Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Line-attached bodies – hooks and rigs
Reexamination Certificate
1995-12-12
2002-11-19
Rowan, Kurt (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Line-attached bodies, hooks and rigs
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481149
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fishing tackle, and more particularly to fishing hooks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recreational fishing has developed an extensive following of enthusiastic “anglers” over the years. Indeed, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly sixty million people engage in the sport of fishing in the United States alone, that number having doubled in only the past 30 years. The collective activity of anglers totals about one billion days of fishing each year, in turn generating thirty billion dollars to the economy. These numbers suggest the heavy demand placed on fishing equipment manufacturers to improve upon the quality and variety of fishing tackle available. One need only examine the vast number of fishing magazines and publications that exhibit and advertise a plethora of fishing gear to both expert and novice alike to recognize the size and strength of this market. The worldwide market for both sport and commercial fishing is a multiple of these U.S. markets.
Anglers use a variety of fishing equipment or tackle, most notably the fishing hook but also the fishing rod, line, reel and net. Fishing rods are used to cast a lure, into the water by attaching the lure to a fishing hook which is tied on a fishing line, which is in turn, itself attached to the rod. The lure is suspended in the water in a manner designed to attract fish, with the hope that the fish will then swallow it. Once swallowed, the angler reels in the fish line, to which the fish is now “attached” by virtue of the swallowed fishing hook. The term “lure” is used to identify an “attraction” device including artificial flies, plugs, spoons, spinners, other artificial fishing attractors and natural bait. In any event, it is important to distinguish between a lure and a hook. In every case, a lure operates to attract a fish while a hook must, to the greatest extent possible, be hidden from view by the fish. The term “line” includes the leader.
For sports fishermen, the “sport” exists both in tricking the fish into taking the lure, as well as in the manner by which the fish is retrieved after the fish has been hooked. The equipment used—fishing hook, lures, line, rod, and reel—can each have a dramatic impact in both areas. Fishing rod designs range from simple cane rods to sophisticated fly rods, casting rods and trolling gear. A lure can be both artificial and live, and line varies in both weight and optical characteristics. A weight or sinker is often used to draw the bait below the surface of the water, when the fisherman is seeking a non-surface feeding fish. Where the fish sought does not feed off the bottom of the lake or sea, a float, or bobber, may be attached to the line and used to maintain the bait above the surface of the sea floor. Other lures are designed to float on the surface, e.g., “dry flies.” Frequently a gaff or a landing net will be used to “land” the fish (bring it out of the water) after it has been brought to the fisherman by the reeling in the line.
The fishing hook, however, is the most essential component of all the anglers equipment. It must be as non-obtrusive and hidden as possible in order to not detract from the natural appearance of the lure in attracting the fish. The fishing hook must have sufficient sharpness and strength to engage and hold the fish until “landed.” All of the other fishing equipment follows from the most effective fishing hook possible, and is useless when the hook is perceived by the fish. While there are now a wide variety of styles available, conventional fishing hooks for catching the fish are of a well-known configuration, similar to that illustrated in FIG.
1
. The conventional hook is traditionally manufactured from metal, such as steel or a nickel-coated or a black-anodized bronze, and is generally recognized by its slender J-shaped configuration. At one end of the hook is an eyelet used to secure the fishing hook to a length of fishing line. The opposite end of the hook terminates in a sharpened point, which often includes a sharpened barb extending rearwardly from the point as well. The barb better secures the hook in the flesh of the fish, preventing the fish from easily throwing the hook.
In many places across the United States, the lakes, streams and estuaries are regulated by the local and federal governments to prevent the depletion of the indigenous fish by overfishing. In order to protect the fish population in these areas, the regulations restrict both the size and number of fish permitted to be retained by an angler. In fact, in certain preserved areas, the anglers are required to return all of the fish to the water after being caught. In response to some of these control measures, a variety of barbless hooks have been developed that permit an angler to experience the pleasures of fishing, yet minimize the physical harm to the fish. Maintaining the fish in a sufficiently healthy condition increases the likelihood that the fish, if returned to the water, will survive the trauma of its temporary capture.
Other types of tackle, i.e., lures, incorporate the shape and features of live bait directly on the hook or on a structure having a hook secured to it. Thus, a lure is distinguished over a conventional fishing hook in that the function of a lure is to be visible to a fish and thereby attract the fish. The fishing hook, however, should not be seen by the fish. By providing an artificial bait that simulates live bait, such lures attract the fish and deceive the fish into taking the associated hook. A lure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,511,117 issued Jun. 13, 1950 to Loeb shows a hook integrally formed within and as part of the overall shape of a simulated insect body. In this regard, Loeb proposes making a hook compatible in visibility with respect to the associated lure. Loeb proposes that such a hook would be translucent and take on an appearance similar to a translucent simulated insect body. Loeb also proposes that such a translucent appearing fishing hook be incorporated into a fly lure. Thus, Loeb addresses the issue of hook visibility by making the hook's appearance conform to that of the associated lure.
Frequently used by fly-fishermen in the pursuit of trout and other fresh and salt water fish, artificial fly lures present an alternative to the conventional hook by eliminating the need to somehow attach such lightweight live bait to a hook. To the extent that the fly is not damaged from use, such flies are reusable.
Fly-fishermen are more particular and find satisfaction and pleasure from a lure appearing as an insect floating on water, known as a “dry fly” or submerged as a “wet fly.” Many devoted fly-fishermen build and attach their own “fly” to the hook. A plain, unadorned fishing hook is all that is required. The creative fishermen uses thread, feathers and other materials and accouterments to make the fly as attractive as a live insect.
While they are aesthetically pleasing to the angler, even craftily-designed lures often fail to obscure the false note of a metal hook. As a result, wary fish escape capture, failing to take the bait, when at the last minute, the hook is perceived. The metal or opaque hook is the most deforming and unnatural feature of the lure presentation.
Responsive to the persistent demands of anglers for improved fishing tackle that will more effectively attract fish, as well as provide greater structural durability over previous hooks, variations in the shape of fishing hooks and in the choice of materials have been proposed, but metal hooks are by far the most available and common form of fishing hook used. For example, plastic fishing hooks have been suggested, such as those disclosed in the above-noted Loeb patent, which seek to emulate insect appearance in the hook by use of translucent plastic material. However, depending on the choice of plastic material, the hook may lack sufficient structural strength and durability. There have been attempts to restructure the plastic hook to provide a stronger, more effective device for snaring fi
Hall Deborah K.
Hall, III James W.
Hall, IV James W.
Vylasek Stephan S.
Cushing Keith A.
Rowan Kurt
LandOfFree
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