Patent Application
20170086444
The present application relates generally to gaffs for hooking objects such as fish.
Fishing gaffs are often used to pull a fish on board of a fishing vessel for capture after the fish has been reeled in close to the fishing vessel.
As recognized herein, current gaffs are heavy and/or not durable.
Accordingly, in one aspect a fishing gaff includes an elongated straight shaft, at least a first grip circumscribing a grip end segment of the elongated straight shaft, and a hook member engaged with a hook end segment of the elongated straight shaft. The hook end segment of the shaft is opposite to and longitudinally spaced from the grip end segment of the shaft. The hook member includes a shank extending longitudinally along the hook end segment of the elongated straight shaft, an engagement segment located proximally on the shank and extending transversely away from the shank into a transversely-oriented hole of the hook end segment of the elongated straight shaft, and a piercing element configured to pierce fish that is located distally on the shank. The piercing element extends distally beyond a distal end of the elongated straight shaft. The fishing gaff also includes a coupling member disposed Circumferentially around at least a portion of the shank to hold the shank onto the elongated straight shaft.
In another aspect, a method for making a fishing gaff includes wrapping twine around a proximal segment of an elongated shaft to establish, a grip, boring a hole in a distal segment of the elongated shaft transversely to a long axis of the elongated shaft, and disposing, in the hole, a transverse post or a proximal segment of a shank having a distal end terminating in a hook to pierce fish such that the shank lies lengthwise against the shaft parallel to the long axis of the shaft with the transverse post oriented transverse to the long axis while disposed in the hole. The method also includes wrapping a fiberglass material around at least a portion of the shank and shaft, disposing an epoxy over the fiberglass material, and wrapping twine around the epoxy.
In still another aspect, a fishing gaff includes an elongated shaft, at least a first grip circumscribing a grip end segment of the elongated shaft, and a hook member engaged with a hook end segment of the elongated shaft. The hook end segment of the shaft is opposite to and longitudinally spaced from the grip end segment of the shaft, and the hook member includes a piercing element configured to pierce fish. The fishing gaff also includes a coupling element disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the hook member to hold the hook member onto the elongated shaft. The coupling element includes a fiberglass material disposed around at least a portion of the hook member and the elongated shaft, as well as an epoxy disposed over at least a portion of the fiberglass material.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The details of present principles, both as to their structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
Reference is initially made to
The shaft 12 of the gaff 10 may also have at feast one portion 20 that has not been coated with the clear epoxy finish and that has not been covered with twine. The portion 20 may not (at least initially) be coated with the clear epoxy finish or another sealant owing to the portion 20 being supported by a block when the shaft 12 is rotated using a relatively low rotations per minute (RPM) rotisserie motor device (referred to herein as a “Mow RPM motor device” for simplicity) during the manufacturing process as well be described further below. However, note that at later steps in the manufacturing process, another grip may be placed on the portion 20 as shown in
Still in reference to
Dotted lines 24 illustrate that the shank of the hook member 22 extending longitudinally along a portion of the shaft 12 from the distal end as shown and to the hole lies lengthwise against the shaft 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 12, and is covered by a coupling member 25 that is disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the shank of the hook member 22 to hold the shank of the hook member 22 against the elongated straight shaft 12. The coupling member may comprise Kevlar (and/or another similar high strength material), fiberglass material and/or fiberglass wrap, as well as an epoxy resin material, twine, and/or a clear epoxy finish as will be described further below. Note that in some embodiments, the coupling member 25 that extends longitudinally along the portion of the shaft 12 as shown need not cover to the distal end of the shaft 12 adjacent to the hook member 22 and that a portion 26 at the distal end of the shaft 12 may still be exposed (e.g., save for being coated with the clear epoxy finish). Also note that a portion 28 of the coupling member 25 comprising the fiberglass material, epoxy resin material, twine, and/or a clear epoxy finish may extend longitudinally beyond the portion of the shaft 12 at which the hole is located (e.g., one inch beyond) toward the proximal end of the shaft 12. Thus, as may be appreciated from
Continuing the detailed description in reference to
After step 52, the manufacturer may continue to step 54 where the manufacturer uses a power disc sander to sand the shaft. An eighty grit sanding disc may be used at step 54, though it is to be understood that still other grit sizes may be used in accordance with present principles. In any case, the sanding at step 54 may include sanding all exterior surfaces of the shaft, including sanding portions of the bamboo nodes between ends of the shaft that protrude away from the shaft so that they are at least substantially flush with the rest of the shaft between the nodes. Both the proximal and distal ends of the shaft, which may terminate at bamboo nodes, may also be sanded so that the wood at the ends is at least substantially flat along a plane orthogonal to an axis established by the length of the shaft, save for the circumferences of the respective ends being rounded and/or curved with the disk sander in some examples. Thus, owing to the proximal and distal ends terminating at bamboo nodes, hollow interior segments of the bamboo wood adjacent to the ends are not accessible via the ends because the exposed area at each end of the shaft along the plane described above is occupied by wood from the node.
From step 54 the manufacturer may proceed to step 56, where the manufacturer may use an orbital sander to further sand and/or polish some or all of the exterior surfaces of the shaft. The grit size for sanding and polishing with the orbital sander may be, in some examples, one hundred fifty grit to two hundred twenty grit.
Thereafter, the manufacturer may move to step 58 where a torch (e.g., a propane torch) is used to flame-temper the shaft. The shaft may be flame-tempered on all exterior surfaces from one end of the shaft to the other and at the ends as well. To flame-temper the shaft, the end of the flame torch producing the flame may be positioned one to two inches away from the portion of the to be flame-tempered and the flame is then directed toward the shaft. Note, however, that this end of the flame torch may be positioned closer or farther away from the shaft depending on the time available to flame temper and desired degree of flame tempering.
After step 58 the manufacturer may then proceed to step 60, where a material such as tarred twine may be wrapped around one or more portions of the shaft (e.g., including at least a proximal segment of the shaft) to respectively establish one or more grips. The procedure for wrapping the material around the portions of the shaft to establish the grips will be described further below in reference to
The hole position relative to the distal end of the shaft that is to bear the hook member may be dependent on the size of the hook member to be used for the gaff, the length of the shaft itself, and/or the diameter of the shaft, so that for shorter hook members, shorter shafts, and/or larger diameters the hook member is placed nearer the distal end of the shaft than for longer hook members, longer shafts, and/or smaller diameters. For example, a ratio of total shaft length-to-length to hole from distal end may be used, where in example embodiments the ratio is one foot to half an inch. Thus, as one example, this may result in the hole being bored three and a half inches to five and a half inches from the distal end of the shaft.
Also in some examples, the size and/or length of the hook member may also be dependent on the length of the shaft, so that longer hook members are used on longer shafts while shorter hook members are used on shorter shafts. For example, a ratio of shaft length-to-hook member length (e.g., length along straight and curved portions of the hook member combined) of one foot to one inch, or one foot to half an inch, may be used.
Still in reference to step 62, a drill bit may be selected, e.g., depending on the diameter of the shaft (e.g., an 11/64 (eleven sixty fourths) inch drill bit to an ⅛ (one eighth) inch drill bit for larger to smaller shaft diameters), to bore the hole in the shaft that has a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of a transverse post of a proximal segment of the hook member that is to be inserted transversely to the long axis of the shaft into the hole to thus establish an interference fit between the post of the hook member and the portion of the shaft around the hole while the post is disposed in the hole. Thus, at step 64 a hook member with a pointed and/or sharp distal hook end may be acquired or created from a piece of metal such as a stainless steel rod by bending and shaping the metal (e.g., under exposure to heat), and then at step 66 the transverse post of the hook member may be inserted into the hole. An example of such a shaft with a hole drilled in it and of a hook member to be engaged with the shaft, will be described below in reference to
Still in reference to
But in any case, the fiberglass material may be wrapped from the distal end of the shaft and at least to the portion of the shaft at which the hook member is engaged and/or secured if not farther, and optionally back again to the distal end using a single piece of fiberglass material. Thus, it is to be understood that in some embodiments multiple layers of fiberglass material may be used over top of each other, and also in some embodiments these multiple layers may be established by a unitary piece of fiberglass material that is wrapped back and forth. Three to five layers may be used in some examples, and in one specific example four layers may be wrapped around the shaft/hook member portion and, e.g., one inch past the hole at which the hook member is engaged. In the example of using four layers, and assuming the fiberglass material being used is fiberglass tape, approximately a four foot long segment of tape may be wrapped up and down the shaft between the distal end of the shaft and a point on the shaft past the hole by an inch, and the tape may not be further separated into additional segments such that the one unitary four foot piece is wrapped back and forth around this portion of the shaft.
More generally but still in reference to step 68, it is to be understood that the fiberglass material may be wrapped securely, tightly, and/or with pressure being applied so that the tape is taut as it is applied to the shaft and thus applies pressure to the hook member toward the shaft. For example, fiberglass tape may be wrapped by hand around the shaft and hook member as tight as possible (e.g., without breaking the tape).
Moving from step 68 to step 70, the manufacturer inserts, into a chuck of a low RPM and/or slow-spinning rotisserie motor device, the proximal end of the shaft opposite the distal end so that the motor in the device may be actuated to slowly rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The low RPM motor device may thus be disposed on a flat horizontal surface so that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is parallel to the plane established by the surface. Also at step 70, if desired, a block ( e.g., block of wood) may be positioned under a portion of the shaft, such as half way between where it engages with the low RPM motor device and the distal end, to thus provide additional support and stabilization to the shaft as it is rotated so that it remains disposed horizontally above the surface on which the low RPM motor device is disposed.
After doing the foregoing at step 70, the manufacturer may then move to step 72 where the manufacturer prepares an epoxy resin mixture in a container. For example, a two-part marine epoxy resin mixture may be created with a ratio of five parts resin to one part hardener. Once combined, the materials may be mixed thoroughly in the container (e.g., by hand using a stick, brush, and/or rod), which in some instances may take approximately forty five seconds to one minute.
From step 72 as shown in
After step 76, the manufacturer may move to step 78. At step 78 the manufacturer lets the shaft rotate using the low RPM motor device for a predetermined amount of time after applying the epoxy resin mixture and/or until the epoxy resin mixture is sufficiently dry, set, and/or hardened. Thus, in some examples, the shaft may continue to rotate using the low RPM motor device for twenty to thirty minutes. Then, also at step 78, the manufacturer may remove the shaft from the low RPM motor device and proceed to step 80.
At step 80 as shown in
After step 80, the shaft may again be engaged with the low RPM motor device at step 82 in the same manner as described above (e.g., while using the block as support). Then at step 84 the manufacturer may prepare a clear epoxy finish in a container for coating the gaff with it and then actuates the low RPM motor device to rotate the shaft. The clear epoxy finish may be a two-part mixture, one part resin and one part hardener, that is thoroughly mixed (e.g., for forty five seconds) in the container. In some instances, the clear epoxy finish may establish a flex coat finish.
After step 84, at step 86 the manufacturer may evenly apply (e.g. smoothly brush on using a brush) a coat of the clear epoxy finish to ail exposed surfaces of the gaff save exposed surfaces of the hook member, the portion being supported by the block, and portions bearing grips, though it is to also be understood that in some embodiments respective ends of each of the grips may be coated (e.g., half an inch to an inch of each end, lengthwise) with the clear epoxy finish as may be all exposed surfaces of the twine that was wrapped over the epoxy resin mixture that was applied at step 76 and sufficiently hardened at step 78. The gaff may be coated starting at the proximal end of the gaff, progressing toward the distal end.
Still in reference to
After step 88, the manufacturer may move to step 90 where the manufacturer lets the gaff continue to rotate using the low RPM motor device for a predetermined amount of time and/or until the clear epoxy finish dries and/or is sufficiently hardened (e.g., evenly with no drips and/or drip marks owing to the rotation). This may take twelve to fifteen hours of relatively slow rotation using the low RPM motor device, and performing step 90 in a well-ventilated area is beneficial as well. Also at step 90, once the clear epoxy finish has dried, the gaff may be removed from the low RPM motor device and is ready for distribution and/or vending.
Continuing the detailed description in reference to
After step 100 the manufacturer moves to step 102 where the manufacturer lays a second piece of twine (called “second twine” below), with a portion forming a loop, lengthwise on the shaft over some but not all of the coils of the first twine with the loop extending away from the coils in the direction in which the first twine was wrapped along the shaft. Then at step 104 the manufacturer continues wrapping the first twine around the shaft in the same direction as before, toward the loop of the second twine, and over portions of the second twine not comprising the loop, again ensuring that the first twine is wrapped around the shaft tightly and with no spaces between successive coils of the first twine such that no part of the gaff under coils are visible between coils of the first twine.
From step 104 the manufacturer then moves to step 106 where the manufacturer cuts the first twine from a twine spool if still engaged therewith, and/or otherwise cuts some excess portions of the first twine while still leaving some excess first twine not wrapped around the shaft for the cinching to be described further below, such as leaving approximately one to four inches of excess first twine still connected to the wrapped portions. After step 106 the manufacturer moves to step 108 where, as may be seen in
In any case, after step 108 the manufacturer proceeds to step 110. At step 110, the manufacturer pulls the second twine from its ends toward the beginning end of the coils of the first twine to pull the loop 122 under some coils of the first twine while at least a portion of the first twine is still in the loop 122 to thus cinch the end 120 of the first twine placed in the loop 122 under at least one, and even plural, coils 126 of the first twine. In
Again in reference to
In any case, the second twine may then be discarded once removed. Furthermore, although not shown at step 112 on
The manufacturer then moves to step 114 where the manufacturer trims and/or cuts away any excess first twine that still remains at the free end of the first twine so that this end of the first twine when cut is flush with the coils of the first twine. Then at step 116 and/or as also described above in reference to step 86, both ends of the grip (e.g., four to seven coils of the first twine at both ends) are sealed and/over overcoated with the clear epoxy finish described above so that the end of the first twine trimmed flush at step 114, and the other end of the first twine at which the wrapping began, are both overcoated with clear epoxy finish and thus secure them to the gaff so that the coils of the first twine do not unravel.
Before moving on to the description of
Now in reference to
Continuing the detailed description in reference to
Accordingly, after other portions of shaft 150 to which the clear epoxy finish has been applied have set and/or dried, the block 158 may be moved thereto so that the portion 160 may be smoothly coated with clear epoxy finish and also allowed to set and/or dry as described above. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, the portion 160 may have twine wrapped around it and secured thereto as described above in reference to
Generally, it is to be understood that in some embodiments, the wrapping and/or placement of materials on the shaft of the gaff, such as the first twine and fiberglass materials described above, may be done by hand without the aid of a machine, though in other embodiments a machine may be used.
Use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects herein should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the particular steps and sequences of steps described herein are examples and should not be read to limit the disclosure or the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that in some instances, the functions and steps described herein may occur out of the example order shown in the figures. Even further, components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.) It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention. For example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. (likewise for “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” and “a system having at least one of A, B, C”). Even further, “A system having one or more of A, B, and C” (likewise “a system having one or more of A, B, or C” and “a system having one or more of A, B, C”) includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.
It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
While the particular FISHING GAFF AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION THEREOF is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present application is limited only by the claims.
