Patent ID: 6038807
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
An underwater fishing line cutter comprising:a housing having a forward end and a rearward end, said housing having a slot therein for receiving a fishline to be cut;said slot extending into said housing along one side thereof and extending from said forward end of said housing to said rearward end thereof;said housing being hollow and having a cutting chamber therein, the cutting chamber having a wall;a cutter carrier in said chamber;said housing having a forward structure through which a forward section of said slot extends,said housing having a rearward structure through which a rearward section of said slot extends;said chamber being located between said forward and rearward structures;said slot having a forward section extending through said forward structure and a rearward section extending through said rearward structure, there being a forward line support point in said forward section of said forward structure and a rearward line support point in said rearward section of said rearward structure, whereby a fishline to be cut can extend between said points and will be supported by said forward structure and by said rearward structure;a cutter mounted on a carrier and having a cutting edge protruding from said carrier whereby, when said carrier is caused to move in a cutting direction, said edge will pass across a straight position-line between said forward and rearward support points, said straight position-line being normally the position of a fishline;said rearward structure having a passage therethrough having an entrance point and an exit point, said entrance and exit points being rearwardly and forwardly of each other respectively;a control means comprising a flexible control line and a stiff connectors, said stiff connector being disposed forwardly of said control line;said stiff connector being connected to said carrier in a manner such that when said control line is pulled rearwardly said cutting edge will move across said straight position-line for engaging a fishline on said position-line;a spring assembly mounted on said housing and intercorrelated between said stiff connector and said housing in a manner such that whenever said control line is not under tension said spring and said stiff connector will cause said carrier to be urged into a position which keeps the said cutting edge in a starting position out of contact with a line to be cut by keeping said edge away from said position-line.