Automatic hook setting device

Claim 1

An automatic hook setting device for an unattended fishing pole comprising: a. a vertically extending standard having one end adapted to be firmly anchored in a fixed position; b. an elongated transversely extending bar having an intermediate portion thereof fixedly mounted on an upper end of said standard and having a finger extending transversely from one end thereof; c. an elongated rod hingedly mounted on the other end of said bar, said other end of said bar being transversely spaced from said standard and said rod being hingedly mounted intermediate its ends, a pole cradle mounted adjacent one end of said rod, said pole cradle being a vertically extending member having a recess in a side edge thereof, said recess being positioned to permit a portion of a fishing line to extend outwardly therethrough, said recess having a downwardly extending portion forming a socket portion to support a fishing pole therein; d. means adjacent the other end of said elongated rod for fixedly holding a fishing pole handle and comprising a recess in said elongated rod shaped to receive a portion of the handle therein and a gripping member positioned and shaped to receive and grippingly engage a portion of the handle of the fishing pole; e. a releaseable catch member having an inTermediate portion pivotally mounted on said rod adjacent to said vertically extending member and in proximity to said finger on said bar and including a keeper portion for engaging said finger, said catch member having a trigger portion extending forwardly of said vertically extending member and positioned to have the fishing line extending through the recess in the vertically extending member defining said pole cradle looped therearound; and f. resilient means connected to said rod and said standard to move said rod and the fishing pole thereon to set a fish hook in response to a pull on the fishing line upon release of said catch member.