US3881269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic fishing device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-08-16
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A fishing device is disclosed for automatically setting the hook in a fish after the fish takes the bait. The fishing device comprises a base on which is mounted a pivotal receiving tube, an adjustable spring mount and a trigger mount. The receiving tube is adapted to receive a handle of a fishing rod or pole. A spring is connected between the receiving tube and the adjustable spring mount. The trigger mount is adapted to connect to the receiving tube so as to hold the receiving tube in a ''''loaded'''' position against the tension of the spring. The adjustable spring mount is adapted to allow for adjustment of the spring tension on the receiving tube in the loaded position. In operation, and with the fishing device in the loaded position, when a fish takes the bait with a force sufficient to move the pole and receiving tube forward against the spring, the trigger mount will disengage. Disengagement of the mount allows the spring tension to act on the receiving tube in a backward direction so as to cause the fishing pole to be pulled backward against the pull by the fish, thereby setting the hook in the fish.
Inventors
- 👤 James Edward Timmons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:23
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/10; A01K97/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An automatic fishing device comprising: a base; a receiving tube pivotally mounted to said base for receiving the handle portion of a fishing rod therein, said receiving tube having a first spring connector and a trigger connector; an adjustable spring mount engaged to said base, said adjustable spring mount including a track and a carriage assembly movably mounted within said track for lateral movement relative to the pivot of said receiving tube, said carriage assembly having a second spring connector and a locking means for locking said carriage assembly in place on said track at selected positions; a spring connected at one end to said first spring connector of said receiving tube and at the other end to said second spring connector of said carriage of said adjustable spring mount; and a trigger mount connected to said base for engaging said trigger connection of said receiving tube for holding said receiving tube in a loaded position opposing the force exerted by said spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An automatic fishing device comprising: a base; a receiving tube pivotally mounted to said base for receiving the handle portion of a fishing rod therein, said receiving tube having a first spring connector and a trigger connector; an adjustable spring mount engaged to said base, said adjustable spring mount including a track and a carriage assembly movably mounted within said track for lateral movement relative to the pivot of said receiving tube, said carriage assembly having a second spring connector and a locking means for locking said carriage assembly in place on said track at selected positions; a spring connected at one end to said first spring connector of said receiving tube and at the other end to said second spring connector of said carriage of said adjustable spring mount; and a trigger mount connected to said base for engaging said trigger connection of said receiving tube for holding said receiving tube in a loaded position opposing the force exerted by said spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said track includes: grooves projecting from said pivot for receiving said carriage assembly and allowing said carriage assembly to move along said grooves; and said locking means being adapted to lock said carriage to said adjustable spring mount at selected positions by forcing said carriage against a wall of said grooves in said track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic fishing device as recited within claim 1 wherein said trigger mount further comprises: a trigger hook pivotally mounted within said trigger mount for engaging said trigger connector on said receiving tube; and a trigger spring connected to said trigger hook and said trigger mount for biasing said trigger hook away from said trigger connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 2 wherein said trigger mount further comprises: a trigger hook pivotally mounted within said trigger mount for engaging said trigger connector on said receiving tube; and a trigger spring connected to said trigger hook and said trigger mount for biasing said trigger hook away from said trigger connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a switch connected to said base and positioned in the travel path of said receiving tube about said pivot such that said switch is activated when said receiving tube is released from said trigger mount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means engaged to said base for mounting said automatic fishing device to a boat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a hinge connected to the bottom of said base; and a spike connected to said hinge for being extended substantially perpendicular to the bottom of said base when said hinge is open and to be parallel with said base when said hinge is closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 6 further comprising: a hinge connected to the bottom of said base; and a spike connected to said hinge for being extended substantially perpendicular to the bottom of said base when said hinge is open and to be parallel with said base when said hinge is closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving tube further comprises: a fishing pole locking means for locking a fishing pole within said receiving tube, said locking means having a plurality of bolts extending through the walls of said receiving tube for applying holding pressure to a fishing pole inserted into said receiving tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 2 wherein said adjustable spring mount further comprises: a pointer connected to said carriage of said adjustable spring mount; and indicia recorded on one of said rails of said adjustable spring mounts, said pointer over lapping said indicia, said indicia indicating the force necessary to disengage said trigger hook of said trigger mount from said trigger connection of said receiving tube once said receiving tube is in a loaded position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
339 words
An automatic fishing device as recited in claim 1 wherein: said adjustable spring mount further comprises; grooves within said track projecting from said pivot for receiving said carriage and allowing said carriage to move along said grooves, a locking bolt threaded through said carriage for making contact with the bottom of said spring mount so as to effectively force said carriage against the top of said grooves when said locking bolt is tightened for effectively locking said carriage to said adjustable spring mount at any selected position within said adjustable spring mount, a pointer connected to said carriage of said adjustable spring mount, and indicia recorded on a rail forming a portion of said adjustable spring mount, said pointer overlapping said indicia, said indicia indicating the force necessary to disengage said trigger hook of said trigger mount from said trigger connection of said receiving tube when said receiving tube is in a loaded position; said trigger mount further comprising; a trigger hook pivotally mounted within said trigger mount for engaging said trigger connector on said receiving tube, and a trigger spring connected to said trigger hook and the bottom of said trigger mount for biasing said trigger hook away from said trigger connector; a switch connected to said base and positioned in the travel path of said receiving tube about said pivot such that said switch is activated when said receiving tube is released from said trigger mount; means engaged to said base for mounting said automatic fishing device to a boat; a hinge connected to the bottom of said base; a spike connected to said hinge for being extended substantially perpendicular to the bottom of said base when said hinge is open and to be parallel with said base when said hinge is closed; and a fishing pole locking means for locking said fishing pole within said receiving tube, said locking means having a plurality of bolts extending through the walls of said receiving tube for applying holding pressure to a fishing pole inserted into said receiving tube.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |