Bladed fishing lure with depth determining mass

Abstract

A plurality of bladed fishing lure embodiments having predetermined running depths dependent upon density characteristics of a stabilizing mass and mode of being affixed to a novel lure frame is disclosed. The blade is designed to translate blade oscillation into effective cyclic motion of an associated fishing lure assembly.

Claims

1. A bladed fishing lure comprising features for determining lure running depth, said fishing lure comprising: a fishing lure frame comprising a plurality of bends and substantially straight segments between said bends to thereby provide (1) a lure blade stabilizer which determines angle of attack of a lure blade when displaced through water, (2) segments which are displaced through the blade to securely, but loosely affix the blade to the frame, (3) a site forward of the blade where a fishing line is affixed, (4) a section aft of the fishing line connecting site and forward of the blade where a fishing depth determining mass is securely affixed, (5) a fishhook attachment site which provides a connection for a fishhook assembly; the stabilizing mass comprising a mass selected from a variety of masses comprising buoyant masses and heavier than water masses and affixed to the frame at a site which provides a stabilizing influence upon the lure and which is a determining factor in lure fishing depth; a blade formed and shaped to yaw and oscillate when drawn through the water affixed to said frame, said blade further comprising hole structure through which at least one frame segment is displaced to affix said blade to said frame; and a fishhook assembly disposed aft of the blade and thereat affixed to the fishhook attachments site.

2. A bladed fishing lure according to claim 1 wherein said stabilizing mass is a mass having less density than water affixed to a segment of said frame to stabilize said frame by upward force.

3. A bladed fishing lure according to claim 2 wherein said stabilizing mass is a bobber.

4. A bladed fishing lure according to claim 1 wherein said stabilizing mass is a mass having greater density than water being affixed to a segment of said frame comprising a bend to thereby disposed said stabilizing mass inferior to said affixing line site for stabilizing said frame by downward force and comprising a weight which selectively lowers said lure to a predetermined fishing depth at a predetermined lure velocity when drawn through water.

5. A bladed fishing lure according to claim 1 wherein said fishing lure frame comprises a single wire.

6. A bladed fishing lure comprising features for determining lure running depth, said fishing lure comprising: a fishing lure frame comprising a plurality of bends and substantially straight segments between said bends to thereby provide (1) a lure blade stabilizer which determines angle of attack of a lure blade when displaced through water, (2) segments which are displaced through the blade to securely, but loosely affix the blade to the frame, (3) a site forward of the blade where a fishing line is affixed, (4) a section displaced by at least one bend from the fishing line connecting site which is forward of the blade by which a buoyant mass is securely affixed for near-surface fishing, (5) a fishhook attachment site which provides a connection for a fishhook assembly; the buoyant mass affixed to the frame at a site which provides a stabilizing influence upon the lure and which is a determining factor in shallow lure fishing depth; a blade formed and shaped to yaw and oscillate when drawn through the water affixed to said frame, said blade further comprising hole structure through which at least one frame segment is displaced to affix said blade to said frame; and a fishhook assembly disposed aft of the blade and thereat affixed to the fishhook attachments site.

7. A bladed fishing lure comprising features for determining lure running depth, said fishing lure comprising: a fishing lure frame comprising a plurality of bends and substantially straight segments between said bends to thereby provide (1) a lure blade stabilizer which determines angle of attack of a lure blade when displaced through water, (2) segments which are displaced through the blade to securely, but loosely affix the blade to the frame, (3) a site forward of the blade where a fishing line is affixed, (4) a section of the frame having a heavier than water depth determining mass securely affixed forward of the blade, (5) a fishhook attachment site which provides a connection for a fishhook assembly; a stabilizing mass comprising a mass selected from masses that are heavier than water and affixed to the frame inferior to the fishing line affixing site and forward of the blade thereby providing a stabilizing influence upon the lure and a determining factor in lure fishing depth; a blade formed and shaped to yaw and oscillate when drawn through the water affixed to said frame, said blade further comprising hole structure through which at least one frame segment is displaced to affix said blade to said frame; and a fishhook assembly disposed aft of the blade and thereat affixed to the fishhook attachments site.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a fishing lure made according to the present invention with a bobber affixed to a wireframe for providing stability and level determination when the lure is drawn through water.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the fishing lure seen in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the fishing lure seen in FIG. 2 with a bait affixed to a hook assembly thereof.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a fishing lure made according to the present invention with a weighted part affixed to a frame of the lure being inferiorly disposed relative to a fishing line attachment site to provide lure stability in water and depth determining weight for the lure when drawn through water.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top perspective of the lure seen in FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the fishing lure seen in FIG. 2 with a bait affixed to a hook assembly thereof.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective of the fishing lure seen in FIG. 6.

[0025] These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description taken with reference to accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout. Primes of numbers designate labeled lure parts which are similar in form and function, but not identical, to parts numbered without primes.

[0027] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3, wherein a fishing lure 10 made according to the present invention for near surface fishing is seen. Lure 10 comprises a wire frame 20 (although a frame can be made with other materials, such as molded plastic or stamped steel). Frame 20 comprises a plurality of bends and segments, which comprise a fishing line 22 attachment site 30 (One skilled in the art will recognize that site 30 may comprise a closed loop, not shown). A horizontal plane (not shown) determined by the level of attachment of line 22 is mentioned for future reference.

[0028] Away from attachment site 30, a segment 34 of frame 20 is directed upward at a bend 36 to provide an upwardly distending segment about which a bobber 40 is slideably affixed. At the upward end 42 of segment 34, frame further comprises a bend 44 to form a retaining segment 46 which is used to securely affix bobber 40 about segment 34. So affixed, bobber 40 determines frame 20 orientation and depth in water.

[0029] Aft from site 30 frame 20 comprises a segment 48 which continues to a U bend 50 from which a segment 52 continues forward to a downward bend 54. Extending from bend 54, frame is continued downward along segment 56 to a final bend 58 which is used to form a clasp 58 about segment 48. As better seen in FIG. 2, a fishhook 60 can be loosely affixed about frame 20 at bend 50. Further, a blade 70 comprises a pair of holes 72 and 74 through which segments 52 and 54 are threaded to affix blade 70 to frame 10 and by geometric relationship with hole 72 and 74 disposition and relative angulation between segments 48 and 52 determine an angle of attack of blade 70 when drawn through water. In combination, flotation of bobber 40 and blade 70 motion due to force on line 22 determines lure depth and fish attracting action. As disclosed in detail in U.S. Patent Applications from which is Application continues-in-part, blade 70 action comprises at least two oscillatory modes, a more vertical side-to-side oscillation and a yaw about a medial axis of the blade and frame. This action produces a varying wake which acts to formulate a natural swimming action of a following fishhook assembly.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 3, fishhook 60 can be used for attaching a bait 72 (either natural or artificial) as is well known to those who are skilled in the use of fishing lures. Preferably, bobber 40 is made to be variably filled and of transparent plastic, although bobber 40 may be replaced by a mass of cork, styrofoam or other floating material. Frame 20 is preferred to be made from 0.032 gauge stainless steel wire. Blade 70 is also preferably formed from transparent plastic material, but may also be manufactured from brass, titanium or stainless steel.

[0031] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4-7 wherein another embodiment of a fishing lure 10 made according the present invention is seen. As seen in FIG. 4, fishing lure 10 comprises a frame 20, the aft portion of which can be identical to frame 20, seen in FIGS. 1-3. However, a forward portion 100 of frame 20 comprises a superiorly directed bend 102 (seen as hidden (dashed) lines) disposed within an over-molded weight 110. Note that weight 110 is disposed below a horizontal plane through a fishing line attachment site 30 formed by a bend 112 in forward portion 100.

[0032] As mentioned supra, weight 110 is preferably over-molded about segment 48. However, affixing a threaded weight to segment 48 as weight is disposed is within the scope of the present invention. Weight may be made of any material which is safe to handle and which has a correct mass range to vertically orient lure 10 and determine desired fishing depth at a predetermined velocity when lure 10 is drawn through water.

[0033] A better view of lure 10 alignment is seen in FIG. 5. Also, clasp 58 is better seen in FIG. 5. Similar to lure 10, as seen in FIG. 3, a bait 72 is affixed to hook 60 in lure 10, as seen in FIG. 6. Lures 10 and 10 are the seam except for difference in shape of blades 70 and 70. For clarification, fishing lure 10 comprises a blade 70 having a non-uniform pentagonal shape for better fishing in deeper water, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. (Other blade 70 shapes will be obvious to one skilled in the art, not shown.)