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This invention relates to push poles, more particularly, a power push pole for use by boaters in shallow water fishing.
The use of push poles by fishermen and women is not a new concept. Crude push poles consisting of long tree branches were used by early civilizations to propel a boat through shallow streams and rivers.
Over time, however, the push pole developed in both style and sophistication. The need for longer push poles emerged wherein current push poles now have a length of 18-24 feet. The length of the push pole may be adjustable as well, as seen in many push poles that may be assembled by a user. In addition, the distal end of the poles may include points, hooks and other designs so as to permit a user to dig into the ground of the waterway.
As the lengths of the push poles increased, the need for a lighter push pole became evident. Once made of wood or heavy metal, conventional push poles are now made of lightweight material, such as aluminum, fiberglass or carbon fiber.
Even with all of the advancements to the push pole, one thing remains the same: how to use the push pole. Although the location of the push pole user may vary from a platform located at the stern of a boat to the aft or even the sides, the user must first insert the pole into the water and ground and “walk” the pole wherein the user places one hand over the other to push the boat in a desired direction. If the boat is not positioned in the desired location once the user reaches the end of the pole, then he or she must lift the pole out of the water and reinsert it into the ground. Although this procedure seems simple to perform, actually it is quite the contrary. Walking the pole is not only tiresome but dangerous as well as a person can easily lose his or her balance while performing the maneuver. In addition, because a user will most likely need to walk the pole several times, splashing and possibly even bumping the pole against the boat may occur due to the removal and insertion of the pole into the ground, which could potentially scare fish away from the location of the boat.
Thus, a need exists for a push pole for use in fishing that is easy and safe to use.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
| Patent No. | Issue/Publication | |
| (U.S. unless stated otherwise) | Inventor | Date |
| 2,952,110 | Blanchard | Sep. 13, 1960 |
| 5,782,660 | Brickell et al. | Jul. 21, 1998 |
| 5,807,153 | Allen et al. | Sep. 15, 1998 |
| 6,945,343 | Moreau et al. | Sep. 20, 2005 |
| 5,913,373 | Forrest | Jun. 22, 1999 |
| 2,787,795 | Snodgrass | Apr. 09, 1957 |
| 5,098,087 | Matile et al. | Mar. 24, 1992 |
| 4,810,217 | Bell | Mar. 07, 1989 |
| 6,168,480 | Schaller | Jan. 02, 2001 |
| 1,716,607 | Wardell | Jun. 11, 1927 |
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a power push pole that permits a person to easily push a boat in shallow water.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a power push pole that is motorized.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a power push pole that is easy to use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power push pole that is lightweight.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a power push pole that may be used underwater.
An even further object of the present invention provide a power push pole that eliminates splashing.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a power push pole having an elongated pole having a proximal end and a distal end wherein at least one drive wheel having extending members is located at the distal end of the pole. An electric motor is preferably located adjacent to the wheel and is operable via at least one control located on the proximal end of the pole.
Alternate embodiments of the invention include the use of dual wheels for added stability, interchangeable extending members and wheel sizes to accommodate varying ground textures, speed controls and forward/reverse controls. In addition, the power push pole may be secured to a boat via a fastening means, such as a bracket, that is attachable to the handle.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the power push pole of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a drive wheel and motor of the power push pole of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the power push pole of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the motor section of the invention along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the power push pole of the present invention in use.
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
With reference to FIG. 1, a plan view of a first embodiment of the power push pole of the present invention is shown. The power push pole 1 comprises an elongated handle 2 having a proximal end 13 and a distal end 14, a motor 8 secured to the distal end 14 of the handle and at least one drive wheel 3 is secured to the motor 8. The drive wheel 3 includes a plurality of extending members 4 which radiate from the drive wheel 3, such as spikes. A wire 7 connects the motor 8 to a control 6 located on the handle 2. The control 2 permits a user to turn the power push pole 1 on and off. In addition, the control 2 may provide for varying predetermined speeds, such as slow, medium and fast, and varying predetermined directions, such as forward and reverse, of the drive wheel 3. An optional fastening means, such as a bracket 5, may be attached to the handle 2 so as to permit a user to secure the power push pole 1 to the side of a vessel or stern or polling platform.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of a drive wheel 3 and motor 8 of the power push pole 1 of the present invention. The distal end 14 of the handle 2 extends into the motor 8. A horizontal shaft 9 extending from the motor 8 to the drive wheel 3 permits rotating of the drive wheel 3 when the motor 8 is on. The motor 8 is preferably electric and, although not shown, may be located directly on the drive wheel 3. The motor 8 is waterproof and works in conjunction with reduction gears to reduce speed and increase torque.
Next, FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the power push pole 1 of the present invention. Rather than having a single drive wheel 3, the second embodiment of the power push pole 1 includes two drive wheels 3 to provide greater stability during use. The motor 8 includes a horizontal shaft 9 which extends from the first drive wheel 3, through a cog wheel 15 which is in operable connection with a worm gear 10 and out through the second drive wheel 3. When the motor 8 is operating, the worm gear 10 and cog wheel 15 work in conjunction with one another so as to rotate the drive wheels 3 in a predetermined direction, reduce speed and increase torque.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the motor 8 section of the second embodiment of the present invention along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. The horizontal shaft 9 runs through the center of the cog wheel 15. The cog wheel 15, in turn, is located adjacent to and in operation with the worm gear 10. When a user turns on the power push pole 1 via the control 6, an electrical signal powered by a power source, preferably a 12 Volt/24 Volt battery, is sent to the control 6 via wiring to the power source 16. The wire 7 from the control 6 then transmits power to the motor 8 to power the drive wheels 3. The motor 8 is sealed and covered, preferably with oil to protect the worm gear 10.
Finally, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the power push pole of the present invention in use. An optional bracket 5 may be secured to the transom or poling platform of a boat 11 so as to permit an individual to more easily maneuver the power push pole 1. Interchangeable extending members 4, such as spikes, and/or drive wheel 3 sizes may be used in conjunction with the drive wheel 3 so as to permit an individual to use the power push pole 1 in a variety of grounds 12, such as sand, mud, etc. Because the drive wheels 3 of the power push pole 1 move in a linear direction abutting the ground surface 12, less damage to grass, seaweed and other flora occurs when compared to traditional push poles which dig deep into the ground 12.
The use of the present invention will provide an easy to use and safer alternative to pushing boats through shallow water.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.