Adapter for fishing rod holder

Claim 1

In combination with a fishing rod having a pair of perpendicular transverse grooves in the butt end of the handle and a fishing rod holder comprising an elongated tubular member having a cylindrical interior of constant diameter and provided with open upper and lower ends, a diametric pin adjacent the lower end of said tubular member, said pin being received in one of said grooves when the handle is inserted into the tubular member to prevent rotation about its longitudinal axis, the diameter of the tubular member being substantially greater than the handle to enable the fishing rod to pivot in relation to the tubular member and in some instances enabling the pin to engage surfaces of the butt end of the handle laterally of the grooves when not centered in relation to the tubular member thereby allowing the rod to rotate about its longitudinal due to tension exerted on the fishing line by a fish taking the hook so that the fishing reel, line and guide eyes swing toward the pull on the fishing line, that improvement comprising a cylindrical adapter inserted into the tubular member and oriented adjacent said pin for guiding and piloting the butt end of the fishing rod into engagement with the transverse pin in the tubular member, said adapter including a central bore extending therethrough with the upper end of the bore being outwardly tapered to form a funnel-shaped surface, said adapter including a thin upper edge merging with the interior surface of the tubular member to eliminate shoulder surfaces on which the butt end of the handle could rest, said adapter being of constant diameter for insertion into the upper end of the tubular member and downward movement into engagement with the pin, said adapter having a length substantially less than the tubular member to avoid interference with pivoting movement of the handle about a transverse axis and enabling unhindered removal of the fishing rod and easy insertion thereof with the rod being easily rotated a partial turn to register an appropriate groove with said pin.