to aid an angler when fishing having a cushioning device 12 and a linkage device 14. The cushion device located between the fishing rods butt 3 and the anglers arm. The linkage device located on the rods handle and having mans for being removably attached to a flexible strap B attached to the anglers body. The cushion may be removably attached to an armband 1 or a rod band (2, Fig. 7) which may be attached to the armband. The cushion may be made of at least two materials of different consistencies. The linkage device may have an adjustable means to be removably attached to the rods handle and may be hinged to allow rotational movement of the handle when in use. Advantages of the invention are that an angler can play a fish for longer without suffering hand, wrist and arm fatigue.

Description

Improved fishing equipment for fishing rods

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improved fishing equipment for fishing rods. One aspect of the invention relates to a cushioning device located between a fishing rod butt and an anglers arm where the cushioning device is used to guard and protect the anglers arm, wrist or hand against the rotational effect of the rod butt digging into the anglers arm, when the angler, holding the rod handle is experiencing a pull on the fishing line coming from a fish, commonly known as playing a fish. Another aspect of the invention relates to the cushioning device been held in position by a state of art armband worn on the anglers arm or wrist where the cushion device can be removeably attached to the armband. Another aspect of the invention relates to the cushioning device been internally located and removeably attached to a state of art rod band attached to the armband. Another aspect of the invention relates to the ability of the cushioning device to accommodate and mold to the shape of the rod butt on one side and the shape of the anglers arm on the other. Another aspect of the invention relates to the cushioning device been used in conjunction with a linkage device attached to the rod handle, where the linkage device is used for connecting to a flexible strap attached to the body of the angler and where the linkage device supports the anglers arm when playing a fish.

Of particular interest are fishing rods and in particular fly fishing rods.

Background to the Invention

Single handed fly rods in general are much longer than bait casting rods and as such exert more pressure on the angler's hand, wrist and arm. When playing a fish on a single handed fly rod the pull coming from the line causes strain to the hand, wrist and arm muscles and the pull causes rotational movement of the fly rod about the wrist joint and forces the rod butt (below the hand grip) into the anglers arm causing discomfort, pain and fatigue. Prior art device publication number GB2496659 helps by controlling wrist movement during the cast but does not address the problem of discomfort to the angler when a pull is coming from the line when playing a fish. The present invention aims to address this problem and is an improvement to publication number GB2496659 and gives the angler a new device to aid them when playing a fish on a fly rod.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a cushion device for attaching to an armband or a rod band. The invention also provides a means for replacing and reconfiguring the cushion device. Publication number 6B2496659 helps when the angler is casting and in particular is designed to balance the pull coming from a heavy fly line when casting whereas the present invention is designed to withstand the pull when playing a fish. The cushion device when used in conjunction with a linkage device located on the rod handle (above the hand grip) changes the point of rotation of the rod to the linkage device and aids the anglers arm, wrist and hand grip when playing a fish.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 6 are taken from and show prior art documents from publication number GB2496659 and are used for reference only.

Figure 7 shows a pictorial view of the cushioning device 12. The rod butt 3 and cushioning device 12 are shown located within a state of art rod band 2 and the cushion device 12 is attached directly to the rod band 2. The rod band 2 is attached to a state of art armband 1 on the anglers arm. Adjuster 4 on the armband is used for adjusting the tension of the rod band as described in publication number GB2496659 and is also used for adjustment to accommodate the cushion device 12. Arrow X indicates the pull coming from the fishing line and arrow Y indicates the direction the rod handle is been forced into the anglers arm rotating about the wrist joint W. In another embodiment the cushion device could be constructed as an integral part of the armband. Rod band 2 helps locate the rod handle 3 in the middle of cushion device 12.

Figure 8 shows a pictorial view of the cushioning device 12 in a different configuration and attached directly to the armband 1 with the rod band 2 (Figure 7) removed. The cushioning device is held in place by state of the art hook and loop technology between the cushioning device 12 and the armband 1. The linkage device 14 is shown attached to the rod handle 3 (above the hand) and is removeably attached to a strap B which is attached to the angler. The rotation point of the rod is now at point Z which reduces the pressure of the rod butt on the cushion device 12 coming from direction Y and is easier on the angler's wrist and arm.

Figure 9 shows an isometric pictorial view of the cushioning device and a cut away of the rod band. The cushioning device 12 can be removeably attached to the rod band 2 by state of the art hook and loop technology at 13. This configuration allows the cushioning device to slide in either direction along the rod band as indicated by the arrows shown on rod band 2. 12f and 12b indicate the front and back of the cushioning device. The cushioning device 12 can be manufactured from flexible material of single consistency or may be manufactured with the outside face 12f a hard wearing material to withstand the rubbing effects of the rod handle and the back of the cushioning device 12 been constructed of a soft material 12b for comfort next to the skin. The attachment means is offset from the centre of the cushion device to allow the cushion device be rotated 180 degrees to facilitate varying rod butt designs and lengths or to place the long end of the cushion device between the rod handle itself and the angler's hand for extra comfort. Internally the cushion device is constructed of a material of single consistency. In another embodiment the cushion device may be constructed of materials having different constituency. In another embodiment the cushion device could be constructed with an inflatable shell allowing the device to be inflated to different pressures.

Figure 10 shows a cross section of the cushioning device 12 trapped between the rod band 2 and rod butt 3. As pressure builds from the rod handle 3 the cushion device 12 compresses leaving the rod handle closer to the anglers arm for more control.

Figure 11 shows an isometric view of the linkage device 14, platform 15 which is shaped to match the shape of the anglers thumb, hinge joints 17, adjustable strap 16 provided with hook and loop state of art technology for attaching the linkage device to the rod handle. Linkage device 14 (Figure 11) is constructed of an open wire frame (spring steel) having a biased spring action to hold the device securely in place when secured by adjustable strap 16 (Figure 11) to the rod handle. Adjustable strap 16 (Figure 11) is secured by the use of state of art hook and loop technology. The linkage device has a platform 15 which is shaped to match and accept the anglers thumb or finger.

Most anglers fly fish with their thumb on top of the rod handle to give more leverage to the hand when casting or playing a fish. When the thumb is placed on the rod handle the shape of the thumb does not match and is in complete contrast to the shape of the rod handle. The invention solves this problem by providing a shape which matches the shape of the thumb when placed on the linkage device and makes it more comfortable on the angler when casting or playing a fish. Pressure from the thumb on the platform also aids in securing the linkage device to the rod handle. The linkage device could be attached to the rod itself but is more advantageous to attach it to the rod handle to better absorb and distribute the force throughout the handle with less possibilities of breaking the rod when under severe pressure from a large fighting fish. The open shape (in this case triangular) of the linkage device allows the top of the thumb to pass through the device and can help holding the linkage device in place by the thumb when casting or playing a fish. The linkage device is constructed to hinge to allow the device to be stored (for example in a rod tube) without removal from the rod handle or the follow the pulls coming from body strap B (Figure 8).