VARIABLE TENSION FISH HOOK

Abstract

An improved apparatus for fishing in the form of a hook with multiple hook points, optional snag guard, auxiliary bait retainer, and an adjustable tension arm employed to provide variable tension between multiple hook points for the purpose of more securely and reliably setting a hook in the mouth of a fish.

Claims

1. A fishing hook comprising at least one hook pair and wherein said at least one hook pair is comprised of: a. a first shank having first and second opposite ends, wherein said second opposite end is shaped to form a first hook; b. a second shank having first and second opposite ends, wherein said first shank's first opposite end and said second shank's first opposite end, are operatively attached, and from which both said first shank and said second shank extend outwardly, forming an acute angle therebetween, and wherein said second shank's second opposite end is shaped to form a second hook; c. an adjustable tension arm formed integrally along said first shank proximate to said second opposite end of said first shank and extending perpendicularly to said first shank, said tension arm having a proximate end and a distal end; d. an interlock at the distal end of said tension arm which engages said second shank in variable tension with said first shank; and e. said adjustable tension arm having a length between said proximate end and said interlock of at least half of the length of said first shank.

2. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said operative attachment between said first shank and said second shank is a single loop.

3. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said at least one hook pair is constructed of a single uninterrupted length of durable and ductile material throughout its length.

4. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said at least one hook pair has a substantially circular cross-section throughout its length.

5. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said acute angle is determined by the distance between said first shank's second opposite end and said second shank's second opposite end, and wherein said distance is variable and adjusted by altering the length of said interlock relative to said tension arm.

6. The fishing hook of claim 5 having a distance between said first shank and said second shank and wherein said tension arm is of a length greater than said distance between said first shank and said second shank when said tension arm is engaged, and wherein at least the last 20% of overall length at the distal end of said tension arm is formed to engage said second shank as said interlock.

7. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said first shank's first opposite end and said second shank's first opposite end are operatively attached and form an eyelet comprising a single loop from which both said first shank and said second shank extend outwardly forming said acute angle.

8. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second shanks further comprise barbs formed in said shanks proximate to said hooks.

9. The fishing hook of claim 1 further comprising a snag guard comprising a length of durable material operatively attached to said first shank and extending substantially from said first opposite end of said first shank to said first hook.

10. The fishing hook of claim 1 further comprising a snag guard comprising a length of durable material operatively attached to said second shank and extending substantially from said first opposite end of said second shank to said second hook.

11. The fishing hook of claim 1 further comprising a barb operatively attached to said first shank and extending downward toward said first hook and operatively configured to retain bait in conjunction with said first hook.

12. The fishing hook of claim 1 further comprising a barb operatively attached to said second shank and extending downward toward said second hook and operatively configured to retain bait in conjunction with said second hook.

13. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said first hook and said second hook are parallel to one another, and face substantially the same direction.

14. The fishing hook of claim 1 wherein said first hook and said second hook are substantially the same length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate embodiment(s) of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fishing hook.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fishing hook.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the fishing hook in the unloaded position.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of the fishing hook in the loaded (under tension) position.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a front view of the fishing hook in a two-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs.

[0025] FIG. 10 is front view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a front view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures in describing the various embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 1 through 11 depict various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] The present invention relates to fishing hook 100 as pictured in FIGS. 1 through 4. Fishing hook 100 is formed by first, or primary shank 101 which has first opposite end 102 and second opposite end 103. Second opposite end 103 is shaped to form a hook 104 and optionally, first barb 105 which can be employed to help retain a fish which may be trapped by fishing hook 100. First barb 105 is a protrusion which is formed by a relief feature along shank 101 with a point, such that the tip of barb 105 can easily pierce an object, but once pierced, a lack of smooth surface prevents barb 105 from being easily backed out. Similarly, fishing hook 100 includes second, or secondary shank 106, which has first opposite end 107 and second opposite end 108 which is also shaped to form a hook 109 and optionally second barb 110. The two shanks are connected at a common point 116 where first shank's 101 first opposite end 102 is joined to second shank's 106 first opposite end 107. These can be joined to form an eyelet 111 through which fishing or other line(s) can be secured to hook 100 and used to tether such a line to hook 100. These shanks, 101, 106 form hook pair 99. In the exemplary embodiment pictured in the Figures, hook 104, 109 face substantially the same direction, though variations on this are possible and considered within the purview of this invention. Due to the joining of shanks, 101, 106, at a common point 116, an acute angle is formed between the two shanks, 101, 106. The precise degree of the angle is dictated by the distance desired between first hook 104 and second hook 109. For example, if a small fish is desired, which has a corresponding small mouth, the distance may be small, which would reduce the angle, and thus the overall width of hook pair 99. A larger mouth opening would dictate a greater distance between the hooks, and thus a larger angle would be present at eyelet 111, and an overall larger width of hook pair 99. In an exemplary embodiment, common point 116 and eyelet 111 are formed of a single loop of material as shown in the Figs. This single loop provides an ideal amount of kinetic energy stored in such loop to provide adequate, but not overbearing, spring back when the hook is released, as well as preventing premature release of the hook when being cast, pulled through water, and the like, in addition to simplifying construction and use. Further, in the exemplary embodiments, first shank 101 and second shank 106 are of a substantially similar length.

[0029] Adjustable tension arm 112 is formed along the length of first shank 101, typically by forming a portion of first shank 101 into a new shaft perpendicular to first shank 101 and which is shaped to engage second shank 106 and hold it in tension. Essentially then, along first shank 101, a section is bent perpendicular to itself, and then back again, thus continuing the overall shape of shank 101, but while also introducing the bent, or manipulated section forming tension arm 112 as pictured in the Figures. Tension arm 112 has a proximate end 117 and a distal end 118. The overall length of tension arm 112 will be greater than the distance between first hook 104 and second hook 109 when set to permit an operable connection between the two when set.

[0030] In tension in this example means that first shank 101 and second shank 106 are pulled together in closer relation against the forces of the two shanks' 101, 106 common point 116 and retained in place by tension arm interlock 115 located at distal end 118 of tension arm 112. One exemplary method of this type of arrangement is by having tension arm 112 include a small bend as interlock 115 which is shaped to retain second shank 106 in tension. Interlock 115 will typically be of a length at least twenty percent of said overall length of said tension arm 112 to permit easy manipulation by a user. This minimum length will allow easy manipulation with the fingers of a user, or a tool (such as pliers) if desired. In an exemplary embodiment, the length between proximate end 117 and interlock 115 is at least half that of first shank 101, which allows for a vast amount of variation in the tension by way of having the tension arm be shorter or longer as desired by the user.

[0031] Perpendicular in the case of the tension arm means perpendicular to the longest dimension of first shank 101 as pictured in FIG. 1. Tension arm 112 will typically be closer to the second opposite end 103 of said first shank 101.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the entirety of the above hook 100 is formed of one continuous piece of material, typically a metal or other durable, ductile and malleable material, for ease of construction and for increased structural integrity. Continuous in this sense means an uninterrupted ductile strand of material, drawn in one piece. In this way, grafting of pieces together, or connecting of various components is avoided, adding simplicity and structural rigidity. Having a single extrusion for the hook also reduces failures, decreases the complexities of construction, all of which result in a better product.

[0033] An example of this is a malleable and ductile metal such as wire, which can be drawn in a generally circular cross-section, and from which a single strand of such material the entire hook pair 99 can be formed, by bending or otherwise manipulating the material to form hook pair 99 as described above. Clearly some portions, such as barbs 105, 110, will not be perfectly circular, but the substantial portion of the hook 100 in the exemplary embodiment will generally be circular in cross-section.

[0034] Optionally, fishing hook 100 can also employ snag guard 114. Snag guard 114 is formed of a length of material substantially parallel to shanks 101, 106, affixed and extending substantially from either or both first shank's 101 and second shank's 106 first opposite end 102, 107 toward hooks 104, 109, and terminating near hooks 104, 109. In this way, weeds and other debris are less likely to become tangled in hooks 104, 109 and cause snags, loss of the hook or other detrimental effects. This is accomplished because snag guard 114 discourages the entry of weeds and the like into the plane formed between hooks 104, 109 and first opposite ends 102, 107 thus preventing same from being snared by hooks 104, 109. Snag guard 114 can be employed on any number of hooks, depending on the overall design chosen.

[0035] Additionally, fishing hook 100 can include secondary barb 113 on either or both first shank's 101 and second shank's 106 first opposite end 102, 107. Secondary barb(s) 113 extend downward toward hooks 104, 109 such that the points of hooks 104, 109 face the points of secondary barb(s) 113 and are used to help retain bait within fishing hook 100. Secondary barb 113 is constructed of a piece of material attached to shanks 101, 106 and drawn to a point at the end. This additional point assists in capturing and retaining bait and or aquatic prey.

[0036] Additional exemplary embodiments are pictured in FIGS. 5-11. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a odd-numbered-hook configuration, in this case, three hooks, wherein hook pair 99 is coupled with at least a third shank 201 having first opposite end 202 and second opposite end 203. Identical in construction to above tension arm 112, tension arm 212 is formed along the length of third shank 201, typically by forming a portion of first shank 201 into a shaft perpendicular to first shank 201 and which, in this iteration, is shaped to engage either first shank 101 or second shank 106 and hold it in tension.

[0037] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another exemplary embodiment utilizing a configuration with multiple hook pairs 99. This embodiment adjoins multiple hook pairs 99 together near first opposite ends 102,107 of hook pairs 99, such that many hook pairs 99 can be utilized for capturing aquatic prey.

[0038] In either of the alternate exemplary embodiments, hooks 104, snag guards, 114, secondary barbs 113, are all employed in the same manner on the additional hook pairs 99 or third shank 201, if desired, as pictured in FIGS. 9-11, by having multiple snag guards 301 and secondary barbs 302.

[0039] In operation, then, fishing hook 100 is attached to the operator's line of choice via eyelet 111. Tension arm 112 is then set by putting tension between first shank 101 and second shank 106 (closing the distance between the two) and then using tension arm 112 on first shank 101 to engage second shank 106 with interlock 115, as seen in FIG. 4 to prevent them from retracting to their original position. In this way, kinetic energy is stored in the common point 116 from shanks 101, 106 exerting forces in opposing directions. Fishing hook 100 can then be baited, on first hook 104 or second hook 109, depending on configuration, and cast in the desired location. If multiple hook pairs 99 are used, each tension arm 112 will be set as desired.

[0040] By manipulating interlock 115, bending it by hand or with a tool (enabled because of the malleability mentioned above) the overall length of tension arm 112 in relation to interlock 115 is varied. As tension arm 112 is thusly made shorter, the distance between first hook 104 and second hook 109 is also made smaller, and the opposite forces between first hook 104 and second hook 109 increase as a result, which correlates to an increasing amount of kinetic energy. Conversely, bending interlock 115 the opposite direction will increase overall length of tension arm 112 and thus the distance between first hook 104 and second hook 109, thereby reducing the tension and stored kinetic energy. This is where the variable tension is manipulated depending on the user's desired tension for a particular application, or the overall width of the set hook pair 99. Due to the extended length of tension arm 112, a great degree of variability in the length of tension arm 112 may be had, and thus a great degree of flexibility in the kinetic energy stored in the set hook pair.

[0041] When hook 100 is hit or attempted to be ingested by a fish, tension arm 112 will be released by the agitation and turbulent action about hook 100, and will spring open and expend its kinetic energy in the process, as seen in FIG. 3. This widens the spread of hook 100, decreasing the odds that the fish will be able to spit out hook 100. Simultaneously, the splayed hooks 104, 109 are much more likely to snare the fish. Either or both of the above actions ensure a more secured aquatic prey.

[0042] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.