Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Line-attached bodies – hooks and rigs
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2001-07-10
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Line-attached bodies, hooks and rigs
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256924
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to planar boards and more specifically to a planar board with strike indication and ease of retrieval which allows a user to see if a fish strike has occurred and facilitates retrieval of the planar board.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Planar boards allow at least one fishing line to be fished at a predetermined distance from a trolling boat. The planar board tracks and pulls parallel to the side of the boat at the predetermined distance. Unfortunately, the planar board has no way of indicating whether a fish has struck a lure attached to a line on the planar board. The planar board will also not indicate if a lure is fouled in weeds or on the bottom of a lake. If a boat continues to pull a lure fouled in weeds or on the bottom of a lake, the planar board and all associated equipment may become lost if the fishing line snaps.
There have been a few prior art attempts to remedy the above situation. Unfortunately, all have different drawbacks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,840 to Wille discloses a planar board with a squirming flag post. The drawback to this design is that the line is attached to the end of the pole and will not fully rise when a fish strikes the line. U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,437 to Cuda discloses a double hull floating device which is purposed for stream fishing and not trolling. U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,347 to Kearney discloses a double hull floating device which is proposed for still fishing and not trolling. Although the lighting device could indicate a strike during the night, the lights would not be visible during the day. The lighting device mechanism also has numerous elements.
Another problem frequently encountered when a plurality of planar boards are fished is retrieving an individual board after a fish has struck. The user must go through a careful and lengthy process of slowly letting out the right amount of line to allow retrieval of the planar board to prevent it from becoming tangled with planar boards adjacent to it.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a planar board with strike indicator which indicates whether a fish strike has occurred during the day or night and a planar board which may be easily retrieved when fished with a plurality of adjacent planar boards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a planar board with strike indicator which indicates whether a fish strike has occurred during the day or night and a planar board which may be easily retrieved when fished with a plurality of adjacent planar boards.
According to the present invention, a first embodiment of a planar board with strike indicator includes a base, a light source, a tip-up assembly, an actuation assembly, and a switch. The base can be a planar board, or a right angle plate which may be fastened to an existing planar board. The tip-up assembly includes an extension spring, a pole, and a flag disposed at the end of the pole. The light source may be a light bulb, a light emitting diode, or any suitable illumination device. The actuation assembly has an actuating fishing line release which is pivotally connected to a plunger. The actuating fishing line release is retarded from pivoting by the force generated from a compression spring. A nut is screwed on to a threaded second end of the plunger. The plunger has a pole groove disposed at the second end which retains the pole of the tip-up assembly. A first ear and a second ear retain the actuation assembly and prevent release of the pole.
A fishing line is retained by a front fishing line release, and an actuating fishing line release. A slack portion is created in the fishing line between the front and actuating fishing line releases. The front fishing line release is rigidly attached to a projection at a front end of the base. A quick release guide is optional. The quick release guide is rigidly attached to a rear end of the base when used. A lure is attached to the end of the fishing line. The plunger slides axially through the first and second ears. An end of the actuating fishing line release is formed into a cam surface which is pivotally connected to a first end of the plunger. The actuating fishing line release is prevented from pivoting by the force exerted from the compression spring.
When a fish strikes the lure, the actuating fishing line release pivots away from the front fishing line release. The switch is formed from the second end of the plunger and an electrical contact pad. When a straight portion of the cam surface is overcome, the second end of the plunger is forced against the electrical contact pad, the pole is released to display a flag, and the light source emits light. A hot wire is connected from an electrical power source to a contact sleeve which is mounted to the plunger. A connection wire is connected from the electrical contact pad to a light source. When the second end of the plunger contacts the plunger pad, the light source is supplied with electrical current.
In a second preferred embodiment, the planar board with strike indicator utilizes a pivotal arm instead of an actuation assembly. The planar board with strike indicator includes a base, a light source, a tip-up assembly, a pivotal arm, and a switch. The base can be a planar board, or a right angle plate which may be fastened to an existing planar board. The tip-up assembly includes an extension spring, a pole, and a flag disposed at the end of the pole. The pivotal arm has a actuating fishing line release which is rigidly fastened to a first end thereof. The second end of the pivotal arm retains the pole. Rotation of the pivotal arm is constrained by an arm extension spring which is fastened to a rod.
A fishing line is retained by a front fishing line release, actuating fishing line release. A slack portion is created in the fishing line between the front and actuating fishing line release. The front fishing line release is rigidly attached to a projection at a front end of the base. A quick release guide is optional. The actuating fishing line release is rigidly fastened to the first end of the pivotal arm. The quick release guide is rigidly attached to a rear end of the base when used. A lure is attached to the end of the fishing line. When a fish strikes the lure, the pivotal arm is pulled away from the front fishing line release. When the second end of the pivotal arm clears the pole of the tipup assembly, the pole is released to display the flag. When the pole is released a switch closes and the light source is supplied with electrical current.
In a third preferred embodiment, the planar board with strike indicator utilizes a sliding rod instead of an actuation assembly. The planar board with strike indicator includes a base, a light source, a tip-up assembly, a switch, and the sliding rod. The base can be a planar board, or a right angle plate which may be fastened to an existing planar board. The tip-up assembly includes an extension spring, a pole, and a flag disposed at the end of the pole. The sliding rod has an actuating fishing line release which is rigidly fastened to a first end thereof. A second end of the sliding rod retains the pole. A compression spring biases the fishing line release toward the pole.
A fishing line is retained by a front fishing line release, an actuating fishing line release, and a rear fishing line release. A slack portion is created in the fishing line between the front and actuating fishing line releases. The front fishing line release is rigidly attached to a projection at a front end of the base, and the rear fishing line release is rigidly attached to the base at a rear end. A lure is attached to an end of the fishing line. When a fish strikes the lure, the sliding rod is pulled back, and the pole is released from a retention clip. The rear fishing line release controls the amount of force required to release the pole. A nut threaded on to the sliding rod may be substituted for the rear fishing line release. When the pole is released a switch closes a
Ark Darren W.
Ersler Donald J.
LandOfFree
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