INTERNAL LINE TELESCOPIC FISHING ROD

Abstract

A fishing rod includes at least three telescopic sections: a first section, N0, a last tip section, and an intermediate section. The first section defines a line input passage on the periphery thereof. The rod goes from fully retracted to deployed positions, and a semi-retracted position, called the line input position, in which section N0+i, i≥1, is deployed with respect to section N0 and in which the tip is received into such section. A first retainer abuts, in the semi-retracted position, against the tip to retain the tip with respect to section and prevent it from reaching the line input passage. A second retainer holds the tip in the semi-retracted position when subjected to forces of less than 10 N tending to move it away from section N0, in a location at less than 30 centimetres, from a position of abutment against the first retainer.

Claims

1. Fishing rod comprising an assembly of at least three sections (11-14) that can fit telescopically within each other, said assembly comprising a first section (11), called section N0, a last section (14), called a tip, and a subset of intermediate section(s) (12, 13) between the first section and the tip, said subset comprising at least one intermediate section, the intermediate section with the largest diameter (12) among said at least one intermediate section of said subset, called (N0+1), being capable of fitting within section N0, and the intermediate section with the smallest diameter (13) among said at least one intermediate section of said subset being capable of receiving the tip, wherein the first section defines a line input passage (15) on a periphery thereof extending in a direction having a radial component for lateral insertion of the line, the rod is arranged to be able to go from a fully retracted position, in which all the sections of said assembly fit telescopically within each other, to a deployed position, in which all the sections of said assembly are deployed with respect to each other, and furthermore to be able to adopt a semi-retracted position, called the line input position, in which section (N0+i), where i is equal to or greater than 1, is deployed with respect to section N0 and in which the tip is received into section (N0+i), the rod further comprises first retention means (107, 110A-E, 106, 105A-E, 16) arranged so as to abut, in the semi-retracted position when the tip is pushed toward section N0, against the tip in such a way as to retain the tip with respect to section (N0+i) and prevent the tip from reaching the line input passage, second retention means (200, 17, 105A-105E, 106, 110A-110E, 107) to hold the tip in the semi-retracted position when subjected to forces of less than 10 N tending to move the tip away from section N0, in a location corresponding to an abutment against the first retention means or less than 30 centimetres, from a position of abutment against the first retention means.

2. The rod according to claim 1, further comprising for at least one intermediate section (12, 13), this at least one section being frustoconical, a set of at least one movable line guide element (105A-105E, 110A-110E) in said intermediate section, each element of said set having an outside diameter within the range of inside diameters of said intermediate section and defining a passageway for the line.

3. The rod according to claim 2 wherein the second retention means comprise said at least one set of at least one movable line guide element (105A-105E, 110A-110E), the rod being arranged so that in the semi-retracted position, for at least one intermediate section (12, 13): said set comprising at least two movable line guide elements received into said intermediate section, all the movable line guide elements (105A-105E, 110A-110E) received into said intermediate section are attached to each other, said attachments being removable, the smaller-diameter movable line guide element (105E, 110E) is attached to the next section (13, 14), and the larger-diameter movable line guide element (105A, 110A) is removably attached to said intermediate section.

4. The rod (1) according to claim 2, wherein for at least one intermediate section (12, 13; 109), this at least one section being frustoconical, at least three guide elements (105A-105E, 106, 110A-110E, 107; 110A-110F) are received into said intermediate frustoconical section, of which at least two (105A-105E, 110A-110E; 110A-110E) are movable in said frustoconical section, said at least three guide elements being ordered by increasing outside diameter when inserted through the larger-diameter end of said frustoconical section, and each guide element comprising a body defining a passageway (108) for the line, and comprising a first rigid body part (111A-111F), the outside diameter of which is that of said guide element, a second body part (112A-112F) that is more flexible than the first body part, each movable line guide element (105A-105E, 110A-110E; 110A-110E) further comprising a third body part, the second corresponding body part being between the first corresponding body part and the third body part, the set of line guide elements is shaped so that for each guide element, with the exception of the larger-diameter guide element: the first part of this guide element can receive the second part of a larger-diameter adjacent guide element, the outside walls of this second part and the inside walls of this first part being arranged to cooperate with each other, the second part of this guide element can receive without play the second part of the larger-diameter adjacent guide element.

5. The rod according to claim 1, wherein the second retention means comprise a plugging device (200) intended for the free end of the tip (14) and arranged to keep the tip and sections up to section N0+i (12-14) together, independently of the first section (11).

6. The rod according to claim 5, wherein the plugging device (200) is further arranged to be able to hold the tip (14), the subset of intermediate section(s) (12, 13), and the first section (11) together when the fishing rod is in the retracted position.

7. The rod according to claim 5, wherein the plugging device (200) comprises two movable plugging elements that can move rotationally in relation to each other about the longitudinal axis of the rod when the plugging device is installed at the line outlet end, each plugging element defining a through-hole (205, 206) for the line to pass through, and the plugging device is arranged so that the plugging elements can be arranged according to a first configuration, in which said holes overlap at least partially so that the line can be wound up or paid out, and also according to a second configuration in which the respective positions of the two holes are different.

8. The rod according to claim 1, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

9. The rod according to claim 8, wherein the first anti-rotation component is a tab (18) running along the inside wall of and the entire length of section N0 (or of the section preceding section N0) (11), and wherein the second anti-rotation component is a groove (19) leading to the outside on both sides, defined in an annular element (16) at the larger-diameter end of the section (N0+j) (12) and sufficiently deep radially to be able to receive a portion of the tab.

10. The rod according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rib (32) extending longitudinally and radially, attached by one of the edges thereof to one of either section N0 (or a preceding section) (11) and a section N0+k (12), k varying between 1 and 3, and shaped and placed so that, when in the fully retracted position, an edge of this rib opposite this attachment edge and extending longitudinally becomes wedged against an element (31) attached to the other, or directly against the other, of either section N0 (or a preceding section) or section N0+k, so as to resist a force tending to pull section N0+k out of section N0 of less than a threshold value, while allowing the line to move in the longitudinal direction thereof.

11. The rod (1) according to claim 3, wherein for at least one intermediate section (12, 13; 109), this at least one section being frustoconical, at least three guide elements (105A-105E, 106, 110A-110E, 107; 110A-110F) are received into said intermediate frustoconical section, of which at least two (105A-105E, 110A-110E; 110A-110E) are movable in said frustoconical section, said at least three guide elements being ordered by increasing outside diameter when inserted through the larger-diameter end of said frustoconical section, and each guide element comprising a body defining a passageway (108) for the line, and comprising a first rigid body part (111A-111F), the outside diameter of which is that of said guide element, a second body part (112A-112F) that is more flexible than the first body part, each movable line guide element (105A-105E, 110A-110E; 110A-110E) further comprising a third body part, the second corresponding body part being between the first corresponding body part and the third body part, the set of line guide elements is shaped so that for each guide element, with the exception of the larger-diameter guide element: the first part of this guide element can receive the second part of a larger-diameter adjacent guide element, the outside walls of this second part and the inside walls of this first part being arranged to cooperate with each other, the second part of this guide element can receive without play the second part of the larger-diameter adjacent guide element.

12. The rod according to claim 2, wherein the second retention means comprise a plugging device (200) intended for the free end of the tip (14) and arranged to keep the tip and sections up to section N0+i (12-14) together, independently of the first section (11).

13. The rod according to claim 3, wherein the second retention means comprise a plugging device (200) intended for the free end of the tip (14) and arranged to keep the tip and sections up to section N0+i (12-14) together, independently of the first section (11).

14. The rod according to claim 4, wherein the second retention means comprise a plugging device (200) intended for the free end of the tip (14) and arranged to keep the tip and sections up to section N0+i (12-14) together, independently of the first section (11).

15. The rod according to claim 6, wherein the plugging device (200) comprises two movable plugging elements that can move rotationally in relation to each other about the longitudinal axis of the rod when the plugging device is installed at the line outlet end, each plugging element defining a through-hole (205, 206) for the line to pass through, and the plugging device is arranged so that the plugging elements can be arranged according to a first configuration, in which said holes overlap at least partially so that the line can be wound up or paid out, and also according to a second configuration in which the respective positions of the two holes are different.

16. The rod according to claim 2, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

17. The rod according to claim 3, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

18. The rod according to claim 4, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

19. The rod according to claim 5, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

20. The rod according to claim 6, further comprising at least a first anti-rotation component (18) integral to one of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) and section (N0+j) (12), j being equal to or greater than 1, extending radially and longitudinally, at least a second anti-rotation component (19), integral to the other of either section N0 (or a section preceding section N0) or section (N0+j), and capable of abutting against the first anti-rotation component when the rod is in the fully retracted position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0165] The invention will now be described in reference to the appended non-limiting drawings, in which:

[0166] FIG. 1A shows an example of a rod according to one embodiment of the invention, in the fully retracted position.

[0167] FIG. 1B shows an example of a rod according to this embodiment of the invention, in the semi-retracted position.

[0168] FIG. 2A is a view of a larger-diameter end part of this example of a rod when in the retracted position.

[0169] FIG. 2B is a view of a portion of the larger-diameter end part of this example of a rod when in the retracted position.

[0170] FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of this rod in the semi-retracted position.

[0171] FIG. 4 is a view of a smaller-diameter end part of this example of a rod when in the retracted position.

[0172] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a plugging device of this example of a rod.

[0173] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a plugging device of this example of a rod.

[0174] FIG. 7 is a view of a larger-diameter end part of this example of a rod when in the retracted position.

[0175] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end element of section N0+1 for this example of a rod.

[0176] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of end elements for this example of a rod.

[0177] FIG. 10 is a very schematic illustration of a set of line guide elements received into a frustoconical section of a rod according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0178] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an example of a set of four guide elements, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0179] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of this example of a set of nested guide elements.

[0180] FIG. 13 shows ordered guide elements, only half of which are shown, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0181] Identical references will be used from one figure to the next to refer to identical or similar parts.

[0182] In reference to FIG. 1A, a rod 10 comprises an assembly of a plurality of sections, here four sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 that fit together telescopically.

[0183] Section 11, called the first section or line inlet section, with a larger diameter, is capable of receiving section 12.

[0184] Section 14, with a smaller diameter, called the tip, is received into section 13.

[0185] Sections 12 and 13, called intermediate sections, are frustoconical, that is, their cross-sectional diameter varies continuously from a larger-diameter inlet to a smaller-diameter outlet.

[0186] Sections 11 and 14 may or may not be frustoconical.

[0187] Tip 14 defines internal line guide elements, not shown. These elements are fixed.

[0188] Intermediate sections 12 and 13 receive movable line guide elements 105A-105E, 110A-110E, with outside diameters that decrease from one element to the next, and which are wedged one after the other against the inside walls of sections 12 and 13 when the rod is deployed.

[0189] The fully deployed position is not shown in these figures, but it is easy to understand that all the sections are deployed in relation to each other, guide elements 105A-105E and 110A-110E being distributed along sections 12 and 13.

[0190] A plugging device 200 keeps sections 11-14 together in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1A, and sections 12-14 in the semi-retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0191] In the semi-retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1B and in FIG. 3, first retention means 107, 110A-E, 106, 105A-E, and 16 hold tip 14 so as to prevent it from reaching a line input passage 15 defined in first section 11, even if the tip is pushed toward this inlet 15 with a reasonable force of 10 N or less.

[0192] This inlet 15 is defined within the walls of section 11, that is, the line is inserted laterally and not at the end of section 11. This can be more comfortable for the user because a spool (not shown) can be installed on the walls of this section 11 or on a preceding section, not shown, serving as a handle.

[0193] In the semi-deployed state, an interference-fit portion 150 of section 11, having a narrower cross-section than the rest of section 11, the inside walls of which rub slightly against the outside walls of section 12, enough to resist a force of less than 10 N tending to retract the assembly of sections 12-14 fitting telescopically into section 11, prevents sections 12-14 fitting telescopically within each other from entering further into section 11, which would hinder insertion of the line into inlet 15.

[0194] The first retention means prevent sections 13 and 14 from passing through section 12 and blocking inlet 15.

[0195] The first retention means comprise components 107, 110A-E, 106, 105A-E, and 16 which nest within each other and which thus attach section 14 to section 12.

[0196] Consequently, when the rod in the semi-retracted state is placed vertically with the plugging device facing upward, gravity does not cause the assembly of sections 12-14 to collapse into section 11, nor does it cause sections 13-14 to fall into section 11.

[0197] In addition, second retention means 200, 17, 105A-105E, 106, 110A-110E, and 107 keep tip 14 and section 13 from coming out of section 12 through the smaller-diameter end when the rod is turned over by 180°, that is, vertical in this case (per the direction of the gravity vector) with the plug facing downward.

[0198] These second retention means comprise: [0199] plugging device 200, which is arranged to keep sections 12-14 together. [0200] the assembly of elements 17, 105A-105E, 106, 110A-110E, and 107, these elements cooperating with each other in the semi-retracted state, and end elements 17, 106, and 107 being attached (or integral to) section 12, section 13, and tip 14, respectively. The assembly of these elements 17, 105A-105-D, 106, 110A-110F, and 107 thus keep tip 14 in section 12.

[0201] Furthermore, in references to FIGS. 2A and 2B concerning the fully retracted state, section 11 comprises a tab 18 extending over the entire length thereof and attached or integral to the tube of section 11. This tab extends radially by a few millimetres and cooperates with a groove defined in annular element 16.

[0202] This groove 19 can be sufficiently deep (radially) to be able to receive a portion of the tab. Groove 19 is open longitudinally on both sides so that it can slide on tab 18.

[0203] Annular element 16 is sized so that section 12 can be inserted into section 11 only if groove 19 receives a portion of tab 18. For a different angular distance, section 12 cannot be inserted into section 11.

[0204] If, after proper positioning, section 12 is moved in relation to section 11, this groove 19/tab 18 cooperation continues, thus preventing any rotation of section 12 with respect to section 11, which is particularly useful when a line has been inserted via inlet 15 and an end opening of section 12. Indeed, a rotational movement could tangle the line.

[0205] The tab 18/groove 19 system acts as a guide when transitioning from the retracted position to the semi-retracted or deployed position, and vice versa, thus preventing relation rotations of section 12 in relation to section 11.

[0206] In addition, in the retracted state, this tab 18/groove 19 system further prevents relative rotations of section 12 in relation to section 11.

[0207] In reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, plugging device 200 comprises first attachment means 201, attaching sections 12-14 together, and second attachment means 202, attaching sections 11-14 together.

[0208] More specifically, plugging device 200 comprises a circular-shaped bottom 203 with a large enough diameter to cover the end of section 11.

[0209] The first attachment means comprise a first flexible peripheral wall 201 protruding from bottom 203, having a roughly cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and an inside or outside diameter equal to (or close to) the outside or inside diameter of the end of section 12.

[0210] The second attachment means comprise a second, advantageously flexible peripheral wall 202 protruding from bottom 203, having a roughly cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and an inside diameter equal to (or close to) the outside diameter of the end of section 11.

[0211] These two walls 201 and 202 are concentric.

[0212] Wall 201 extends beyond wall 202 so that, when transitioning from the retracted position to the semi-retracted position, section 11 easily detaches from plugging device 200, leaving other sections 12-14 held by wall 201.

[0213] In this embodiment, bottom 203 is a double bottom, that is, it comprises a first bottom 204 and a second bottom on top of this bottom 204 and not shown in the figures, and from which walls 201 and 202 emanate.

[0214] More specifically, the plugging device comprises a first plugging element comprising bottom 203 and a second plugging element comprising the non-illustrated bottom and walls 201 and 202.

[0215] Each plugging element can be a single part.

[0216] Each plugging element defines a respective through-hole 205, 206 for inserting the line.

[0217] The plugging elements are movably mounted so as to rotate with respect to each other so that, for a certain angular distance, the two holes 205 and 206 overlap, allowing the line to be reeled in.

[0218] When the first plugging element is rotated until it reaches another angular distance value, the overlapping area of the holes can become zero, that is, the line is then locked.

[0219] Note that these holes 205 and 206 extend to end edges of the plugging device. When these holes align, the overlapping area reaches these edges, allowing the plugging device to be removed/installed in a relatively easy way, despite the presence of the line, by a simple lateral movement.

[0220] In references to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, it can be noted that this example of a rod further comprises a retention device 16, 30 for retaining section 12 in section 11, capable of opposing the forces induced by the line when it is reeled in while the rod is in the fully collapsed state. Indeed, the line then exerts forces tending to bring section 12 out of section 11.

[0221] An end element 30 attached to section 11, for example wedged or screwed on to the end of the rod, comprises for this purpose a stud 31 extending longitudinally toward the tip.

[0222] Annular element 16 attached to section 12, for example wedged or screwed on to the end of section 12, defining opening 20 for the line to pass, defines internal ribs 32 extending radially.

[0223] When stud 31 enters this opening, these ribs 32 are wedged against the outside walls of stud 31, which may be enough to oppose any forces exerted by the line.

[0224] Ribs 32 defining channels 33 between ribs 32, stud 31 and the cylindrical walls of annular element 16, through which the line can pass and flow freely.

[0225] FIG. 10 shows a schematic drawing of a set of line guide elements received into a frustoconical section of a rod according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0226] In this highly schematic figure, the frustoconical shape has been exaggerated and the connections between parts of elements are shown with double arrows.

[0227] A set of line guide elements 110A-110F fitting into each other is received into a frustoconical section 109.

[0228] Each line guide element 110A-110F defines an opening for the line, not shown, to pass. When these line guide elements are in each other, these openings line up with each other and form a tunnel for the line.

[0229] Each line guide element 110A-110F comprises a body comprising: [0230] a first rigid part 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, 111E, and 111F intended to wedge against the inside walls of tube 109, [0231] a second more flexible part 112A-112F intended to be received in first part 111B-111F of the next element in the case of movable elements 110A-110E, and intended to be attached, such as by threads, to next smaller-diameter section 109′ in the case of fixed line guide element 110F.

[0232] Movable line guide elements 110A-110E further comprise a third part 113A-113E intended to be received into second part 112B-112F of the next element.

[0233] The elements are shaped so that these insertions create forces tending to hold together the elements nesting within each other.

[0234] More specifically, each third part 113A-113E is received without play into second part 112B-112F of the next element.

[0235] “Without play” means exact dimensions or a slight negative play, so that the elements have to be forced to embed a third part in the second part of the next element.

[0236] And each second part 112A-112E cooperates with first part 111B-111F of the next element, for example by clips, wedging, or other means.

[0237] These connections are shown by double arrows in the figure.

[0238] Due to the flexibility of the second part, the presence of a third part reinforces the connection to the corresponding first part.

[0239] A wedging portion 114A-114F is attached to or an integral part of a first corresponding part 111A-111F.

[0240] This wedging portion 114A-114F defines the outside diameter of corresponding line guide element 110A-110F. For example, this may be a skate, skirt, or the first part itself (particularly for the smaller-diameter elements such as element 110F in FIG. 10).

[0241] In an advantageous embodiment, the first, second, and/or third parts have the same dimensions from one element to the next, these elements differing in their wedging portions.

[0242] FIGS. 11 to 13 show examples of less schematic guide elements 105A-105D.

[0243] Each guide element 105A-105D comprises a first part 151A-151D, a more flexible second part 152A-152D defining clipping means such as 160A-160D, and a third part 153A-153D.

[0244] In this example, the flexibility of second part 152A-152D is obtained by means of open work on this second part. Openings 161A-161D defined in second part 152A-152D make the walls thereof more flexible.

[0245] In this example, the clipping means comprise ridges 160A-160D intended to cooperate with grooves defined on the inside walls of the first part. Here, grooves 163B-163D receive corresponding ridges 160A-160C; grooves 163A and ridges 160D cooperating with two corresponding fixed line guide elements, not shown.

[0246] Wedging portions 162A-162D are an integral part of the body.