Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Rod
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-11-20
Rowan, Kurt (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Rod
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318017
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to holders for fishing poles and, more particularly, to fishing pole holders that are supported on the ground by a ground-penetrating member.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fishing pole holders that are supported on the ground by a ground-penetrating member are well known in the art. In this respect, throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to such ground-supported fishing pole holders, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,577,612, 2,414,358, 2,612,334, 3,339,869, and 4,658,534. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 1,577,612 discloses a fishing pole support having a ground-penetrating member that is unscrewed from a tubular pole-handle receiver and stored therein when the fishing pole support is not being used to support a fishing pole. It is noted that the ground-penetrating member is disassembled and stored as two independent components inside the tubular pole-handle receiver. As a result, the components of the ground-penetrating member can move and rattle inside the pole-handle receiver during storage. Such movement and rattling can be annoying. In this respect, it would be desirable if a fishing rod holder apparatus were provided that st a ground-penetrating member when not in use in such a way that the stored ground-penetrating member does not move or rattle inside the storage space.
U. S. Pat. No. 2,414,358 discloses a fishing rod holder apparatus that has a ground-penetrating member that is not retained inside a tubular pole-handle receiver when the ground-penetrating member is not in the ground. Such an unprotected ground-penetrating member can be dangerous. It's sharp point can cause a person to be cut or can cause articles surrounding a stored fishing rod holder apparatus to be poked or punctured. In this respect, it would be desirable if a fishing rod holder apparatus were provided that st a ground-penetrating member in such a way that it will not poke or puncture or cut persons or articles that come into contact with a stored fishing rod holder apparatus.
U.S. Pat, No. 2,612,334 discloses a fishing rod holder apparatus that includes a tubular pole-handle receiver that has a slot in its side for guiding movement of a ground-penetrating member therein. Edges of such a slot are susceptible to damage, and dirt can enter the tubular pole-handle receiver through the slot. In this respect, it would be desirable if a fishing rod holder apparatus were provided that does not have a slot in the tubular pole-handle receiver.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,339,869 discloses a fishing rod holder apparatus that includes a ground-penetrating member that is in a form of a thin, shell-like concave blade. Such a blade is relatively weak compared to a solid cylindrical spike for a ground-penetrating member. In this respect, it would be desirable if a fishing rod holder apparatus were provided that included a ground-penetrating member that is in a form of a cylindrical spike.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,534 discloses a fishing rod holder apparatus that includes a ground-penetrating member that is in a form of a cylindrical spike. The spike includes external threads that are screwed into a sleeve that is inserted inside a tubular pole-handle receiver. When a fishing pole handle is supported by the tubular pole-handle receiver, the fishing pole handle comes in direct contact with head portion of the spike. To prevent a fishing pole handle from be soiled by direct contact with a head of a ground-penetrating spike, it would be desirable if a fishing rod holder apparatus were provided which keeps the fishing pole handle from coming in direct contact with the ground-penetrating member. Furthermore, rather than having a sleeve that receives the ground-penetrating member from being inserted into the tubular pole-handle receiver, it would be desirable for a coupler member located between the tubular pole-handle receiver and the ground-penetrating member to be connected to an outside portion of a bottom end of the tubular pole-handle receiver. An internal sleeve takes up space that would otherwise be available to the handle of the fishing pole.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use fishing rod holder apparatuses, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a fishing rod holder apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) st a ground-penetrating member when not in use in such a way that the stored ground-penetrating member does not move or rattle inside the storage space; (2) st a ground-penetrating member in such a way that it will not poke or puncture or cut persons or articles that come into contact with a stored fishing rod holder apparatus; (3) does not have a slot in the tubular pole-handle receiver; (4) includes a ground-penetrating member that is in a form of a cylindrical spike; (5) keeps a fishing pole handle from coming in direct contact with the ground-penetrating member; and (6) provides a coupler member located between the tubular pole-handle receiver and the ground-penetrating member that is connected to an outside portion of a bottom end of the tubular pole-handle receiver. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique fishing rod holder apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides a fishing rod holder apparatus which includes a tubular handle receiver unit which includes a top receiver end and a bottom receiver end. The bottom receiver end has a bottom internal diameter. A ground penetration spike assembly is connected to the bottom receiver end. The ground penetration spike assembly includes a spike retention member and a spike retained by the spike retention member. The spike retention member has an external member diameter which is less than the bottom internal diameter of the handle receiver unit. The handle receiver unit has a longitudinal receiver unit length. The ground penetration spike assembly has a longitudinal spike assembly length, and the receiver unit length is greater than the spike assembly length. The apparatus is used in either of two modes: a ground-penetration mode in with a fishing rod handle is inserted into the handle receiver unit, whereby the fishing rod is supported; and a storage mode in which the ground penetration spike assembly is stored within the handle receiver unit.
The handle receiver unit includes a tube member, and a coupler member is connected to a bottom end of the tube member. The coupler member includes an inner ring-shaped stop member located between a tube member reception portion and a spike assembly reception portion. The tube member is fitted into the tube member reception portion. The spike assembly reception portion of the coupler member is internally threaded with internal threads. The spike is in a form of a threaded bolt has a bolt head and a sharpened point.
A book assembly is connected to the tube member of the handle receiver unit. The handle receiver unit includes an internally threaded aperture for receiving an externally threaded attachment member of the hook assembly.
The ground penetration spike assembly includes the spike retention member which includes external threads and an interior bolt reception channel. A first lock washer is located between the bolt head and the spike retention member. A second lock washer is located on the spike distal to the first lock washer, and a lock nut adjacent to the second lock washer on the spike.
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better
LandOfFree
Fishing rod holder apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fishing rod holder apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fishing rod holder apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595056