Devices and process to keep ice fishing holes from freezing

Abstract

A process and devices useful in ice fishing or spearing to keep the water surface in the hole free of ice. The innate reservoir of warm water in a lake or river is utilized with a pump or bubbler to keep the surface of the water above freezing and free of ice. Devices with a small submergible pump, bubbler, or other water transfer means together various inlet and outlet nozzles, inlet and outlet extensions, with a support frame, power source, and operating conveniences are adapted to move the warmer water from lower levels to the surface of the ice hole.

1 . A process for keeping an ice fishing or spearing hole or multiple holes free of ice comprising the steps of: a) providing a umping or liquid transfer means with an inlet and outlet, and b) using said pumping or liquid transfer means to move water from a warmer location to the surface, and optionally providing a means for adjusting the water transfer type or rate to meet various ice hole supply or maintenance requirements which might be melting or weather related.  
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid transfer means is electrically, mechanically, or manually operated.  
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid transfer means is located in or below the hole in the ice.  
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the inlet for the liquid pumping means is located in a seperate hole in the ice and the outlet of the pump is directed to areas of interest in another hole or holes.  
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein a bubbling liquid transfer means directs air to multiple ice holes.  
   
   
       6 . A process for moving water to create agitation or various flow patterns in an ice fishing hole to assist and enhance fishing techniques to catch more fish.  
   
   
       7 . A device for keeping the water surface of an ice fishing or spearing hole from freezing comprising: 
 a. a pumping or water transfer means with access to warmer water below the surface;    b. an outlet from the pumping or water transfer means able to direct the warmer water flow to the surface of the ice fishing hole.    
   
   
       8 . A device as recited in  claim 7  that utilizes electrical, mechanical, or manual power as a method for creating a water movement.  
   
   
       9 . A device as recited in  claim 7  where the method of bringing the warm water to the surface comprises a water moving apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . A device as recited in  claim 7  comprising various means of adjusting the pumping or bubbling flow rate or the ability to adjust the level from which the water is drawn or sourced.  
   
   
       11 . A device as recited in  claim 7  comprising a method of supplying warmer water to the ice fishing or spearing hole, or series of holes, from an adjacent or different hole in the ice to keep the hole or holes from refreezing.  
   
   
       12 . A device as recited in  claim 7  comprising a bubbler and inter-connected tubing which provide a method of keeping an ice hole or multiple ice holes from refreezing.  
   
   
       13 . A device as recited in  claim 7  comprising the addition of sensors and a temperature controller, voltage control, timer or other control to adjust the device's output and the deicing process based on ambient temperature, water temperature, ice hole size or other parameter to provide a desired melting objective.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 7  for moving the warmer water from lower levels to the surface of an ice fishing or spearing hole to keep it from freezing comprising: 
 a pump or bubbler placed above or in the ice hole at various depths to move the warmer water to the surface of the hole;    a frame with optional legs that provides a stationary location and supports an extending arm or tube, the pump or bubbler, the battery, and accessories and sits adjacent to or above the ice hole and can be adjusted for varying types of fishing or varying heights of water in the ice fishing hole;    an extending arm that is attached to the frame for mounting and supporting the pump or bubbler and tubes or hoses in the ice fishing hole with the capability of folding and disassembly for convenient storage and transporting and able to be quickly removed from the ice hole while catching a fish;    an extension that can be added to the inlet of the pumping device or means for lowering the bubbler outlet so warmer water from lower levels can be brought to the surface;    an adjustable pump or bubbler outlet to direct the water flow to the surface or tailor the flow pattern or bubbling to provide the desired agitation or water movement in the ice fishing hole.