US3698117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tip-up
Assignee: TOPPER CORP
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Filing: 1971-07-27
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A tip-up for use in ice fishing which comprises a housing containing a rotatable reel having a fishing line wound thereon, a crank for rotating the reel, a signal member pivoted on the reel on an axis offset from the axis of rotation of the reel and extending through a slot in the housing, the upper end of the signal member having a visual signal portion which oscillates externally of the housing when a fish takes the line off of the reel, and means for yieldably resisting unwinding of the reel. The housing is hollow and is adapted to completely cover the hole in the ice to retard freezing of the water therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald G Wiltse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:35
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A tip-up comprising a housing, a reel within said housing, a crank rotatably mounted in a wall of said housing and having an external handle portion, said reel being mounted on the inner end of said crank within said housing for rotation therewith, a signal member projecting through an opening in said housing and having a visual signal flag disposed externally of said housing and an inner end pivoted on said reel on an axis parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation of said reel, whereby said signal flag is continually oscillated externally of said housing as a fishing line is unwound from said reel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A tip-up comprising a housing, a reel within said housing, a crank rotatably mounted in a wall of said housing and having an external handle portion, said reel being mounted on the inner end of said crank within said housing for rotation therewith, a signal member projecting through an opening in said housing and having a visual signal flag disposed externally of said housing and an inner end pivoted on said reel on an axis parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation of said reel, whereby said signal flag is continually oscillated externally of said housing as a fishing line is unwound from said reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tip-up according to claim 1 including means for frictionally resisting unwinding of said reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tip-up according to claim 2 wherein said means comprises a plate adjustably mounted within said housing and engageable with said reel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tip-up according to claim 3 wherein said plate has an opening therein through which a fishing line wound on said reel is adapted to extend fOr guiding the line as it is wound onto and off of said reel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tip-up according to claim 2 wherein said means comprises a projection on said reel, a drag plate having one end thereof engaged by said projection upon rotation of said reel, said drag plate having a tapered surface on one side of said one end thereof, and means detachably mounting said drag plate on said housing to permit said plate to be inverted to offer varying frictional resistance to unwinding of said reel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tip-up according to claim 1 wherein said housing has an external portion thereof adapted to obscure said signal flag when the said inner end of said signal member is at the bottom of its path of rotation around the axis of said reel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tip-up according to claim 1 wherein said housing is adapted to completely cover an opening in the ice over which it is positioned to retard freezing of the water therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tip-up according to claim 7 wherein said housing has a circular, generally flat base provided with a downwardly extending rim adapted to seat on the ice around an opening therein, said housing being hollow and completely covering said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A tip-up according to claim 8 wherein said housing has a housing portion extending upwardly from said base, said reel being disposed in said housing portion, said signal member extending upwardly through a slot in the top wall of said housing portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |