Fishing Rod Ruler

Abstract

A fishing rod ruler including an elongate flexible body with a number of length markings provided thereon, the elongate flexible body to be at least temporarily applied to a fishing rod.

Claims

1. A fishing rod ruler including an elongate flexible body with a number of length markings provided thereon, the elongate flexible body to be at least temporarily applied to a fishing rod.

2. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is self-adhesive on a removable backing sheet or substrate.

3. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with length markings which are transferable onto the fishing rod ruler with the application of the flexible body to the fishing rod only temporarily whilst the markings are transferred onto the fishing rod relative.

4. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with length markings in the form of one or more shaped cutouts or openings in order to allow a marking material to be applied over the top of the elongate flexible body in order to provide markings on to the fishing rod.

5. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is manufactured from a non-extensible plastic material.

6. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a number of shaped cutout portions provided on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body.

7. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with at least one shaped cutout portions provided on at least one end edge.

8. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a number of incisions provided on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body.

9. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with at least one incision provided on at least one end edge.

10. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a number of lines of weakness provided on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body.

11. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with at least one line of weakness provided on at least one end edge.

12. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a number of frangible portions provided on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body.

13. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is provided with at least one frangible portion provided on at least one end edge.

14. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body has alternating wider portions on the body and narrower portions on the body with the length markings provided in the wider parts of the body.

15. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length markings are provided in a high contrast colour.

16. A fishing rod ruler as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length markings are luminous or reflective.

17. A fishing rod with a ruler incorporated thereinto, the fishing rod ruler having an elongate body with a number of length markings provided thereon, the fishing rod ruler provided beneath at least one finishing layer of resin or lacquer used to finish the fishing rod.

18. A method of forming a fishing rod with a ruler incorporated thereinto, including the steps of providing a fishing rod having an elongate body with a number of length markings provided thereon, positioning the fishing rod ruler adjacent to a portion of the fishing rod and applying at least one finishing layer used to finish the fishing rod over the fishing rod ruler and at least an adjacent part of the fishing rod.

19. A method of forming a fishing rod as claimed in claim 18 wherein the fishing rod ruler is positioned adjacent to a tip portion of the fishing rod.

20. A method of forming a fishing rod as claimed in claim 18 wherein the fishing rod ruler is positioned adjacent to a butt portion of the fishing rod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0034] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a two-part fishing rod with a fishing rod ruler of the present invention applied to the tip portion of the fishing rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a fishing rod ruler of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a fishing rod ruler of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a fishing rod ruler of a preferred embodiment on a stripper backing tape prior to removal for application.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of a fishing rod with a fishing rod ruler of the present invention applied to the butt portion of the fishing rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fishing rod ruler and a fishing rod having an integrated fishing rod ruler are provided.

[0040] The fishing rod ruler 10 illustrated in the Figures includes an elongate flexible body 11 with a number of length markings 12 provided thereon with the elongate flexible body to be at least temporarily applied to a fishing rod.

[0041] The fishing rod ruler of the present invention may self-adhesive and if so, will normally sold on a removable backing sheet or substrate 13 such as is illustrated in FIG. 4. Under some circumstances, may be provided as a non-adhesive flexible body.

[0042] The fishing rod ruler of the present invention may be used in the manufacture of the fishing rod thereby incorporating the fishing rod ruler into the construction of the fishing rod with at least one finishing layer of resin or lacquer applied above the fishing rod ruler. This integration of the fishing rod ruler is preferred where possible because it will typically remove or at least prevent delamination of the fishing rod ruler from the fishing rod which may occur if the fishing rod ruler is provided in an adhesive form and only applied to an external surface of the fishing rod.

[0043] The elongate flexible body of the ruler of the present invention is preferably manufactured from a plastic material or similar. Normally the body will be elongate as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The length of the elongate body may vary according to the type of fishing rod to which the body is to be at least temporarily applied. Normally, the body will be at least 12 inches in length (approximately 30 cm) and preferably up to 90 cm in length.

[0044] The elongate flexible body may have any shape, but will normally be substantially rectangular (albeit, in a preferred form, with one or more shaped portion is adapted for removal from the flexible body or with lines of weakness of frangibility).

[0045] The width of the elongate flexible body is particularly important given that the body will be at least temporarily applied to a cylindrical outer surface of a fishing rod which also typically tapers from the butt end of the fishing rod to the tip end of the fishing rod as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0046] In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongate flexible body of the present invention is applied relative to a tip portion of the fishing rod and extend from the tip down the length of the fishing rod toward the butt. The tip end of the fishing rod is normally quite narrow which can cause application problems. The tip end of the fishing rod is also provided with a tip guide 14 as well as one or more body guides 15 which are mounted relative to the fishing rod and generally incorporated into the fishing rod via one or more feet and mounting arms 16. Therefore, the elongate flexible body of the present invention will also typically be required to provide for the location and number of the guides and particularly, the feet and mounting arms of each of the guides. In practice, the guides are not all spaced equally from the tip, nor other guides on different fishing rods provided in the same positions relative to the tip.

[0047] In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 5, the elongate flexible body of the present invention is applied relative to a butt portion of the fishing rod and extend from the butt up the length of the fishing rod toward the tip. The butt has a free length before the body guides 15 start. The body guides are mounted relative to the fishing rod and generally incorporated into the fishing rod via one or more feet and mounting arms 16. Therefore, the elongate flexible body of the present invention will also typically be required to provide for the location and number of the guides and particularly, the feet and mounting arms of each of the guides.

[0048] In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 2, the elongate flexible body 11 is provided with a number of shaped cutout portions 17 provided, on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body 11 in order to account for the guides, particularly the guide feet and arms on the fishing rod. The body 11 (whether adhesive or not) can then be removed from the backing substrate contemporaneously separating the body from the cutouts.

[0049] In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 3, the elongate flexible body 11 is provided with one or more incisions, lines of weakness or frangible portions 18 may be provided on, preferably both lateral side edges and/or at least one end edge of the elongate flexible body to provide for the guides of the fishing rod. This allows a used to remove the substantially rectangular body 11 (whether adhesive or not) from the backing substrate and then to separate the frangible portions required (leaving the rest attached) in the locations required to account for the feet and mounting arms of each of the guides.

[0050] Either method above will preferably provide a number of shaped crenellations or similar on both lateral side edges of the elongate flexible body in order to allow for or account for the guide feet and/or mounting arms giving the external diameter of the tip portion of the fishing rod.

[0051] The shaped cutout portions, crenellations, or frangible portions are offset from the length markings so that the length markings provided on the elongate flexible body are provided in the wider parts of the body 11 as illustrated so as still to be easily read even if portions of the flexible body 11 are removed.

[0052] The body 11 of the preferred embodiment is manufactured from a non-extensible, non-resilient plastic material. The body will typically be flexible in order to be wrapped around a portion of the fishing rod at least temporarily.

[0053] The body of the ruler of the present invention will be provided with a number of length markings 12. Any type of length markings may be provided. It is preferred that the length markings include a number of spaced apart lines or similar as illustrated in order to indicate length.

[0054] In the preferred form illustrated, a plurality of spaced apart lines are provided substantially transversely across the body 11. At least some of the lines will typically be associated with numerals or similar in order to indicate length. The particular length measuring system used will depend upon the country in which the ruler is sold with some countries preferring the imperial system and some countries preferring the SI system. In a particularly preferred embodiment, where centimetres are used, the length markings 12 will be both centimetre markings 19 and half a centimetre markings 20.

[0055] It is preferred that length markings be easily viewable on the fishing rod in therefore, the length markings may be provided in a particular colour to contrast with the colour of the rod. A high contrast colour such as yellow or white are preferred and the markings may be luminous or reflective or similar as well.

[0056] The elongate flexible body is at least temporarily applied to a fishing rod. Where the elongate flexible body is self-adhesive, the body may simply be stuck onto an external surface of the fishing rod. However, in other embodiments, it may be that one or more layers of finishing material such as resin or lacquer may be applied over either the body of the ruler in order to integrate the ruler into the construction of the rod or alternatively, over any markings which have been applied to an external surface of the rod in order that the markings be integrated into the construction of the rod.

[0057] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0058] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.