Abstract
A fishing lure component and system is provided for soft baits which is highly strain resistant and tear resistant in the major stress longitudinally while placid in the vertical axis. The component employs a textile comprised of synthetic or natural fibers of dimension and configuration to dissipate penetration damage from hooking, or fish biting over the adjacent fibers providing protection of stresses up to 100 times that of soft bait lures. Component allows for the forming and movement in use to replicate living bait creatures. System includes features for hook installation, 3 dimensional color appearance thru polymer, infinite variation coloration, over-molding, and coating.
Claims
1. A lifelike fishing lure component apparatus, comprising: A selectively flexible plane of material constructed from a thin-fiber textile, shaped to accurately resemble a living bait creature. The textile structurally configured to provide very low deformation in a length axis and a width axis when tensioned while providing high deformation in a vertical axis. A visual pattern of one or more colors or shades which intensifies the awareness of motion when drawn through or on top of water At least one location to securely install a fishing hook cooperatively with the textile.
2. The lifelike fishing lure apparatus of claim 1 where the textile is structurally oriented to accept the maximum stress in the longitudinal axis.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the textile stress tolerance may be profiled using mechanical, chemical and thermal means.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein hook retention force is greater than 5 pounds.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the textile is printable with infinite variations of color and patterns giving an appearance of living creatures.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the color and light reflection patterns include patterns which provoke a reaction from fish.
7. The lifelike fishing lure apparatus of claim 1 wherein the textile surface may be modified by mechanical, chemical and thermal means.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 which is over molded with a layer of elastomeric material.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the layer of elastomeric material forms the three dimensional shape appearance of a living creature.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the textile shape is infinitely variable and can include width features of 0.2 mm or greater.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the elastomeric material includes light varying fillers.
12. A fishing lure apparatus comprising: A fishing lure component comprising of at least one profiled segment of a textile which simulates the features of bait creatures, minimum of one receptor surface location for materials attachment of at least one molecular layer differing from the underlying surface in properties and one or more designated locations for a hook to be retained.
13. The component of claim 12 comprising a method of attachment of the hook wherein the textile is pierced at a single or multiple locations.
14. The component of claim 12 wherein the receptor surface locations is for attachment of polymeric material.
15. The component of claim 12 wherein receptor surface is for the attachment of coloration materials.
16. A method of making a Lifelike Soft Fishing Lure by: Orienting the textile, shaping a textile material to a planar appearance with features implying a living creature, and preparing at least a single surface for visual effects.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the shaping is achieved by laser cutting.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the preparation of surface for visual effect includes the steps of surface preparation for adherence and printing.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein an elastomeric polymer is adherently molded onto a portion or total surface of the textile.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein a semi-rigid or rigid polymer is adherently molded onto a portion or total surface of the textile.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a top planar of an exemplary lure
[0030] FIG. 1A is a side view of FIG. 1
[0031] FIG. 1B is an isometric view of FIG. 1
[0032] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an exemplary lure
[0033] FIG. 2A is a detail view of FIG. 2
[0034] FIG. 3 is a top view of thermally set or formed exemplary lure
[0035] FIG. 3A is a side view of FIG. 3
[0036] FIG. 3B is an isometric view of FIG. 3
[0037] FIG. 3C is an isometric view of thermally set or formed exemplary lure
[0038] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of thermally set or formed exemplary lure
[0039] FIG. 4A is and isometric view of thermally set or formed exemplary lure with cutouts for flexibility
[0040] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of exemplary lure hooking method example 1
[0041] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of exemplary lure hooking method example 2
[0042] FIG. 5B is an isometric view of exemplary lure hooking method example 3
[0043] FIG. 5C is a side view of FIG. 5B
[0044] FIG. 5D is an isometric view of exemplary lure hooking method example 4
[0045] FIG. 5E is an isometric view of exemplary lure hooking method example 5
[0046] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of exemplary lure coloring detail
[0047] FIG. 6A is an image of creature detail used on exemplary lures
[0048] FIG. 6B is an image of creature detail layout used on exemplary lures
[0049] FIG. 6C is an image of final creature detail layout used on exemplary lure
[0050] FIG. 6D is an isometric view of creature detail on exemplary lure over-molded
[0051] FIG. 6E is a side view of FIG. 6D
[0052] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of exemplary lure coloring detail
[0053] FIG. 7A is an image of creature detail used on exemplary lures
[0054] FIG. 7B is an image of creature detail layout used on exemplary lures
[0055] FIG. 7C is an image of final creature detail layout used on exemplary lure
[0056] FIG. 7D is an isometric view of creature detail on exemplary lure over-molded
[0057] FIG. 7E is a side view of FIG. 6D
[0058] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of coated exemplary lure
[0059] FIG. 8A is a side view of FIG. 8
[0060] FIG. 8B is a detailed view of FIG. 8A
[0061] FIG. 8C is an isometric view of FIG. 8 with coloring
[0062] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of over-molded exemplary lure
[0063] FIG. 9A is a side view of FIG. 9
[0064] FIG. 9B is an isometric view of partially over-molded exemplary lure
[0065] FIG. 9C is a side view of FIG. 9B
[0066] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of over-molded exemplary lure with hooking method example
[0067] FIG. 10A is a side view of FIG. 10
[0068] FIG. 10B is an isometric view of over-molded exemplary lure with hooking method example
[0069] FIG. 10C is a side view of FIG. 10B
[0070] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of exemplary hook attachment mechanism
[0071] FIG. 11A is an isometric view of FIG. 11
[0072] FIG. 11B is an isometric view of exemplary hook attachment mechanism with exemplary lure
[0073] FIG. 11C is an isometric view of exemplary hook attachment mechanism assembled on exemplary lure
[0074] FIG. 11D is an isometric view of FIG. 11C with hook
[0075] FIG. 11E is an isometric view of exemplary hook attachment mechanism on exemplary lure over-molded
[0076] FIG. 11F is an isometric view of FIG. 11E with hook
[0077] FIG. 11G is a side view of FIG. 11F
[0078] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of exemplary detachable mechanism on exemplary lure
[0079] FIG. 12A is an isometric view of exemplary detachable mechanism detached from exemplary lure
[0080] FIG. 12B is an isometric view of exemplary detachable mechanism and exemplary lure attachment
[0081] FIG. 12C is an isometric view of exemplary detachable mechanism in open position
[0082] FIG. 12D is a top view of exemplary detachable mechanism in closed position with section defined
[0083] FIG. 12E is a side section view of exemplary detachable mechanism in closed position
[0084] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of exemplary skirted jig application
[0085] FIG. 13A is a top view of exemplary skirt application
[0086] FIG. 14 is a side view of exemplary spinner application
[0087] FIG. 14A is a side view of an additional exemplary spinner application
[0088] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of exemplary textile insert for over-molding and exemplary manufacturing methods
[0089] FIG. 15A is a top view of FIG. 15
[0090] FIG. 15B is an isometric view of exemplary mold assembly with exemplary textile insert and exemplary manufacturing methods
[0091] FIG. 15C is an isometric view of exemplary textile insert over-molded product
[0092] FIG. 15D is an isometric view of exemplary lure removed from textile insert
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1
[0093] FIG. 1 is a top view of lure 10 which is an example shape for the body of a crawfish lure. The method of attachment will be described in subsequent drawings. The lure has a body portion 12 and extremities portion 14. The extremities are attached by thin arms 16. Lure 10 is made of a textile 18. FIG. 1A which is a side view of lure 10. Lure 10 made entirely of a textile 18 shown in this view demonstrates the thickness 20 of textile lure. The thin nature of the textile 18, lure 10 gives great flexibility and strength. FIG. 1B is an isometric view of lure 10 made of textile 18. Any lure design or shape can be derived from textile 18. All lure designs shown in subsequent drawings are examples of, but not all design options. Designs are unlimited. The preferred textile 18 material is generally formed of but not limited to polyester, nylon, polyurethane or hydro-carbon or carbon based materials which are biodegradable. The textile 18 may be comprised of either a fixed node, or a floating node construction. The term fixed node construction is used to describe a matrix where the intersections are generally joined. An example of this general configuration is a screen. The term floating node constructed is used to describe a matrix where the intersections are generally movable with respect to the intersections. An example of this configuration is a weave or braid. Both configurations are anticipated by this disclosure.
[0094] The design requirements of the textile 18 lure material dictate that the material should be quite thin, but strong. Although thickness can be variable, the preferred embodiment the thickness should be no more than 1 mm, and more preferably0.2 mm. The tensile strength can be variable as well, based on the size of the lure and size of the hook used, the preferred tensile strength needs to be greater than 2.25 kilograms per cm of width, and more preferably a factor of at least 2 times this, and even more preferably 10 times this value. The textile 18 must increase the tensile and shear properties of the tiny extremities, and the hook retention areas by a factor of at least 2 times that of an un-reinforced soft plastic counterpart to meet the design objectives that fishermen desire. The materials used should provide a matrix that is strong in tensile and flexible in bending. This is because the tensile stiffness of artificial lures that are comprised from elastomeric materials is inadequate in this axis and fall apart far too quickly under real use.
[0095] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of lure 22 which is another example shape for the body of a worm or leech design. The method of attachment will be described in the subsequent drawings. Lure 22 is made entirely of a textile 18. Lure 22 has additional cutouts 24 for design purposes, cosmetics, and but not limited to flexibility. FIG. 2A is a detailed view of a portion of lure 22 of FIG. 2. In this view the cutouts 24 can be added to give textile 18 lure 22 very thin areas 26 for great flexibility. Being the lure is made entirely of a textile 18, these thin areas 26 are very strong but yet flexible.
[0096] FIG. 3 is a top view of lure 28 which is an example shape of a tailed worm design made entirely of a textile 18. The tail sections 30 is attached to lure body 34 by very thin areas 26 for great flexibility and motion in the water. FIG. 3A is a side view of textile 18 lure 28 with tail sections 30. The textile 18 of lure 28 shows an example of a thermally set or formed 32 tail sections 30 in an S shape fixed position. These thermal sets or forms 32 will remain fixed but yet have enough flexibility in the water for great motion to attract, look lifelike, and look appealing to fish. FIG. 3B is an isometric view of lure 28 made entirely of a textile 18. This isometric view shows greater detail of thermal set or formed 32 tail sections 30. FIG. 3C is an isometric view of a similar lure as lure 28 with tail sections 30 thermally set or formed 32 in opposing directions 34. FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C is just an example of thermal sets or forms 32 in the tail sections 30 and is not limited to any shape, size or areas of the desired lure design.
[0097] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of lure 36 which is an example shape of a worm made entirely out of a textile 18. Lure 36 has a tail section 30 and is thermally set or formed 32 as shown but not limited to an S shape. The body 40 of lure 36 shows the textile 18 thermally set 38 to the point it makes the body 40 section of the lure 36 more rigid. Textiles 18 can be thermally treated 38 with various temperatures to get the desired harness desired. Not only does this make the textile 18 lure 36 body 40 more rigid for less flexibility in this area but also aids in greater hook retention. FIG. 4A is an isometric view of lure 42 which is an example shape of a leech design made entirely out of a textile 18. Lure 42 is shown thermally set or formed 32 in an S shape. This lure 42 may not require a thermal set or form 32 because of the cutouts 24 and thin areas 26 of textile 18 will have much flexibility when twitched in the water. Lure 42 also shows an example of a thermally set 38 tip where it is hooked.
[0098] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of lure 36 shown as an example of one of many ways the textile 18 lures can be hooked. Hook 44 is an off the shelf hook commonly known as a worm hook or wide gap worm hook. This style of worm hook has a bend 46 near the eyelet 50 of the hook where the fishing line is tied. This type of hook 44 works well with the textile 18 lures because the bend 46 seats well and retains the textile 18 lures in a fixed position when fished. The sharp or barbed end of the hook 44 when pushed through the textile 18 or thermally set 38 textile 18 as shown in lure 36, retains in hooking location 48 the hook 44 and the lure 36 in a fixed position when fished. FIG. 5A is an isometric view of lure 22 hooked thru the textile 18 with an octopus style hook 52. This lure 22 and hook 52 is shown rigged for finesse fishing and hooked just within the tip of the textile 18 lure 22. The textile 18 lures allow for such hook 52 and hooking location 48 because of its tensile strength and would normally be difficult hooking this way with regular soft plastic baits because the plastic tears so easily. With current soft plastics today, the hooks are normally embedded further into soft plastic body to gain increased strength with larger cross section of soft plastic body. Because of this, the hook 52 (as shown) hooking surface is minimized due to the increased soft plastic in the hooking areas of the hook and hooking percentage of fish decreases. With some soft plastics, other devices are added to the plastic lure to achieve a more exposed hook for increased hook exposure which in turn increased fish hooking percentage. Some of these methods are an O-ring secured around the soft plastics and the hook is attached around the O-ring and another example is a metal coil with an eyelet which is screwed into the soft plastic that allows deeper penetration for increased strength and then the hook is pushed through the eyelet of the coil at the tip of the lure. These are just some of the methods used today to help prolong the life and durability of soft plastics today but is still very limited to how long they will hold up before breaking and the textile 18 lures is solution that does not exist today that every fisherman can benefit from for extended durability with any hooking method. FIG. 5B is an isometric view of lure 54 shown as an example of a frog design made entirely of a textile 18. This embodiment shows an example of a hook 56 also known as a swim bait hook with a cork screw 58. The cork screw 58 of hook 56 can be turned by helix 60 into the textile 18 to fix the front end of the lure 54 near the eyelet 62 of the hook 56. Because the cork screw 58 is turned by helix 60 into the textile 18 many times, each entry point of turned by helix 60 into the textile 18 is an anchor point and disperses the load or stress on the lure to all these points turned by helix 60 making this a very strong hooking method. The sharp or barbed end of the hook 56 when pushed through the textile 18 as shown in lure 54, retains in hooking location 48 the hook 56 and the lure 54 in a fixed position when fished. FIG. 5C is a side view of lure 54 and the hook 56 with cork screw 58 turned by helix 60 into textile 18 and secured at hooking location 48 on sharp or barbed end of hook 56. FIG. 5D is an isometric view of lure 64 shown as an example of a textile 18 swimbait attached to a weed less brush guard 68 jig 66. These styles of jigs 66 are an existing and commonly known and used hook for many fisherman given their versatility when used is weedy areas, timber, and rocks without snagging. These Jigs 66 can include plastic, or silicone skirts 76 and are often tipped with a soft plastic lure on the hook 70 of the jig 66. A common issue as described previously is that the soft plastic does not hold up long with this type of rigging. The textile 18 lure 64 (shown in this example), is hooked once 74 thru the leading edge of the textile 18 lure 64, then again a second time 72 a little further down thru the textile 18 lure 64 fixing the lure securely on the jig 66. Lure 64 is a textile 18 swimbait which has a very flexible leg design 78 which create a kicking motion in the water perfect for using on such jigs 66. FIG. 5E is an isometric view of lure 80 which is another example of a swim style textile 18 lure attached to a shaky head style finesse jig 82. This jig 82 shows an example of one of the many styles with the cork screw 58 attachment method. As described previously, the cork screw 58, is turned many times into the textile 18 lure 80 giving many anchor points 60 for great lure retention and durability. The cork screw 58 is attached to jig 82 on the inside of the jig as shown 84. The hook portion 86 of the jig 82 is secured at location 88 thru the textile 18 lure body 80.
[0099] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of lure 14 which is a lure entirely made of textile 18. Lure 14 is shown with lifelike color detail 90 of a crawfish. The lifelike color detail 90 of a crawfish is shown as one example of the unlimited color options that can be put on the textile 18 lures. Unlike coloration of molded soft plastics, which colorations are limited to the molding process (as described previously in the summary of this invention) and detail with coloration has limitations, coloring of the textile 18 lures has no limitations. FIG. 6A shows how realistic creature or prey detail such as the crawfish image 92 shown as just as one example that can be used on the textile lure. FIG. 6B shows the crawfish color detail 92 laid out to fit the textile lure as the first step 94. FIG. 6C shows the second step of fitting the crawfish color detail 92 on the textile 18 lure 14 actual size 96. This step allows the detail to match the actual features on the lure 14. FIG. 6D shows the example textile 18 lure 14 with color detail of the crawfish 92 fit to the actual size 96 of lure 14. Textile 18 lure 14 is shown over-molded 98 with a soft, clear elastomer or polymer 100 in this example. The clear elastomer or polymer 100 allows the color detail of the crawfish 92 in this example and appears to look three dimensional through amplification of elastomer or polymer 102 thru the clear over-molded body 98. FIG. 6E is a side view of textile 18 lure 14 with crawfish detail 92 over-molded 98 with clear elastomer or polymer 100. The crawfish detail is not seen in this view because it is colored on the top and/or bottom side of the textile 18 but with the amplification thru elastomer or polymer 102 it will appear to be color three dimensionally 102 but with difficulty to illustrate this, it is being described in text and not shown in FIG. 6E.
[0100] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of lure 54 which is a lure entirely made of textile 18. Lure 54 is shown with lifelike color detail 104 of a frog. The lifelike color detail 104 of a frog is shown as another example of the unlimited color options that can be put on the textile 18 lures. Unlike coloration of molded soft plastics, which colorations are limited to the molding process (as described previously in the summary of this invention) and detail with coloration has limitations, coloring of the textile 18 lures has no limitations. FIG. 7A shows how realistic creature or prey detail such as the frog image 106 shown as just as another example can be used on the textile lure. FIG. 7B shows the frog color detail 106 laid out to fit the textile lure as the first step 108. FIG. 7C shows the second step of fitting the frog color detail 106 on the textile 18 lure 54 actual size 110. This step allows the detail to match the actual features on the lure 54. FIG. 7D shows the example textile 18 lure 54 with color detail of the frog 106 fit to the actual size 110 of lure 54. Textile 18 lure 54 is shown over-molded 98 with a soft, clear elastomer or polymer 100 in this example. The clear elastomer or polymer 100 allows the color detail of the frog 106 in this example and appears to look three dimensional through amplification of elastomer or polymer 102 thru the clear over-molded body 98. FIG. 7E is a side view of textile 18 lure 54 with frog detail 106 over-molded 98 with clear elastomer or polymer 100. The frog detail is not seen in this view because it is colored on the top and/or bottom side of the textile 18 but with the amplification thru elastomer or polymer 102 it will appear to be colored three dimensionally 102 but with difficulty to illustrate this, it is being described in text and not shown in FIG. 6E.
[0101] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of lure 22 which is an example of a leech or worm design that is made of textile 18 and coated 112 with an elastomer or polymer 100. Coating 112 the textile 18 lures allows for a very thin, soft, and very flexible lure 22 that is not available today with soft plastics. FIG. 8A is a side view of lure 22 made of textile 18 and coated 112 with an elastomer or polymer 100. The side view illustrates the very thin, soft, and very flexible capabilities of this lure 22 coated with elastomer or polymer 100. FIG. 8B is a detailed view for clarification of lure 22 made of textile 18 coated 112 with a thin layer of elastomer or polymer 100 on both sides of textile 18 lure 22. Coating 112 can be of any thickness desirable or various thicknesses on a single lure (not illustrated). In addition, the textile 18 lures can be masked or not coated in any area desirable as well as fish on its own as described previously. FIG. 8C is an isometric view of lure 22 made of textile 18 colored 116 with any desirable detail and coating 112 with elastomer or polymer 100.
[0102] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of lure 22 made of textile 18 shown over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100. Because of the strength of the textile 18, very thin sections 118 can be over-molded 98 into the textile 18 lures. These thin sections 118 would tear apart very easily without the textile 18 lure. FIG. 9A is a side view of lure 22 made of textile 18 shown over-molded 98 with and elastomer or polymer 100. The side view gives greater detail to the very thin sections 118 of this over-molded 98 textile 18 lure 22. FIG. 9B is an isometric view of lure 22 made of textile 18 shown over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100 in just front portion of the lure 22. The tail section of the lure is left un-molded 120 and is only textile 18. The over-molded 98 section gives body to the front portion of the lure and leaves the very thin and flexible textile 18 for the tail portion. Any area of the textile 18 lures can be over-molded 98 or not molded or as described previously, fished just as a textile 18 lure. FIG. 9C is a side view of lure 22 made of textile 18 shown over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100 in just the front portion of the lure 22. The side view gives greater detail to the very thin sections 118 of this over-molded 98 textile 18 lure 22 and shows the un-molded portion 120.
[0103] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of lure 54 shown as an example of a frog design made entirely of a textile 18 and over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100. This example shows an example of a hook 56 also known as a swim bait hook with a cork screw 58. The cork screw 58 of hook 56 can be turned by helix 60 into the textile 18 and over-molded 98 elastomer or polymer 100 to fix the front end of the lure 54 near the eyelet 62 of the hook 56. Because the cork screw 58 can be is mechanically attached by helix 60 into the textile 18 and elastomer or polymer 100 many times, each entry point by helix 60 is an anchor point and disperses the load or stress on the lure to all these points making this a very strong hooking method. The sharp or barbed end of the hook 56 when pushed through the textile 18 and elastomer or polymer 100 as shown in lure 54, retains at hooking location 48 the hook 56 and the lure 54 in a fixed position when fished. This hooking method is used on plastics today and when cork screw 58 in turned into only soft plastic lures without the invention of the textile 18 lures, the coils tear out the front of the soft plastic lure very easily. The textile 18 lures (lure 54 shown) allow for a very secure anchoring location 60 that will not allow for easy tearing or hook slide downs within the elastomer or polymer 100 body. FIG. 10A is a side view for greater detail of hooking method into textile 18 lure 54 over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer100 as described above in FIG. 10. FIG. 10B is an isometric view of lure 54 shown as an example of one of many ways the textile 18 lures over-molded 98 with elastomer or polymer 100 can be hooked. Hook 44 is an off the shelf hook commonly known as a worm hook or wide gap worm hook. This style of worm hook has a bend 46 near the eyelet 50 of the hook where the fishing line is tied. This type of hook 44 works well with the textile 18 lures over-molded 98 because the bend 46 seats well and retains the textile 18 lures over-molded 98 in a fixed position when fished. The sharp or barbed end of the hook 44 when pushed through the textile 18 and over-molded 98 body, retains at hooking location 48 the hook 44 and the lure 54 in a fixed position when fished. FIG. 10C is a side view for greater detail of hooking method into textile 18 lure 54 over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer100 as described above in FIG. 10B.
[0104] Over-molding the textile lures will not only give a soft plastic bait great strength and durability, durable small features, much greater hook retention, and color options never seen before, but with the planar axial of the textile stretches very little and gives the moving appendages such as but not limited to legs, tails claws etc. action in the water you cannot get with just a soft plastic. The movement can be explained as very lifelike or disruptive that drives fish love.
[0105] Also, when the textile lure is over-molded, the textile is generally incorporated through the centerline of the elastomer or polymer body and is configured to provide planar support throughout the entire body for the purpose of reinforcing the tear resistance, while not significantly impacting bending or flexibility. As may be observed, the textile extends into the small features such as tail, legs, or claws for example. This is a particularly important feature of this invention. The small features of the textile lures illustrated by examples but not limitation needs to be tough but flexible. These features splash around in the water or move when underwater making the bait seem realistic to the fish. These features also are the first to be torn off when the fish interacts with the bait, either in an attack or examination.
[0106] In addition when over-molding the textile lure, the textile may not necessarily be placed down the centerline of the lure, and is generally but not necessarily placed in a single layer throughout the body of the fine features.
[0107] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a fixed attachable mechanism 122 that attaches to the textile lure and the eyelet of a hook. The attachable mechanism shown is only an example of the many ways this type of disclosed mechanism could be constructed or fixed to textile lure or hook. The shown attachable mechanism 122 has a wire or eye formation 132 designed to snap 134 onto the eyelet of a hook and also be detachable from the eyelet of a hook. The wire or eye formation 132 is over-molded into a low profile upper body segment 124 made of but not limited to a polymer. There are barbed pins 128 that are part of the upper body segment 124 that are design to go through the textile lure and into the bottom body segment 126 with mating receiver 130 that lock barbs in place. This allows the locking of the attachable mechanism 122 to the textile lure. FIG. 11A is an addition isometric view for detail of FIG. 11. FIG. 11B shows fixing location of attachable mechanism 122 thru pre-cut holes or features 136 in the textile lure 138. FIG. 11C shows the attachable mechanism 122 fixed onto the textile lure 138. FIG. 11D shows the attachable mechanism 122 fixed onto the textile lure 138 and wire form 132 attached to hook 140 eyelet by wire form 132 snap 134. FIG. 11E shows the attachable mechanism 122 fixed onto textile lure 138 over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100. The attachable mechanism 122 works with a textile lure, coated textile lure, or over-molded textile lure. This mechanism will allow for easy lure attachment and removal of hook and even greater durability for fixed hook attachment anchor point. FIG. 11F is an isometric view of FIG. 11E with hook 140 attached to attachment mechanism 122 fixed onto textile lure 138 over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100. FIG. 11G is a side view of FIG. 11F for greater detail of over-molded 98 textile lure 138 with fixed attachment mechanism 122 attached to hook 140.
[0108] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a detachable mechanism 144 attached to example over molded 98 with elastomer or polymer 100 on textile lure 142 and hook 140. This allows the user to attach to and detach the lure 142 from the over-molded 98 textile lure 142 and switch lures easily. The detachable mechanism 144 is shaped like a creature leading portion such as a head, tail, etc., this example is a frog head. Not only does this detachable mechanism allow user to switch baits easily but it also give rigidity to the leading portion of the lure and will hold up very well when pulled thru thick weeds, timber, rocks etc. It also gives a very secure fixed attachment to the textile lure 142 and the hook 140. FIG. 12A is an isometric view of the detachable mechanism 144 detached and in the open position 148. The over-molded 98 textile lure 142 will have thru holes 146 for the securing detachable mechanism 144 to the textile 18. The area on the over-molded 98 lure 142 where the detachable mechanism 144 attaches may not be over-molded 98 or may have a thin coating of elastomer or polymer 100. This allows for a very secure fixed position of the detachable mechanism 144. FIG. 12B is an addition view of FIG. 12 with the detachable mechanism 144 shown in attachment position on over-molded 98 textile lure 142. FIG. 12C is an isometric view of the detachable mechanism 144 in open position 148 for greater detail. The detachable mechanism 144 has a top portion 150 and a bottom portion 152 that is made of but not limited to a polymer. A wire form or eyelet 156 is over-molded or assembled into the top portion 150 or bottom section 152 for hook attachment. The top portion 150 also has but not limited to two features that protrude thru the textile for attachment. The leading protrusion 158 acts as a locating fixture and the moveable tab 154 also acts as a locating fixture as well as including a moveable tab for opening the detachable mechanism. The moveable tab 154 can be pressed with finger to open. The bottom portion has but not limited to two mating features 162 and 160 which are features that allow top portion 150 protrusion 158 and moveable tab 154 to slide into locking position, locking textile lure in correct position when detachable mechanism is pressed by hand together. When pressed together onto over-molded 98 Textile lure 142, the lure is securely fixed and cannot be removed until user presses tab 154 in a forward position 162. FIG. 12D is a top view of detachable mechanism 144 in closed position with SECTION A-A Defined. FIG. 12E which is a side view of SECTION A-A of detachable mechanism 144 shown in the closed position. This illustration shows the mating features 162 and 160, protrusion 158, and moveable tab 154 in seated position. Moveable tab 154 clips onto mating feature 160 to lock in closed position. To open detachable mechanism 144, push moveable tab 154 in the direction shown 164.
[0109] FIG. 13 is an additional application for the textile 18. FIG. 13 is an isometric view of skirted jig lure 166. These types of jigs are a popular lure choice for many fisherman. Generally, they are made of two components, a lead head hook 168, and a skirt 170. The skirts 170 are made of silicone or other elastomers and break apart over short amount time from the teeth of the fish and from being pulled out of fished mouths either after catch or from missing fish after bite or from being pulled thru obstacles in water such as dense weeds, timer, rocks etc. In addition, the skirts color detail is limited base on manufacturing methods of hand pouring, molding, or extruding. The skirts 170 are generally very thin and flexible in the water but because of their thin design and being made of silicone or elastomer they can break easily. In this illustration in FIG. 13, the skirt 170 is made entirely of a textile 18. The benefits to using a textile as a skirt is 1. The textile 18 skirt 170 can be colored in unlimited designs. 2. The textile 18 skirt 170 can be cut in any way desirable strait skirt tentacles, wavy, zig zagged etc. and be cut as a single piece as the skirts today are made up of many strands that bind together by a rubber grommet or custom molded rubber ring. 3. The textile 18 skirt 170 is much stronger and will last much longer then silicone or elastomer skirts. FIG. 13A is a top view of an example textile 18 skirt 170 cut pattern. This view shows how the skirts tentacles are cut from a single textile 18 sheet 174. A rubber grommet or feature 172 can be over-molded onto the textile 18 skirt 170. These grommets or features are used to secure skirt 170 to hook shank and are commonly used today on skirted jig skirts. The textile 18 skirts 170 may be but not limited to, coated 112 with elastomer or polymer 100 or just textile 18.
[0110] FIG. 14 is another application for the textile 18 used as a fish attracting device. FIG. 14 is a view of a live bait spinner rig 176 which is just one example of many lures today that use spinners as a fish attractant mechanism. Spinner 178 is made entirely out of textile 18 and may or may not be coated 112 with an elastomer or polymer 100. Because of these ease of coloring textiles 18, the color choices are unlimited. Another benefit of a textile 18 spinner is that it would be flexible or soft. Fish are at times quick to spit out a hard object because it does not feel like the naturel prey they feed on and a textile 18 spinner 178 either used by itself or coated 112 with elastomer or polymer 100 would feel like natural prey when in the fish's mouth. The textile 18 spinner 178 can be thermally set with a cup design to give the proven action spinners have today. Also, an eyelet 180 for spinner 178 attachment can be added or riveted onto the textile 18 spinner 178. FIG. 14A is a side view of a spinner bait lure 184 used today and is a very popular lure choice of many fisherman. The spinner bait lure 184 shown includes the textile 18 spinner 178 and is shown as an additional application for the textile 18 spinner 178 and described in FIG. 14. The spinner bait shown also uses a skirt 170 body that would be made of textile 18 as described in FIG. 13 and FIG. 13A.
[0111] FIG. 15, FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, and FIG. 15D are illustrations based on the manufacturing of the textile lures.
[0112] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a cut textile insert 186 for over-molding applications. The textile 18 is chemically treated with a phosphorous based chemical 188 for bonding of elastomer or polymer to the textile. After chemically treating the textile 18, the textile 18 is colored with single or multiple color region 190 on one or both sides of textile, coloring and designs are unlimited and is not limited to one way of coloration but the preferred method is dye sublimation. Dye sublimation coloring is preferable used as it does not change the bonding properties like other methods of printing or effect the mechanical properties of the textile 18. This invention however is not limited this method. Textile 18 overall size 198 is cut to fit over the mold cavity and the lure detail is cut 192 leaving small tabs 194 to keep textile 18 in place during the molding process. These tabs 194, can be designed to be pulled apart by hand, cut manually, and but not limited to cutting with CO2 laser. After molding process is complete. The cutting of the textile 18, can be done in many ways such as but not limited to hot knife, hot die, CNC die cutter, manual cutting, steel rule dies, or machine dies. But the preferred method is to cut with a CO2 laser. The CO2 laser can be programmed to cut any shape and can match the cavity of the mold perfectly for a very clean mold shut off. The CO2 laser also melts the cut fibers of textile 18 together to prevent fraying leaving a very clean cut with even more longevity. Locating holes 196 are also cut in textile 18 prior to molding for easy alignment when placing textile 18 onto mold cavity. (see details below in FIG. 15B for example mold detail). FIG. 15A is a top view of FIG. 15. This view shows greater detail on the cut lure detail 192 on the textile 18 mold insert 186. Outer edge 200 of cut 192 matches the cavity perimeter on both sided of mold and prevents flash or molded elastomer or polymer to enter mold parting line. This allows for very clean parts after molding that do not have to be de-flashed. The inner edge 202 of cut-line 192 is recessed into the molded elastomer or polymer. This enhances the cosmetic look and leaves a smooth finish of the over-molded textile 18. FIG. 15B is an isometric view of an example lure mold assembly 204 with textile 18 insert 186. Textile 18 insert 186 locating holes 196 are place over mold bottom side (B side) 208 cavity 214 onto locating pins 210 aligning the textile 18 insert 186 perfectly over cavity 214. Once Textile 18 insert 186 is placed over mold bottom (B side) 208 cavity 214 on locating pins 210, the mold top side (A side) 206 is assembled onto bottom side (B Side) 208 and aligned with dowel pins 216 for cavity 214 alignment. (Cavity 214 is present but not visible in mold top side (A side) 206). Once mold assembly 204 is closed, the mold is clamped together and injected with elastomer or polymer thru gate 212. FIG. 15C is an isometric view on the over-molded 98 textile 18 insert 186, 218. Only the textile 18 lure 220 is over-molded 98 with an elastomer or polymer 100 and the remainder of the textile 18 insert 186 is scrap 222. FIG. 15D is an isometric view of the textile 18 over-molded 98 lure 220 removed from the scrap 222 textile 18 insert 286. The removal process, as described previously in FIG. 15, describes the removal of over-molded 98 textile 18 lure 220 from the scrap 222 textile 18 can be but not limited to small tabs 194 that can be pulled apart by hand at cavity edge 200. The cutting of tabs 194 can be done many other ways such as but not limited to die cutting, hot knife, steel rule die, custom pins in mold on a separate moveable plate, or by manual cutting. After removal of lure 220 from scrap 222 is complete, lure 220 is a finished product.
[0113] To fisherman that are aggressive and skilled, this invention offers solutions which they didn't know could be made, but that they have desired on every fishing trip. These lures have been made and tested by the inventors and greatly enhance the durability and the geometrical options that will be offered now.
Alternative Embodiments
[0114] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Many alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
