WO2003014616A1

WO2003014616A1 - Lighted fishing pole

Info

Publication number: WO2003014616A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/025397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert J. Head
Original assignee: Head Robert J
Priority date: 2001-08-10
Filing date: 2002-08-09
Publication date: 2003-02-20

Abstract

The present invention is a lighted fishing pole (10) for night fishing. There is a power mechanism (100) located in the handle (110) that activates a bulb (20) at the opposite end of the pole (10). The bulb (20) is replaceable, and the light housing (30) can be permanently or removably attached to the end of the pole (10) so the fisher can see into the water without disturbing the fish. When the fisher does not need the extra illumination they can turn off the light bulb (20), or remove the light housing (30) from the end of the pole (10). The wires are run from the power mechanism (100) to the light housing (30) through the interior of the hollow pole.

Description

LIGHTED FISHING POLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fishing pole with a lighting apparatus located at an end closest the extension of the fishing line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many anglers fish all year round in varying climates and in salt and fresh water environments. They often want to fish at times when tides are high or low, depending on the type of fish they are pursuing. The highest or lowest tide times do not always occur during daylight hours. Many fishermen want to fish during the early dawn, late night or early evening hours, however visibility is often low in these times. Therefore a light of some type is needed in order for the fishermen to be able to fish during non-daylight hours.

U.S. Patent no. 5,943,809 issued to Ring on August 31,1999 shows a fishing pole with light source. Ring's invention is unlike the present invention because it has the lighting apparatus on the bottom side of the fishing pole, it requires two size C batteries to function, it uses a flashlight light bulb, and it has a reflective lens assembly.

U.S. Patent no. 5,913,671 issued to Fernandez, et al., shows fishing implements with illuminated handle. Fernandez' invention is unlike the present invention because the light is enclosed in the fishing pole, it incorporates a fluorescent lamp, the light is intended to emanate from the entire fishing pole, and it has an oar attachment for the handle.

U.S. patent no. 5,797,211 issued to Bae, et al, on August 25, 1998 shows a position sensing light and alarm for a fishing rod. Bae's invention is unlike the present invention because it has an alarm system, the entire system is removable from the fishing rod, and it also incorporates a mercury trip switch.

U.S. Patent no. 5,586,403 issued to Ward on December 24, 1996 shows illuminated fishing rod. Ward's invention is unlike the present invention because it has a lighted portion at the top and bottom of the pole, and it requires copper wiring. U.S. Patent no.5,347,741 issued to Konrad on September 20, 1994 shows an illuminated fishing rod. Konrad' s invention is unlike the present invention because light is intended to illuminate from the entire rod shaft.

Therefore a need has been established for a lighting system for fishing poles that is battery operated, and an integral part of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a lighted fishing pole. There is a compartment detachably attached to the handle end of the fishing rod. The compartment encloses a power source for the lighting system of the fishing rod. The compartment is made of a rubber type of material and encloses the power source. The power source is a conventional battery compartment holding an AAA or AA battery and two connector wires in communication with the AAA or AA battery to supply power to the light bulb. The turning of the handle to initiate power supply from the handle to the light bulb easily activates the device.

There are small diameter cables that connect the power supply source to the housing and light bulb at the opposite end of the pole. It is suggested that the housing and light bulb be attached to the upper side of the fishing pole. This allows for lighting even if the pole is very close to the water, for a broader area. For example, if the fish has pulled the rod in to 2 inches from the water, a light on the bottom side of the rod would cover a smaller portion of water area than one on the upper side because the upper side light is farther from the water surface.

In one embodiment, the wire that leads from the battery compartment to the housing and light bulb is securely fashioned to the pole by a screw, or by a welded section in the pole. A ground wire is run along one side of the pole and a hot or live wire is run along the other side of the pole. Conventional heavy-duty wiring is used because the wire needs to be stiff enough to hold its shape during use, and protected from the water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the wiring could be enclosed into clear fiberglass tubing so that the lighting mechanism is also enclosed in the tubing, and is protected from the water or weather but can still easily be seen. The lighting mechanism has either a fiber optic mechanism for lighting, or a small bulb attached to a long wire running through the tube then attached to a AA battery. In alternate embodiments the lighted fishing pole could have additional bulbs for extra lighting capability. The bulbs used are of the same type as bulbs used in key chain flashlights.

The lighting mechanism for the present invention can be incorporated before sale as one mechanism. However, if the user wishes the lighting mechanism could be added to an existing fishing pole. The addition can be achieved by either adding a hollow tubing member to the exterior of the pole, or if the pole is hollow, the lighting mechanisms can be added to the pole.

The lighting is mounted to the handle, which is solid fiberglass, because the rest of the pole due to its flexibility is not strong enough to hold the lighting mechanism in a secure manner. The batteries can be coated with a waterproof coating to protect the power mechanism. Copper wiring and stainless steel housing are resistant to rusting, and can have contact with salt or fresh water without destroying the lighting mechanism. Iron cannot be used for wiring, or housing due to its oxidation properties. In use in salt water fishing the user should wash the present invention in fresh water to remove the salt particles from the mechanism to cut down on erosion. However the user will be instructed not to soak the present invention in water so the mechanisms are not submerged for such a duration that they are saturated and will no longer function properly.

One ground wire runs from the handle and goes straight out through the pole. Above the battery is a piece of aluminum foil in communication with the wire. The aluminum foil is capped with a rubber piece to protect it from water, to ground it, and to protect the rest of the pole from the current provided. When the pole with the lighting mechanism enclosed is turned the com ection between the ground wire and the battery providing light for the user. In another embodiment of the present invention the handle can be provided with a power switch with on and off settings. Although a dimmer switch cannot be enclosed in the power mechanism due to space constraints, the bulb can be a three way bulb, allowing the user to choose its intensity.

When incorporating the lighting mechanism on standard fishing poles, the user will need to drill holes for incorporating the wiring. If the pole is sectional te pole is hollow and the wiring can be added to the sections of the pole. The area directly around the light bulb in such cases will need to have the paint removed so that the light may easily shine through.

The lighting and wiring mechanisms can be enclosed in the interior of the fishing pole, or enclosed in an additional hollow tubing member that is attached to the pole. Also the user could choose to attach the wiring to the exterior of the pole. If the user prefers exterior mounting the wires can be mounted on the bottom side of the pole so it will not become entangled in the fishing line feed. The mounting for the wiring can be placed at any applicable place along the pole, or along the interior of the pole. The wiring is a heavy duty coated wire, that can withstand exposure to the weather or to the water. It is preferred that the wiring is encased in the interior of the pole to protect it from entanglement with the fishing line, and possible breakage of the bulb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Figure 1 shows a side view of a possible embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a close up view of a possible embodiment of the light mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of the power mechanism of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRITION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) The present invention is a lighted fishing pole and the method of operating the pole. The present invention has a power housing, wiring system, light bulb(s), an optional hollow tube member, and a battery mechanism. The lighted fishing pole allows fishers to practice their sport in nighttime or dark hours.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a possible embodiment of the lighted fishing pole

(10). At the base of the handle (110) is the power mechanism (100) of the lighted fishing pole (10). The grip (90) is removably attached to one end of the power mechanism (100).

The attachment of the grip (90) to the power mechanism (100) can be of grooved fashion where interlocking members of the grip (90) meet interlocking members of the of the power mechanism, wherein the user could easily remove the power mechanism (100) to replace a battery (Figure 3) as needed.

Above the handle (110) is a reel box (70) and a reel controller (80). The reel box holds the fishing line (60) and the reel controller (80) allows the user to control the amount of fishing line (60) being fed into the water. The reel box (70), fishing line (60), and the reel controller (80) function in the same manner as conventional fishing poles. The fishing line (60) runs through two leads (120) to the end of the pole (40). At the end of the pole (40) in this embodiment the light housing (30) is shown with the light bulb (20) enclosed. In this embodiment, the light housing (30) has a hollow member that the user may attach to the end of the pole (40). At the end of the fishing line (60) is a hook (50) for conventional purposes.

Figure 2 shows a close up view of the light housing (30) at the end of the pole (40).The upper portion of the light housing (30) has a hollow portion for feeding the wire (130) through the light housing. The wire (130) is in fixed communication with the power mechanism (100). During operation a current runs from the power mechanism (100) to the light housing (30) by use of the wire (130) to the light bulb (20). Also inherent in the light housing (30) is a hollow tubing member (140) which allows the light housing (30) to removably attach to the end of the pole (40).

Figure 3 shows a close up view of the power mechanism (100). Communicating with the power mechanism are a hot wire (140) and a ground wire (130). In this embodiment of the present invention (10) the pole is hollow from the power mechanism (100) to the end of the pole (40). This allows the user to run the wiring (130, 140) along the inside of the pole so that the wiring (130, 140) is protected by the pole from the elements, and water, fresh or salt. There are holes drilled in the handle (110) so the ground wire (130) and the hot wire (140) may run from the hollow interior of the pole (40) to hot screws (170). From the hot screws (170) the ground wire (130) to a battery (180) to activate and power the light bulb (20). The user can turn the rubber cap (160) to activate the power mechanism in the handle (110) to direct current from the battery (180) through the wires (130, 140) to the light bulb (20).

The present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but includes any and all embodiments in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI Claim:

1. A fishing apparatus, comprising:

a fishing rod, having two ends;

a hollow member of said fishing rod;

a first end of said fishing rod, housing a power mechanism; and

a second end of said fishing rod, housing a lighting mechanism.

2. A fishing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said hollow member connects said first end with said second end of said fishing rod.

3. A fishing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said power mechanism has a removable power source, such as^~a disposable battery.

4. A fishing apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a series of wiring connecting said power mechanism, through said hollow member to said lighting mechanism.

5. A fishing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said lighting mechanism has a removable light bulb, such as a key ring flashlight filament.

6. A fishing apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said series of wiring carries power from said power mechanism to activate the light of said lighting mechanism.

7. A fishing apparatus, comprising:

a fishing rod, having two ends;

a hollow member of said fishing rod, housing a series of wiring;

a first end of said fishing rod, housing a power mechanism, and fixedly connected to a first end of said hollow member; and

a second end of said fishing rod, housing a lighting mechanism, and fixedly connected to a second end of said hollow member.