FISHING LURE AND A LINKING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF
20190166814 ยท 2019-06-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A fishing lure and linking system in the general shape of a lizard includes a body portion, a head, and a tail. One or more appendages can be attached to the body portion, wherein a linking system can be molded into the head, and body portion. A linking system can include a forward pivot, and aft pivot with a middle rod connecting the two creating the connection rod. One or more connection rods can create the complete linking system wherein the forward pivot and the aft pivot can connect additional connection rods forming a chain wherein at each pivot section the fishing lure can move, and fluctuate as the species it is trying to emulate. A wobble device can be incorporated either before the molded fishing lure, or within the fishing lure's mold. Alternatively, the linking system can be incorporated into other species types such as a fish, frog, or worm.
Claims
1. A fishing lure comprising: a body portion having a head, and at least one appendage; a linking system having at least one pivot, wherein the linking system is incorporated and secured within the body portion of the lure.
2. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one appendage is integrally formed to the body.
3. The fishing lure of claim 2, wherein linking system and pivots are placed to mimic the structure of bones and joints in an animal species.
4. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is formed from plastic or rubber.
5. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the body, the head, and the at least one appendage are flexible and wherein the body and the tail are configured to emulate the movement of an animal species as it swims through water.
6. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the body has a tail, and wherein the linking system further comprises a forward pivot near the head, and an aft pivot near the tail, and connection rod between the forward pivot and the aft pivot.
7. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the linking system further comprises a vertical connection which has a bottom loop and a top loop wherein a hook is attached to the bottom loop.
8. A fishing lure according to claim 6, wherein at least one appendage is connected to the body portion and wherein the linking system comprises one or more connection rods extending toward the least one appendage.
9. A fishing lure according to claim 8, wherein a link connects the connection rods together at the forward pivot and the aft pivot.
10. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the body portion, the head, and the at least one appendage have a plurality of reflective pieces integrally formed within.
11. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the fishing lure comprises at least one of a wobble device, a swivel, a line, a washer, and a weight wherein the washers are placed on one or more connection rods.
12. A fishing lure according to claim 10, wherein the wobble device magnifies the fishing lure's fluctuating body, and the at least one appendage.
13. A fishing lure according to claim 1, wherein the fishing lure is shaped to resemble a lizard, frog, fish, or worm.
14. The fishing lure of claim 1, wherein the link system comprises at least one link accessible to a user through the body portion of the lure and wherein an accessory or appendage can optionally be connected to the at least one link.
15. A fishing lure mold comprising: a mold having a bottom section and a top section; the top section, and the bottom section forming a cavity defining the shape of a body portion of a fishing lure, and an injection point through which material may be inserted into the cavity that allows a linking system to be held in place while the cavity is filled with material to form a unitary artificial fishing lure;
16. A fishing lure mold according to claim 15, wherein the top section, and the bottom section further comprise cavities for one or more appendages.
17. A fishing lure mold according to claim 15, wherein the bottom section further comprise a washer cavity for a washer, and a vertical connection rod.
18. A fishing lure mold according to claim 17, wherein the washer cavity supports the washer and the vertical connection rod, and the linking system coupled to the vertical connection rod.
19. A fishing lure mold according to claim 15, wherein the cavity supports a plurality of connection rods extending towards a forward portion of the cavity exiting out of the fishing lure's head wherein the connection rod is centered and placed towards the forward portion of the cavity.
20. A fishing lure mold according to claim 15, comprising a connecting point for a taut line that can hold the linking system in place when material is inserted into the mold through the injection point.
21. A fishing lure mold according to claim 15, wherein the cavity is in the form of a lizard, frog, fish, or worm.
22. The fishing lure mold according to claim 15 further comprising a receptacle to insert the linking system into the cavity of the mold such that gravity will hold the linking system in place when material is inserted into the cavity of the mold through the injection point.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present specification will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
[0032] Referring initially to
[0033] Referring to
[0034] In some embodiments, the head 18 can have a mouth 34 (as shown in
[0035] In embodiments, the body portion 12 can extend from the head 18 to the tail 14 having a generally elongated cylindrical or oval shape with a forward, and aft end wherein the forward and aft end can connect to one or more appendages 16, 20, 26, 28 extending either perpendicularly from the body, or in parallel with the body, and the aft end can be connected to the tail 14. The body 12 can gradually increase in size, or can be one size generally extending from the forward to the aft end, or from the front appendages 16, 26, to the back appendages 20, 28. The body portion 12 can be formed of suitable material such as, but not limited to, polymers, soft plastics, metal, fiberglass, or epoxy resins. In certain embodiments, the body portion 12 and/or head 18 can have a weight(s) incorporated within itself, or the body portion can have an air pocket extending generally from the forward to the aft end thus allowing the fishermen to choose whether the lure will float or sink.
[0036] The appendages 16, 20, 26, 28 can be arms, legs, fins, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the appendages 16, 20, 26, 28 can extend outwardly away from the body in the shape of arms and/or legs, and can have one or more digits 36, which can be for example, fingers, toes, spines, or the like attached to the appendages. In the preferred embodiment, the appendages 16, 20, 26, 28 can be molded with the body 12 as one piece. In certain embodiments, the appendages can be molded as one or more pieces separate from the body 12, and can be removably or permanently attached to the body by for example, flexible rubber, hinged metal links, hinged plastic, or the like. The appendages 16, 20, 26, 28 can be made from the same material as the body 12, and in some embodiments the appendages can be made of for example, plastics, foams, woods, metals, or the like.
[0037] The tail 14 can be attached to the body 12 as one piece and can extend rearwardly from the body and defines the rear end of the fishing lure 10. The tail 14 can be shaped, for example, concave-shaped or convex-shaped to define the motion of the lure as it is moves through the water action. For example, the tail's 14 shape can flutter through the water acting as the lure is using its tail to propel itself through the water. In a preferred embodiment, the tail 14 can taper in thickness away from the body 12 and toward the tail's aft end 38 ending in a radius or blunt end. To optimize the effectiveness of the tail 14, the tail extends to a length that can be for example, between 2 inches and 6 inches, more preferably a length of between 3 inches and 5 inches, and still more preferably a length of approximately 3.5 inches. The tail 14 can have a greater thickness at the apex of where it meets the body 12, and the aft appendages 20, 28. The tail 14 can have a small peak 40 long the top of the tail which can work in combination with the tail's shape to produce an undulating motion as the tail captures, and moves through the water. In some embodiments, a tail 14 can create a side to side motion, or a top to bottom motion giving the lure different types of effects as it moves through the water. In addition, as the tail 14 can produce a quivering, amoeba-like, or breathing effect by its tail and body 12 as it moves through the water, or as the user jerks the lure through the water to give the fish the sense that the lure is alive.
[0038] Referring to
[0039] In embodiments, one or more pivots 122, 104 may comprise a link 106, or one or more links 106 can be removably or permanently attached to either or both the forward pivot 122 and the aft pivot 104, wherein two or more connection rods 102 can be connected to each other by the link to the forward pivot 122 or the aft pivot 104. The link 106 can be circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or the like in shape. The link 106 can be made generally of wire, however in other embodiments it can be made of rubber, plastic, stainless steel rods, or the like. The links 106 can be for example, between 0.075 inches and 0.5 inch, more preferably a length of between 0.125 inches and 0.375 inches, and still more preferably of approximately 0.15 inches in length. In another embodiment, the link 106 can be omitted and the connection rod 102 can be connected to each other by its forward, and aft pivots 122, 104.
[0040] The links 106 may be accessible through the body 12 of the lure 10, by for example, a cavity or cutout (not shown) in the body that allows the user to access the links 106 and attach various accessories to the links 106, such as a hook 120 optional appendage (not shown) or a body shape (not shown) to affect how the lure moves through the water. The links 106 allow the user to optionally determine the ideal body shape of the lure and can determine an ideal placement for the hook 120 or an ideal movement of the lure in the water to attract fish in connection with the techniques employed by the user. In a particular embodiment, the links 106 may allow a modular system, in which the user can attach a variety of differently shaped optional appendages to a central hub or in a sequence that creates any body structure desired by the user.
[0041] In still another embodiment, the body 12 of the lure may have at least one weight cavity (not shown) in which weights can be securely placed to allow the user to adjust the weight of the lure. The weight cavities (not shown) can be strategically placed to allow the user to better approximate the look and feel of an animal by optionally placing weight in various positions on the body 12 of the lure.
[0042] The aft pivot 104 and the link 106 can be attached to another connection rod's 102 forward pivot 122 and link, which can form one or more pivot points at each link and forward pivot/aft pivot connection point within the linking system 100. The pivot point can be located for example, where the head and body are joined, where the front appendages are joined to the body, at about the mid-point of the body, and where the aft appendages meet the body creating additional pivots points through the fishing lure approximating the pivoting action of the spine or other bone structure joints of the species the lure is intended to approximate. In certain embodiments, the pivot points can be located every for example, between 0.25 inches and 1 inch, more preferably between 0.375 inches and 0.75 inches, and still more preferably of approximately 0.675 inches. The forward pivot 122, the aft pivot 104, and link 106 pivot point can rotate around each other at, where the connection rod 102 and the following connection rod can be parallel with each other at 0 degrees, and can rotate horizontal and vertically for example, between 180 degree to 180 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 90 degrees, and still more preferably of approximately +/45 degrees.
[0043] In embodiments, a linking system 100 can be placed into and molded into the fishing lure 10, generally through the mouth 34, and the body 12. The connection rods 102 can be linked and extend to about the middle of the back appendages 20, 28. In other embodiments, the connection rods 102 can extend to about the front of the back appendages, to about the middle of the back appendages, to about the back of the back appendages. In a particular embodiment, the linking system can be pierced through the solid body 12 of the lure and secured by an anchor (not shown) that prevents the linking system 100 from being pulled back through the body 12 of the lure. In the preferred embodiment, the connection rods 102 can extend generally from about the middle of the body 12 to the back appendages 20, 28, where a vertical connection rod 128 can extend vertically from the aft pivot 104 and can be connected by a vertical link 126. A vertical connection rod 128 can extend vertically from the aft pivot 104 at for example, between 0 degree to 120 degrees, more preferably between 40 degrees and 110 degrees, and still more preferably of approximately 90 degrees. The vertical connection rod 128 can be for example, between 0.125 inches and 0.75 inch, more preferably between 0.25 inches and 0.675 inches, and still more preferably of approximately 0.375 inches. The vertical connection rod 126 can have a forward and aft pivot point where the pivot points can be circular, square, rectangular or the like in shape. The vertical connection rod 126 can be preferably a wire, but in other embodiments it can be plastic, rubber, metal, or the like. The vertical connection rod 126 thickness can be for example, between 0.05 inches and 0.25 inch, more preferably between 0.075 inches and 0.125 inches, and still more preferably of approximately 0.1 inches.
[0044] The vertical link 126 can removably or permanently connect the connection rod's 102 aft pivot 104 to the top of the vertical connection rod 128. A vertical link 126 can be circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or the like in shape. The vertical link 106 can be made generally of a wire, however in other embodiments it can be made of rubber, plastic, stainless steel rods, or the like. A vertical connection rod 128 and vertical link 126 can create a vertical pivot point where the pivot point can allow the lure's body to bend both horizontally and vertically at for example, between 180 degree to 180 degrees, more preferably between 90 degrees and 90 degrees, and still more preferably of approximately +/45 degrees. Each pivot point in the fishing lure's 10 head 34, body 12, and tail 14 give the fishing lure the ability to bend and freely swim through the water without the stiffness of a wire or hook going through the head, body and tail. As the fishing lure 10 swims through the water the shape of the body, head, tail, and the pivot points give the lure the ability to swim like the species it is trying to emulate, for example a lizard has an undulating motion as the body and tail captures, and moves through the water.
[0045] A linking system 100 can further comprise a washer 108, and a hook 120. A washer 108 can encapsulate the vertical connection rod 128 and can be attached to the bottom of fishing lure's 10 body by for example, glue, push pins, press fit, spikes, or the like. The washer 108 can be circular, square, triangular, oval, concave, convex, or the like, and can have a hole in the middle that can tighten down on the vertical connection rod 128 as it is pushed towards the fishing lure's body 12. In other embodiments, a washer 108 can have one or more slits that form an x or a t that tighten down on a vertical connection rod 128. In embodiments, the washer 108 can be for example, internal tooth lock washer, push nut washer, retention washer, spring steel washer, or the like, and it can vary in diameter or shape. The washer 108 can be made from steel, thermoplastics, nylon, ceramics, rubber, brass or the like. The washer 108 can be clear, black, white, or can match the color of the fishing lure. In certain embodiments, a washer can be replaced with a cap push nut with a hole through its center, a mounting flange, an unthreaded spacer, a shim, or the like. The washer 108 can hold the vertical connection rod 128 to the fishing lure's body 12, or tail 14 spreading the tension from the pull of the fish over a larger surface area on the bottom of the body or tail.
[0046] In embodiments, the vertical connection rod 128 can be removably connected to the hook 120 at its lower end by a loop, and/or pivot joint on the end of the vertical connection rod. The loop and/or pivot joint can be a metal loop, nylon loop, plastic loop, or the like. In certain embodiments, a swivel, a fishing line, a snap ring, a knot, or the like can attach between the hook 120 and the vertical connection rod 128. The hook 120 can be for example, a treble hook, a double hook, weedless hook, bend down hook, or the like. The hook 120 is preferably formed of stainless steel, however, in other embodiments it can be made of brass, aluminum, nylon, plastics, or the like. The hook 120 can have an eye formed on one end, and on the other side of the curved ends a barb.
[0047] In embodiments, the linking system 100 can further comprise a swivel 110, a weight 112, a wobble device 140, and a line 114. The swivel 110 can comprise of two rings connected to a pivoting joint, and can be made of stainless steel, brass, nylon, plastics or the like. The swivel 110 can be removably or permanently connected to the connection rod's 102 forward pivot 122 on its aft end, and on its forward end, or in certain embodiments it can be attached to a weight, or a line, or a wobble device. The swivel 110 can be for example, ball-bearing swivel, barrel swivel, torpedo swivel, box swivel or the like. In some embodiments, the swivel 110 can be omitted. The swivel 110 allows the fishing lure 10 and line 114 to untwist, or not twist during the fishing lure's retrieval, preventing the line from being tangled. In addition, the swivel can stop the weight, or bobble device from sliding against the fishing lure's 12 mouth 34.
[0048] The weight 112 can be attached or can be between the swivel and the wobble device 140 on the line 114, or can be behind the swivel, or directly on the wobble device. The weight 112 can be for example a fishing sinker, knock, pyramid sinkers, barrel sinkers, bank sinkers, or the like. Adding weight 112 to the fishing lure 10 can traditionally maintain the fishing lure near the bottom of the body of water, and thereby presents the fishing lure to the fish at the proper depth. To maintain a more precise depth control and to provide a means for allowing the fishing lure 10 to stay at the desired depth weights can be added or taken away from the fishing lure depending on the desired depth. In addition, the weight 112 can be added to accommodate different fishing styles for example, retrieving the fishing lure from a boat, or from the shoreline. In certain embodiments, the weight 112 can be omitted from the fishing lure 10, and the swivel 110 can be connected to the fishing line 114, and/or wobble device 140, and/or attached to the swivel.
[0049] In embodiments, a wobble device 140 can be connected to, inserted on, or attached to a line 114. The wobble device 140 can comprise of a cup, or a cone shaped guide having an apex and a rim wherein the rim can have a line guide thru the hole substantially centered on the cup and the rim. The cup shape can be oriented so that it is generally facing the fishing poll, and the line 114 can be inserted through the line guide thru hole. The wobble device 140 can have a circular front, and gradual decrease in size down to the rim. When the fishing lure 10 is reeled through the water the wobble device 140 can slide freely on the line and press up against any combination of the following items: the weight 112, the swivel 110, or the fishing lure's mouth 34. The wobble device deflects the water around the fishing lure 10, and helps magnify the fishing lure's natural undulating motion. In other embodiments, a wobble device can be half a sphere, cone with flat top, pyramid with flat top, or the like. The wobble device 140 can be made of clear plastics, metals, composites, nylons, and can include internal and external finishes such as glitter, sparkles or the like to act as an attractant for the fish. In certain embodiments, the wobble device 140 can be omitted. In certain embodiments, the wobble device 140 can be molded into the head 18 or mouth 34 of the fishing lure, and the swivel 110, and the weight 112 can be on the forward side of the wobble device toward the fishing line. In yet another embodiment, the wobble device 140 and weight 112 can be molded into the head 18 or mouth 34 of the fishing lure.
[0050] In embodiments, the line 114 can be attached on one end to a swivel by a knot, or in other embodiments, the line can be attached to a connection rod's 102 forward pivot 122, or it can be connected to a weight 112, and on the other end a rod and reel. The line 114 can be made from for example, nylon, monofilament, polyvinylidene, polyethylene, Dacron, Dyneema, steel, titanium or the like. Using a rod and reel, an angler can move the fishing lure 10 through the water with the line 114. The line 114 can pass through the wobbler's 140 thru hole, or it can be directly attached to the fishing lure by the connection rod's 102 forward pivot 122, or to the swivel, or to the swivel.
[0051] Referring to
[0052] Referring to
[0053] Referring to
[0054] Referring to
[0055] Referring to
[0056] Referring to
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[0058] Referring to
[0059] Referring to
[0060] Referring to
[0061] In embodiments, a mold 800 can be two or more pieces having a bottom piece 802 and a top piece 804. The mold can be cast as a unitary or one-piece fishing 10 lure having a head 810, body 812, tail 816 and linking system 100 molded within one-piece. The mold halves 802, 804 can each form the top half of the fishing lure, and the bottom half of the fishing lure each having one or more cavities for the fishing lure's appendages (not shown). The bottom piece 802 can contain a cavity 806 that a washer 108 can be placed in to support a vertical connection rod 128 and the linking system 100. The bottom piece 802 and a top piece 804 can have a wobbler cavity 808 that supports the wobbler device, and in other embodiments the wobbler device can be placed on the outside of the mold pieces, and yet another embodiment the wobbler device can be included in the head 810 of the fishing lure 10. The fishing line 114 can be pulled taut and locked into place allowing the linking system to sit centered within the mold cavity before the mold is poured. The washer cavity 806 can support the washer 108 keeping the vertical connection rod 128 positioned correctly and adding resistance against the linking system 100, and the line 114 being pulled taut. The combination of the washer cavity 806, and the line being pulled taut and locked into position allows the linking system 100 to be positioned correctly within the fishing lure 10.
[0062] A conventional source of pressurized molten plastic can be connected to the mold cavity gate 814. The bottom section 802 and a top section 804 can be held together by any conventional means during the mold process allowing one complete fishing lure 10 to be formed with the molten plastic is pushed into the cavities. The fishing lure 10 can be cast from any suitable material for example, plastic, rubber, polyvinyl chloride plasticized with esters such as phathalate, or the like. The method of molding a fishing lure 10 can start when the two halves are held tightly against together on a horizontal plane 816 where one or more notches and holes can lie on the bottom or top piece keeping the pieces aligned. Molten plastic can be forced under pressure through the entrance gate 814. The entrance gate 814 can be located on for example, either on the bottom piece 802 or on the top piece 804. As the plastic is pushed into the cavity, the plastic advances from the entrance gate 814 toward the front and back end of the fishing lure 10 cavity the pressure built up as the mold is pushed through the cavity is expelled between the space between the bottom piece 802 and the top piece 804.
[0063] Once the fishing lure 10 cavities are filled with molten plastic, the molten plastic can then be cooled by any conventional manner for example, put in a freezer, air cooled, or the like. After the plastic filling the cavity has been solidified, the mold halves can be separated, and the fishing lure can fall out of the mold. In certain embodiments, a mold can be in the shape of for example, a lizard, a fish, a frog, or the like.
[0064] Referring to
[0065] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.
[0066] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. As used herein, the term about means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein.
[0067] The terms a, an, the and similar referents used in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.