Fishing reel seat for improving sensitivity

Abstract

The invention discloses a fishing reel seat for improving sensitivity. A reel seat for a fishing rod having a rod blank with a thick end and a rod tip, the reel seat comprising a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate portion, where only the proximal end is directly secured to the rod blank, the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body are spaced from an outer surface of a portion of the rod blank passing therethrough, a first opening in the bottom side of the distal end of the body allows the index finger of the user to directly contact the rod blank, a second opening in the bottom side of the middle portion of the body allows at least one of the ring finger and the little finger of the user to directly contact the rod blank, and an integral connection section separates the first opening and the second opening from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to fishing reels and, more particularly, to a reel seat that provides the angler with improved sensitivity when the fishing line is pulled. Background Art

[0002] A reel seat provides a connection that secures the reel to the fishing rod. It also provides a handle for the angler to grip while using the rod. Conventionally, a reel seat surrounds a portion of the rod and can be used as a handle by the angler. However, this reel seat can dampen vibrations from the rod, reducing the sensitivity of the fishing rod. Therefore, a reel seat that provides improved sensitivity for anglers is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a reel seat for a fishing rod, the fishing rod having a rod blank with a butt end and a rod tip, the reel seat including a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle portion, wherein only the proximal end is directly fixed to the rod blank, the middle portion and the distal end of the body are spaced apart from the outer surface of a portion of the rod blank passing therethrough, a first opening in the bottom side of the distal end of the body allows a user's index finger to directly contact the rod blank, a second opening in the bottom side of the middle portion of the body allows a user's ring finger and at least one of the little finger to directly contact the rod blank, and an integral connecting section separates the first opening and the second opening from each other.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the reel seat is provided with a front reel foot cavity on the top side near the distal end of the body.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a reel seat is provided with a rear reel foot member configured to slide onto and along the proximal end of the main body and having a rear reel foot cavity.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal end of the body of the reel seat includes external threads, and the reel seat further includes a locking nut having internal threads and configured to engage the external threads of the body and advance or retract along the proximal end of the body to position the rear reel foot component.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a reel seat for a fishing rod is provided, the fishing rod having a rod blank with a butt end and a rod tip, the reel seat including a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate portion located between the proximal and distal ends, wherein only the proximal end of the body is directly fixed to the rod blank near the butt end of the rod tip, wherein the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body are spaced apart from the outer surface of a portion of the rod blank passing through the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body; the body also includes a first opening located in the bottom side of the distal end of the body, the first opening being configured to allow a user's index finger to directly contact the rod blank; a second opening located in the bottom side of the intermediate portion of the body, the second opening being configured to allow at least one of a user's ring finger and little finger to directly contact the rod blank; an integral connecting section separating the first opening and the second opening from each other; and an external thread near the proximal end of the body; a rear reel foot component configured to slide onto and along the proximal end of the body and having a rear reel foot cavity; and a locking nut having an internal thread and configured to engage the external thread of the body and advance or retract along the proximal end of the body to position the rear reel foot component.

[0008] These and other aspects are merely illustrative of the numerous aspects related to the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting in any way. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Reference will now be made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best mode presently known for carrying out the present disclosure, and in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

[0010] Figure 1 is a side view of a reel seat assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the reel seat assembly along the centerline from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side view of the reel seat of the reel seat assembly.

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic side view identifying a reel seat area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic side view identifying a reel seat area according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following description of the technology is merely an exemplary description of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or use of any particular invention claimed in this application or in other applications that may be filed based on priority to this application or in patents that may issue therefrom. The following definitions and non-limiting guidelines must be considered when reviewing the description of the technology described herein.

[0016] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. For example, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific types of industry applications shown in the figures. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0017] The headings and subheadings used herein are intended only to generally organize the subject matter of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. Specifically, the subject matter disclosed in the "Background" section may include new technology and may not constitute a record of prior art. The subject matter disclosed in the "Summary" section is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiment thereof. The classification or discussion of materials as having particular uses in certain sections of this specification is for convenience only and should not be inferred that the materials, when used in any given composition, must or will function only according to the classification herein.

[0018] The citation of references herein does not constitute an admission that these references are prior art or have any relevance to the patentability of the technology disclosed herein. All references cited in the "Detailed Description" section of this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0019] Figures 1 to 4 An embodiment of a reel seat assembly 10 according to the present disclosure is shown. The reel seat assembly 10 can include a three-part arrangement, including a body 14, a rear spool capture member 18, and a locking nut 22. The reel seat assembly 10 surrounds and is coupled to a rod blank 26. The reel seat assembly 10 has a distal end 30 and a proximal end 34, as well as a top side 38 and a bottom side 42. In some embodiments, the body 14 can include a trigger extension 46.

[0020] The proximal end 34 of the body 14 may be secured to the rod blank 26 by adhesive or other suitable means. The remainder of the body 14, particularly the middle and distal portions of the body 14, is preferably spaced apart from the outer surface of the rod blank 26, such as Figure 2 The spacing of the intermediate and distal portions of the body 14 allows the rod blank 26 to move or "float" in a limited radial direction within these portions of the body 14.

[0021] The bottom side 42 of the body 14 is provided with a first opening 58 and a second opening 62 separated by a connecting section 54. The connecting section 54 forms part of and is integral with the body 14. The connecting section 54 increases the structural rigidity of the body 14 and provides a surface that enables a user to support the rod and reel with a portion of their hand without directly compressing the rod blank 26. The first opening 58 and the second opening 62 in the body 14 allow some of the user's fingers to directly contact the rod blank 26 to detect vibrations of the rod blank 26.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the second opening 62 of the body 14 is positioned to accommodate the user's ring and pinky fingers. These fingers are associated with branches of the ulnar nerve, which is isolated from the more complex nerves and therefore tends to be more sensitive to touch and vibration than other fingers. Thus, direct contact between the user's ring and pinky fingers and the rod blank 26 enhances the user's ability to detect vibrations transmitted along the rod blank 26 from the rod tip to the reel seat, such as when a fish strikes.

[0023] First opening 58 is located near distal end 30 of body 14, allowing a user's index finger to make direct contact with rod blank 26. First opening 58 is located at a greater distance from the proximal portion of body 14 secured to rod blank 26, which allows for a greater vibration amplitude to occur than at second opening 62. Thus, while the index finger is less sensitive to touch and vibration, the greater vibration amplitude at first opening 58 still provides the user with enhanced noticeability of any vibration.

[0024] Figure 4 The aforementioned body regions are identified as being relevant to the transmission of vibration from the rod tip along the rod blank 26 to the reel seat. Due to the relative rigidity of the body 14, there is typically little vibration in region A of the body 14. Conversely, regions B and C, located at the first opening 58 and the second opening 62, experience significantly greater vibration, with the index finger and ring / pinky finger contacting the rod blank 26 at regions B and C, respectively. Furthermore, the contrast between the relative rigidity of the body 14 adjacent to the first opening 58 and the non-vibrating portion of the rod blank 26 makes vibration of the rod blank 26 at this location more pronounced.

[0025] The rear spool capture member 18 is configured to slide onto the proximal portion of the main body 14 and includes a cavity 74 that is also configured to engage and restrain the rear end of the spool foot. The locking nut 22 includes internal threads 68 that engage external threads 66 on the proximal end 34 of the main body 14 to advance and secure the rear spool capture member 18, thereby securing the spool foot in place. Corresponding to the cavity 74 of the rear spool capture member 18, the top side 38 of the main body 14 may also include another cavity 70 to engage and restrain the front end of the spool foot.

[0026] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a reel seat according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 The embodiments include Figures 1 to 4 The same limitations as the embodiment of the invention, except that it has a single opening in the body to allow the user's fingers to directly contact the rod blank. Figure 5 The embodiment has region A' which experiences minimal or no vibration, while region B' experiences significantly more pronounced vibration.

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above to explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure. However, since various modifications may be made to the constructions and methods described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings (including all materials expressly referenced herein) be interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A reel seat for a fishing rod having a rod blank with a butt end and a rod tip, the reel seat comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal ends, wherein only the proximal end of the body is directly secured to the rod blank near the butt end of the rod tip, wherein the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body are spaced apart from an outer surface of a portion of the rod blank that passes through the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body; and Wherein, the body further comprises at least a first opening in a bottom side of the distal end of the body, the first opening being configured to allow at least one of a user's fingers to directly contact the rod blank.

2. The reel seat according to claim 1, used for the fishing rod, wherein: The first opening is configured to allow at least the user's index finger to directly contact the rod blank, and the body further comprises: a second opening in a bottom side of the middle portion of the body, the second opening configured to allow at least one of a ring finger and a pinky finger of the user to directly contact the rod blank; and An integral connecting section separates the first opening and the second opening from each other.

3. The reel stand of claim 1 further comprising a front reel foot cavity on a top side near the distal end of the body.

4. The reel seat of claim 1, further comprising a rear reel foot member configured to slide onto and along the proximal end of the body and having a rear reel foot cavity.

5. The reel seat of claim 4 , wherein the proximal end of the body further comprises external threads, and further comprising a locking nut having internal threads, the locking nut being configured to engage the external threads of the body and to advance or retract along the proximal end of the body to position the rear reel foot component.

6. A reel seat for a fishing rod having a rod blank with a butt end and a rod tip, the reel seat comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal ends, wherein only the proximal end of the body is directly secured to the rod blank near the butt end of the rod tip, wherein the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body are spaced apart from an outer surface of a portion of the rod blank that passes through the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body; the body further comprising: at least a first opening in a bottom side of the distal end of the body, the first opening configured to allow at least one of a user's fingers to directly contact the rod blank; and external threads near the proximal end of the body; a rear reel foot member configured to slide onto and along the proximal end of the body and having a rear reel foot cavity; and A locking nut having internal threads and configured to engage with the external threads of the body and to advance or retract along the proximal end of the body to position the rear reel foot member.

7. The reel seat of claim 6, wherein the first opening is configured to allow a user's index finger to directly contact the rod blank, and the body further comprises: a second opening in a bottom side of the middle portion of the body, the second opening configured to allow at least one of a ring finger and a pinky finger of the user to directly contact the rod blank; as well as An integral connecting section separates the first opening and the second opening from each other.

8. A reel seat for a fishing rod having a rod blank with a butt end and a rod tip, the reel seat comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal ends, wherein only the proximal end of the body is directly secured to the rod blank near the butt end of the rod tip, wherein the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body are spaced apart from an outer surface of a portion of the rod blank that passes through the intermediate portion and the distal end of the body; the body further comprising: a first opening located in a bottom side of the distal end of the body, the first opening configured to allow a user's index finger to directly contact the rod blank; a second opening in a bottom side of the middle portion of the body, the second opening configured to allow at least one of a ring finger and a pinky finger of the user to directly contact the rod blank; an integral connecting section separating the first opening and the second opening from each other; and external threads near the proximal end of the body; a rear reel foot member configured to slide onto and along the proximal end of the body and having a rear reel foot cavity; and A locking nut having internal threads and configured to engage with the external threads of the body and to advance or retract along the proximal end of the body to position the rear reel foot member.

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