GB2236038A

GB2236038A - Butt extension for fishing rods

Info

Publication number: GB2236038A
Application number: GB8921256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Mcmanus
Original assignee: CARROLL MCMANUS Ltd
Current assignee: CARROLL MCMANUS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-09-20
Filing date: 1989-09-20
Publication date: 1991-03-27
Also published as: GB8921256D0

Abstract

An extension piece 11 for housing in telescopic fashion within the held end section 10 of a fishing rod is movable between one end position where the extension piece is in a stored position and a second end position where the extension piece is in an extended position. Means are included for rigidly securing said extension piece to said rod at least in an extended position. Preferably end stops are provided for both positions and may comprise cooperating tapers 12, 14 and 13, 15. Alternatively a split collet may provide securing means. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FISHING RODS AND EXTENSION DEVICES THEREFOR This invention relates to fishing rods and extension means for extending or shortening the length thereof.

An extension for a sea fishing rod is known comprising a piece of tubular material, usually fibreglass, ground at one end to fit into an existing butt of the rod.

An extension is used for example when a beach angler chooses to fit his reel at the bottom of the butt of his sea rod. A rod capable of receiving an extension allows the angler during the cast to control the reel with his left hand whilst applying a pulling force on the bottom of the butt of the rod and allows him to push the rod with the right hand higher up the butt thus giving improved control of the reel during the cast.

The extension is used when the angler wishes to wind in his line. The extension is pushed into the bottom of the rod so that the reel is far enough away from the angler's body to allow him to wind in in comfort. Without the extension the reel would be too close to the angler's body.

A problem with this arrangement is that when not in use the extension is either thrown on the ground or kept in the angler's pocket and has to be retrieved quickly should the angler catch a fish.

According to the invention there is provided an extension piece to be housed in telescopic fashion within the held end of a fishing rod, said extension piece being movable between one end Dosition where the extension piece is in a stored position and a second end position where the extension piece is in an extended position, and means for rigidly securing said extension piece to said rod at least in an extended position.

Further according to the invention there are provided means for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece and said rod at an end position to maintain said extension piece captive within said rod.

Further means may be provided for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece and said rod at the other end position.

The means for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece at one or other end position may serve also to effect the rigid securing of the extension piece in said one or other position.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a lower tubular section of a fishing rod which may comprise two or more tubular sections, and includes an extension piece and tapered means for securing same in an extended position; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section of an alternative rod section having alternative tapering means for securing the extension piece; and FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section of a further embodiment in which a collet is provided to effect securing of the extension piece.

The arrangement shown in Figure 1 comprises a rod section having an outer tubular casing 10 and an extension piece 11 telescopically slidable in said casing and movable between one end position where the extension piece is substantially wholly stored within the casing and another end position where the extension piece is extended for use.

In order to secure the extension piece in said end positions respectively there are provided identical internally tapered end stops 12, 13 located by force fit within the ends of the casing 10 respectively with the larger diameter ends facing each other.

One end stop 12 is engageable by an externally tapered surface 14 provided on one end of the extension piece 13 which is disposed within the casing 10. Likewise another externally tapered surface 15, closely adjacent but axially spaced from said first tapered surface 14 by a land 16, is provided on said extension piece. The tapering surfaces 14, 15 are complementary to the tapers in said end stops 12, 13.

For the purpose of protection to the user and for gripping by the user the end of the extension piece exterior of the casing is provided with an end cap 17 of plastics material or rubber.

The extension piece and end stops can be fitted into the existing end section and may remain in place permanently so that it may be extended by the angler when required. When extended the extension can be locked in position by giving the captive extension a twist in a clockwise direction and can be released by twisting the extension in an anticlockwise direction.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is similar in conception to that shown in Figure 1 in that tapered end stops are provided. In this example, however, the end stops are formed by a tubular insert 20 disposed at one end of the casing 10 and having two oppositely tapering internal surfaces 21, 22 spaced axially by a land 23. The surfaces 21, 22 are engageable by complementary tapering surfaces of end stops 24, 25. Frictional engagement of the cooperating internal and external tapering surfaces ensures securing of the extension piece in the stored and extended positions as desired.

In Figure 3 the extension piece 11 is securable within the casing 10 by means of a split collet 30 which closely fits its external surface within the inner surface of the casing 10. The internal surface of the collet 30 is tapered and receives the externally tapered end 32 of the extension piece 11.

A threaded rod 37, extending axially from the end 32 of the extension piece and preferably formed integrally therewith, passes through and engages a threaded bore 34 in an end collar 35 of said collet 30. A retainer 36 serves to prevent the collet becoming free from the extension piece 11.

One end of the rod section may be closed by an end cap or plug 37 and the other end of the rod section may have a collar 38 secured by press-fitting for centralising the extension piece 11 which has a closed sliding fit within a collar 38.

The tapering surfaces in any of the above examples may be in the range of 0.001 to 0.025" per inch axial length.

The invention preferably includes the outer casing which may be used to slide into the but of the lower section of a fishing rod in which case the external diameter is chosen with certain rods in mind. However, it is envisaged that the outer casing may be omitted in which case the extension piece and securing device may be adapted for fitting to an existing lower rod section.

The collet attached to the extension piece expands when the extension piece is twisted and secured the latter to the outer casing. This construction allows the extension piece to be locked in various axial positions in relation to the rod.

The invention could also be used very effectively in the design of boat casting rods or "up-tide" rods where a long but is desirable for casting but not required for normal fishing.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An extension piece to be housed in telescopic fashion within the held end of a fishing rod, said extension piece being movable between one end position where the extension piece is in a stored position and a second end position where the extension piece is in an extended position, and means for rigidly securing said extension piece to said rod at least in an extended position.

2. An extension piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece and said rod at an end position to maintain said extension piece captive within said rod.

3. An extension piece as claimed in claim 2, wherein further means are provided for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece and said rod at the other end position.

4. An extension piece as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for limiting the relative movement of the extension piece at one or other end position may serve also to effect the rigid securing of the extension piece in said one or other position.

5. An extension piece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for rigidly securing said extension piece to said rod comprises a split collet having a internal tapered surface engageable by an external tapered surface formed on the end of said extension piece.

6. An extension piece substantially as described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A fishing rod comprising a plurality of rod sections of which the lowermost rod contains within it an extension piece as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.