WO1998053675A1

WO1998053675A1 - Sportfishing outriggers

Info

Publication number: WO1998053675A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Maxwell Cerezo
Original assignee: Raymond Maxwell Cerezo
Priority date: 1997-05-30
Filing date: 1997-05-30
Publication date: 1998-12-03
Also published as: AU4541997A

Abstract

A sport fishing outrigger of the type having a three point mounting system for a pole holder (10) of tubular or equivalent elognate form characterised in that the upper arms (21) have spaced outer ends which are interconnected by a first cradle member (25), a pair of linkage arms (26) pivotally interconnect the said outer ends to opposite sides of the pole holder (10) with pivot axes at each end of each linkage arm and a second cradle member (27) interconnecting the linkage arms remote from the pole holder (10). When the pole holder (10) is secured in a predetermined position, the hinge axes at all three mounting points will be parallel to one another and to the hinge axes at each end of each linkage arm, the pole holder (10) being able to be tilted between one extreme in which it is parallel to the upright surface and close thereto by virtue of its location in the first and second cradle members, and a second extreme in which the acute angle between the upper arms (21) and the linkage arms (26) is increased to an obtuse angle and then beyond one hundred and eighty degrees to cause dead centre to be passed and a toggle locking to be effected.

Description

SPORTFISHING OUTRIGGERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term "outrigger" is used herein to denote the mounting assembly or the total arrangement whereby a trolling pole is carried by a pole holder or assembly which is affixed to an upright wall portion of the boat such as to the side of the cabin or the flybridge. Such outriggers are usually permanently affixed by bolts at three locations, one being adjacent to the boat end of the pole holder and the other two on either side of the pole holder at equal distances in tripod disposition. The pole holder is a tube to receive removably the outrigger pole end, while the pole will have fishing lines attached for trolling lures and baits, thus being usable with a fishing rod from which line is led to the pole and then trails into the water. Clips are used so that the line will come away from the trolling pole when a fish strikes, whereupon the fisherman takes over the rod and handles the catching of the fish in the normal manner. OBJECTS

While outriggers of this general type have been made and used with reasonable effectiveness, most prior proposals either do not provide the required level of flexing or they suffer because of corrosion at the joints where flexing is so important. A principal requirement is that the outrigger pole and pole holder should be able to be moved normally when so needed, and while it is important to ensure that flexing is maintained at all joints, it is a fact that marine use tends to cause corrosion. It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an outrigger of the type described which will prove more satisfactory in use, over its range of requirements, than those made in the past. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing descriptions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides broadly, according to one aspect thereof, in a sportfishing outrigger of the type having a three-point mounting system for a pole holder of tubular or equivalent elongate form in which the proximal end of the pole holder is pivotally connected to a lowermost mounting block for attachment by fasteners to the deck or adjacent upright structure, while upper portions of the pole holder are mounted by means of a pair of spaced upper mounting blocks for attachment by fasteners to the upright structure of the boat on opposite sides of the pole holder and having pivoted arms leading to the pole holder; characterised in that the upper arms have spaced outer ends which are interconnected by a first cradle member adapted to lie against the structure when in retracted disposition, and a pair of linkage arms pivotally interconnect the said outer ends to opposite sides of the pole holder with pivot axes at each end of each linkage arm and a second cradle member interconnecting the linkage arms remote from the pole holder, the parts being so made and arranged that when the two upper and one lower mounting block are secured in predetermined positions, the hinge axes at all three mounting points will be parallel to one another and to the hinge axes at each end of each linkage arm, the pole holder being able to be tilted between one extreme in which it is parallel to the upright surface and close thereto by virtue of its location in the first and second cradle members, and a second extreme in which the acute angle between the upper arms and the linkage arms is increased to an obtuse angle and then beyond one hundred and eighty degrees to cause dead centre to be passed and a toggle locking action to be effected. Preferably the lowermost mounting block is pivotally connected about a first axis to a connector block which is pivotally connected to the bottom of the pole holder about a second axis at right angles to the said first axis so that a universal-type connection is attained. Preferably also, the connections of the linkage arms to the pole holder may be made at selected locations to vary the operative angle of the pole holder, while disconnection of the linkage arms also enables the pole holder to be turned through any desired angle by virtue of the universal-type joint arrangement, thereby allowing total release and/or tilting for the avoidance of obstacles of all types, using a quick-release pin for example. While it is preferred that all components be made suitably of stainless steel, it would be possible alternatively to employ suitable plastics materials which would not be prone to easy corrosion. Other features of the invention will be hereinafter apparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Fig 1 shows in perspective view one form of outrigger according to the invention, given by way of illustrative example and shown mounted on an upright wall of a boat just above the deck, the outrigger assembly being shown in hingedly retracted disposition to lie almost against the upright wall;

Fig 2 is a further perspective view showing the outrigger assembly of Fig 1 drawn out hingedly to partly extended disposition;

Fig 3 is yet another perspective view but showing the outrigger assembly hinged to fully extended disposition with the toggle locking effective;

Fig 4 shows in greater detail the universal-joint connection of the pole holder to the lowermost mounting block;

Fig 5 shows in side elevation the outrigger components when the relationship illustrated in the perspective view of Fig 1 ; and

Figs 6, 7 and 8 are side elevational views showing the hinging of the pole holder progressively to the fully open position in Fig 8, corresponding to the Fig 3 perspective view. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The outrigger assembly shown in the drawings includes an elongate tubular pole holder 10 open at one end 1 1 to receive an outrigger pole indicated in dotted lines at 12, typically between fifteen and twenty-five feet in length, the holder 10 in this instance being say 400mm in length and 35mm diameter. Its other or lower end 13 has a mounting fork 14 pivotally connected about an axis 15 to a lowermost mounting block 16 adapted to be secured by fasteners (not shown) through screw holes 17 to the upright wall 18 adjacent to the deck 19.

Upper parts of the pole holder 10 are mounted by means of a pair of spaced upper mounting blocks 20 for attachment to the upright wall 18, being similar to the bottom mounting block 16. It will be noted that the two blocks 20 are on opposite sides of the pole holder and have pivoted arm 21 leaning towards the pole holder 10.

It will be seen that the proximal ends 22 of the arms 21 are hinged about axes 23, while their other or distal ends 24 are interconnected by a first cradle arms or member 25 adapted to lie against the wall 18 when in retracted disposition. There is a pair of linkage arms 26 held parallel to one another by a second cradle member 27 of dished structure, the outer ends 28 of the linkage arms being hingedly connected about axis 29 to opposite sides of the pole holder 10, there also being pivot axis 30 at the other ends 31 of the linkage arms remote from the pole holder 10. It will be seen that the parts are so made and arranged that the two upper mounting blocks 20 and the lower mounting block 16 can be secured in predetermined positions, the hinge axes 15 and 23 at the three mounting points being parallel to one another and to the hinge axes 29 and 30 at the respective ends of the linkage arms 26, the pole holder 10 being able to be tilted between the extreme shown in Figs 1 and 5 in which it is parallel to the upright surface 18 and close thereto by virtue of the cradle arrangement, and a second extreme disposition as shown in Figs 3 and 8 to which it has been moved from the acute angle between arms 21 and linkage arms 26 shown in Fig 6 for example, to an obtuse angle there between as shown in Figs 2 and 7, and finally beyond one hundred and eighty degrees as shown in Figs 3 and 8, causing the pivots to pass dead centre and a toggle locking action to be achieved as apparent from Fig 8 where the angle beyond 180 degrees is shown at 32.

As shown in the drawings, the lower mounting block 16 is pivotally connected about the axis 15 to the pole holder 10 and also about a second axis 33 at right angles thereto by a bolt 34 connecting a lug pivotally between forked members at the lower end of the holder 10, so that a universal-type joint is attained for the purposes previously described. Also, the pivotal connection of the linkage arms 26 to the pole holder 10 above the axis 29 can be varied in location as apparent from the spaced apertures 35 through the pole holder 10 to receive a pivot bolt as illustrated. Quick release fittings can be used so that total disconnection of the pole holder may be effected so that the pole holder can be swung universally about its two lower pivot axes 15 and 33. While outriggers as described and illustrated will therefore be found effective in achieving the objects for which the invention has been devised, it will be obvious that these are given by way of illustrative example only and may be subject to many further modifications of constructional detail and design, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention, the general nature thereof having been set forth herein.

Claims

It is the object of the invention to provide an outrigger which is easy to operate. It is not necessary to loosen hand wheels or wing-nuts, and push or pull levers. The invention does not have any sliding collars which may jam up from corrosion or lack of use, and can be a simple one-handed operation.

Of singular significance, is the fact that the actual locking of the outrigger in the trolling position, merely involves pressing one's thumb against the bridge 25 to force it on to 26, moreover, because of the over the centre action, reverse pressure caused by the trolling process will only tighten its locking ability.

Because of the utter simplicity of construction, and very few moving parts, the invention is very easy to produce at a low cost.

Installation is basic and maintenance extremely low.