Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – By flexible tape
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-05
2001-07-03
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
By flexible tape
C033S706000, C033S732000, C242S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253461
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to devices for measuring distances and depths, and more specifically to a device for use with a fishing or casting rod and reel to measure the amount of line reeled out such as during a cast.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fisherman have, from time immemorial, cast their lines in the hope of catching a fish at the end of the line. Fishermen practice their casting techniques in the hope of having their line extend further into the waters where the fish are. Many fishermen wish to know how far their lines have been cast. It is not, however, practical for the fisherman to cast his line and then proceed to measure its length of cast by the use of conventional measuring devices such as a tape measure.
There have been several attempts to provide a fisherman with a measuring device that is capable of measuring the distance that a wire or string is released or unwound from a holder such as a spool or reel without requiring the user to be at both ends of the line, as is necessary with a long tape measure.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,972 to Falk et al. discloses a device having a string wound on a spool. To measure the distance the string is unwound from the spool, it is covered with dye at regular intervals along its length. Photoelectric sensors detect the passage of the dyed areas as the string is spooled out. Since the dyed areas are spaced from one another by a known distance, counting the number of dyed areas that pass the sensors allows calculation of the amount of string that has been spooled out, and thus, the distance spanned by the string. However, none of the devices disclosed in the art provide effective means for measuring the amount of fishing line that is cast with a rod and reel. The photoelectric scheme of the Falk patent, for example, would be inappropriate for this use with a rod and reel. Debris from the water, such as plant matter or dirt, that sticks to the line might trigger the optical sensors of the Falk device, generating a false signal and creating an incorrect distance measurement. The sensors themselves could also become covered with muck, defeating their usefulness altogether. Stray light from the sun or reflections in rugged outdoor conditions could also cause erroneous measurements as the rod is rapidly moved through an entire arc of motion. Further, with a line speed exceeding several feet per second, the likelihood of erroneous results due to optical irregularities is greatly increased.
The prior system as exemplified in the Falk patent also suffers from high battery drain, since the light emitters must be on during the entire casting operation. Finally, the path that the line is forced to take between the optical emitters and detectors is quite narrow, which may well result in limited vertical and lateral motion and increased friction on the line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a measuring device for use with a casting rod and reel that is capable of accurately measuring the amount of line cast.
It is another object of the invention to provide a measuring device of the type described that is capable of measuring the depth of a body of water.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved line and sensor kit for retrofitting a rod and reel for measuring the length of line cast.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a casting distance measuring device for use with a rod and reel that is resistant to errors in various operating conditions and various casting speeds, and that is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
In accordance with the objects of the invention, the fishing line used with an otherwise conventional rod has conductive portions affixed to the line at regularly spaced intervals. Conductive sensors such as brushes are fixedly mounted to the rod along the line's path. As the line is cast from the reel, the conductive portions pass through the fixed conductive sensors and each time that occurs an electrical circuit is completed. A counter connected to the conductive sensors counts the number of times a conductive portion passes the conductive sensor and completes a circuit. Based on the number of counts and the length of the interval between the conductive portions, the overall length of line that passes by the conductive sensors is calculated and displayed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3436954 (1969-04-01), Eppler
patent: 4031360 (1977-06-01), Soule, Jr.
patent: 4402470 (1983-09-01), Hamayasu
patent: 4765063 (1988-08-01), Sing
patent: 5027526 (1991-07-01), Crane
patent: 5286972 (1994-02-01), Falk et al.
patent: 5345691 (1994-09-01), Falk et al.
patent: 5406715 (1995-04-01), Koizumi et al.
patent: 5524831 (1996-06-01), Carlson
patent: 57-15847 (1985-04-01), None
Gordon Marvin N.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
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