Tip-up device

• US 20050166442A1
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linda Schiemann, Richard E. Schiemann
• Original Assignee: Linda Schiemann, Richard E. Schiemann
• Inventors: Schiemann, Richard E., Schiemann, Linda
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/17
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/01 for ice-fishing ; Ice drilling, hook-setting or signalling devices

Abstract

A tip-up fishing device includes a cross frame having a horizontal section that spans a hole cut in the ice and a vertical section that supports a spool of fishing line down in the hole. A trip device operates to release a spring elastic flag pole when a fish strikes the line. The flag pole springs upright and is caused to depress a push-button transmitter switch mounted on the frame. The switch sends a signal to a remote receiver which generates an alarm signal to alert the fisherman.

Claims

1. A tip-up fishing device for catching fish through a hole in a surface of ice, comprising:

a cross frame having a generally horizontally positionable first frame section adapted to span the hole in the ice, and a generally vertically positionable frame section operatively coupled to said first frame section and having a lower end region adapted to be extended down into the hole;

a spool carried on said lower end region of said second frame section for supporting a length of fishing line;

a trip device operatively engageable with the fishing line to be operated in response to a strike on the fishing line;

an elastic flag pole mounted on said first frame section and spring-biased to an upright position, said flag pole being manually positionable to a bent-over position, said trip device operative to hold said flag pole in said bent-over position until such time as the line is struck whereby the trip device operates to release said flag pole enabling it to spring to said upright position;

a push button transmitter switch mounted on said frame adjacent said flagpole in position to be out of operative engagement with said flag pole when said flag pole is positioned in said bent-over position, and to be engaged and depressed by said flag pole upon movement to said upright position to transmit a signal; and

a receiver remotely positionable relative to said push button transmitter switch for receiving said signal and generating an alarm signal detectible by the fisherman to indicate a strike.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said push button transmitter switch includes a bracket mounting said push button transmitter switch securely but removeably on said cross frame.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said bracket includes a generally L-shaped bracket member.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said push button transmitter switch is secured to one leg of said L-shaped bracket.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the other leg of said L-shaped bracket is secured to said frame.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said push button transmitter switch is supported by said L-shaped bracket member in cantilevered fashion relative to said frame.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said one leg of said L-shaped bracket underlies said first frame section of said cross frame.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said bracket includes a clamping bracket member overlying said first frame section opposite said one leg of said L-shaped bracket member.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said bracket includes at least one fastener for mounting said L-shaped bracket member and said clamping bracket member removeably on said first frame and in secured relation to one another.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flag pole is mounted at a base to said first frame section adjacent one end of said first frame section.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said push button transmitter switch is mounted off said end of said first frame section and is adjustable in position toward and away form said flag pole.

12. The assembly of claim 11 including a bracket said push button transmitter switch in spaced relation relative to said first frame.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said push button transmitter switch is spaced from said base of said flag pole.

14. A remote electronic strike indicator kit for a tip-up fishing device operative to signal to a fisherman at a location remote from the tip-up fishing device when a fish has struck, said kit comprising:

a push button transmitter switch mountable on a frame of the tip-up fishing device adjacent an elastic flagpole in position to be out of operative engagement with the flag pole when the flag pole is positioned in a bent-over position, and to be engaged and depressed by the flag pole upon movement of the flagpole to an upright position to transmit a signal; and

a receiver remotely positionable relative to said push button transmitter switch for receiving said signal and generating an alarm signal detectible by the fisherman to indicate a strike.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said push button transmitter switch includes a bracket mounting said push button transmitter switch for attachment securely but removeably on the frame of the tip-up device.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said bracket includes a generally L-shaped bracket member.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said push button transmitter switch is secured to one leg of said L-shaped bracket.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the other leg of said L-shaped bracket is securable to said frame.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said push button transmitter switch is supportable by said L-shaped bracket member in cantilevered fashion relative to the frame.

20. The assembly of claim wherein said bracket includes a clamping bracket member positionable in overlying relation to the frame opposite said one leg of said L-shaped bracket member and at least one fastener for mounting said L-shaped bracket member and said clamping bracket member removeably on the frame and in secured relation to one another.