GB2269518A

GB2269518A - Fishing rod support.

Info

Publication number: GB2269518A
Application number: GB9217298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Frederick Partridge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-08-14
Filing date: 1992-08-14
Publication date: 1994-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-14
Also published as: GB2269518B; GB9217298D0

Abstract

In a mount (2) for a fishing rod support (1) constituted by first and second telescopic struts (4 and (3) (Figure 2), the mount (2) is provided with a connector (6) for fixing the support (1) substantially at right-angles thereto, and locking means (8, 9) are provided for locking the two struts (4 and 3) together in any of a plurality of telescopic configurations, the free end of the second strut (3) being pointed and provided with an external screw thread (3b) for threading into the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

BANK STICK This invention relates to a bank stick, that is to say a mount for a support against which a fishing rod can be rested.

A known type of bank stick is constituted by a vertical member which supports a generally horizontal rod rest (buzzer bar). The free end of the vertical member is pointed, so that it can be driven into the ground. The disadvantage of this type of bank stick is that it is often extremely difficult to fix firmly in the ground, particularly in gravelly river banks or in ground which is baked hard by the sun.

The present invention provides a mount for a fishing rod support, the mount being constituted by first and second telescopic struts, the mount being provided with a connector for fixing the support substantially at rightangles thereto, wherein locking means are provided for locking the two struts together in any of a plurality of telescopic configurations within a given range of telescopic configurations, and wherein the free end of the second strut is pointed and provided with an external screw thread.

In a preferred embodiment, the first strut is tubular and the second strut is a solid rod. Preferably both the struts are made of aluminium.

Advantageously, the connector is such that the central portion of the support can be detachably fixed to the first strut, and the support is provided with at least one support bracket for receiving the shaft of a fishing rod.

Conveniently, a locking bolt passing through a threaded aperture in the tubular wall of the first strut constitutes the locking means.

A bank stick constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the bank stick and an associated buzzer bar; FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the bank stick in an extended configuration; and FIG. 3 is a side elevation similar to that of Fig.

2, but showing the bank stick in a non extended configuration.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a bank stick 2 for supporting the central portion of a generally horizontal (in use) aluminium buzzer bar 1. The bank stick 2 is constituted by a solid aluminium rod 3 and a tubular aluminium member 4 which is a telescopically sliding fit on the rod. This sliding fit is assisted by a sleeve 4a positioned within the member 4 at the base thereof, the sleeve being made of a low friction plastics material such as silicon plastic. The buzzer bar 1 is provided with a central, downwardly-projecting, externally-threaded spigot 5 which is engageable with an internal thread 6a formed in a brass bush 6 fixed to the top of the member 4. In this way, the buzzer bar 1 can be detachably fixed to the bank stick 2. The buzzer bar 1 is provided with a pair of Vshaped rod support brackets 7.

The upper end portion of the rod 3 is provided with a diametrical through bore 3a, and the lower end portion is both pointed and formed with an external screw thread 3b.

A locking bolt 8 is threaded into a nut 9 welded to the tubular member 4, the nut being aligned with an aperture 10 in the wall of the tubular member. A retaining spring (not shown) surrounds the shaft of the bolt 8, and is positioned between the bolt head and the nut 9. The locking bolt 8 can be used to fix the rod 3 within the tubular member 4 at any position within a range of positions defined by the telescopic interaction length of these two members.

In use, the rod 3 is slid out of the tubular member 4, after the locking bolt 8 has been released. The rod 3 is then screwed into the ground using a tommy bar (not shown) which is passed through the bore 3a. After the tommy bar is removed, the tubular member 4 is slid down over the rod 3 and fixed thereto, with the buzzer bar 1 at the required height above the ground, by means of the locking bolt 8. A fishing rod can then be supported on each of the brackets 7, the butts of the rods lying on the ground and the rod shafts resting within the V-shaped brackets. The rod 3 and the tubular member 4 each have a length of about 1 foot, so that the bank stick can be adjusted to position the buzzer bar 1 at any height within a range of from about 9 inches to about 18 inches above the ground, depending upon the depth of penetration of the pointed end of the rod 3 into the ground. The nut 9 is positioned about 2 to 3 inches from the lower end of the member 4, thereby ensuring the stability of the bank stick in use, and preventing it rocking.

It will be apparent that modifications could be made to the bank stick described above. For example, the rod 3 and the tubular member 4 could be made of stainless steel or any other suitable material. The solid rod 3 could also be formed with a longitudinal groove for locating the tip of the locking bolt 8, thereby helping to prevent relative rotation between the rod and the tubular member 4. It would, of course, also be possible to make the bank stick in other sizes - for example the rod 3 and the member 4 could each be 18 inches, 24 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches or 60 inches in length.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mount for a fishing rod support, the mount being constituted by first and second telescopic struts, the mount being provided with a connector for fixing the support substantially at right-angles thereto, wherein locking means are provided for locking the two struts together in any of a plurality of telescopic configurations within a given range of telescopic configurations, and wherein the free end of the second strut is pointed and provided with an external screw thread.

2. A mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first strut is tubular and the second strut is a solid rod.

3. A mount as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein both the struts are made of aluminium.

4. A mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector is such that the central portion of the support can be detachably fixed to the first strut, and the support is provided with at least one support bracket for receiving the shaft of a fishing rod.

5. A mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a locking bolt passing through a threaded aperture in the tubular wall of the first strut constitutes the locking means.

6. A fishing rod support mount substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.