Knots and knot tying – Hand implements
Reexamination Certificate
2003-09-08
2004-11-16
Welch, Gary L. (Department: 3765)
Knots and knot tying
Hand implements
C289S018100, C289S001500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817634
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device or apparatus for tying knots and in particular to a device for tying a knot in a fishing line so as to attach a hook or lure or the like to the fishing line.
Although the following description refers primarily to the tying of hooks or lures to a fishing line, no such limitation is intended thereby, and any adaptation of the invention whereby a knot may be formed in a line or rope or the like for the purpose of tying an item thereto, especially when that item has an eye through which the line or rope is fed to form the knot, is also meant to be included.
Although a substantial number of knots may be used when tying a hook or lure to a fishing line, it is well known that a number of available knots will substantially diminish the breaking strain of the line. In addition, a number of knots have a tendency to slip, especially when it is appreciated that they are used with fishing line which is generally nylon and consequently itself a fairly slippery material. These factors of course are extremely important, as failure of the line caused by breaking or loss of the fishing rig because a knot has slipped will mean that the fishing tackle including hook and bait etc will have been lost and worse still the fish will have gotten away.
On the other hand, it has been established that certain types of knots, particularly those which involve the application of a number of turns or twists to either one or both of the two parts of the line which form the knot (ie after the line has been fed though the eye), may be less likely to cause such a reduction in the breaking strain of the line. However, not all knots which involve twists will be useful as some of these have been found to have a tendency to slip, and/or still cause a reduction in the breaking strain, by virtue of the geometry of the knot.
Thus some knots such as the so called “half-blood” knot, whilst not diminishing the breaking strain of the line, may be prone to slip. One improved form of knot however which is based on the half-blood knot and which helps obviate some slippage is known as a clinch knot. In this particular knot, the line is passed through the eye of the hook or swivel of a lure and doubles back upon itself at which point the free end is wound five or so turns around the main line and away from the eye. The end of the line is then looped back (forming a large loop) and passed through the first loop nearest the hook or swivel in the same initial formation as the half-blood knot, except that it is then again passed through the large loop thus formed. The knot is then drawn into shape and the coils thus formed are slid down against the eye to tighten the knot. Although this knot is less likely to slip than some other knots including the half blood knot, there is a tendency for this arrangement to diminish the breaking strain of the line because the primary line itself becomes twisted in the process of forming and tightening the knot. (This knot is illustrated in the accompanying figures and described in detail later in this specification.) Furthermore, in the clinch knot just referred to, the free end of the line tends to point in the direction of the hook which may be a disadvantage in certain fishing applications.
A somewhat similar knot, but with further improved properties, is the so called hangman's knot or uni-knot. In this variation, the line is run through the eye of the hook or swivel (for at least 15 centimetres or so) and folded back to make two parallel lines. The free end of the line is then drawn back in a circle towards the hook or lure. After making five or six turns with the free end around the double line, the free end is then inserted through the circle previously formed and whilst holding the double line at a point where it passes through the eye, the free end is pulled to “snug up” or compress the turns. The knot is then slid up towards the eye of the hook by pulling on the “standing” or primary line until the knot is tight. The free end is then trimmed flush as required. Because of the structure of the hangman's knot, the primary line itself is not twisted and hence there is no substantive reduction in the breaking strain of the line. Furthermore, the hangman's knot or uni-knot ought not slip. With advantage, the free end of the line is also pointing away from the hook, which is generally much more desirable.
Unfortunately, as would be expected, such knots which involve a number of twists require a greater degree of dexterity and as a consequence, many fishermen especially when fishing in the dark or in poor light conditions, will make do by tying a simpler and more conventional knot including, for example, even a simple granny or reef knot, both of which are prone to reduce the breaking strength of the line or slip badly, particularly in the case of the granny knot.
Whilst there have been several attempts in the prior art to provide devices for tying knots of one form or another, including the aforementioned clinch knot, there are however, no known devices capable of tying the hangman's knot or uni-knot.
It would therefore be extremely advantageous if there were a device suitable for tying a hangman's or uni-knot for use in attaching a hook or lure or other fishing tackle to a fishing line. It would also be advantageous if such a device were able to be fitted to the fishing rod to avoid having to hold an additional device, although a hand held device would also be advantageous.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an effort to ameliorate some or all of the foregoing disadvantages presented by less useful knots, especially in so far as the prior art devices do not address the problem of tying a hangman's knot or uni-knot, the present invention has therefore been conceived out of the need to provide a device for tying a knot, especially a hangman's knot or uni-knot in a fishing line whereby a hook, lure or other item of fishing tackle may be affixed to the line whilst maintaining as far as possible the breaking strength of the line and producing a knot which avoids slippage.
At the very least the invention provides an alternate device for tying knots, especially for tying the hangman's knot or uni-knot, than has hitherto been available.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for forming a knot in a fishing line or the like in order to attach a fish hook or other item of fishing tackle thereto or to join the line to another line, comprising a support means with three fingers or other suitable nodes extending therefrom in spaced relationship, so that the middle or second finger or node is offset from a line joining the first and third fingers or nodes, each finger or node having means associated therewith which cooperate to allow the tying of a hangman's knot or uni-knot as defined herein, the first finger or node having means to retain and rotate the free end of the line after it has passed around the other two fingers or nodes so as to be able to twist the free end of the line about both a first primary portion of the line and a second return portion of the line to form the knot, the third finger or node allowing a loop to be formed in the primary line to create the said return portion, and the second finger or node allowing a loop to be formed in the line intermediate the return portion and the free end of the line, the second finger or node keeping said loop thus formed away from or clear of the twisting operation performed by the rotation means twisting the free end about the primary and return portions of line running between the first and third fingers or nodes.
The offset of the second finger or node thus allows for the separation of the source line (ie the primary line) from the tail (end of the line) whilst twisting the spool to form the knot.
Preferably the support means is in the form of a plate or wire member which is removably attachable to a suitable portion of a fishing rod, although permanent fixing may also be appropriate. The means of removable attachment
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Welch Gary L.
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