Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Artificial bait
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-14
2001-04-24
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Artificial bait
C043S042260, C043S042270, C043S042280
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219955
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to artificial flies and lures.
2. Description of the Art
Artificial flies and lures have been formed in a shape to attract different species of fish. In the case of artificial flies, a fly simulating a natural fly, insect or small bait fish is mounted on a hook. Such flies typically comprise a buoyant body, feathers, etc. Other fly bodies have also been formed merely in an insect or bait fish attractor shape. Various colors and/or design patterns have also been placed on such flies to attract fish under certain light conditions, water visibility, etc.
In the case of flies, the skills and artistic effort involved in constructing and assembling the various components to form a complete fly commonly results in what approaches a work of art. Besides having an aesthetic appeal, such flies are also effective in attracting fish. However, certain species of fish have large numbers of sharp teeth which destroy a fly when struck by such fish. Since the cost of flies can range from $1 to $10 or more, it can become quite expensive for a fisherman who is successful in landing a large number of fish by using relatively expensive flies.
Woven braid or mesh material formed of interwoven strands of a plastic, such as nylon, has been used to form various parts of artificial flies, such as a crab or squid body. Various appendages associated with such naturally occurring creatures are attached to the woven braid body. Such appendages include antenna, legs, wings, etc. However, such features have not necessarily resulted in an artificial fly or lure which closely resembles the naturally occurring sea creature it is simulating, such as a crab, squid, etc.
Thus, It would be desirable to provide an artificial fly or lure which is inexpensive in cost while having excellent fish attractor characteristics. It would also be desirable to provide an artificial fly/lure which is effective as a fish attractor and at the same time has a tough outer layer which resists damage when stuck by the sharp teeth of a fish. It would also be desirable to provide an artificial fly or lure which can be constructed of different shapes wherein the bodies and the appendages of such members are formed of woven mesh material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides is an artificial fly/lure formed of an woven, mesh body and appendages which exhibits unique characteristics not previously found in similar artificial flies or lures.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the artificial fly includes a hook having a shank, an eye at one end of the shank for connection, and a bend and tip at another end of the shank, and a hollow body with sidewalls formed of a continuous open mesh of crisscrossed strands with apertures therebetween opening to a hollow interior of the body. The shank is disposed in the body with at least the tip of the hook extending outward from one portion of the body and the eye of the shank extending outward from one end of the body.
A plurality of movable appendages extend from the body. The appendages are formed of a continuous, open mesh of crisscrossed strands with apertures therebetween opening to a hollow interior of each appendage. In one aspect, a flexible rod extends through each of the appendages. Opposite ends of the rod are fixed to opposite ends of each appendage. The flexible rod has a length shorter than a nominal length of the appendage to bend the appendage into a curved shape between the opposed ends.
In one aspect, the second ends of the appendages curve from the attachment point of the body toward the first end of the body and simulate wings. Two pairs of wings may be optionally provided where the artificial fly is in the form of a naturally occurring mayfly.
Each of the appendages can comprise a single tubular woven mesh member which is fixedly secured at a central portion to the body, such as by adhesive or threads, and has end portions projecting from the body to form wings, legs, arms, etc.
Where the artificial fly is constructed in the form of a grasshopper, at least one pair of appendages are in the form of legs which are joined at a first end to the body and have a second end angularly disposed with respect to the first end by a bend and moveably spaced from the body. A flexible rod extends through the legs to enable the legs to flex as the lure is drawn through the water. The grasshopper-shaped fly also includes additional appendages in the form of a pair of wings and front and middle legs. An enlarged head is formed on the grasshopper and has a pair of eyes projecting outwardly therefrom.
The artificial fly of the present invention can also take the form of a flying fish wherein the appendages are formed as curved wings projecting upwardly from the body. A tail is formed at the second end of the body.
The artificial fly of the present invention can also take the form of a worm wherein the flexible rod is secured at opposite ends to a single, tubular, mesh member, with the rod and the tubular member having end portions bent or otherwise formed at an angle with respect to an elongated, generally planar central portion. The eye of the hook extends outwardly from the central portion adjacent one end and the tip projects outwardly of the other angularly disposed end of the tubular member.
The present invention presents several different artificial flies or lures, all of which are constructed of tubular mesh material which has been formed into various shapes simulating flies, worms, or fish with the mesh material forming both the body and the appendages of such flies or lures. The use of the mesh material enables such artificial flies or lures to exhibit different actions in the water, such as floating on the surface, slowly drifting downward to the bottom of a lake or stream, moving along the bottom. All of these actions simulate the normal actions of an attractor fish.
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Ark Darren W.
B-17 Fly Tackle Limited
Young & Basile PC
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