1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of fishing and more particularly to a system for attaching a leader line to a fishing hook without tying a knot or binding/lashing the leader line to the hook.
Fishing is an activity that dates back to as far as 40,000 years ago. Hooks for fishing have been found that date back to the Stone Age. The key portion of nearly every fishing system is the hook itself. To be part of the fishing system, the hook must somehow be connected to the user, which is usually done by the use of a fishing line. The means of connecting the generally rigid fishing hook to the flexible fishing line has been a problem fishermen have attempted to address for centuries. The two main methods of attachment are tying a knot that passes through the eye at the top of the hook, or to use a snell knot (i.e., binding/lashing knot), which may or may not pass through an eye at the top of the hook, instead gaining most of its strength from being bound to the hook shaft.
2. Description of Prior Art
An attempt to solve the problem of attaching a fishing line to a hook is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,156,152 to Krenrick, that shows the wrapping that would be provided by the snell knot replaced with a band that crimps around the fishing line. But the line still needs a knot at the end of the line to prevent it from passing through the band, and the hollow portion is not through the center of the fishing hook. Additionally, given that the band is attached to the side of the shank, it creates yet another location for seaweed and other detritus to become caught, fouling the hook, line, and bait.
US Pat. App. 2007/0169399 describes a tube attached to the shank portion of a fishing hook, where the fishing line then passes through the tube. But this device still requires a knot at the end of the line to prevent the hook from slipping off the line, and the tube portion is not at the center of the hook. As discussed above, this attachment mechanism also creates yet another location for debris to become caught.
US Pat. App. 2009/0313878 describes a method for securing fishing line to a hook, where the fishing line is passed around a helical coil, wraps over itself and forms a type of knot. This method still requires the user to tie a knot, makes the hook more complicated rather than less complicated, and creates more turbulence and a greater propensity for catching debris as a result of the complicated shank.
What is needed is a system that will avoid the use of knots entirely, simplifying the profile of the fishing hook, making it easier for the end user to attach the leader line to the hook, simplifying manufacturing, reducing the propensity of the hook to catch debris in the water, and creating less auditory and visual distraction of the fish.
In one embodiment, a apparatus is disclosed including a hollow shank fishing hook, the hollow shank fishing hook comprising an elongated shank, the shank having a cross-sectional shape with a first end and a second end; and a reservoir starting in the first end of the elongated shank, the reservoir comprising a hollow portion of the elongated shank; and the second end of the elongated shank continuing into at least one elongated arm, each of the at least one elongated arms terminating in a point.
In another embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed including a left section and a right section, the left section and the right section combining to form an elongated shank, the shank having a cross-sectional shape with a first end and a second end; and a reservoir, the reservoir starting in the first end of the elongated shank, the reservoir comprising a hollow portion of the shank; and the second end of the elongated shank continuing into at least one elongated arm, each of the at least one elongated arms terminating in a point.
In another embodiment, a fishing hook configuration is disclosed having a secondary opening in the curved portion of the hollow shank defining an exit and return portal of a fishing line inserted into the open shank end for adhesion retainment therewithin.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
Referring to
The point 24 and barb 26 shown in the figures are typical. Any shape point 24 and barb 26 commonly known in the art are anticipated. While the figures show a hollow shank fishing hook with only one bend 22, associated point 24, and barb 26, any number of bends/points/barbs 22/24/26 is anticipated, including double or treble hooks (i.e., hooks with two or three bends/points/barbs 22/24/26).
Missing from the hollow shank fishing hook 12 is an eye; a necessity for most fishing hooks of the prior art. Instead of an eye, the hollow shank fishing hook 12 has a hollow shank reservoir 30. The fishing line 10 is fed into the reservoir 30 and affixed to the hollow shank fishing hook 12 by a variety of means, in this case, an adhesive 40 fills the reservoir, permanently attaching the hollow shank fishing hook 12 to the fishing line 10. The reservoir as shown in the examples is generally cylindrical and axially aligned with the shank, but there is no requirement of a specific shape or position and any shape and/or position is anticipated. The cross-sectional shape of the reservoir as shown in the examples is generally circular, but any shape is anticipated, including elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other regular or irregular shape. The reservoir forms a hollow portion within the shank of the hook.
The fishing line 10 is typically made of an artificial material, such as nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene, Dacron, etc. But the fishing line 10 is not limited to such materials and is anticipated to be made of any material known in the industry, including natural materials such as cotton, synthetic materials as described, or metals such as aluminum or stainless steel as often used for leader lines. In some embodiments fishing line 10 composed of a single strand (i.e., monofilament) but in other embodiments is constructed of any number of strands. The hollow shank fishing hook 12 is ideal for multifilament line due to the difficulty such line presents when attempting to tie knots. While not required, in the preferred embodiments the fishing line 10 is made of fluorocarbon material composed of fluoropolymer PVDF because it has a refractive index that is very similar to water, making the fishing line 10 nearly invisible to fish. In some embodiments, the fishing line 10 is the main line that is continuous all the way back to the user. In some embodiments, the fishing line 10 is a shorter line known as a “leader line” that is subsequently attached to the main fishing line 10. In embodiments in which the fishing line 10 is a “leader line”, any length of leader line is anticipated, though the leader line is often short (e.g. 12 inches) due to ease of packaging and manufacturing. In embodiments in which the fishing line 10 is the main line that is continuous all the way back to the user, the user determines what type of line is inserted, depending on the desired use.
In the example of
In other embodiments, rather than a two part adhesive, a single part adhesive may be used. It is envisioned that the single part adhesive is separated from the atmosphere by an optional membrane 48, as necessary, to prevent premature activation. Single part adhesives cure by, for example, the evaporation of a solvent (e.g., water, alcohol, etc.), a chemical reaction between the adhesive and another chemical (e.g., water vapor, liquid water applied to the fishing line 10 prior to insertion, saliva, oxygen, etc.), or in reaction to an external energy source (e.g., ultraviolet light, heat, etc.). In still other embodiments, the portion of the shank 20 or enlarged shank 32 that contains the reservoir 30 is made of a flexible or malleable material lined with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The fishing line 10 is inserted into the reservoir 30, and the reservoir is compressed to press the adhesive 46 against the fishing line 10.
Referring to
In embodiments as shown in
Referring to
It is anticipated that, in some embodiments, additional elements are provided to properly align the two sections 50/52 during assembly, such as a teeth or pegs on one section 50 and associated cavities on the other section 52, ridged surfaces, peaks on one section and valleys on the other, nubs on one section 50 with holes on the other section 52, etc. In some embodiments the reservoir does not exist prior to the joining of the two sections 50/52. In such embodiments, when the two sections 50/52 are combined around the fishing line 10 the reservoir is created within two sections 50/52 to make room for the fishing line 10. Any method as known in the art is anticipated to join the two sections, including adhesives, fusion bonding, hot gas welding, vibration welding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic welding, induction welding, arc welding, gas welding, etc.
In some embodiments, the hollow shank fishing hook 12 is molded around the fishing line 10. In this embodiment, the fishing line 10 is inserted into a mold, and the hollow shank fishing hook 12 is molded around the fishing line 10. In other embodiments, the fishing line 10 is inserted into a still malleable fishing hook 12. In still other embodiments the fishing line 10 ends in a mushroom shape, plug, disc, etc. that locks with indentations in the enlarged shank 32 to prevent the fishing line 10 from being removed after assembly.
Referring to
Referring now to
The shank 61 has a flared fusto conical end opening at 65 to provide ease of fishing line insertion as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
It will be seen that the hollow shank 61 and the curved portion 62 therefore have a continuous annular wall 66 which defines an elongated tubular fishing line receiving passageway 67 therethrough.
A line egress opening at 68 is provided within the annular wall 66 within the curved portion 62 midway therealong, best seen in
As noted, in operation, once a significant portion of the fishing line 10 extends from the hook by the egress opening 68 indicated as 10A the surface is coated with an adhesive 40 of a sufficient viscosity to adhere and be retained to the surface of the fishing line as will be evident and well known by those skilled in the art.
The adhesive 40 chosen in this application may be of any number available depending on chosen activation method and medium as hereinbefore described in the prior preferred form of the invention.
Once the adhesive 40 is applied, the line portion 10A is then drawn back into the fishing line receiving passageway 67 indicated by directional force arrows F seen in
Given the diameter of the fishing line 10 and the fixed determined interior dimension of the elongated line receiving passageways 67, the adhesive will be drawn into thereabout forming a cohesive bond of high frictional co-efficiency and which once set will permanently secure the line portion 10A securely within the hook 60 as illustrated graphically in
It will be evident that the so embedded and adhesively affixed fishing line 10 positioned therewithin will assure a strong force appropriate bond having a co-lateral forced deployment under line induced force applicant to use requirements in fishing.
Referring now to
It will be evident therefore that the same fishing line insertion, pass through and exiting via an opening 74 will occur during use. Adhesive is applied as hereinbefore described and the line pulled back into the hook securing it therewithin. As noted, a variety of different waterproof adhesives may be used which include nature of adhesive activation as described and that application of adhesive may be prior to hook insertion wherein a post activation adhesive is used as will be known and evident to those skilled in the adhesive art.
It will therefore be seen that a new and novel alternate embodiment of the hollow shank fishing hook 60 has been illustrated and described and it will be evident to those skilled in the art that equivalent elements can be substituted for the one set forth above that which they perform in a substantially same manner in substantially the same way of achieving substantially the same result.
Additionally, in some embodiments the hollow shank fishing hook 12 is of a shape that minimizes drag through the water. This is illustrated in
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.