Patent Application
20060218847
The present invention relates generally to fishing hooks. More particularly, the invention relates to fishing hooks adapted with means to between the fishing line knotted onto the eye of a fishing hook.
In the field of sport fishing, an important part of fishing line knot tying is at the hook eye, which is typically made of metal, where violent jolts occur as the fish struggles to free itself.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
a illustrates a side view of an exemplary eye cover covering the exemplary hook's eye, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
b illustrates a side view of fishing line knotted onto the anti-knot slip and cushion eye sleeve embodiment of
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a variety of techniques for protectively covering a fishing hook eye are described.
A protective fishing hook eye cover is provide, which, in one embodiment, includes means for protectively covering at least a portion of a fishing hook eye to protect a fishing line from being cut by the eye of a hook (e.g., a protective sleeve or coating), and means for joining the hook eye covering means to a hook eye. Some embodiments further include means for configuring the hook eye covering means to appear as a fishing lure.
Another embodiment of the present invention describes a fishing hook having an eye for attaching a fishing line to, wherein the eye is configured with a cover covering at least a portion of the eye, which cover is operable to protect a fishing line that is knotted thereupon from making direct contact with the surface of the hook eye. The cover can be made of a compliant material such as plastic or rubber.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.
a illustrates a side view of an exemplary transparent anti-friction eye cover 10 covering the exemplary hook's eye, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Eye cover 10 may be composed of any material that smooth and compliant enough to have reduced line deformation by slipping away from knot through hook eye and preferably also absorb jolting forces with its cushion effect, while being resilient enough to sufficiently endure the continuous jolting forces from the fishing line without slip. Suitable materials to form eye cover 10 include, but are not limited to, plastic and rubber. In some application, the compliant aspect of the eye cover may not be required, whereby the material used may be substantially non-compliant. In some embodiments, eye cover 10 is a plastic tube, or sleeve, that is slid over or pushed onto eye 5. In alternate embodiments eye cover 10 becomes an integral part of the hook by way of being a coating (e.g., plastic, rubber, etc.) that is applied onto eye 5 of fishing hook to support relatively stronger leader line knot tying onto the hook. Any conventional means of applying a coating may be used; by way of example, and not limitation, spraying on molten material, molding, or dipping into molten material.
b illustrates a side view of a fishing line 20 knotted onto eye cover embodiment of
In embodiments were eye cover 10 is a movable sleeve, it should be appreciated that eye cover 10 is able to rotate around hook eye 5 and absorb the frictional forces between knot loop 30 and hook eye 5, thereby further reducing, or eliminating, the cutting friction that knot loop 30 would otherwise experience. Those skilled in the art will also know how to apply conventional techniques in light of the teachings of the present invention, to properly configure eye cover to act as a fishing lure e.g., appear like a piece of edible food to a fish).
In some embodiments, especially the non integral types, of the present eye cover it may be desirable to add a multiplicity of known or novel features that are either aesthetically pleasing or are fishing performance oriented. By way of example,
In light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that eye cover of the present invention may be configure in a multiplicity of alternate ways depending on the needs of the particular application. Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of protectively covering hook eyes according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
