FISHING ROD SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fishing rod support, and in particular to fishing rod support that is readily used while fishing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing for food and recreation is a worldwide pursuit. Most fishers use a rod and reel, and when a fish is hooked, the reel wound in against the tension of the struggling fish, with the rod supplying support. For a small fish the reeling action and holding of the rod is only for a few minutes. However, for larger fish or strong fish that fight well, it may take many minutes of action to repeatedly reel in the fish, until the fish tires, and can be landed. The fishing rod supports the action of the fisher against the fish, and assists. However, there is considerable strain on the back and legs, while the arms reel in the fish and this can lead to fatigue, and possible injury. Fishing may be undertaken for several hours, or all day, and just holding the rod and reel in position can be tiring, and if a person fatigues unnecessarily they will need to stop and rest, or worse go home early. It would be desirable to make the fishing activity as comfortable as possible, and assist with the strain on the back and legs.

In sports fishing, the rods may be supported in a belt and use a gimlet to hold the rod and support the fight with the fish. These large pieces of equipment are a costly addition, and not usually purchased by the typical recreational fisher. The belts are also cumbersome and may only be worn during active fishing, and so would need to be quickly put on before the fish can be brought in, which is inconvenient.

There are some other options for support other than the sports fishing gimlet belt support and these fall broadly into two categories. The first is a soft or padded end to the fishing rod to enable the person to support the rod with their stomach or abdomen. For example a rubberised end to the fishing rod to act against the end of the rod digging in to the side or stomach of the person. The other kind is to the support the weight, through use of a substantial belt to hold the weight of the rod. As mentioned above, these large sports fishing gimlet belts and other belt supports are expensive pieces of equipment, not particularly desirable for the everyday fisher. They also take time to put on, and due to general discomfort will only be worn as needed, and so are not always available when needed.

Therefore, it has long been desired for there to be a better way for a fishing rod support in a more convenient form that can easily be used, works well and can readily be put away. There has been a significant“long felt want” to overcome the issue of the need for a rod support for recreational fishers, without the cost and inconvenience of the sports fishing arrangements, and to work more conveniently than the prior art.

The inventor had developed the present invention that can be used to provide convenient lateral support while fishing, that is easy to use and economic to manufacture. The support can be used in a closed position so the rod can be used as normal without any interference, and is also already read to be moved into the support position. In some forms the invention has an end that is comfortable to use in the closed position, and the fisher may choose to do so for the usual fishing. If further support is needed, or for example when catching a fish, or later in the day the support may be used in the open position and in this way, the load is spread across the body of the person, lightening the load. These two states are both highly beneficial and the support can be moved between open and closed very easily with a quick movement. The apparatus can even be used in some circumstances as a stand or support for the rod when not in the hand of the person, all adding to this highly useful and beneficial invention. The invention may appear simple on first glance, but has been very carefully designed, as a significant improvement over the art. The invention provides an economic, easy to use support than can be used in one of two states. First to provide a comfortable use in the closed position, and in the open position the load is spread, providing further support to take the pressure away from the back and legs. There has been a significant problem in trying to design a product to address each of the identified multiple problems, however, the subject invention solves these individual problems, in a better way, and with additional function benefit. It is expected that a person looking for a support would readily see the exceptional multi-faceted benefit of the subject invention and so chose the product over the other, inferior, single benefit products. The following describes a non-limiting example of the invention being used with reference to use of the support for a fishing rod, and this is a most useful application of the invention. However, the support may be used for other rod like item in applications where it is useful to spread the load, in a readily usable manner. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to fishing rods, other than as stated in the claims.

For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing rod support that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is a further and separate object of the present invention to provide a method of use of a fishing rod support that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides, in a variant, a fishing rod support, including: a body connectable to the fishing rod;

a support means, associated with the body, the support means being moveable between a substantially“open” position and a substantially“closed” position and vice versa;

a moveable means, attached between the body and the support means, whereby the support means can be readily moved between the substantially“open” position and the substantially“closed” position and vice versa through use of the moveable means, wherein the fishing rod may be used or held in the usual manner when the support means is in the substantially“closed” position, and when additional support is required the support means can be readily moved to the substantially“open” position whereby the load of the rod is, to at least some extent, distributed across the open support means.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fishing rod support, including:

a body connectable to the fishing rod;

a support means, associated with the body, the support means being moveable between a substantially“open” position and a substantially“closed” position and vice versa;

a hinge means, hingeably attached between the body and the support means, whereby the support means can be readily moved between the substantially

“open” position and the substantially“closed” position and vice versa, wherein the fishing rod may be held in the usual manner when the support means is in the substantially“closed” position, and when additional support is required the support means can be readily moved to the substantially“open” position whereby the load of the rod is, to at least some extent, distributed across the open support means. Preferably, the invention is used with any suitable fishing rod. A fishing rod is intended to mean any fishing rod like device. The fishing rod like device may be used for catching fish, seafood, or in fact any water living creature. The fishing rod may be used for any suitable purpose. The rod would usually be a rod and reel used together for fishing, and may be of any suitable kind. The invention may be used with any rod like item, in other uses, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to fishing rods, other than as specifically limited in the claims. For example, the invention may prove useful for tradespersons who use a long pole or rod is some activities. Perhaps in long pole painting or cleaning activities it may be useful to be able to use the support and take the pressure from the back and legs in the support of the long pole. The body may take any suitable form, shape or size. The body may be circular in cross- section. The body may be any suitable shape in cross-section. The body may have the same cross-sectional shape as the rod to which it is to be connected. Preferably, part of the rod fits in the body so as to be connected to the support. Eg the end the rod slides into a similarly configured receiving portion to surround the end of the rod. Other parts of the fishing rod support then together surround the end of the rod, in the receiving part and support as illustrated in the drawings. The body could be omitted, in other forms of the invention, and the other parts joined together about the end of the rod or to connect to the rod. Or in other forms of the invention the body may be adapted to connect to, or fit in to, part of the rod. Preferably, a body is included with at least one receiving part. The receiving part may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the receiving part is a hollow part, corresponding to the end of the rod or fishing rod, whereby the end of the rod or fishing rod can be pushed into the receiving part for connection. The body may include a shaped end. The shaped end of the body may be curved to assist movement of the end of the body within the associated support means. The connection may take any suitable form. The connection may be a push fit. Use of a hollow receiving part of a size and shape slightly larger than the end of the rod, enables an easy push fit arrangement. The support can then be removed or replaced later if desired. In other forms of the invention the connection to the support of the rod may take any suitable form. The connection may be attached at a side or around the rod, for example. Preferably, the body surrounds the end of the fishing rod, without interfering with the use of the fishing rod in the usual manner. The end may be in the end of the handle part of the fishing rod. Preferably, the connection is a strong connection so that the support becomes part of the rod in use. Preferably, the strong connection is such that the support stays in place until removed. The connection may be a permanent connection. The connection may be a temporary connection. It is beneficial that the connection is a push fit without out the need for fixings or glue. However, in other forms of the invention fixings or glue may be used, if desired.

The support means may take any suitable form. The support means preferably spreads or distributes the load along its length. Preferably, the support means broadens the end of the rod, as pressures is applied to reduce pressure on the back and legs of the person as they hold the rod. Preferably, the support turns a point of the end of the rod into a wider support to spread the pressure. Most preferably, the support means can be used like usual with the rod when in the closed position but in the open position the support can support use of the rod. Most preferably, the support means can be used like usual with the rod when in the closed position but in the open position the support can distribute the weight or force from the rod in use, to reduce pressure on the back and legs of the user. Preferably, the support means a piece wider than the end of the rod. Preferably, the support means is a piece significantly wider than the end of the rod, when in use. Preferably, the support means when extended extends in the range of 150 millimetres to 250 millimetres. Any suitable width when extended may be used for the support means. Most preferably the width is 200 millimetres across. Preferably, the support mean and the body form a substantially and inverted“T-shaped” piece when in the open position and in the closed position the support means and the body form a substantially straight piece. Preferably, when closed the support means, body and the end of the rod align in a straight line. Preferably, use of the open support spreads the load laterally to reduce the impact of forces in use, or weight of the rod. Preferably, the stomach, hips and or legs may support the open support to support the forces or weight in use.

The support means may include an end. Preferably, the end is adapted to be an end similar to the end of a fishing rod. Preferably, the end of the support means includes a cap. The cap may prevent damage to the end of the support means in use, particular in the closed position. The end cap may be made of a material suitable to be prevent damage on contact. For example, the end may be a soft rubber or plastics material end. Any suitable material may be used for the end. Preferably, the support mean is similar in structure to the body. Preferably, the support means is substantially a tube. The tube may be circular in cross-section. Preferably the support means has a first part and a second part. The first part may include an end cap. It is the second end that emulates the end of the fishing rod in use in the closed position. The second end may form a handle for use, instead of the end of the rod, as it surrounds the handle in use in the unextended state. The first part may be a hollow tube configured to be of similar dimensions to the body and the rod and align thereto in the closed position. The second part may be similar to the first. The second part may be configured to be similar to the first but including cut-outs. The cut-outs are important and these provide the means to easily open and close the support. The second part may have a generally circular cross-section and tube like construction exception where cut-out. The cut-outs may alter the overall shape of the second part to a greater or lesser degree. Preferably, the support means is a tube with a circular cross-section and the first part is the part one side of the moveable part or hinge to the end, or end cap and the second part is a continuation of the tube with cut-outs. Preferably, the support means includes an open/close means whereby the user can easily move the support means between an open and closed position. Preferably, the opening and closing may be achieved readily, including with one hand by some people. The action to open or close the support may be one that is easily achieved while fishing so that the support can be opened and closed at will. The open/close means may take any suitable means to move between the two states. The open/close means could include a switch, button or any suitable means. The open/close means may include a cut-out of the support means. Preferably, the shaping of parts of the support assist to make the support means easy to open and or close.

Preferably, the shaping of parts of the support assist to either make the support means easy to open and or close or to maintain the support in the closed position without the need of a clasp. Preferably, the cut-outs, recess portion and head portion assist the closing of the support, clipping into place. Preferably, the cut-outs, recess portion and head portion assist to reduce resistance to movement between the open and closed, and closed and open states. The cut-outs may take any suitable shape. The cut-outs may include sloped sides. The cut-outs may include rounded edges. Preferably, a head part is defined by the cut- out in the second part for movement of the support means between the open and closed positions.

The support means may include curved sides, to reduce impact on contact. The support means many include padding. The support means include a covering or protective layer in some forms of the invention.

Most preferably, the connection is a moveable association between the body and the support means between the closed and open positions. The moveable connection may be any suitable moveable connection. Most preferably, the body and support means are hinged together to move between the open and closed positions. The open position is preferably, the supportive position when using the support means. The closed position is preferably, the position where the support means is substantially aligned with the rod in use. In this way the support means in the closed position enables the rod to be used as usual. However, in some forms there is the benefit of a resilient end cap, that assists to prevent damage or discomfort on contact with the end of the rod, and can also be used as a stand.

Preferably, the open position is the position in which the support means provides the support. Preferably, the open position enables the distribution or spread of load. Preferably, in the open position the fishing rod support substantially forms an inverted“T- shape” and it is the top of the T that distributes the load. Preferably the open position substantially assists the person to support the weight and action of the fishing rod in use.

Preferably, the open position enables the rod support to act as a stand for the fishing rod in some forms of the invention. Preferably, the open position has the support means substantially at right-angles to the fishing rod.

When the support means is in the open position the rod and support means may be used in any suitable manner to provide support to the load and weight. There may be a plurality of positions through which the support means may travel in some forms of the invention. These may be lockable positions. Preferably, the substantially inverted“T-shape” formed in the open state is not locked in place. In this way the“T- shape is not rigid and the resilience assists in comfort of use. The open position may be the default with closing as required. More preferably, the closed position is the usual position for storage or general use and as required the open position is used for support. The invention cleverly enables the quick transition between the closed and open position as required. The support means can be readily moved back from the open position to the closed position in alignment with one hand through use of the shaping.

The moveable means may, in any suitable manner move the support means between the closed and open positions and vice versa. The moveable means may be any suitable fixing or mechanism to move the device between A and B, open and closed and back again. Preferably, the moveable means is a hinge means. The hinge means may take any suitable form. The hinge means preferable allows the support means to move between the open and closed positions and vice versa. Preferably, the hinge is a pin that allows rotation through 90 degrees. Preferably, the hinge means or moveable means is prevented from moving beyond 90 degrees, to prevent over-rotation of the support means, and act against damage .Preferably, the support means moves between a position substantially in line with the rod, the closed position and an open position at substantially right-angles to the rod.

In an inferior form of the invention the support may be substantially fixed in the open position. This form of the invention does not have the advantages of being able to quickly move between the two states, but could be used where support is always desired. In some forms of the invention the support may be provided integral with the rod or pole. In other forms the support is a removably attached to the end of the rod or pole before use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in another form, a rod support, including: a body connectable to the rod; a support means, associated with the body, the support means being moveable between a substantially“open” position and a substantially“closed” position and vice versa;

a moveable means, attached between the body and the support means, whereby the support means can be readily moved between the substantially“open” position and the substantially“closed” position and vice versa through use of the moveable means, wherein the rod may be held in the usual manner when the support means is in the substantially“closed” position, and when additional support is required the support means can be readily moved to the substantially“open” position whereby the load of the rod is, to at least some extent, distributed across the open support means.

Accordingly, the present invention provides in a variant a fishing rod support, including: a hollow body configured to be of a similar configuration to the end fo the fishing rod, connectable to the end of the rod by a push fit;

a support means, moveably associated with the body, the support means being moveable between a substantially“open” position and a substantially“closed” position and vice versa;

a hinge means, attached between the body and the support means, whereby the support means can be readily moved between the substantially“open” position and the substantially“closed” position and vice versa through use of the hinge means, the open position being substantially at rightangles to the rod in use and the closed position being substantially in alignment with the rod in use, wherein the rod may be held in the usual manner when the support means is in the substantially“closed” position, and when additional support is required the support means can be readily moved to the substantially“open” position whereby the load of the rod is, to at least some extent, distributed across the open support means.

Preferably, in these forms of the invention the support may include any one or more features of the invention as described for any of the variants.

Accordingly the invention many include a method of use of a fishing rod support, the fishing rod support includes a body connectable to the rod, a support means, associated with the body, the support means being moveable between a substantially“open” position and a substantially“closed” position and vice versa through use of a moveable means, the method of use including the following steps: a) connecting the rod support to an end of the rod;

b) aligning the support means of the support with the rod in the closed position, where by the rod may be used as usual;

c) opening the support means into the open position by moving through substantially 90 degrees;

d) using the support and rod with the support in the open position whereby the support means distributes the load at the end of the fishing rod across the width of the support means.

The connecting step may be omitted where the support is provided with the support already attached to a rod. The connecting step may be carried out once before use of the support and then the support maintained on the rod so step a) need not be repeated. Preferably, the connecting is by a push fit into the corresponding body of the support. There may be a push fit for any connection between the support and the rod. Preferably, fishing may be undertaken as usual with the support means in the closed position and support provided in the open position.

The method may use the support in any of its described forms or variants. In an inferior form of the invention the support may remain in the inverted“T-shape” through use, or may only be used in this form. However, it is most advantageous to be able to move between the aligned and inverted“T-shape” to distribute the forces.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The fishing rod support can be produced industrially and supplied to wholesalers, or to retailers, or alternately direct to customers for use in recreational fishing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a fishing rod support according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and an open position ready for use. The fishing rod not shown, for ease of illustration, excepting an end shown in dotted lines to indicate the location in the fishing rod end, in the fishing rod support, during use;

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the fishing rod support of Figure 1 , but in the closed position, whereby the fishing rod may be used as usual; and Figure 3 is a side view of the fishing rod support of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where fishing rod 1 , is not shown, except an end as it would fit within fishing rod support 10, of the invention. The fishing rod may be any suitable fishing rod, as it is an advantage of the invention that the support may be used for all fishing rods of a standard rod configuration and so any one who may find it useful can use the accessory and get the significant benefit. There are alternatives for sports fishers but the present invention can be used for all kinds of hand lines where that additional support to spread the load when catching a fish is of use. Fishing rods are much of a standard size of rod, and the invention has been adapted to fit with most rods. Adaptations for particular forms or sizes of rod can also be developed.

Fishing rod support 10 as illustrated is made of a strong plastics material. The strong plastics material is suitable as it does not add to the overall weight of the rod but does add the supporting benefits. Other materials such as metals, steel or aluminium and engineered composite materials could also be used.

Fishing rod support 10 can be seen to include body 12 and support 14 with hinge 16 joining these so they can readily move between and“open” and“closed” position. The open position is the supporting position where the load of the fishing rod and reel, and any fighting fish is distributed away from a single point to be spread. The spread load may be supported in the hand, with the arms or usually against the belly, hips and or leg of the person to spread the load horizontally. The spread load may be supported against any suitable part of the body.

Ends 18 and 20 of body 12 are shown, end 18 is open leading to the hollow inside 22 of body 12. It is within this cylindrical cavity that fishing rod 1 is slid during installation. The rod can be provided with or without the accessory at point of sale or installed later as a useful tool, by the owner. End 20 is a closed end (although could also be open) shaped and curved to conveniently move within support 14 between the open and closed positions. Hinge 16 sits in hinge hold 24 in the usual manner to enable the easy movement between the open and closed position. Other forms of attachment could readily be used instead, to move between the two positions. Hinge 16 is a metal pin as shown in a reinforced hole 24. The shaping of end 20, and hinge arrangement 16/24 can be seen in particular in Figure 1.

Handle 26 is the part of the support that is held in the hand of the fisher during use, and has much the same feel as that of the fishing rod. There may be a grip cover or other cover used on handle 26 to facilitate use by the fisher. It may be through use of handle 26 that the user may move the support between the open and closed state.

End cap 28 fitted in handle 26 is also used for comfort and convenience of use, to protect the user from the end support 14. End cap 28 fitted in handle 26 is useful for when fishing rod support 10 is used in the closed position. End cap 28 is of a known form that presses into hollow inside 30 of support 14, with a press fit. The cylindrical body is held firmly in place with the corresponding hollow inside 30 of support 14, whereby it does not fall out, and will need be removed with extreme force. End cap 28 is made of a hard rubber material that does not cause injury but resists wear.

Support 14 has hollow inside 30, as adapted to fit around body 12 in the closed position. It is important that support 14 fits closely to body 12 so that the fishing rod may be used as usual when the support is not being used. There is no discernible difference with the look or feel of the rod when used with the invention in the closed position but has the significant added advantage that the support can quickly be opened to provide support instantly, as needed. Once in place the support, supports laterally against forces, spreading the force across the torso, rather than having the force, weight and pressures localised at one point. There is no need to go looking for equipment or fit it during the fight with a fish. The support is in place all the time, ready for use as needed, a great advantage over the prior art.

To assist with the fitting of support 14 to body 12, and the easy transformation between the closed and open position, shaping is included, labelled as shaped sides 32. These shaped sides 32 are illustrated as the same on either side but can also be different or adapted for particular uses or users, different manufacturers of fishing equipment and different rod size, as appropriate. Shaped sides 32 as shown have head 34 and cut-out 36. Head 34 is broader and flexible, suitable to be used to“clip” over the body in use and assists to hold the support in the closed position. Head 34 is adapted so that it surrounds body 12 clipped in the closed place and can still easily be moved by the hand from the closed position to the open position and the open position to the closed. Having cut-out 36 allows body 12 to nest within support 14 and allows easily deployment to separate from other parts of the support and alignment with the rod. Closing the support up after the need for the additional support is completed can also be readily achieved due to the specific design features. The curved edges are designed for smooth contact with other parts and the rod, and the careful configuration and adaptation to fit together removes the need for a catch or fixing. Use of a catch of fixing would slow down deployment of the support and also be inconvenient to fix open and closed as needed. The straight-forward use of the invention as described allows for there to be no hesitation for deployment or stowing, and that the person can move between these two states readily, as required. It is a great advantage to the invention that it not only works well to distribute pressure but is very convenient to use in close and open stages, and simple, quick and easy to move between these states at will.

For some people the clever design enables use with one hand, to enable deployment, for others use of two hands can very quickly open up the support. In this way the support is quickly opened to support across the torso laterally, which leaves the other hand free to continue with fishing. For others, there may be the need to use more than one hand in a break action away from the body to transform the linear shape of the support to the inverted“T-shape” that can be used to brace across the body. The support may be opened by left or right-handed fishers. It is also possible to open out the lateral support hands free by pushing the end with the torso, into the open position. Locking mechanism could be used but as described the arrangement is very easily used and remains flexible and moveable between the open and closed state at will.

In use, fishing rod support 10 will be fitted to fishing rod 1 by sliding body 12 on to the end to extend the rod slightly. The fit is a simple“push fit” with the end of the rod pushed into body 12, but a catch could be used instead, in an inferior form of the invention. Once in place, in the closed position fishing rod support 10 and fishing rod 1 are used together in the usual fashion. If the person needs support at any time or for any reason, such as catching a big fish, a single action with the hand can flip support 14 so it is at a right-angle to rod 1 to provide lateral support. Support 14 can be braced against the stomach, hips and or legs of the person to spread the weight and force. By doing so the usual weight and pressure exerted on the back and legs during the activity is distributed, making it more comfortable. The fisher can fish for longer as the weight is distributed or may be able to land a fish that otherwise they may be simply not able to hold for long enough.

Once support 14 is no longer needed, such as at the end of the day a quick flick of support 14 again will close up support 14 to body 12. The shaping enables ready use and a light arrangement, and head 34 assists to keep in the closed position. The inventor has developed a clever new device that addresses many of the problems of the prior art in an accessory that can be made economically so as to be available to everyone. The manner of use is such that the support can be used all the time as it does not interfere with usual fishing, transportation or storage. But also the support can be brought into use at any time with a quick hand movement, without the need to put the fishing rod down or stop fishing. Most advantageously the fisher can be fishing, catch a fish and open the support without even pausing the reel action. It is anticipated that fishers will be very keen to try and use the new device once known about as it is a most convenient and useful improvement over the complex and expensive sport fishing devices, or the attempts to solve the problem that have not been able to address the many issues.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

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