Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Line-attached bodies – hooks and rigs
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-01-23
Rowan, Kurt (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Line-attached bodies, hooks and rigs
C043S043100, C043S042740, C043S042530
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176036
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to terminal tackle for minimizing the twisting of fishing line, lures and weights, particularly the twisting and tangling of a weight or weight line with a lure leader line or the primary fishing line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fishing tackle often comprises one primary fishing line connected to a rod and reel and other, shorter lines to connect lures or weights to the primary fishing line. Lure leader lines are used to connect the lures to the primary fishing lines. The lure leader line and lure or bait typically float and are subject to the currents and movements of the water thereby simulating natural bait for fish. Weights are added by means of weight lines to control the water depth at which the lure will float. The depth and movement of the lure is important to its effectiveness in attracting fish.
One annoying problem for fishermen is the twisting of weights around a fishing line or the leader line. While casting or trolling, the lure leader line or lure can become twisted and tangled with the fishing line or with the weight line. The weight line or weights can also twist and tangle with the primary fishing line as the line is cast, when trolling or when settled at the bottom. Often the weight can become twisted around the lure leader line. When this happens, the lure or bait does not look natural to fish and the effectiveness of the lure in attracting fish is greatly diminished.
Line swivels and snap swivels tend to reduce twisting and tangling of fishing lines. Harms, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,153 discloses a device for use with fishing tackle. The '153 device is used for removing twist from a fishing line. The device comprises a body having a connector for connecting the body to the end of the fishing line with the body having rib means or fin means thereon which cause it to rotate when it is drawn through the water. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,608 to Hook teaches a fishing line connecting system for removing and changing lures and weights.
What is needed is terminal tackle that minimizes or prevents the primary leader line, weight and weight lines and lure and lure leader lines of the fishing tackle from twisting and tangling with each other. Less tangling of lines can lead to better catching.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To effectively fish utilizing a single fishing lure or multiple lures, it is necessary to minimize the occurrence of twisting or tangling of the fishing lines, lures or weights. The present invention is a terminal tackle and method of manufacture. One goal of the present invention is to minimize the twisting or tangling of fishing line with multiple lures and weights and attached ancillary lines. It is another goal of the invention to facilitate the use of multiple lures and lure leader lines by maintaining a desired distance between the lures.
In one preferred embodiment, the terminal tackle comprises a hollow tube with one or more arms enclosing the connection of the primary fishing line, a lure leader line and/or a weight line. A connector within the tube is adapted for connecting the primary fishing line, a lure leader line and/or a weight line. One preferred embodiment of the terminal tackle comprises a tube having one top arm, one elongated arm and one abbreviated arm. Preferably, a weight-connecting means is positioned within the elongated arm. The weight connecting means is adapted to connect a weight (not shown) to fishing tackle. A connector positioned within the tube connects a line swivel, a lure leader swivel and the weight-connecting means.
One preferred terminal tackle for minimizing the twisting or tangling of fishing lines can comprise a y-shaped tube having a straight top arm, one curved, elongated arm and one curved, abbreviated arm. The terminal tackle preferably has a line swivel positioned within the top arm. The line swivel is adapted to connect the terminal tackle to the primary fishing line. Preferably a lure leader swivel, having a leader end adapted to connecting with the lure leader line and a connector end, is positioned within the y-shaped tube. Preferably, the lure leader swivel is threaded through the y-shaped tube so that the leader end extends out and away from the abbreviated arm and the connector end is positioned within the y-shaped tube. A weight-connecting means can be positioned within the elongated arm, the weight-connecting means adapted to connect a weight to the fishing tackle. Preferably, a connector for connecting the leader swivel, the line swivel and the weight-connecting means is positioned within the y-shaped tube.
The terminal tackle tube can be made from a polymer. In one preferred embodiment, the y-shaped terminal tackle tube comprises a poylvinylchloride. The y-shaped tube can be manufactured by the process of dip molding.
In one preferred embodiment, the lure leader swivel can be a snap swivel. Preferably, the terminal tackle connector can be a first snap and the weight connecting means to the terminal tackle can be a second snap.
The terminal tackle for minimizing the twisting of lines and weights can also be comprise, 1) a y-shaped polyvinylchloride tube having a straight top arm, 2) a curved abbreviated arm, 3) one line snap swivel positioned within the top arm, the line snap swivel adapted to connect the terminal tackle to the fishing line, 4) a lure leader swivel having a leader end for connecting with a leader line, and a connector end, the lure leader swivel threaded through the y-shaped tube so that the leader end extends out and away from the abbreviated arm and the connector end is positioned with the y-shaped tube. A weight connector snap, is preferably positioned within the elongated arm and a connector snap, for connecting the lure leader swivel, the line swivel and the weight-connector snap, is preferably positioned within the y-shaped tube.
One preferred method of manufacturing this invention by dip molding comprises: (1) forming a mold in the shape of the desired tube product terminal tackle product, (2) covering the mold with a liquid polymer, (3) allowing the liquid polymer covering to cure, (4) removing the mold, (5) connecting a line swivel, a lure leader line swivel and a weight connecting means to a connector, (6) inserting the lure leader swivel into the tube so that the lure leader end extends out and away from the abbreviated arm and the connector end is positioned within the tube terminal tackle, (7) inserting the weight-connecting means in the tube so that the weight connector means and the connector is positioned within the elongated arm and the line swivel is positioned within the top arm of the tube, (8) adjusting the line swivel so that it is positioned within the top arm, the line swivel adapted to connect to a fishing line.
REFERENCES:
patent: 86786 (1869-02-01), Tellgmann
patent: 289612 (1883-12-01), Bollermann
patent: 1766532 (1930-06-01), Pflueger
patent: 2731758 (1956-01-01), Coe
patent: 2770908 (1956-11-01), Hessert
patent: 2877593 (1959-03-01), Baldridge
patent: 3550305 (1970-12-01), Santosuosso
patent: 3805438 (1974-04-01), McLaughlin
patent: 3905144 (1975-09-01), Shaw
D'Ambrosio Jo Katherine
Rowan Kurt
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