Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Disgorgers and gags
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-22
2003-07-01
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Disgorgers and gags
Reexamination Certificate
active
06584726
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a simple, inexpensive, and easily fabricated device for removing a fish hook located anywhere in a fish's lip, jaw, mouth or throat without removing the fish from the water or handling it in any way. When the hook is dressed as an artificial fly, the dressing is unharmed.
2. State of the Art
Excellent summaries of the state of the art can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,865 columns 1 and 2, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,403 columns 1 and 2. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,865, the prior art mentioned focuses on the disadvantages of the “clamping type” device such as forceps and pliers:
Forceps and pliers can damage the fly, especially if the fly is very small.
These devices are cumbersome to use.
The fish must be grasped when a clamping type device is used to remove a hook. Improper handling of the fish at this time greatly reduces the chance that the fish will survive.
The disadvantages of the “Ketchum Release” device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,865 are:
A single “Ketchum Release” device cannot handle the range of fly sizes normally used by fly fishermen. Originally, three sizes were marketed as “Midge,” “Standard,” and “Big Bug.” The Orvis 2002 catalog shows two sizes, Small (hooks
10
-
18
) and Large (hooks
10
+) without defining
10
+. The Ketchum Release device is also expensive to make.
Other drawbacks are mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,403:
An effort must be maintained to prevent the line from escaping the tubular portion of the device.
The device is awkward to use because it is ergonomically unsound.
Because the tubular section is at an angle to the handle, it sometimes cannot be inserted into the fish's mouth properly; the handle hits the fish's nose or jaw.
Engaging the bend of the hook is made difficult because the fisherman must concentrate on keeping the line away from the tube's slit.
The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,403 is expensive to make. Two different designs are required: one for “small” fish and one for “larger” fish. The terms “small” and “larger” are not defined.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principle objective of the present invention is to provide a simple device for removing a fish hook located anywhere in a fish's lips, jaw, mouth or throat without removing the fish from the water or handling the fish in any way. This in turn makes it easy for the fisherman to practice “Catch and Release.”
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device that eliminates the possibility of rehooking the fish at the instant the fish is released.
A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a device that eliminates damage to the dressing when the hook being removed is dressed as an artificial fly.
A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a single device that is effective in removing the entire range of fly sizes (size 28 through size 1) normally used by fly fishermen.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device that prevents the line or leader from exiting the device during the release process.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device that is so simple to use that it works well even in the dark.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2103008 (1937-12-01), Kinast
patent: 2387928 (1945-10-01), Monnier
patent: 2502793 (1950-04-01), Kinney
patent: 2519098 (1950-08-01), Aye
patent: 2586431 (1952-02-01), Krichbaum
patent: 2797523 (1957-07-01), Dillard
patent: 2828574 (1958-04-01), Metzger
patent: 3377735 (1968-04-01), Daughtry
patent: 3713243 (1973-01-01), Tetzner
patent: 4014131 (1977-03-01), Bendik
patent: 4206561 (1980-06-01), Wong et al.
patent: 5644865 (1997-07-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 6032403 (2000-03-01), Steck, III
patent: 2318691 (1974-11-01), None
patent: 2416116 (1975-10-01), None
patent: 873063 (1961-07-01), None
Ark Darren W.
Ray Quinny and Nebecker
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