Adjustable Fishing Rod Butt Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fishing rods lack an adjustable butt end that can seamlessly transition between straight and curvilinear configurations, limiting their effectiveness in various fishing scenarios where different force distributions are required.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable fishing rod butt featuring a hinge assembly with a spring-loaded button mechanism that allows the rod to be locked in multiple angular positions, enabling easy conversion between linear and curvilinear shapes, and incorporating hand openings for enhanced stability and grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the butt end is made straight, then the rod is desirable when a fish is moving away from the rod, but it cannot distribute force effectively when the fish is circling or moving transverse to the rod
Solution Approach 1:
The butt end is designed with a hinge assembly that allows it to dynamically change its angular configuration relative to the rod blank. The hinge includes multiple notches that permit the butt to be locked at different angles (straight or bent), enabling the rod to adapt its shape based on the fishing scenario. This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to select the appropriate configuration for force distribution or straight-line pulling as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular parameter of the butt end relative to the rod blank is made variable through the hinge assembly with notches. By changing this angular parameter between different fixed positions (0 degrees for straight, or bent angles for force distribution), the rod can optimize its performance for different fishing conditions. This parameter change allows the same rod to provide both straight-line and force-distributing configurations.
2Strength
If the butt end is made bent (curvilinear), then the force exerted by the fish is distributed when the fish is circling or moving transverse to the rod, but it is not optimal when a fish is moving away from the rod
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly enables the butt end to dynamically switch between bent and straight configurations. When force distribution is needed, the butt is locked at a bent angle; when a fish is moving away, it can be locked in a straight position. This dynamic reconfigurability ensures the rod maintains versatility while providing optimized force distribution when required.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed angular configuration is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the rod cannot adapt to different fishing conditions requiring different force distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The butt end is segmented into movable sections connected by a hinge assembly, allowing independent positioning of each segment. This segmentation enables the creation of multiple fixed angular configurations through notches, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving adaptability. The hinge mechanism itself is a standardized component that simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to creating entirely different rod structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable hinge mechanism is added to allow multiple angular positions, then the adaptability to different fishing scenarios is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly includes a spring-loaded button that automatically engages with notches to lock the butt end at selected angles. This self-latching mechanism eliminates the need for additional locking components or complex fastening systems. The spring automatically provides the locking force, and the button serves both as a release mechanism and a positional indicator, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable butt end provides a mechanical advantage during fishing by allowing the rod to be configured for optimal force distribution, reducing the need for multiple rods and improving manufacturing efficiency, while ensuring secure reel retention and preventing slipping.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded button comprising an elongate body and at least one transverse member extending from a long axis thereof, the at least one transverse member engagable with a notch, wherein at least one spring biases the at least one transverse member into the notch such that depression of the spring loaded button disengages the at least one transverse member from the notch to permit rotational movement
Data Source
AI summary
A fishing rod butt for use with a fishing reel and a rod blank and process for operating the butt generally includes depressing a spring-loaded button of a hinge assembly coupling a link end of a first elongate member and a U-shaped end of a second elongate member configured to receive the link end of the first elongate member. The first elongate member includes an open end configured to receive a rod blank and an adjustable reel seat for receiving a fishing rod reel. The spring-loaded button includes an elongate body and at least one transverse member extending from a long axis thereof, wherein depressing the spring-loaded button compresses a biased spring and disengages the at least one transverse member from a first notch within the hinge assembly. An angular relationship between the elongate members can be changed by engaging the at least one transverse member with another notch.