Ice fishing tip-up device

Abstract

An improved tip-up flag device having a generally disk-shaped housing with a plurality of raised portions on the upper surface thereof which are substantially hollow to create corresponding cavities on the underside. A retaining and releasing assembly, connected to a reel spool assembly, is rotatably mounted in the housing for movement between a retracted position and an in-use position. When retracted, the reel spool assembly fits to be at least flush within one of the cavities. Other of the raised portions form a handle, an integrated tackle compartment and a flag securing post. The height, size and positioning of each of these raised portions is such that multiple devices may be evenly stacked and held against one another for convenient storage and transport.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention is related to the field of ice fishing and, more particularly, to an improved tip-up flag device having adjustable trip settings and improved pivot mechanism, as well as improved compactness, handling and performance characteristics. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] To increase the enjoyability and effectiveness of time spent ice fishing, various signaling devices have been used to visually indicate to the ice fisherman when a fish has taken a particular line. A retracted signal device, such as a signal flag, has been used extensively, being held in a non-signaling position by various structural arrangements and then being released to a signaling position when a fish has been hooked. The fisherman, who may be some distance away, is then alerted of the need to tend the line without wasting time sitting next to the hole in the ice, waiting for a fish. [0005] As the fisherman may ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tip-up flag device that partially nests and is self-stacking so as to overcome the difficulties of transporting a plurality of such devices to the ice fishing location and facilitate shipping and storage.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tip-up flag device for ice fishing that is equipped with a built-in hook holder to prevent line tangles.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tip-up flag device that is compact in size and sturdy in construction so as to effectively seal a drilled ice hole and prevent the hole from freezing.

[0013] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tip-up flag device which is simple in construction, easy to use, effective and durable, and can be easily manufactured for using readily available components.

[0014] In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention is directed to a tip-up device having a generally disk-shaped housing on which are mounted a flag assembly and a retaining and releasing assembly connected to a reel spool assembly. The housing includes a plurality of raised portions on the upper surface thereof which create corresponding cavities on the underside, including a spool cavity. The retaining and releasing assembly is rotatably mounted in the frame for movement between a retracted position and an in-use position. The reel spool assembly, when retracted, fits fully within the spool cavity so that no component extends below the lower surface of the housing. Other of the raised portions form a handle assembly, an integrated tackle compartment and a flag securing post. The height and partial nesting of each of the raised portions is such that multiple devices may be stacked and held level against one another for convenient storage and transport.

Problems solved by technology

As the fisherman may have many fishing lines baited at any given time, and dispersed over a broad area, false fish-on-the-hook “signaling” alarms caused by inadequate trip settings are undesirable, both from the standpoint of the effort required to tend and reset the signal device, and due to the possibility that the valid activation of another signaling flag device may be missed during the resetting interval.

In addition to the dynamics of the fishing process itself, the deployment of a plurality of tip-up flag devices can be awkward as the devices are somewhat bulky and typically irregular in shape.

Once they are outfitted with line and hooks, they are increasingly cumbersome and prone to becoming tangled with one another.

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