Patent Application
20180235200
The present invention relates to tools used for handling very slender tensile cords such as, for example, fishing line used for angling.
Fishermen have long grappled with the problem of fishing line getting hung up on obstructions on the floor of a body of water. Fishermen know that the fishing line can often be freed of the obstruction by pulling the fishing line into tension and applying force through the fishing line to the obstruction. Often, a limb or branch from a tree or other naturally occurring obstacle can snag fishing lines and prevent the fisherman from easily reeling in his line onto a reel. Modern fishing lines are often comprised of nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene or other materials that can sustain very high loads using a very slender fishing line. These types of fishing line can, if pulled hard enough using an unprotected hand, cut the fingers severely. These types of fishing line can also damage a fishing rod or pull the eyes off the fishing rod if the rod is used pull the fishing line. Often, a fisherman may be forced to cut the fishing line and thereby sacrifice a leader, fishing hook, lead weights and other fishing accessories that may be installed on a portion of the fishing line that remains in the water after a fishing line is cut.
One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that can be used to prevent unwanted cuts or damage to a fisherman's hand resulting from pulling on a fishing line. Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that is easy to use and that will enable a fisherman to quickly engage and disengage the apparatus with a fishing line to permit pulling the fishing line with the hand and without cutting the fingers or otherwise causing discomfort. Embodiments of the apparatus may be fabricated from materials that will cause the apparatus float if dropped in the water.
It will be understood that, in addition to the necked portion 27 of the apparatus 10, the fishing line 25 can also be wrapped or wound around the handle portion 18, which is larger around than the necked portion 27 and also larger around than the narrow portion between the necked portion 27 and the handle portion 18 and adjacent to the aperture 15. This enables more of the fishing line 25 to be gathered in each wrap or winding, and the handle portion 18 is substantially more robust and resistant to breaking than the necked portion 27 or the narrow portion between the necked portion 27 and the handle portion 18 and adjacent to the aperture 15.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
