US 6,584,723 B2Granted

Pole handling apparatus

AssigneeKeeper Manufacturing, Inc.

InventorJames F. Elmore

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Abstract

A pole handling apparatus includes a T-shaped base mount with a connecting member pivotally attached thereto. A cradle member is attached to the connecting member, and two securing arms are pivotally attached to the cradle member. The cradle member is secured to the connecting member via a pin, with the cradle member including a base plate with a pair of attached sidewalls. A central aperture traverses the base plate such that the pin may extend through the base plate to join with the mounting cylinder. At least one of the sidewalls includes a recession to receive and support the fishing pole. To secure the fishing pole in the pole handling apparatus, the securing arms are initially in an open position, and the fishing pole is inserted into the recession of the sidewall. The securing arms will pivot from the open position to the closed position as the fishing pole is inserted into the recession. When in the closed position, the cradle and securing arms will enclose a portion of the fishing pole to prevent the removal of the fishing pole other than by a lifting force normal to the cradle.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for securely holding a pole comprising the steps of:

a) providing a pole handling apparatus comprising a cradle member and a first securing arm and a second securing arm pivotally connected to said pole handling apparatus, each pivotally attached to the cradle member, the first securing arm and the second securing arm pivoting in opposing directions, and pivoting in such a manner that planar portions of the first securing arm and the second securing arm contact one another in a closed position, said first and second securing arms each being substantially L-shaped, wherein said first securing arm includes a first substantially planar pivoting plate coupled to a first substantially planar locking plate such that said first substantially planar pivoting plate is substantially perpendicular to said first substantially planar locking plate, and wherein said second securing arm includes a second substantially planar pivoting plate coupled to a second substantially planar locking plate such that said second substantially planar pivoting plate is substantially perpendicular to said second substantially planar locking plate;
b) pivoting said securing arms to an open position wherein said first substantially planar pivoting plate is substantially in line with said second substantially planar pivoting plate;
c) engaging said first and second substantially planar pivoting plates with a pole;
and
d) rotating said securing arms such that said first substantially planar locking plate engages said second substantially planar locking plate.

2 more elements

A pole handling assembly for securely engaging a pole, said pole handling assembly comprising:

a support member;
a cradle member connected to said support member;
and
a pair of securing arms pivotally attached to said cradle member, said securing arms pivotable between an open position and a closed position,
wherein said pair of securing arms comprises a first securing arm and second securing arm, each pivotally attached to said cradle member, said first securing arm and said second securing arm pivoting in opposing directions, said first securing arm and said second securing arm each having substantially planar portions and pivoting in such a manner that the planar portions contact one another in a closed position,
wherein said first securing arm includes a first substantially planar pivoting plate connected to a first substantially planar locking plate;
wherein said second securing arm includes a second substantially planar pivoting plate connected to a second substantially planar locking plate;
wherein said first substantially planar pivoting plate is substantially normal to said first substantially planar locking plate;
and
wherein said second substantially planar pivoting plate is substantially normal to said second substantially planar locking plate.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.