Fishing rod holder and catcher

Claim 2

A mechanical-type automatic bite-responsive fishing rod support and catcher comprising a vertically elongated stand having means at its lower end permitting said stand to assume an upstanding position when ready to function, a horizontally elongated rod-cradling holder pivotally mounted intermediate its forward and rearward ends atop said stand, a pull-responsive trigger latch operatively mounted on an upper portion of said stand adjacent to but below the plane of the pivotal mounting of said rod holder, a tensioned latch-cocking and holder-yanking spring having a lower end anchored on a lower portion of said stand and an upper end operatively connected to said trigger latch, and a flexible latch-tripping member having one end secured to said holder and a second end secured to the said connected upper end of said spring, whereby when the rod is tilted by a pull on the line the flexible member will release the latch and the spring will yank the forward portion of the holder upwardly to set the fishhook in the fish''s mouth.

Claim 3

The rod support and catcher defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said trigger latch comprises a fingerlike rod member having one end pivotally mounted on a component part of said stand, the other end being freely movable in a vertical plane, the upper end of said spring being operatively connected to a median portion of the latch, and a stud fixed on said stand and providing a keeper with which the freely movable end of said trigger latch is releasably cooperable.

Claim 4

The rod support and catcher defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein the upper end of said coil spring is equipped with a hook which is releasably connectable with said trigger latch.

Claim 5

The rod support and catcher defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein the upper end of said coil spring is equIpped with a hook which is releasably connectable with said trigger latch, said flexible latch-tripping member comprising a relatively short chain having a lower link detachably connected with said hook.

Claim 6

The rod support and catcher defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said stand comprises a first frame embodying a pair of like spaced-parallel coplanar legs having pointed lower ends to penetrate the ground, a horizontal rocker shaft bridging the upper ends and rockable in bearings provided in the respective upper ends, and at least one rigidifying brace between and joined to median portions of said legs, the lower end of said spring being connected to said brace.

Claim 7

The rod support defined in and according to claim 5, and wherein said holder comprises a second frame generally rectangular in plan and embodying longitudinal side members and transverse end members, median portions of the side members being perched atop and fixed to said rocker shaft, a forward transverse end member having rod embracing and gripping fingers and the rearward transverse end member having a receiving ring for the handle of said rod.

Claim 8

A mechanical-type bite-responsive fishing rod support and automatic catcher comprising, in combination, a portable vertically elongated first frame constituting a stand and adapted when in use to assume a generally vertical position, said frame embodying a pair of corresponding spaced-parallel rod members providing legs and having pointed lower ends capable of penetrating and being embedded in the ground, a horizontal rocker shaft bridging the upper ends of the rod members and having ends journaled for free oscillation in bearings provided in said upper ends, rigidifying braces fixed horizontally between median portions of said rod members, a horizontally elongated second frame constituting a cradling holder for a fishing rod and having a median portion fixedly perched atop said rocker shaft, said second frame having means at forward and rearward ends for supportive but releasable attachment of portions of the rod thereto, a fingerlike J-shaped rod having its main portion bridging the space between said legs and providing a trigger latch and its auxiliary portion pivotally mounted in a bearing provided therefor in one of said legs, that portion of the other leg opposite and level with said bearing having a fixed outstanding stud providing a keeper seat for releasable retention of the free end of said trigger latch, a coil spring having a lower end fastened on one of said braces and an upper end operatively connected with a median portion of said trigger latch, and a flexible trip member having a lower end connected to an upper end of said spring and an upper end operatively connected to a rearward overhanging tiltable end portion of said rod holder frame whereby when the rod is tilted by a pull on the line the flexible member will release the latch and the spring will yank the forward portion of the holder upwardly to set the fishhook in the fish''s mouth.

Claim 9

A mechanical-type bite-responsive fishing rod support and automatic catcher comprising, in combination, a portable vertically elongated first frame constituting a stand and adapted when in use to assume a generally vertical position, said frame embodying a pair of corresponding spaced-parallel rod members providing legs and having pointed lower ends capable of penetrating and being embedded in the ground, a horizontal rocker shaft bridging the upper ends of the rod members and having ends journaled for free oscillation in bearings provided in said upper ends, rigidifying braces fixed horizontally between median portions of said rod members, a horizontally elongated second frame constituting a cradling holder for a fishing rod and having a median portion fixedly perched atop said rocker shaft, said second frame having means at forward and rearward ends for supportive but releasable attachment of portions of the rod thereto, a fingerlike J-shaped rod having its main portion bridging the space between said legs and providing a trigger latch and its auxiliary portion pivotally mounted in a bearing provided therefor in one of said legs, that portion of the other leg opposite and level with said bearing having a fixed outstanding stud providing a keeper seat for releasable retention of the free end of said trigger latch, a coil spring having a lower end fastened on one of said braces and an upper end operatively connected with a median portion of said trigger latch, and a flexible trip member having a lower end connected to an upper end of said spring and an upper end operatively connected to a rearward overhanging tiltable end portion of said rod holder frame whereby when the rod is tilted by a pull on the line the flexible member will release the latch and the spring will yank the forward portion of the holder upwardly to set the fishhook in the fish''s mouth.

Claim 10

The rod support and catcher defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein the upper end of said coil spring is equipped with a hook which is releasably connectable with said trigger latch.