Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INTERCHANGEABLE SYSTEM FOR FISHING RODS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sport fishing using
rod and reel equipment, and more specifically to fishing gear
having interchangeable handle components for selectively adjusting
the balance, grip, handle weight and length, and other
characteristics of a fishing rod for different types of fishing and
fish. The present interchangeable handle components may be used
with a universal rod blank, or different rod blanks may be
provided, depending upon the type of fishing and fish desired.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The basic fishing rod and reel have been known and used by
sport anglers for a considerable period of time. As sport fishing
has become more sophisticated over the years, it has become evident
to the discerning angler that some modifications of equipment are
important, in order to optimize the ability to catch different
species of fish under different conditions. For example, certain
types of fish prefer insects and the like resting on the surface of
the water, while others prefer small animals (grubs, smaller fish,
etc.) deeper in the water or on the bottom. Also, some fish are
more attracted to live, moving prey than to dead bait.
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Accordingly, different fishing styles and lures have been
developed over the years, such as fly fishing (for trout, etc.) in
which a lightweight fly is cast a considerable distance from the
angler and left to float upon the surface. A spinning lure, which
is pulled through the water by trolling from a boat or by reeling
in the cast lure, is more attractive to other types of fish. Thus,
the discerning angler requires different equipment (reels, lures,
etc.), depending upon the type of fish and conditions in which~the
fishing is accomplished.
This has led to the development of interchangeable reels for
fishing rods, in which a collar on the rod handle is threaded over
an extended shoe of the reel, with the opposite shoe being retained
in a f fixed socket on the rod handle . Reels may be quickly and
easily interchanged using this well known system. However, the
actions of the angler are somewhat different depending upon the
type of fishing being performed, weight of lure, etc. Accordingly,
the exchange of one type of reel for another (casting for spinning,
etc.) also requires a somewhat different action, yet the
conventional rod and rod handle remain the same after this exchange
of reels.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for interchangeable handle
components for a fishing rod, with the different handle components
providing different weights and feel, depending upon the type of
fishing to be done. Moreover, the butt end of the handle may be
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adjustably weighted as desired in order to provide the desired feel
and balance, depending upon the type of fishing to be accomplished.
In accordance with the present invention, the rod blank of the
assembly is removably installable within a handle assembly, with
the rod blank extending completely through the handle assembly for
superior strength and interlocking security of the rod and handle
components. The adjustably interchangeable weights at the butt of
the handle are secured to the butt end of the fishing rod disposed
therein. An additional part of the present invention comprises
means to preclude any axial rotation between the rod handle and the
rod blank, when the two components are assembled together.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor
is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present
invention, is provided below.
U. S. Patent No. 3,073,055 issued on January 15, 1963 to
Charles N. Edwards et al., titled "Handle For Selectively Usable
Fishing Rods," describes a fishing rod handle assembly having a
plurality of axially assembled components. The components may be
assembled in different orders, with the component holding the reel
installable at the butt end, or at some intermediate point, along
the handle assembly. The butt end of the rod blank is secured
within a fitting to the forwardmost handle component, and does not
extend completely through the handle assembly, as in the present
rod and handle assembly. Edwards et al. do not proviae any means
of positively locking the rod blank and handle assembly to preclude
relative axial rotation of the components, as is accomplished with
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the present invention. Moreover, the assembly is relatively weak,
due to the lack of extension of the rod through the entire handle.
U. S. Patent No. 3,468,052 issued on September 23, 1969 to
Benjamin T. Hardesty et al., titled "Butt Extension For A Fishing
Rod," describes a fishing rod and handle with the handle including
a telescoping rearward section for extending the handle and its
leverage as desired. The handle extension is a solid component,
with no internal passage for the rod blank. Moreover, due to the
telescoping action of the butt end of the handle, the rod blank
could not extend completely therethrough, as the rod would have to
extend and retract through the forward portion of the handle as the
rearward extension was respectively retracted and extended. In
addition, Hardesty et al. do not disclose any means of securing the
rod blank to their handle to preclude any relative axial rotation.
U. S. Patent No. 3,975,855 issued on August 24, 1976 to James
E. McKeown, titled "Telescopic Spin/Fly Combination Fishing Rod,"
describes a fishing rod having a relatively larger diameter portion
which is removably installable in a handle portion. The remainder
of the rod comprises a series of telescoping segments which are
retractable into the larger diameter portion of the rod. The
handle may be axially positioned as desired along the larger
diameter portion of the rod, depending upon the type of fishing to
be accomplished. However, McKeown does not provide any means for
adjusting the balance of his rod assembly through counterweights,
nor of positively locking the handle and rod portions to preclude
relative axial rotation.
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U. S. Patent No. 4,398,369 issued on August 16, 1983 to
Kenneth R. Wiebe, titled "Fishing Rod Combination Having Improved
Sensitivity," describes an assembly in which the rod blank passes
completely through the handle, as in the present invention.
However, the rearward portion of the handle is permanently affixed
to the rearward end of the rod blank in the Wiebe assembly, unlike
the present interchangeable handle components. ~Wiebe permanently
affixes a finger grip or trigger to his handle assembly, with only
the forward portion of the handle assembly being movable to
accommodate the interchangeability of different reels. Moreover,
Wiebe does not provide any counterbalance means for his assembly.
U. S. Patent No. 4,738,046 issued on April 19, 1988 to Timothy
D. Fraylick et al . , titled "Variable Action Fishing Rod, " describes
a rod handle having selectively variable flexibility. The handle
itself is hollow, and includes a blade extending through the hollow
center of the handle, substantially the length of the handle. As
the blade is extended further into the handle, the combination of
the handle and internal blade serve to stiffen the handle. No
interchangeable handle components, rod extension completely through
the handle, nor selectively adjustable counterweight means, are
disclosed by Fraylick et al . , each of which is a feature of the
present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 4,903,427 issued on February 27, 1990 to
Yoshiro Yamato, titled "Fishing Rod," describes a rod handle having
a removable elongate telescoping plug with a fitting positioned
closer to one end than the other. The plug may be removed from the
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remainder of the handle and turned around, with the plug extending
a greater or lesser distance from the handle, depending upon which
way the plug is turned to position the fitting adjacent the
remainder of the handle. The fishing rod blank cannot extend
completely through the handle in the Yamato fishing rod, due to the
closed ends on the plug. Moreover, Yamato makes no provision for
counterbalancing the rod 'and handle assembly, nor for positively
locking the two handle components to one another to preclude
relative axial rotation thereof, which features are provided for by
the present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 5, 259, 140 issued on November 9, 1993 to Frank
E. Epperson, titled "Telescoping Fishing Rod Assembly," describes
a telescoping rod assembly similar to the telescoping rod assembly
of the McKeown ' 855 U. S . Patent discussed further above . Epperson
provides a removable handle which may be turned around end for end
to adjust the length of the handle assembly, somewhat like the
Yamato '427 U. S. Patent discussed immediately above. As in the
Yamato fishing rod, Epperson does not provide any means for
adjusting the balance of his rod by means of adjustable
counterweights, nor does he provide for the insertion of the base
of the rod completely through the handle assembly, as provided by
the present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 5,263,275 issued on November 23, 1993 to
James T. Rumbaugh, titled "Variable Circumference Rod Handle,"
describes a rod handle having adjustable radial expansion means
therein, with the expansion means being adjustably controlled by a
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threaded adjustment in the butt of the handle. The rod blank
cannot extend completely through the handle, due to the handle
circumference adjustment means disposed in the butt of the handle.
This also precludes provision for any removably adjustable
counterweighting of the butt end of the handle, as provided by the
present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 5,291,683 issued on March 8, 1994 to Yoshiro
Yamato, titled "Fishing Rod," describes a threaded collar assembly
disposed rearwardly of the rearward reel shoe socket or receptacle .
The threaded collar assembly is threaded toward the forward tip of
the rod to secure the reel to the rod, with the front shoe of the
reel extending beneath a fixed socket or receptacle. Yamato does
not disclose any counterbalance means for his rod assembly, nor any
means for positively precluding axial rotation of the handle
assembly about the rod, as provided by the present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 5, 535, 539 issued on July 16, 1996 to Bruce A.
Vetre, titled "Fishing Rod Handle With Extension," describes a
fishing rod with replaceable handle components for adjusting the
overall length of the rod and handle assembly. Vetre provides
different handle components which are interchangeably threaded onto
the forward portion of the handle, which in turn is secured to the
rod blank. Vetre also provides interchangeable counterbalance
plugs, which fit into the butt end of the handle extension which
has been interchangeably secured to the forward handle portion of
his fishing rod. In contrast, the present rod provides complete
handles, which may be installed interchangeably to a fishing rod
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blank. The rod blank extends completely through the handle, with
the interchangeable counterweight being threadedly attached to the
butt end of the rod blank at the butt end of the handle, in the
present invention. The resulting assembly of the present invention
is much more solid and secure than the multi piece Vetre handle and
counterweight plug.
German Patent Publication No. 2,256,306 published on June ~7,
1973 to Elisabeth Jung et al . , illustrates a structure for securing
the butt end of a fishing rod blank into a handle assembly. No
interchangeable handle assemblies are apparent in the German Patent
Publication, and the rod blank does not extend completely through
the entire handle assembly, as provided in the present invention.
Also, no means is apparent in the German Patent Publication for
positively locking the rod blank relative to the handle, to
preclude relative axial rotation between the components, nor is any
means apparent to provide for any counterweighting of the assembly,
as provided by the present invention.
British Patent Publication No. 2,032,743 published on May 14,
1980 to Ian Gillespie, titled "Fishing Rod, " describes a rod handle
assembly which functions similarly to that described in the '052
U.S. Patent to Hardesty et al., discussed further above. However,
rather than threading the extension into the butt of the handle, as
in the case of Hardesty et al., the device of the British Patent
Publication utilizes an eccentric arrangement to jam the
telescoping components together at the desired extended position.
The rod blank does not extend completely through the handle
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components, nor is any means disclosed for the removable
installation of adjustable counterweights, which features are
provided in the present invention.
Finally, British Patent Publication No. 2,131,261 published on
June 20, 1984 to Mann Aviation Ltd., titled "Fishing Accessory,"
describes a telescoping handle end having an elastic collet
disposed within the outer~handle portion. A threaded assembly may
be used to compress the collet axially, causing it to expand
radially to lock the extension at the desired position. The
assembly does not allow the rod blank to extend completely through
the handle assembly, nor is any disclosure made of removable
attachment of counterweights to the butt end of the handle, which
features are a part of the present invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a fishing rod assembly and
handle assembly, with the assembly including handle components
which may be interchangeably installed to a rod blank. Different
rod blanks may also be used with the handle assembly of the present
invention.
The handle assembly includes a rod blank passage formed
axially therethrough, with the passage closely fitting about a rod
blank inserted therethrough for maximum strength of the assembly.
The rod blank includes counterweight attachment means, such as a
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threaded ferrule and threaded insert, installed upon its butt end.
The butt end of the rod blank extends through the butt end of the
handle assembly to provide for the interchangeable installation of
a counterweight thereto. The rod blank adjacent the forward end of
the handle assembly includes a fitting immovably secured thereto,
which fits into a cooperating socket in the forward end of the
handle to preclude aXial rotation between the rod blank and handle
assembly. The handle assembly may interchangeably accept different
types of fishing reels as desired, and the counterweight may be
interchanged as desired, or may have different amounts of weight
added thereto or removed therefrom as desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view in section of the
handle assembly and rearward portion of the rod blank
interchangeable installable therewith, showing various details
thereof.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the counterweight
assembly of the present invention, showing various details thereof.
Figure 3 is a cross section elevation view through the forward
end of the handle assembly with the rod blank assembled therewith,
showing the details of the keyed fittings between the handle and
rod blank for precluding relative axial rotation therebetween.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention comprises various interchangeable handle
components for a fishing rod, generally as shown in the exploded
sectional view of Figure 1. The various components include a
handle assembly 10, which generally comprises a round, elongate,
handle structure having a rod blank passage 12 formed axially and
concentrically therethrough, and extending completely through the
handle assembly 10 from its forward end 14 to its opposite rearward
or butt end 16. The handle assembly 10 may include a padded or
cushioned grip 18 extending forwardly from the butt end 16, if so
desired.
Alternate, preferred constructions of handle 10 are that it is
formed as a blow-molded or extruded (for example) shell, or shell
halves, ultrasonically welded together, with sufficient wall
thickness to be shape retaining, with an expansive hollow interior,
thus to conserve material needed to form the handle 10.
The handle assembly 10 also includes a forward seat or
receptacle 20 for securing the conventional forward shoe FS of a
conventional fishing reel therein, such as the fly casting reel CR
or the spinning reel SR shown in Figure 1. The opposite rearward
shoe RS of the reels CR or SR is secured in place by a reel
securing collar 22, which is in turn urged forwardly over the rear
shoe RS of the installed reel by a second threaded collar 24. The
two collars 22 and 24 may be installed on the handle 10 by passing
them in the appropriate order over the forward end 14 of the handle
10, and then rearwardly along the handle 10 and into position.
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Collar 22 is installed for certain types of fishing, most notably
for fly casting.
It will be seen that different reel securing collars may be
installed upon the handle assembly 10, by using the above described
assembly procedure. Figure 1 also shows an alternative reel
attachment collar 26, with the second collar 26 including an
elongate finger grip with a removable trigger 28 extending
generally radially therefrom, and opposite the seat 30 for the rear
shoe RS of the reel. The present handle assembly 10 provides for
the interchangeability of the reel securing collars 22 or 26 along
with the desired reel CR or SR, according to the type of fishing to
be accomplished. Either collar 22 or 26 is urged forwardly into
position to sandwich the reel CR or SR, by means of the threaded
collar 24 and mating threaded portion 32 of the handle 10.
The flexible, elongate, generally cylindrical rod blank 34 is
configured to fit within the rod blank passage 12 of the handle
assembly. The butt end 36 of the rod blank 34 is inserted into the
forward end of the rod blank passage 12, and passed rearwardly
through the passage 12 until the butt end 36 of the rod blank 34
extends slightly beyond the butt end 16 of the handle assembly 10.
This configuration provides for the removable and interchangeable
attachment of various counterweight assemblies to the butt ends 16
and 36 respectively of the handle assembly 10 and rod blank 34, as
will be described in detail further below.
The intermediate portion 38 of the rod blank 34, i. e., that
portion of the rod blank 34 disposed at the forward end 14 of the
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handle assembly 10 when the handle assembly 10 and rod blank
assembly 34 are assembled together, includes means for securing the
rod blank assembly 34 and handle assembly 10 together. A notched
sleeve 40 is permanently and immovably affixed (by a conventional
adhesive, or other suitable means) to the intermediate portion 38
of the rod blank 34. This sleeve 40 includes a portion with a
larger diameter 42 and an opposite smaller diameter 44. The
forward end 14 of the handle assembly 10 includes a mating socket
46 formed therein, with the socket 46 comprising a larger diameter
portion 48 and opposite smaller diameter portion 50. Thus, the
sleeve 40 affixed to the rod blank assembly 34 keys or fits
precisely into the socket 46 of the forward end 14 of the handle
assembly 10, to preclude any relative axial rotation between the
two components. This configuration is shown in cross section in
Figure 3.
The present interchangeable assembly also includes means for
interchanging different counterweights at the butt end 16 of the
handle assembly 10. As noted further above, the butt end 36 of the
rod blank assembly 34 extends slightly beyond the butt end 16 of
the handle assembly 10, when the rod blank assembly 34 is installed
completely through the handle assembly 10. (The mating sleeve 40
of the rod blank 34 and socket 46 of the forward end 14 of the
handle assembly 10, preclude further rearward movement of the rod
blank 34 through the handle assembly 10.) The butt end 36 of the
rod blank assembly 34 includes counterweight attachment means
comprising a threaded ferrule and/or insert 52 permanently and
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immovably affixed thereto (e. g., by means of a suitable
conventional adhesive, or other suitable means), with the
counterweight means described below, including conventional mating
threaded attachment therein (not shown) providing for the removable
attachment of the counterweight means to the butt end 36 of the rod
blank 34, and thus to the butt end 16 of the handle assembly 10.
The counterweight means of Figure 2 comprises a hollow,
generally spherical knob 54, with the hollow interior 56 providing
room for the interchangeable installation of various different
counterweights 58 therein. Weights 58 may be formed of materials
of different densities (plastic, aluminum, steel, lead, etc.),
and/or may be of different thicknesses to provide the different
combinations of counterweights as desired. One or more cushions 60
may be provided to preclude any looseness of the weights) 58 when
installed within the counterweight knob 54. A threaded cap 62 may
be used to close the interior 56 of the counterweight knob 54.
The forward end of the counterweight knob 54 includes a
concentric base 64, which, fits closely within a mating concentric
seat 66 (Figure 1) formed in the butt end 16 of the handle assembly
10. The base 64 of the counterweight knob 54 and the mating seat
66 of the butt end 16 of the handle assembly 10, each include
mating resilient serrations or the like radially disposed about
mating permanently attached washers, respectively 68 and 70. The
serrated washers 68 and 70 engage one another when the
counterweight knob 54 is secured to the mating ferrule 52 of the
butt end 36 of the rod blank assembly 34, to preclude inadvertent
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detachment of the counterweight knob from the remainder of the
assembly. Yet, the resilient serrations of the two washers 68 and
70 allow the counterweight knob 54 to be unscrewed from the mating
ferrule 52 of the butt end 36 of the rod blank assembly 34, as
desired. Alternatively, the counterweight knob 54 may be formed as
a solid component of any of a variety of materials of different
densities (plastic, metal, marble or other stone, etc.), to provide
for the interchangeability of different weights as desired for the
type of fishing to be done.
The present invention permits a fishing rod assembly to be
customized for different types of fishing, without the angler being
required to purchase a complete different rod, reel, and handle
assembly for each different type of fishing to be performed. The
present handle assembly is adaptable for receiving virtually any
rod blank from a variety of commercial manufacturers, with no
modification to the blanks being required other than the
installation of the counterweight attachment ferrule and sleeve.
When an angler wishes to adapt the present rod, reel, and
handle assembly from one type of fishing to another, he or she need
only remove the counterweight assembly from the butt end of the rod
blank assembly and handle assembly, thereby allowing the rod blank
assembly to be removed from the handle assembly. The threaded reel
attachment collar is then loosened, to permit the rearward reel
retaining collar to be moved rearwardly for the removal of the
reel, if necessary. A different reel may then be installed by
reversing the above process, with the angler perhaps also
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installing a different rod blank having different characteristics
(length, flexibility, etc.), depending upon the type of fishing to
be done. Finally, a counterweight having the desired mass
characteristics is secured to the butt end of the rod blank
assembly protruding from the butt end of the handle assembly,
and/or different weights are installed or replaced within the
counterweight knob, as desired, in order to complete the
customizing of the assembly as desired. In the event that a rod
blank assembly is broken or damaged, the present invention permits
the economical replacement of only the rod blank assembly, without
need to purchase an entire rod and handle assembly. The present
interchangeable assembly will be seen to provide an economical
means of allowing anglers to pursue any of a number of different
types of fishing as desired, without need to purchase a separate
rod, reel, and handle assembly for each type of fishing.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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