Flared double fish hook

Abstract

A flared double fish hook having a pair of shanks, said pair of shanks adjacent one another up to a bifurcation point; the shanks bifurcating at said bifurcation point to each form a bend ending in a point; the shanks being separated by an first angle at the bifurcation point, and a second larger angle at the points, such that the bend portion of the double fish hook flares.

Claims

1. A flared double fish hook, comprising: a) means for receiving fishing line; b) shank means extending from said means for receiving fishing line to a bifurcation point; c) a pair of bent sections separated by an angle, and integrally formed with said shank means at said bifurcation point; d) each of said bent sections ending in points; e) said bent sections increasingly flared to curve away from each other such that said angle increases continuously from said bifurcation point to said points such that each of said bent sections does not lie in a single plane.

2. The fish hook of claim 1, wherein said fish hook has a color finish or a differentially refractive finish or a glitter finish.

3. An improved double fish hook, comprising only two fish hooks, each of said only two fish hooks comprising a shank attached to a bend portion including a bend and ending in a point, said two fish hooks adjoined along said shanks, said two fish hooks separated by a first angle at a bifurcation point near said bends and separated by a second angle at the points, the improvement comprising increasingly flaring an angle of separation between said bend portions of said two fish hooks, such that said angle of separation increases continuously from said bifurcation point to said second angle at said points which is larger than said first angle at said bifurcation point near said bends and said bend portions curve away from each other from said bifurcation point to said points such that each of said bend portions is not lying in a single plane.

4. The hook of claim 3, wherein said angle of separation increases linearly.

5. The hook of claim 3, wherein said angle of separation increases exponentially.

6. The hook of claim 3, said shanks sharing an eye at an end of said double fish hook opposite said points.

7. A flared double fish hook consisting essentially of: a) a pair of shanks, said pair of shanks adjacent one another up to a bifurcation point; b) said shanks bifurcating at said bifurcation point to form two fish hooks having bends ending in points; c) said fishhooks curve away from each other and being separated by an increasingly flared angle that continuously increases from said bifurcation point to said points, such that each of said bends does not lie in a single plane and a first angle at said bifurcation point is smaller than a second angle at said points by at least 25.

8. The hook of claim 7, further comprising an eye at an end of said flared double fish hook opposite said points.

9. The hook of claim 7, further comprising a flattened end at an end of said flared double fish hook opposite said points.

10. The hook of claim 7, said shanks being adjoined up to said bifurcation point.

11. The hook of claim 7, said shanks being brazed together up to said bifurcation point.

12. The hook of claim 7, said shanks being flattened.

13. The hook of claim 7, said first angle being 5-15, said second angle being 30-90.

14. The hook of claim 7, said first angle being about 10, said second angle being about 45.

15. The hook of claim 7, comprising tempered stainless steel or tempered carbon steel or tempered carbon steel coated with a corrosion resistant coating.

16. The fish hook of claim 7, wherein said fish hook has a color finish or a differentially refractive finish or a glitter finish.

17. A flared double fish hook, comprising only two fish hooks having a common eye, and adjacent adjoined shanks until a bifurcation point, and each of said only two fish hooks having a bend portion ending in a point and a barb, said bend portions curving away from each other from said bifurcation point to said respective points and being separated by a first angle at said bifurcation point, an angle of separation increasing from said bifurcation point to a second angle between said points which is larger than said first angle at said bifurcation point such that each of said bend portions is not lying in a single plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1. Parts of a fish hook.

(2) FIG. 2. Point styles.

(3) FIG. 3. Eye styles.

(4) FIG. 4. Common eye positions.

(5) FIG. 5. Shank curvature.

(6) FIG. 6A-6C. Prior art double hook, front view (top panel); side view (middle panel); bottom view (bottom panel).

(7) FIG. 6D-6F. Inventive double hook, front view (top panel); side view (middle panel); bottom view (bottom panel).

(8) FIG. 7. Inventive double hook with kirbed and reversed barbs.

(9) FIG. 8. Glitter coating on fish hooks.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(10) The invention provides a novel flared double fish hook, useful for big game fishing, such as tuna, wahoo, and the like.

(11) The flared double fish hook comprises a pair of shanks, said pair of shanks adjacent one another up to a bifurcation point. The shanks bifurcate at the bifurcation point to each form a bend ending in a point, as is seen in a typical double fish hook. The portions are separated by a first angle at the bifurcation point, and a second angle at the points, said first angle being smaller than said second angle by at least 25. The angle between the bend portions of the two fish hooks can increase linearly to the points, or can increase exponentially to the point, as desired. In preferred embodiments, the angle increases from about 10 to about 45.

(12) In use, somewhat higher force is required to set this fish hook, but because the points are flared apart, the large game fish have a more difficult time pulling free of the flared points. The flared points create a wedge that is much harder for the fish to dislodge once embedded.

(13) In another embodiment, an improved double fish hook is provided. In the standard double fish hook, each hook has a shank attached to a bend and ending in a point, two fish hooks being adjacent or even adjoined along said shanks up to a bifurcation point. The two fish hooks are separated by an angle at a bifurcation point near said bends and separated by the same angle at the pointsin other words, each hook portion lies in a single plane. The improvement comprises flaring the angle of separation between the two fish hooks, such that an angle of separation increases from the bifurcation point to a larger angle at said points.

(14) Another embodiment provides a flared double fish hook, comprising two fish hooks having a common eye, and adjacent shanks until a bifurcation point, and each fish hook having a bend, a point and a barb, said bend being separated by a first angle at said bifurcation point and said points being separated by a second larger angle at said points.

(15) Yet another embodiment provides a flared double fish hook, comprising means for receiving fishing line; shank means extending from said means for receiving fishing line to a bifurcation point; a pair of bent sections integrally formed with said shank means at said bifurcation point; each of said bent sections ending in penetrating points; said bent sections increasingly flared away from each other from said bifurcation point to said penetrating points.

(16) In manufacturing, straight lengths of wire are cut into pieces of an appropriate length. A point is honed on each end and the wire bent in half over a small cam, forming the eye in the middle. This can be left inline, or bent up or down as desired, but typically is straight. If desired, the shanks can be flattened or brazed together.

(17) Each point is then bent over another cam, forming the bend, with an appropriate throat length and gape. Up to this point, manufacturing has proceeded according to the methods used to make the traditional double hook, but at this point the method differs. Each double hook is then further bent, typically over a larger cam, to move the points away from each other, thus producing the flare. It may also be possible to change the orders of these steps, but the above is typical.

(18) To strengthen the metal, the hooks are tempered or heat-treated. This is an important stage of hook making. The tempering molecularly alters the metal, concentrating the carbon and removing impurities, making the hook much stronger. The hooks are then carefully cooled and intermittently dipped in oil. Once cool, the carbon-steel hook is ready to be plated, although stainless hooks do not have to be coated.

(19) Coatings vary from bronze varietieswhich offer little corrosion resistanceto corrosion resistant coatings that contain more protective elements like nickel, zinc and tin. Most manufacturers offer proprietary finishes, such as Eagle Claw's new Platinum+coating, specifically for the rigors of salt water, the black-nickel finish from Spro Corp., and red coatings can also be beneficial, as they are suggestive of blood, which can attract big game fish. However, other than red, no attempts have been made to make the hook itself more attractive or to blend the hook with lure colors/designs. Instead, lure and flies are used for that purpose, since these add-ons are species specific, whereas hooks are generally used for a broad range of species.

(20) FIG. 6A-C shows the prior art double fish hooks, wherein the bent portions of the hooks lie in a single plane. This can most easily be seen in the side view (middle panel), wherein the point lines up directly in front of the shank. It can also be seen in the bottom view (bottom panel), wherein at the correct angle, the points cannot be seen at all because they lie directly behind the bend.

(21) In contrast, in FIG. 6D-F, the flared double fish hook is illustrated, wherein the point does not line up with the shank because the hook increasingly flares from at or near the bifurcation point towards the point. The flare is best viewed from the bottom (bottom panel), where the angle between the two bend portions increases linearly from the bifurcation point to the points, thus providing the curved triangle between them.

(22) From the bottom, the prior art double fish hook shows a straight edge triangle formed between the two bent portions of the two hooks. In contrast, the shape between the two bent portions of the two flared hooks is a curved trianglee.g., each side of the triangle is an arc (negatively curved triangle).

(23) FIG. 7B shows a variant with kirbed and reversed points.

(24) If desired, the flared double fish hook can be provided with a weed guard (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,253,485, 3,670,446); or a second eyelet (US20080066370).

(25) FIG. 8 shows 3 flared double fish hooks with a glitter finish. This finish was applied by a 4-step paint process, first applying a rust inhibiting primer, then a flat paint color, a glitter paint layer, followed by a clear coat for protection. Although not shown, the use of a glitter finish such as this can be combined with any fish hook style, including all of the variants discussed and illustrated herein. Furthermore, any color, be it flat, metallic, pearlescent, glitter, or combinations thereof, can be applied as a finish. The finish can also be specially designed so that the hook blends with a particular lure type.

(26) Furthermore, although we did this proof of concept hook by painting, other means of achieving glitter and/or color finishes are possible. For example, anodizing, plating, electroplating, acid treatments, patinas, powder coating, heat treatments, and the like can also be used to provide various finishes. A glitter like finish can also be provided by grinding or milling the surface of the hook, providing refracting surfaces that will differentially catch and reflect light.

(27) Where a paint or glaze or other coating is used, a primer is generally recommended, although not all metal surfaces require a primer. If the metal does not require primer, such as stainless steel, it means it already contains properties that allow it to prevent oxidation. Rust inhibitor primers such as those made by the Rust-Oleum company prevent oxidation by adding zinc to the primer, which oxidizes in place of the metal. The zinc will have to dissolve entirely before the base metal begins oxidizing, a process that takes years.

(28) In some embodiments, the clear coat can be either omitted or one or more clear coats can be added. In other embodiments, the various paint layers can be combined or omitted, depending on the paint qualities. Thus, where the glitter itself has the requisite color, a color undercoat may be omitted. Further, some paints are formulated with rust inhibitors and to fill microscopic gaps in the metal and stick to it. If so, a separate primer layer may not be needed.

(29) Yet another variation on finishes includes the use of patinas. Patinas are created by treating metal surfaces with chemical solutions, many of which are commercially available for a variety of metals. Rainbow patinas may be particularly attractive to fish Typically, clear coat after patina treatment helps to extend the life of the color.

(30) Hot dip galvanizing is generally accomplished by two methods, both of which immerse or coat the metal with a liquid zinc bath after various processes. This protective coating is the interdiffusion of zinc and iron and will last for many years. However, the fish hook should be fabricated first, galvanized second. Galvanized metals can then be painted. U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,543, for example, describes the Colorgalv process allowing one to successfully paint hot dip galvanized products in a wide range of colors. Other coloring processes are available to color galvanized surfaces.

(31) Anodizing is an electrochemical process that forms a protective coating of aluminum oxide on the surface of aluminum. Aluminum oxide is a hard, durable, weather resistant substance. The coating is integral to the metal and cannot peel or flake. The coating may be colored by dyeing or may exhibit bronze tones through diffraction phenomena produced by the coating. Anodizing is only appropriate on certain aluminum alloys. Bronze anodizing is also available.

(32) The invention includes any one or more of the following embodiments, in any combination(s) thereof:

(33) A flared double fish hook comprising: a pair of shanks, said pair of shanks adjacent one another up to a bifurcation point; said shanks bifurcating at said bifurcation point to each form bends ending in points; said shanks being separated by an first angle at said bifurcation point, and a second angle at said points, said first angle being smaller than said second angle by at least 25.

(34) Any fish hook herein described, further comprising an eye at an end opposite said points.

(35) Any fish hook herein described, further comprising a flattened end at an end opposite said points.

(36) Any fish hook herein described, where the shanks are adjoined up to said bifurcation point.

(37) Any fish hook herein described, where the shanks are brazed together up to the bifurcation point.

(38) Any fish hook herein described, where the shanks are flattened.

(39) Any fish hook herein described, where the first angle is 5-15, and the second angle is 30-90.

(40) Any fish hook herein described, where the first angle is about 10, and the second angle is about 45.

(41) Any fish hook herein described, that comprises stainless steel, carbon steel, carbon steel coated with a corrosion resistant coating.

(42) Any fish hook herein described, where the steel is tempered.

(43) A method of manufacturing a flared double fish hook comprising: cutting a wire to a length, said wire length having a first end opposite a second end and a middle therebetween; folding said wire length in half at said middle such that a portion of said wire is adjacent another portion of said wire; forming an eye at said middle; bending each end of said wire at a bifurcation point to form a bend, the wires being separated by an angle of at least 5 at said bifurcation point; sharpening said first end and said second end to form a first point and a second point; bending said points away from each other such that said wire flares from at or near said bifurcation point to a larger angle at said first end and said second end.

(44) Any method of manufacturing a flared double fish hook, further comprising adding a first barb by notching the wire near said first point and adding a second barb by notching the wire near the second point.

(45) Any method of manufacturing a flared double fish hook, further comprising brazing the adjacent wires such that they are adjoined.

(46) Any method of manufacturing a flared double fish hook, further comprising heat tempering the wire.

(47) Any method of manufacturing a flared double fish hook, further comprising coating the wire with a corrosion resistant coating.

(48) A improved double fish hook, comprising two fish hooks, each hook comprising a shank attached to a bend and ending in a point, said two fish hooks adjoined along said shanks, said two fish hooks separated by an angle at a bifurcation point near said bends and separated by said angle at the points, the improvement comprising flaring an angle of separation between said two fish hooks, such that an angle of separation increases from said bifurcation point to a larger angle at said points.

(49) Any improved double fish hook, wherein the angle of separation increases linearly or exponentially.

(50) Any improved double fish hook, wherein the shanks share an eye at an end opposite said points.

(51) A flared double fish hook, comprising two fish hooks having a common eye, and adjacent shanks until a bifurcation point, and each fish hook having a bend, a point and a barb, said bend being separated by a first angle at said bifurcation point and said points being separated by a second larger angle at said points.

(52) A flared double fish hook, comprising: means for receiving fishing line; shank means extending from said means for receiving to a bifurcation point; a pair of bent sections integrally formed with said shank means at said bifurcation point; each of said bent sections ending in points; said bent sections increasingly flared away from each other from said bifurcation point to said points.

(53) Any fish hook herein described, wherein said fish hook has a color finish, especially a glitter finish or rainbow patina.

(54) An improved fish hook, a fish hook having a means for receiving fishing line and a bent section ending in a penetrating hook, with a shank connecting said means for receiving fishing line to said bent section, the improvement comprising a non-red color or refractive finish on said fish hook that differs from the color of the metal of the hook and/or differentially reflects light. In particular, glitter coatings, rainbow patina, and etched/ground surfaces may be preferred.

(55) The present invention is exemplified with respect to steel fish hooks, and a simple knife edge point. However, this is exemplary only, and the invention can be broadly applied to any material, point style, eye style, shank curvature, and the like. The examples herein are intended to be illustrative only, and not unduly limit the scope of the appended claims.

(56) The following references are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

(57) U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,485

(58) U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,446

(59) US20080066370.