Abstract The ice fishing tip-up comprises a base member and a strut pivoted to the base member. The strut carries a rotatable shaft having the fish line spool fixed axially on the lower end thereof beneath the base member. A latch lever projects radially from the upper end of the shaft above the base member and is frictionally engageable in the fishing mode with a signal mast flexibly mounted on the base. The spool along with the shaft and latch lever is rotatable as when a fish strikes to release the signal mast which is biased to an upright position to indicate the strike. The latch lever is made of a flexible material such as light weight metal which will readily bend in response to finger manipulation to any desired bent posture so that the frictional hold of the latch lever on the signal mast can be varied to suit different types and sizes of live bait such as minnows secured to the fish hook at the lower end of the line. The spool shaft is mounted on the leading side of the pivotal strut so that when the strut is pivoted to a folded condition the underside of the base member is generally unobstructed to provide for convenient handling and storage.
Inventors
👤 William R. Snodie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-07 12:16
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/01; A01K97/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
In an ice fishing tip-up, a base member adapted to span an ice fishing hole, a shaft, means for rotatably supporting the shaft generally normal to the base member, said shaft projecting downwardly beneath the base member for submergence of the lower end portion thereof in the water and extending upwardly above the base member, a spool for fishing line mounted axially and fixedly on the submersible lower end portion of the shaft, lever means including a latch portion of flexible light weight metal having a plate-like shape and fixed to the upper end of the shaft and projecting radially therefrom whereby to rotate the spool and be rotated by the spool, a signal mast flexibly secured to the base member in spaced relation from the shaft, and means biasing the signal mast to an upright position, said signal mast being swingable against the pressure of the biasing means for frictional engagement under the latch portion on the shaft, said spool being rotatable with the shaft as in response to a fish strike to rotate the latch portion and release the signal means to indicate the strike, and said latch portion being subject to bending to a desired position partially encircling the signal mast by finger manipulation and capable of retaining such position whereby the frictional hold on the signal mast is varied in accordance with the size and type of live bait used on the hook at the submerged end of the fishing line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
In an ice fishing tip-up, a base member adapted to span an ice fishing hole, a shaft, means for rotatably supporting the shaft generally normal to the base member, said shaft projecting downwardly beneath the base member for submergence of the lower end portion thereof in the water and extending upwardly above the base member, a spool for fishing line mounted axially and fixedly on the submersible lower end portion of the shaft, lever means including a latch portion of flexible light weight metal having a plate-like shape and fixed to the upper end of the shaft and projecting radially therefrom whereby to rotate the spool and be rotated by the spool, a signal mast flexibly secured to the base member in spaced relation from the shaft, and means biasing the signal mast to an upright position, said signal mast being swingable against the pressure of the biasing means for frictional engagement under the latch portion on the shaft, said spool being rotatable with the shaft as in response to a fish strike to rotate the latch portion and release the signal means to indicate the strike, and said latch portion being subject to bending to a desired position partially encircling the signal mast by finger manipulation and capable of retaining such position whereby the frictional hold on the signal mast is varied in accordance with the size and type of live bait used on the hook at the submerged end of the fishing line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lever means and latch portion thereon are of light weight metal, and an upright projection on the lever means opposite the latch portion to signal a fish strike upon rotation by action of a fish and in addition providing finger holding means to hold the latch when it is being bent to the desired position and also to rotate the lever to a position over the signal mast.