Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Rod
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-02
2003-10-21
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Rod
C043S021200, C043S026100, C043S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06634134
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fishing apparatus and method. In particular, the invention relates to a programmable holder for a fishing rod and methods for using the same.
The background art is characterized by a variety of issued patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,758,407; 3,001,317; 3,031,790; 3,550,302; 3,568,352; 3,623,259; 3,665,633; 3,691,668; 3,839,810; 3,910,524; 4,081,922; 4,100,695; 4,120,112; 4,197,668; 4,251,939; 4,280,295; 4,373,287; 4,376,350; 4,597,215; 4,603,499; 4,627,186; 4,642,930; 4,660,317; 4,680,885; 4,779,371; 4,793,088; 4,916,847; 4,932,151; 4,951,411; 4,974,358; 5,036,616; 5,084,995; 5,056,255; 5,119,580; 5,437,121; 5,540,010; 5,570,534; 6,009,656; the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein; and by United Kingdom Patent No. 1,025,415.
As is made clear by the summary description presented below of the inventions disclosed in the above references, none of the inventions in the background art solves the problems that are solved by the present invention. Limitations in the structure and function of the inventions in the background art prevent those devices from causing a fishing lure or bait to move in an erratic, natural manner. Moreover, those inventions lack other features of the present invention.
Speidell in U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,407 discloses a fishing apparatus. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating cam-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, up-and-down motion (“steady reciprocation”) to the tip of a fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that modifying the cam is necessary to affect a change in the jigging motion and in that means are not provided to secure the fishing rod in the device. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible because of the disclosed shape of the cam. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Boughton in U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,317 discloses a vibrating fishing pole support. This invention is limited in that it relies on a solenoid-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, up-and-down motion that “vibrates or oscillates” the tip of a fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that means are not provided to secure the fishing rod in the device. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Duryea in U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,790 discloses a fishing jig. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating eccentric-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, up-and-down motion to a fishing line. The invention is further limited in that changing the effective length of a crank arm is necessary to affect a change in magnitude of the jigging motion and in that means are not provided to secure the fishing rod in the device. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Crevison et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,302 discloses a device for imparting a periodic jerking movement to a fishing line that has an alarm mechanism for alerting the fisherman to the bite of a fish. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating cam-type design to impart a periodic, “jerking,” up-and-down motion to a fishing line. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the jigging motion and in that the line and not the fishing rod is moved by the device. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible because of the shape of the cam.
Hill in U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,352 discloses a device for automatically playing one or more fishing lines. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating cam-type design to impart a periodic, up-and-down motion to a fishing line. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the jigging motion and in that the line and not the fishing rod is moved by the device. Neither are means provided for setting a hook.
Rode in U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,259 discloses a fishing rod agitator. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating cam-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, up-and-down motion to the tip of a fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the jigging motion. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible because of the shape of the cam. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Scott in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,633 discloses a fishing apparatus. This invention is limited in that it relies on a cam- or eccentric-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, side-to-side (“cyclic”) motion to the tip of a pair of fishing rods. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the oscillating motion. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible because of the shape of the cam. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Strebig in U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,668 discloses an automatic electric jig-fishing device. This invention is limited in that it relies on a solenoid-type design to impart an oscillating, up-and-down motion to the tip of a specially-designed fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that very limited rod tip movement is affected by the device and in that means are not provided to secure the fishing rod in the device. Moreover, the device cannot be used during trolling. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Lagasse in U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,810 discloses an automatic fishing rod motion control device. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating eccentric-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, side-to-side (“back and forth”) motion to the tip of a fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that reconfiguring the eccentric is necessary to change the magnitude of the jigging motion. The only variations in rod tip motion that are possible with this device are to introduce a jerk on the forward stroke and to introduce a pause at the end of every forward and backward motion of the rod. Neither are means provided for setting a hook.
Ireland in U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,524 discloses a downrigger device for fishing. The invention is limited in that it is only capable of lowering and raising a weight attached to the end of a fishing line.
Johnson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,922 discloses a double fish pole jigger. This invention is limited in that it relies on a rotating cam-type design to impart a regular, oscillating, up-and-down motion to the tips of a pair of jig arms. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the jigging and the device cannot be used in trolling. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
Blanchard in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,695 discloses a fishing rod jigging apparatus. This invention is limited in that it relies on a design that comprises a modified windshield wiper motor to impart a regular, oscillating, fore-and-aft motion to the tip of a fishing rod. The invention is further limited in that it is not possible to change the magnitude of the jigging motion. Moreover, during trolling, rapid movement of the rod tip in the direction opposite that of the motion of the boat is not possible because of the configuration of the drive mechanism. Neither are means provided for detecting a nibble or for setting a hook.
McBain in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,112 discloses an apparatus fo
Ark Darren W.
Hunter Robert M.
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