Direct Connected Spinning Rod Handle

This invention relates to fishing rods, and more particularly to a fishing rod handle assembly.

In conventional fishing rod handle assemblies in which the handle is connected to the rod member, the rod member is completely encased within the handle. Thus, when the hand of the fisherman grasps the handle, no part of the hand is in contact with the rod member, but only in contact with the handle. Examples of such rod members fully encased in the fishing rod handle are disclosed in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,630,647, Phillipson, Mar. 10, 1953;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,826,852, Wardip, Mar. 18, 1958;

French Pat. No. 1,038,421, Schweyckart, May 6, 1953.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified fishing rod handle, more specifically a spinning rod handle, in which the rod member may be secured directly to the handle in such a manner that a portion of the rod member is exposed to the feel or engagement of the hand of the fisherman when holding the fishing rod handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fishing rod handle assembly including a very simple connection of the rod member to the handle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fishing rod handle of much lighter weight than conventional handles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fishing rod handle assembly including a handle and a rod member, in which the rod member is easily interchangeable with other fishing rod members.

An important object of this invention is to provide a fishing rod handle assembly which improves the sensitivity of the user or fisherman to the presence of striking fish.

The fishing rod handle assembly made in accordance with this invention includes an elongated handle or handle member, having an elongated groove formed in the external surface of the handle member and an elongated rod member received longitudinally within the groove. The groove is of such dimension that a portion of the rod member is exposed or projects beyond the periphery of the external surface of the handle member to permit the hand of the user or fisherman grasping the handle member to directly engage, or be in contact with, the surface of the rod member. The rod member is held in this exposed position within the groove by means of a clamp member secured about the handle member, and also preferably holding the reel seat of a spinning reel in direct contact or engagement with the exposed portion of the rod member.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the fishing rod handle assembly, made in accordance with this invention, with the rod member shown fragmentarily and a reel seat secured to the rod member;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembly disclosed in FIG. 1, with the clamp member and reel seat removed, and with the rod member slightly shifted forward to reveal the groove; and

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the assembly disclosed in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the fishing rod assembly disclosed in FIG. 1, made in accordance with this invention, includes an elongated handle or handle member 1 made of solid or tubular material, such as metal, plastic, re-inforced plastic, or wood.

Formed in the external surface of the handle 1 is an elongated slot or groove 3 adapted to receive the conventional elongated fishing rod 2, co-extensively therewith. The depth and width of the groove 3 can be varied to accept or receive an elongated fishing rod, such as the fishing rod 2 having a circular cross-section, so that a portion of ths fishing rod 2 is exposed to direct contact by the hand of the user or fisherman holding the handle 1. As best disclosed in FIG. 3, the outer periphery of the fishing rod 2 preferably projects beyond the periphery or external surface of the handle 1. Since the handle 1 is shown in circular cross-section in FIG. 3, then the exposed circular position of the rod 2 projects slightly beyond the circular periphery of the handle 1, or in other words extends a distance slightly greater than the radius of the circular handle 1.

The rod 2 is held in its operative position, longitudinally seated within the groove 3, by securing means, such as the annular clamp rings 4 extending around the outside of the handle 1 and the rod 2. As disclosed in FIG. 1, annular clamp rings 4 also extend around the reel seat 5 of a fishing reel 6 to hold the reel seat 5 in direct contact with the exposed periphery of the fishing rod 2, as disclosed in FIG. 1.

Other types of securing means for securing the elongated rod member 2 within the groove 3 may be utilized, instead of the annular clamp rings 4, such as a permanent adhesion means, tapered rings for temporary mounting, banding tapes strapped around the handle 1, rod 2 and reel seat 5, and other similar securing means.

By securing the elongated rod 2 in the groove 3 so that a portion of the rod 2 is exposed externally of the handle 1, the user's or fisherman's hand engaging the handle 1 across the groove 3 will be in direct contact with the rod 2 itself to improve the user's sensitivity to the presence of fish striking a line carried by the rod 2.

The handle 1 and securing means 4 are adapted to be readily attached to different fishing rods 2, including rods of different diameters.

In a preferred form of the invention, the handle 1 is a cylindrical handle member, approximately 6-12 inches long, formed of wood, metal, or synthetic material, having an outside diameter of 3/4-11/2 inches. The slot or groove 3 extends along the external surface of the length of the handle member and has a width and depth less than the diameter of the handle member 1.