Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Disgorgers and gags
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-03-27
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Disgorgers and gags
C606S207000, C606S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205699
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the field of fishing and more specifically to fish hook removers for removing fish hooks without damaging fly dressing, bait, mechanical mechanisms, lures or other items affixed to hooks.
BACKGROUND ART
Fly fishing is a popular sport wherein an artificial fly is used as bait. The artificial fly is typically fabricated with fur, feathers, and the like to resemble an insect the fish are known to consume. Typically, the avid fly fisher ties his own flies. Therefore, it is desirable to have the ability to remove a hook from a caught fish without damaging the fly such that the fly can be used again, particularly when the fly has proven to be effective in luring fish. Further, because it is becoming more common to release fish back into the water, it is desirable to have the ability to remove a fish hook from a caught fish in a manner such that there is little damage to the fish. Moreover, may lakes and streams are designated as “catch and release” areas, where a fish, once caught, must be released. It desirable to prevent injury to fish during hook removal such that the health of fish is not compromised.
Fish book removers are well known in the art of fishing for use to remove a fish hook from a fish which has been caught. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor(s)
Issue Date
2,491,763
T. Raisanen
Dec. 20, 1949
3,214,859
B. Watkins
Nov. 2, 1965
3,778,919
J. O. Simon
Dec. 18, 1973
4,127,957
T. E. Bourquin
Dec. 5, 1978
5,307,586
V. Palmer
May 3, 1994
5,568,698
Harding et al.
Oct. 29, 1996
5,644,865
Harrison et al.
July 8, 1997
The '763, '957 and '865 patents disclose fish hook removers which utilize the weight of the fish to remove a fish hook. Releasing the hook from the fish is complicated by movement by the fish and further, with regard to the '763 and '957 patents, there is no way to protect a dressing on the hook. With respect to the '865 patent, there are means to protect a small dressing but the remover is not configured for larger fly dressings that are utilized in fly fishing.
The '859 patent teaches fishing tackle which includes a release implement to be used with a specially designed hook. The release implement is not an effective tool for use with commonly used hooks. Further, it does not provide a means for preventing damage to dressing tied to the hook.
The '919 and '698 patents teach hook extractor pliers which do not provide means for protecting a dressing secured to a hook.
The '586 patent discloses a fish hook remover which utilizes a plunger and includes no way of protecting a dressing secured to a hook.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fish hook remover which is configured to remove fish hooks from fish without damaging fly dressing, regardless of its size, or any other items affixed to the hook.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fish hook remover which includes a locking mechanism such that the hook remover can be locked once it grips a hook.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Other objects and advantages will be accomplished by the present invention which provides a fish hook remover for removing a fish hook from a fish without damaging dressing affixed to the fish hook. The fish hook remover includes a pair of arms pivotally mounted to one another. Each of the arms defines a first end and a second end. A hook member extends from the first end of each arm and a handle extends from the second end of each arm. The hook member extends from its respective arm at a selected angle. The hook members are configured such that the bend of the fish hook can be gripped via the hook members without disturbing the dressing.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 275790 (1984-10-01), Marlowe
patent: 990994 (1911-05-01), Lee
patent: 1093400 (1914-04-01), Gottfrid
patent: 1510416 (1924-09-01), Pietz et al.
patent: 1659112 (1928-02-01), Littlejohn
patent: 1913770 (1933-06-01), Olenik
patent: 1973569 (1934-09-01), Kurtz
patent: 2109147 (1938-02-01), Grosso
patent: 2491763 (1949-12-01), Raisanenen
patent: 2887111 (1959-05-01), Leyro Diaz
patent: 3101715 (1963-08-01), Glassman
patent: 3214859 (1965-11-01), Watkins
patent: 3364933 (1968-01-01), Leopold
patent: 3446211 (1969-05-01), Markham
patent: 3459187 (1969-08-01), Pallotta
patent: 3762417 (1973-10-01), Textor
patent: 3778919 (1973-12-01), Simon
patent: 3779248 (1973-12-01), Karman
patent: 3786815 (1974-01-01), Ericson
patent: 3921641 (1975-11-01), Hulka
patent: 4127957 (1978-12-01), Bourquin
patent: 4475544 (1984-10-01), Reis
patent: 4574804 (1986-03-01), Kurwa
patent: 4620386 (1986-11-01), Hare
patent: 4655223 (1987-04-01), Kim
patent: 4899482 (1990-02-01), Gerdes
patent: 4944739 (1990-07-01), Torre
patent: 5011491 (1991-04-01), Boenko et al.
patent: 5019092 (1991-05-01), Klintmalm
patent: 5059214 (1991-10-01), Akopov et al.
patent: 5207702 (1993-05-01), Pearl
patent: 5219354 (1993-06-01), Choudhury et al.
patent: 5250072 (1993-10-01), Jain
patent: 5307586 (1994-05-01), Palmer
patent: 5475941 (1995-12-01), Moore
patent: 5557874 (1996-09-01), Pietrandrea et al.
patent: 5568698 (1996-10-01), Harding et al.
patent: 5644865 (1997-07-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 5810878 (1998-09-01), Burel et al.
patent: 6001120 (1999-12-01), Levin
patent: 6077280 (2000-06-01), Fossum
patent: 2599937 (1997-12-01), None
Cabela's Fly Fishing 1998 Catalog, p. 39, Forceps, ref. letter U, Forceps, Jan. 1998.*
Cold Spring Anglers 1997 Catalog, p. 21, Tackle, Angler's Forceps, Jan. 1997.*
The Fly Shop 1996 Spring Catalog & Travel Digest, p. 38, Dr. Slick Last a Lifetime Forceps, Jan. 1996.
Ark Darren W.
Pitts & Brittian PC
LandOfFree
Fish hook remover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fish hook remover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fish hook remover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2498976