Adjustable multi-sensory fly casting trainer and teaching method

• US 8,414,301 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Floyd D. Dean, Janet F. Dean
• Original Assignee: Floyd D. Dean, Janet F. Dean
• Inventors: Dean, Floyd D., Dean, Janet F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US12/978,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20110212423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 434/247, 434/252, 434/433, 473/219, 473/223, 473/224, 473/234, 473/457, 473/464, 446/347, 446/408, 446418-421
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools

Abstract

A fly casting training apparatus includes a shaft, a ball movable within the shaft, and adjustable limit stops for setting the range of motion of the ball within the shaft. The apparatus is used to simulate a fly casting experience, with the limit stops adjustable to simulate long casting motions, short casting motions, and casting motions therebetween. The device also includes an elastic band that may be used to simulate the double haul casting method.

Claims

1. A fly casting training apparatus for simulating fly casting comprising:

an elongated body having an axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end suitable for gripping, said elongated body having the approximate weight of a fly rod;

a movable member movably coupled to the elongated body, wherein the movable member translates substantially axially along the elongated body;

a first stop mechanism coupled to the elongated body, the first stop mechanism limiting the translation of the movable member in the proximal direction of axial movement of the movable body;

a second stop mechanism coupled to the elongated body, the second stop mechanism limiting the translation of the movable member in the proximal direction of axial movement of the movable body;

wherein a fly casting motion performed on the fly casting training apparatus causes movement of the moveable member relative to the elongated body.

2. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first stop mechanism and the second stop mechanism are comprised of a hard material such that movement of the moveable member into contact with the first stop mechanism and the second stop mechanism provides an audible feedback to a user.

3. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable member slides on an outer surface of the elongated body.

6. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first stop mechanism is adjustably positionable along the axis of the elongated body.

7. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outer body of the first stop mechanism is shaped to substantially fit the outer surface of the elongated body.

8. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a rod attached substantially parallel to the elongated body, wherein the outer body of the first stop mechanism is adapted to connect to the rod, and the first stop mechanism is adjustably positionable along the axis of the rod.

4. A fly casting training apparatus for simulating fly casting comprising:

an elongated body having an axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end suitable for gripping;

a movable member movably coupled to the elongated body, wherein the movable member translates substantially axially along the elongated body;

a first stop mechanism coupled to the elongated body, the first stop mechanism limiting the translation of the movable member in the proximal direction of axial movement of the movable body;

a second stop mechanism coupled to the elongated body, the second stop mechanism limiting the translation of the movable member in the proximal direction of axial movement of the movable body;

an elastic band attached to the proximal end of the elongated body, the elastic band usable to simulate a double haul casting technique;

wherein a fly casting motion performed on the fly casting training apparatus causes movement of the moveable member relative to the elongated body.

5. The fly casting training apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the elongated body is hollow defining an outer surface and an inner area, the elongated body having a gap in the outer surface running parallel to the axis of the elongated body; and

the first stop mechanism comprises;

an outer body disposed outside shaped to substantially fit the outer surface of the elongated body and adjustably moves axially along the elongated body;

an inner body shaped to substantially match the inner area of the elongated body and disposed within the elongated body; and

a connector section that connects the outer body to the inner body, the connector section disposed in the gap of the elongated body.

9. An adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus comprising:

a piston shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the outer tube receiving the distal end of the piston shaft, the distal end of the outer tube having a stop mechanism;

a movable member movably coupled to the outer tube, wherein the moveable member may translate along the axis of the outer tube in the distal and proximal directions, where the movable member is limited from movement in the proximal direction by the distal end of the piston shaft, and the movable member is limited from movement in the distal direction by the stop mechanism,

wherein the weight of the adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus approximates the weight of a fly rod.

10. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the piston shaft is telescopically coupled to the outer tube such that the piston shaft may be adjusted into and out of the outer tube, thereby adjusting a distance that the movable member may move relative to the outer tube.

11. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 10 wherein the stop mechanism is an end cap.

12. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 11 wherein the end cap includes a metal nut that serves to provide an audible sound when contacted by the movable member.

13. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 12 wherein the movable member is a ball bearing.

14. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 13 wherein the outer tube is a clear material, such that the ball bearing is visible inside the outer tube.

15. The adjustable fly casting trainer apparatus of claim 10 wherein the piston shaft is coupled to the outer tube with a bushing and a friction break, the bushing providing smooth translation of the piston shaft relative to the outer tube, and the friction break providing secure positioning of the piston shaft relative to the outer tube during use of the apparatus.