Casting Rod Handle

Abstract

An improved casting rod handle utilizing a forward finger trigger hold in relation to the reel and reel seat providing a more comfortable and less injury prone handle and grip position for the user.

Claims

1. A casting rod handle comprising: a handle comprising a reel seat, a grip portion, and a finger trigger member; the handle comprising a forward end, a rear end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and plurality of side surfaces; said reel seat is situated on said top surface between said forward end and said rear end and comprises a reel seat engagement ring; said finger trigger member is formed on said bottom surface and positioned closer to the forward end than the rear end and substantially forward of the reel seat.

2. The casting rod handle of claim 1 further comprising: said reel seat engagement ring threadedly engages an exterior perimeter of the handle

3. The casting rod handle of claim 1 further comprising: said reel seat engagement ring threadedly engages an interior surface of the handle.

4. The casting rod handle of claim 2 further comprising: said reel seat further comprises a forward engagement indention for receiving a reel foot member.

5. The casting rod handle of claim 3 further comprising: said reel seat further comprises a forward engagement indention for receiving a reel foot member.

6. The casting rod handle of claim 2 further comprising: said reel seat further comprises a rear engagement indention for receiving a reel foot member.

7. The casting rod handle of claim 3 further comprising: said reel seat further comprises a rear engagement indention for receiving a reel foot member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings depicting specific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric depiction of a typical casting rod and reel incorporating the improved handle of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2a is a prior art version of a casting rod and handle configuration depicting the interactions of forces and pivot point embodied in the prior art configuration.

[0017] FIG. 2b is an embodiment of the present invention depicting the interactions of forces and pivot point created by the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved handle of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the improved handle of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the improved handle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] One or more illustrative embodiments incorporating the invention disclosed herein are presented below. Applicant has created an improved casting rod handle for fishing applications and uses.

[0022] In the following description, certain details are set forth such as specific quantities, sizes, etc. to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such specific details. In many cases, details concerning such considerations and the like have been omitted since such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0023] Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting thereto. Drawings are not necessarily to scale, and arrangements of specific units in the drawings can vary.

[0024] While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable to those of ordinary skill in the art, it should be understood, however, that when not explicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting a meaning presently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art. Definitions and/or interpretations should not be incorporated from other patent applications, patents, or publications, related or not, unless specifically stated in this specification, or if the incorporation is necessary for maintaining validity.

[0025] Certain terms are used in the following description and claims to refer to system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown, all in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0026] Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without materially departing from the novel and advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, the improved casting rod handle 100, in conjunction with a typical casting rod 110 and reel 120. The typical casting rod 110 comprises a forward end 111 and a rear end 112, wherein a fishing line would typically be threaded through eyelets spaced along a surface of the rod 110 between the forward end 111 and the reel 120. The reel 120 typically comprises a reel foot 121, reel body 122, reel handle 123, and spool 124. Of course, reels may and typically do include other parts such a tensioning adjustment, release buttons, and level winds among others, but for simplicity of explanation these parts are not addressed in this description. Persons of ordinary skill in the art would understand the typical parts and functioning of a reel. The handle 100 comprises a grip 101, which comprises a gripping surface 102, a trigger finger hold 103, a reel seat 104, and a locking nut 105. The reel seat 104 comprises a forward portion 104a and a rear portion 104b. The trigger finger hold 103 is situated forward of the rear portion of the reel seat 104. The reel seat 104 allows for the reel foot 121 to be inserted into the forward portion 104a and rear portion 104b and secured with locking nut 105. The handle 100 comprises a threaded surface formed on a surface of the handle adjacent to the reel seat. The locking nut 105 comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the handle 100 adjacent to the reel seat 104. The locking nut 105 can be tightened through the threaded engagement with the threaded surface of the handle to secure at least a portion of the reel foot 121 within the reel seat 104. A second portion of the reel foot 121 may be secured to a second portion of the reel seat 104 or handle 100 by insertion of the second portion of the reel foot 121 into a mating engagement formed on or in the reel foot 121 or handle 100. It should be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that alternative embodiments can be used for the locking nut including press fit engagements, spring loaded locking devices, among others. The description of the threaded engagement of the locking nut should not be construed to be limiting for embodiments or manners of securing the reel foot 121 to the reel seat 104 or handle 100. Further, the locking nut 105 can be embodied in a forward position on the handle 100 to secure a forward portion of reel foot 121 to the forward portion 104a of the reel seat 104 or, alternatively, the locking nut 105 can be embodied in a rear position on the handle 100 to secure a rear portion of the reel foot 121 to the rear portion 104b of the reel seat 104.

[0028] It should be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the improved casting rod handle can be made of varying materials or combinations of materials including, but not limited to woods, plastics, polymers, rubbers, cork, or metals. Additionally, the size, length, depth, and diameter of the finger trigger hold can vary as well as the size of the improved casting rod handle itself including the length, depth, and diameter. It should also be appreciated that the rigidity of the materials comprising the improved casting rod handle can be varied to modify the feel or grip of the improved casting rod handle for comfort or improved handling.

[0029] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a comparison of prior casting rod and handle arrangements and the present invention in conjunction with a typical casting rod and the interaction of forces applied during use of the casting rods. As depicted in FIG. 2a prior casting rods are typically class 3 levers, wherein the rear portion of the rod acts as the fulcrum 250a, a force is applied forward of the fulcrum point causing the rod to move across an axis. Typically, the angler will pull back on the rod exerting force 240a while pivoting the rod at the rear of the rod 250a. The force 241a and movement of the rod are then magnified at the forward end of the rod 251a. This movement along an axis causes tension 242a in the fishing line. As shown in FIG. 2b, the improved casting rod handle 200 converts the rod into a class 1 lever wherein the fulcrum or pivot point 250b is situated between the force input 240b, the improved handle, and the forward end of the rod 251b. The force 241b and movement of the rod are then magnified at the forward end of the rod 251b. This movement along an axis causes tension 242b in the fishing line. The improved casting rod handle configuration allows for a greater amount of force to be exerted with less input force.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in a side profile depiction comprising the improved casting rod handle 300, casting rod 310, and reel 320. The casting rod 310 and reel 320 are a typical rod and reel for purposes of this description and may include the parts and portions as described in this disclosure. The improved casting rod handle 300 comprises a grip 301, which comprises a gripping surface 302, a trigger finger hold 303, a reel seat 304, and a locking nut 305.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional embodiment of the present invention comprising the improved casting rod handle 400, casting rod 410, and reel 420. The casting rod 410 and reel 420 are a typical rod and reel for purposes of this description and may include the parts and portions as described in this disclosure. The improved casting rod handle 400 comprises a grip 401, which comprises a gripping surface 402, a trigger finger hold 403, a reel seat 404, and a locking nut 405. The locking nut 405 is provided to move along the exterior surface of the handle 400 to provide engagement with at least a portion of the reel foot of reel 420.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising the improved casting rod handle 500, casting rod 510, and reel 520.

[0033] The casting rod 510 and reel 520 are a typical rod and reel for purposes of this description and may include the parts and portions as described in this disclosure. The improved casting rod handle 500 comprises a grip 501, which comprises a gripping surface 502, a trigger finger hold 503, a reel seat 504, and a locking nut 505. The locking nut 505 is provided to move along an interior surface of the handle 500 to provide engagement with at least a portion of the reel foot of reel 520. The handle 500 can be design in various ways, including but not limited to, a slit, window, gap in the body of the handle to allow for access to turn or manipulate the locking nut 505 or other locking mechanism for securing the reel foot of the reel 520.

[0034] While preferred embodiments have been shown, and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teaching herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus are possible and will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied.