QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM AND SYSTEM FOR FISHING GEAR

Abstract

The invention provides a quick-attach system including a base locking mechanism and a mated lure connector mechanism, such as a plug and socket arrangement. For example, a socket (“female member”) component, adapted to be fixed to a fishing line and a set of one or more mated plug (“male member”) component that is integrated or attached to a lure or other piece of fishing gear. Likewise, the lure may include the socket/female member and the base attached to the fishing line may include the plug/male member.

Claims

1. A fishing lure or terminal tackle comprising: a body having a first end and a second end; a hook fixably secured to the body at the first end; a quick-attach socket component affixed to the body at the second end and having a female receiving portion adapted to removably receive and attach a male plug component; and a separable quick-attach plug component configured to be mating received into the socket and having a fishing line connector for attaching a fishing line to the lure; a releasable locking component connecting the plug component with the socket component, whereby the plug component may be inserted into the socket component in a secure fashion for use in fishing and may be quickly removed from the socket for switching lures without removing or disturbing the fishing line attached to the plug component.

2. The fishing lure or terminal tackle of claim 1, wherein one or both of the socket component and plug component comprise a releasable locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the plug component in place once inserted in the socket component.

3. The fishing lure or terminal tackle of claim 1, wherein the releasable locking component is one from a group consisting of a ball-lock coupling, a roller-lock coupling, a pin-lock coupling, and a cam and groove or “camlock” style quick connect/disconnect.

4. The fishing lure or terminal tackle of claim 3, wherein the ball-lock coupling includes a ring-shaped ball bearing component retained in a sleeve component capable of being slidingly engaged and disengaged to permit placement and removal.

5. The fishing lure or terminal tackle of claim 3, wherein the roller-lock coupling includes rollers positioned around the inner diameter of the socket to grip the plug.

6. The fishing lure or terminal tackle of claim 3, wherein the pin-lock coupling uses pins arranged in a truncated-cone formation to grip and hold the plug in the socket.

7. A fishing lure or terminal tackle system providing a uniform quick-release capability, the system comprising: a plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components each having a hook and a common quick-attach socket component; and a separable quick-attach plug component having a fishing line connector for attaching a fishing line to the lure; a releasable locking component connecting the plug component with the socket component, whereby the plug component may be inserted into a socket component of any one of the plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components in a secure fashion for use in fishing and may be quickly removed from the socket of any one of the plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components and attached to a common socket of any other one of the plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components for switching lures without removing or disturbing the fishing line attached to the plug component.

8. The system of claim 8, wherein one or both of the socket component and plug component comprise a releasable locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the plug component in place once inserted in the socket component.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the locking component is one from a group consisting of a ball-lock coupling, a roller-lock coupling, a pin-lock coupling, and a cam and groove or “camlock” style quick connect/disconnect.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the ball-lock coupling includes a ring-shaped ball bearing component retained in a sleeve component capable of being slidingly engaged and disengaged to permit placement and removal.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the roller-lock coupling includes rollers positioned around the inner diameter of the socket to grip the plug.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the pin-lock coupling uses pins arranged in a truncated-cone formation to grip and hold the plug in the socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention but are intended to be exemplary and for reference.

[0019] FIGS. 1 (A)-(C) provide a series of views of a first embodiment of a fishing lure adapted with the quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention.

[0020] FIGS. 2 (A)-(C) provide a series of views of a second embodiment of a fishing lure adapted with the quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 3 (A)-(B) provide views of a third embodiment of a fishing lure adapted with the quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 provides a cross-section view of one embodiment of a quick-attach mechanism for use with a fishing lure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes or in any number of markets. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0024] FIGS. 1 (A)-(C) provide a series of views of a first embodiment 100 of a fishing lure adapted with the quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention. Although the invention is described in connection with a lure it is understood that any terminal tackle may incorporate the inventive quick connect/disconnect feature for beneficial use. As shown in FIG. 1(A), a fishing lure 100 is shown in a prior art configuration having a body 102 with a hook component 104 at a first end and an attachment mechanism 106, shown as an eye hook or eye bolt, at a second end. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the fishing lure 100 has been modified to remove the simple eye bolt 106 and in its place a socket 108 is provided and is adapted to receive a plug to provide a quick-attach mechanism. As shown in FIG. 1(C), the fishing lure 100 is shown with a plug 110 received into the socket 108 with the quick-attach mechanism in a secured configuration. A fishing line 111 is shown connected to the plug component 110 by a fishing line connector 112.

[0025] FIGS. 2 (A)-(C) provide a series of views of a second embodiment of a fishing lure 200 adapted with a quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2(A), a fishing lure 200 is shown in a prior art configuration having a body 202 with a hook component and an attachment mechanism 204, shown as a closed ring, at a second end. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the fishing lure 200 has been modified to remove the simple ring 204 and in its place a socket 206 is provided and is adapted to receive a plug to provide a quick-attach mechanism. As shown in FIG. 2(C), the fishing lure 200 is shown with a plug 208 received into the socket 206 with the quick-attach mechanism in a secured configuration.

[0026] FIGS. 3 (A)-(B) provide views of a third embodiment of a fishing lure 300 adapted with a quick-attach mechanism according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3(A), a fishing lure 300 is shown having a socket 306 as provided and adapted to receive a plug 304 to provide a quick-attach mechanism. The plug 304 includes a fishing line connection mechanism, here an enclosed passage or through hole, through which fishing line 308 is passed and secured, such as by way of a knot. A second plug 304 is shown unattached to the fishing lure 300 for illustration purposes. Also, FIG. 3(B) illustrates the fishing lure 300 without the plug 304 inserted and secured in place. As shown in this example, plug 304 is of the ball-lock type.

[0027] FIG. 4 provides a cross-section view of one embodiment of a quick-attach ball-lock type mechanism for use with a fishing lure according to the present invention. As shown, fishing lure 400 includes a partial view of a lure body 402 with a socket component 403. The socket component 403 is shown as an assembly comprising a first spring 404, a spring base support 406, a sliding retention sleeve 408, a lock ring 410, a ball bearing or ball 412, a second spring 414, an optional O-ring or seal 416, and a two-piece socket body 418. The socket 403 is configured for sliding mating engagement with plug component 420. Plug 420 includes a fishing line securing means 422, shown here as a simple ring, for securing a fishing line 424 to the plug. To secure plug 420 to the fishing lure body 402, socket 403 receives plug 420 by sliding sleeve 408 in a direction to free outward movement of ball or ball-bearing 412. Once the plug 420 is inserted into the socket 403, sleeve 408 is returned to a retention position to secure plug 420 into socket 403 and to connect the fishing line 424 to the fishing lure 400. In a reverse operation, the fishing line and plug are easily removed or disconnected from the fishing lure 400 and another fishing lure with similar socket component may be quickly connected or attached to the plug 420 and fishing line 424.

[0028] By way of example as to various forms of quick-attach mechanisms suitable for the above-stated purpose, the fishing lures of FIGS. 1-3 may be in the form of any of a number of suitable quick-acting (or quick connect/disconnect) couplings. For purposes of explaining the operation of such quick-acting couplings, we offer the following acceptable types which all have essentially three common elements: a plug, a socket, and a locking mechanism. The plug is the “male” half and the socket is the “female” half. When connected, the parts connected by way of the plug and socket form a joint or junction and are locked and resist tensile forces that tend to pull the joint apart. Typically, the parts may be easily disconnected by hand by simply disengaging a locking mechanism and separating the parts respectively connected to the plug and socket. For example, the invention may be in the form of a ball-lock coupling (for example having a ring-shaped ball bearing component retained in a sleeve component capable of being slidingly engaged and disengaged to permit placement and removal), a roller-lock coupling (rollers are positioned around the inner diameter of the socket to grip the plug), a pin-lock coupling (uses pins arranged in a truncated-cone formation to grip and hold the plug in the socket), or a cam and groove or “camlock” style quick connect/disconnect.

[0029] In a first embodiment the present invention provides a fishing lure or terminal tackle comprising a body, a hook, a quick-attach socket component, and a separable quick-attach plug component having a fishing line connector, whereby the plug component may be inserted into the socket component, one or both of the socket component and plug component comprising a releasable locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the plug component in place once inserted in the socket component.

[0030] In another embodiment the invention provides a fishing lure or terminal tackle system comprising: a plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components each having a hook and a common quick-attach socket component; and a separable quick-attach plug component having a fishing line connector, whereby the plug component may be inserted into a socket component of any one of the plurality of fishing lures or terminal tackle components, one or both of the socket component and plug component comprising a releasable locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the plug component in place once inserted in the socket component.

[0031] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes or in any number of markets. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.