Trolling Rod Outrodder Rocker Arm Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing rod holders for trolling do not securely anchor to a boat, risking accidental detachment during fishing, especially when transitioning between vertical and horizontal positions or under tension from caught fish.
Innovation Solution
A fishing rod outrodder with a locking mechanism that includes a rocker arm and support arm assembly, allowing articulation between vertical and horizontal positions, and a shaft member with a locking mechanism that engages a cross-pin in the boat's gunwale, ensuring secure attachment and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rod holder is used without a locking mechanism, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the rod holder may accidentally detach from the boat during trolling or when transitioning between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker arm assembly enables dynamic positioning of the rod holder between vertical and horizontal orientations while maintaining secure attachment to the boat through the locking mechanism engaged with the transverse reinforcement bar
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the rod holder and the boat's reinforcement bar, providing secure anchoring while allowing for controlled release when needed
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the rod holder to the boat, then accidental detachment is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the transverse reinforcement bar when the rocker arm is positioned in the horizontal orientation, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism that can independently engage and disengage from the reinforcement bar, allowing the rod holder to maintain its primary trolling function while adding security without fundamentally redesigning the entire assembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rod holder is designed to articulate between vertical and horizontal positions, then versatility is improved, but the risk of accidental detachment during transition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker arm assembly enables dynamic positioning of the rod holder between vertical and horizontal orientations while maintaining secure attachment to the boat through the locking mechanism engaged with the transverse reinforcement bar
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by pre-engaging with the reinforcement bar before position transitions occur, preventing accidental detachment during the dynamic movement between vertical and horizontal positions
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a fishing rod outrodder including a fishing rod holder having an expanded first portion, a tubular second portion and a narrowed third portion. The narrowed third portion includes a cross-beam configured to contact a bottom surface of a fishing rod. A rocker arm is disposed on a bottom portion of the tubular second portion of the fishing rod holder. The rocker arm includes an angled front portion, a substantially flat bottom portion and a rounded rear portion. The rocker arm is configured to articulate the fishing rod holder between a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal position. The substantially flat bottom portion is configured to stop the fishing rod holder from articulating when the fishing rod holder is in the substantially horizontal position.