Barrow, Bill Windsor (945 Mewborn Church Rd., Snow Hill, NC, US)

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10/906587

06/03/2008

02/25/2005

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43/43.130

43/42.220

A01K91/08

43/42.22, 43/43.12, 43/42.23, 43/9.7, 43/43.13

1188583		June, 1916	Townsend	43/42.22
1361067	Artificial minnow	December, 1920	Jordan	43/42.22
1606240	Angler's float	November, 1926	Klaserner	43/43.13
1923623	Fish lure	August, 1933	Hoage	43/42.23
2247583	Kitelike trolling sinker	July, 1941	Louthan	43/43.13
2561515	Artificial fish bait	July, 1951	Keeler	43/42.22
2563386		August, 1951	Wight, Jr.	43/42.22
2582754	Boat troller	January, 1952	Kahler	43/43.13
2608790	Fish lure	September, 1952	McFarland	43/42.22
2622362	Depth controlled trolling rudder	December, 1952	Jensen	43/43.13
2789386	Trolling devices	April, 1957	Creelman	43/43.13
2816385	Trawl doors and towing bridles therefor	December, 1957	Luketa	43/9.7
2825994	Trolling device with depth controlling means	March, 1958	Bruhn	43/43.13
2883787	Adjustable trolling device	April, 1959	Dahl	43/43.13
2914884	Trolling device	December, 1959	Dahl	43/43.13
2923085	Adjustable trolling gear	February, 1960	Dahl	43/43.13
2933848	Fish lure guide	April, 1960	Tollefson	43/43.13
3044208	Fishing kite	July, 1962	Minera	43/43.13
3134189	Hydro kite angling device	May, 1964	Hubbart	43/43.13
3145498	Line twisting and untwisting attachment	August, 1964	Kochis	43/43.13
3153298	Fishing device	October, 1964	Lemon	43/43.13
3156065	Fishing line unwinder	November, 1964	Klammer	43/43.13
3181266	Fishing kite	May, 1965	Lenfvenius	43/43.13
3201889	Shrimp net door	August, 1965	Jackson	43/9.7
3216147	Fishing kite	November, 1965	Minera	43/43.13
3230660	Floating devices	January, 1966	Meyers	43/43.13
3318038	Fishing apparatus	May, 1967	Delsol	43/43.13
3401483	Buoyant traveling device	September, 1968	Bellah et al.	43/43.13
3464142	ANGLING DEVICE	September, 1969	Hubbart	43/43.13
3529376	ACTIVATOR FOR FISHING LURES	September, 1970	Parmeson	43/43.13
D221849		September, 1971	Spade	43/43.13
3760762	TROLLING DEVICE	September, 1973	Spongberg	43/43.13
3796000	DEPTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FISH LURE	March, 1974	Nye	43/43.13
3808727	ADJUSTABLE SELF-REGULATING TROLLING DEVICE	May, 1974	Flanders	43/43.13
3818624	TROLLING DEVICE	June, 1974	Duffy	43/43.13
3898759	Trolling planar resettable below the surface of the water	August, 1975	Jensen	43/43.13
3949512	Fishing device	April, 1976	Stegemeyer	43/43.13
3971153	Device for use with fishing tackle	July, 1976	Harms	43/43.13
4161841	Fishing device	July, 1979	Holstein	43/43.13
4254573	Trolling device	March, 1981	Mastropaolo	43/43.13
4461115	Fishing float	July, 1984	Carrillo	43/43.13
4486970	Trolling depth controller	December, 1984	Larson	43/43.13
4524538	Trolling board	June, 1985	Halvorsen	43/43.13
4858370	Fishing lure for simulated feeding	August, 1989	Ryder	43/43.13
5018296	Trolling device for fishing	May, 1991	Putz, II	43/43.13
5185951	Out-rover lure	February, 1993	Hemmerle	43/43.13
5339561	Directional diving device for trolling	August, 1994	Weber	43/43.13
5355615	Fish line rudder device with stabilizer	October, 1994	Spickelmire	43/43.13
5548919	Mini-planar trolling board	August, 1996	Hicks	43/43.13
5636467	Fishing float	June, 1997	Adams	43/43.13
5867932	Trolling outrigger	February, 1999	Reiger	43/43.13
6412215	Fishing trolling device with quick attachment arrangement	July, 2002	Even	43/43.13
6493984	Fishing lure and trolling flasher	December, 2002	Bechhold	43/43.13
6658784	Fishing lure	December, 2003	Mastropaolo	43/43.13

DE4338138	May, 1994
GB2272620	May, 1994
JP09056312	March, 1997			SUBMERGING PLATE FOR TROLLING

Ark, Darren W.

Bohland, John F.

What is claimed is:

1. A trolling device comprising: a horizontally elongated body having a long axis and further having a substantially vertical slot wherein the plane of said substantially vertical slot intersects the long axis of said horizontally elongated body at an angle of φ, a planar guide fin having an attachment point, means for rotatably attaching said planar guide fin to said horizontally elongated body at said attachment point, wherein said planar guide fin both is in a substantially vertical plane that intersects the long axis of said horizontally elongated body at an angle of θ and rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to a plane in which the planar guide fin extends, and wherein a range of angular rotation of said planar guide fin about said attachment point is α, a rudder slidably constrained within said substantially vertical slot, means for limiting the sliding motion of said rudder, means for attaching a fishing line, and means for attaching a fishing leader.

2. The trolling device of claim 1 wherein θ is between ten and forty degrees, φ is between twenty and fifty degrees, and α is between five and twenty degrees.

3. The trolling device of claim 2 wherein θ is between fifteen and thirty degrees, φ is between thirty and forty degrees, and α is between five and twelve degrees.

4. The trolling device of claim 1 wherein a material of said horizontally elongated body is wood.

5. The trolling device of claim 1 wherein a material of said horizontally elongated body is plastic.

6. The trolling device of claim 1 wherein a material of said rudder is an iron alloy.

7. The trolling device of claim 1 wherein a material of said rudder is a copper alloy.

8. The trolling device of claim 3 wherein a material of said horizontally elongated body is plastic and a material of said rudder is an iron alloy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fishing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to bobbers and planers for slow trolling.

Trolling is a popular method of fishing for many recreational species. It is a particularly effective method for certain species in their preferred habitats. However, special devices such as planers, downriggers, and outriggers must be used to put the baits at the desired depth and horizontal distance from the boat. This is especially true when, as is usually the case, it is desired to deploy multiple lines in order to increase the probability of catching a fish. In addition to placing the baits in the desired positions, the above fishing devices enable multiple fishing lines to be spatially separated to minimize entanglement.

Planers are grouped in two general categories, depth planers and side planers. Depth planers are usually nonbuoyant and use a single planar surface that drives the device deep into the water when it is towed behind a slow moving boat. Side planers, are usually buoyant and have one or more planar surfaces to drive the device to either the starboard or port side of the towing vessel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,919, incorporated herein by reference, describes a planar board having a buoyant body with weights that are adjustable for fishing on the port or starboard side of the boat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,951, incorporated herein by reference, describes a trolling device designed to carry a fishing line horizontally away from a boat by means of a fixed keel and rudder. The orientation of the rudder relative to the keel determines whether the device operates on the port or starboard side of the boat. Since the rudder is fixed, individual devices are specifically made for either starboard or port use; they are not adaptable for use on either side.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,181,266, incorporated herein by reference, describes a planar trolling device having a buoyant body with a weighted keel suitable for moving a line horizontally away from a boat. The fishing line is held by a clamping arm that is movable from one side of the body to the other, thereby allowing trolling on the starboard or port side of the boat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trolling device that can be easily adapted for trolling on the port or starboard side of a boat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a low-cost trolling device having a small number of easily manufactured parts.

A trolling device according to the present invention comprises an elongated buoyant body with a planar guide fin and a planar rudder. The guide fin and rudder are movable to different positions depending on whether starboard or port side trolling is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bobber-planer according to the present invention rigged to troll on the port side of a boat, approximately as viewed from the boat.

FIG. 2 is a different view of the bobber-planer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bobber-planer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bobber-planer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a bobber-planer according to the present invention rigged to troll on the starboard side of a boat, approximately as viewed from the boat.

FIG. 6 is a different view of the bobber-planer shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the bobber planer shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a planar guide fin as used in a bobber-planer according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rudder as used in a planer-bobber according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows bobber-planers being used to troll on the starboard and port sides of a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 , and 4 show a bobber-planer according to the present invention rigged for trolling on the port side of a boat. The body ( 10 ) of the device is fabricated from an elongated section of buoyant material. Although the cross-section shown is substantially elliptic, other shapes such as round, square, and rectangular are also suitable. The forward portion of the body is tapered to improve hydrodynamic performance. Suitable materials for the body include wood, plastic, and other materials that are buoyant or can be made to be buoyant. The taper in the forward portion of the body is produced by machining or molding. A planar guide fin ( 11 ) is rotatably attached to the body by a screw ( 12 ) or other fastening means. The planar guide fin is in a substantially vertical plane that intersects the long axis of the horizontally elongated body at an angle of θ. Preferably, the angle θ is between ten degrees and forty degrees. More preferably, θ is between fifteen degrees and thirty degrees. A screw eye ( 13 ) or other means for attaching a trolling line passes through a rectangular aperture ( 14 ) in the guide fin and is secured in the body. The planar guide fin may be fabricated from plastic, wood, metal, or other suitable material. The length of the rectangular aperture defines the rotational limits of the planar guide fin. As shown in the figures, the planar guide fin is moved to the “down” side relative to the body, and this position depends on whether the device is being trolled on the port or starboard side. Preferably, the total range of rotational movement of the planar guide fin, α, is between five and twenty degrees. More preferably, α is between five and twelve degrees.

A rudder ( 15 ) is slidably constrained within a slot ( 16 ) in the body. The slot, and hence the plane of the rudder, intersects the long axis of the body at an angle of φ. Preferably φ is between twenty and fifty degrees. More preferably, φ is between thirty and forty degrees. Note that the rudder angle is measured in a direction opposite to that used for measuring the planar guide fin angle, θ. The acute angle between the planar guide fin and the rudder is then θ+φ. The rudder is used in whichever position is “down” when trolling on the port or the starboard side. The rudder has a trailing aperture ( 17 ) and a leading aperture ( 18 ), either one of which may be used to attach a line to a fishing lure or bait when trolling on the port side of the boat. The rudder has an elongated aperture ( 19 ) through which a screw, pin, or other means passes through to limit the motion of the rudder in the slot. When trolling on the starboard side of the boat, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 , and 7 , the rudder is moved to the down position, thereby exposing the trailing aperture ( 21 ) and the leading aperture ( 22 ) for attaching a line to a fishing lure or bait. In addition to the planar surface for guiding the bobber-planer, the rudder provides ballast to aid in keeping the device upright. Preferred materials for the rudder have specific gravities greater than two. Suitable copper and iron alloys are especially preferred because they offer relatively low cost, moderately high density, high strength, and reasonably high corrosion resistance. Stainless steel and bronze are especially preferred materials.

FIG. 8 shows the details of a planar guide fin ( 11 ) without the other components. A substantially circular aperture ( 23 ) provides an attachment point allowing rotation of the planar guide fin over a rotational range defined by the length of the rectangular aperture ( 14 ).

FIG. 9 shows the details of a rudder ( 15 ) without the other components. The length of elongated aperture ( 19 ) defines the range of motion of the rudder in slot ( 16 ) of the body ( 10 ). When the bobber-planer is set for port-side trolling, apertures ( 17 ) and ( 18 ) are available for attaching a line or leader to a fishing lure or bait; when set for starboard-side trolling, apertures ( 21 ) and ( 22 ) are available for this purpose.

FIG. 10 shows schematically a method for using bobber-planers according to the present invention. A boat ( 23 ) is moving forward at a speed of 0.5 to 6 knots or, more preferably, 1 to 3 knots. A starboard fishing rod ( 24 ) has starboard fishing line ( 25 ) running to a starboard-side bobber-planer ( 26 ). A starboard leader ( 27 ) is attached to a starboard fishing bait ( 28 ). A port fishing rod ( 29 ) has port fishing line ( 30 ) running to a port-side bobber-planer ( 31 ). A port leader ( 32 ) is attached to a port fishing bait ( 33 ).