Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention is a fishhook remover aid  100  that has a base  102  and a cover  170.  The base  102  is longer than the cover  170.  When reeling in a fish, an angler may first insert a fishing line  138  through a space  120  located on top portions  112, 114  of the cover  170.  The fish is then urged along the base  102  and into the cover  170.  Opposing rounded sides  108, 110  of the cover  170  are flexible, allowing the angler to grasp the fishhook remover aid with sufficient pressure on the fish to remove the fishhook  138  without damaging the fish in the process. The safe swift removal of the fishhook without the need for an angler&#39;s hand to come into direct contact with the fish thus occurs. The fishhook remover aid  100  has a built in ruler  134  located on the base  102  for measuring a length of the fish while the angler removes the fishhook.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/167,173, filed May 27, 2015, having the title “Fishhook Remover” by Hann, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a fishhook remover aid that holds a caught fish firmly in place allowing for the removal of the fishhook without the need for an angler&#39;s hand to come into direct contact with the fish. The fishhook remover aid features a built in ruler for measuring the length of the fish while the hook is being removed. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Fishhook remover aids are important tools for anglers. Currently, a number of fishhook remover aids on the market are available to remove fishhooks from mouths of fish. These aids traditionally expose the angler&#39;s skin to slime, dirt and to the fish&#39;s sharp fins and scales or the aids are cumbersome to use. Regardless of the fishhook remover aid employed, a separate measuring device to measure the size of caught fish must be procured even after the fishhook has been removed. 
         [0006]    Thus, an unaddressed need exists in the industry to address these deficiencies and inadequacies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to aspects of the present invention, a device for grabbing hold of a fish without actually coming into contact with the fish with one&#39;s bare hands is presented. Once the fish is securely placed in the handheld fishhook remover aid, the quick, safe and easy removal of a fishhook from the mouth or body of the fish may be carried out. The length of the fish can also be determined at the same time the hook is removed because the fishhook remover aid has a built in ruler. 
         [0008]    Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages included within this description be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a bottom, perspective view of a base of a fishhook remover aid showing an outside surface. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a top, perspective view of the base of the fishhook remover aid showing an inside surface. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a top, perspective view of the fishhook remover aid showing a portion of the inside surface of the base and a top of a cover. A top of the cover shows an outside surface of the cover. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a side, perspective view of the fishhook remover aid with an expanded view of raised tabs associated with a ruler located on the inside surface of the base of the fishhook remover aid. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2C  is an expanded view of the fishhook remover aid lying on the top of the cover, showing an opening at a front end of the cover. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a top, perspective view showing angler inserting fishing line through a space located on the cover and showing a fish positioned on a midsection of the base and on a back end of the base of the fishhook remover aid. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a top, perspective view of a fish securely resting between the front end of the base and the cover showing the ruler located along the midsection of the base and the back end of the base of the fishhook remover aid. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3C  is a side, perspective view showing a handler holding the device while the fish rests securely within the fishhook remover aid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to address all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
         [0019]    The fishhook remover aid is a one of a kind product that aids an angler in removing a fish from a hook without the need to touch the fish itself. Once the fish is caught, the fishhook remover aid protects a fisherman from the possibility of receiving cuts from scales or sharp fins and eliminates touching a wet or slimy fish. Thus, there is no need to wash slick slimy hands after handling each fish, which could be appealing to all anglers especially female anglers. Most importantly, the angler will not accidently lose the caught fish because it is now possible to grasp the fish firmly when removing the hook. With the fishhook remover aid, the caught fish is easily restrained within the device, thus eliminating the fish from flopping all around. Using the fishhook remover aid provides a safe and fast way to release the fish back into water or into a cooler after removing a hook. The fishhook remover aid device is especially appealing for those teaching children how to handle caught fish in a safe manner. The size of each fish is readily determined using the ruler on the base. When a fishing expedition is over for the day, the angler simply rinses the fishhook remover aid and lets it drain dry until ready for the next fishing adventure. 
         [0020]    Currently, numerous fishhook remover aids exist. However, these aids suffer from various drawbacks. The disclosed fishhook remover aid provides an alternative approach that remedies various drawbacks existent in those previously proposed fishhook remover aids. 
         [0021]    As defined herein, the term “fishhook remover aid” will be used interchangeably with the term “device.” 
         [0022]    As defined herein, the term “top of a base” or “top of the base” corresponds to the inside surface of the base. 
         [0023]    As defined herein, the term “bottom of a base” or “bottom of the base” corresponds to the outside surface of the base. 
         [0024]    As defined herein, the term “top of a cover” or “top of the cover” corresponds to the outside surface of the cover. 
         [0025]    As defined herein, the term “bottom of a cover” or “bottom of the cover” corresponds to the inside surface of the cover. 
         [0026]    As defined herein, the term “ruler” may be used interchangeably with the term “measuring tool” and is defined as an apparatus that is delineated in equidistant units, the apparatus being used to determine lengths, widths and heights of objects.” 
         [0027]      FIG. 1A  shows a bottom view of a base  102 . The bottom of the base  102  will be referenced herein as the outside surface  124  of the base  102 .  FIG. 1B  shows a top view of the base  102 . The top of the base  102  will be referenced herein as the inside surface  122  of the base  102 . Thus, the outside surface  124  (bottom) of the base  102  and the inside surface  122  (top) of the base  102  are mirror images of each other. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , the outside surface  124  of the base  102  has a right edge  106  and a left edge  104 . The right edge  106  and left edge  104  oppose each other. The base  102  has a front end  126 , a midsection  130  and a back end  132 ,  136 . Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the outside surface  124  of the base  102  originates at the front end  126 . The front end  126  terminates at the widest regions  145 ,  144  on the base  102 . Beginning at the widest regions  145 ,  144 , the base  102  constricts to form a midsection  130 . The back end  136  originates at the narrowest region of the midsection  130  and concludes at a terminal point  132  on the back end  126 . In other embodiments, the midsection  130  and back end  132 ,  136  could be configured in combinations of widths, including but not limited to an absence of the constricted midsection  130  and the absence of a two-fan tail-like back end  132 ,  136  as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , the inside surface  122  of the base  102  has a right edge  104  and a left edge  106 . The right edge  104  and left edge  106  oppose each other. The base  102  has a front end  126 , a midsection  130  and a back end  132 ,  136 . The inside surface  122  of the base  102  originates at the front end  126 . The front end  126  terminates at the widest regions  144 ,  145  on the base  102 . Beginning at the widest regions of the front end  144 ,  145 , the base  102 , constricts to form a midsection  130 . The back end  136  originates at the narrowest point of the midsection  130  and concludes at a terminal point  132 . In other embodiments, the midsection  130  and back end  132 ,  136  could be configured in combinations of widths, including but not limited to an absence of the constricted midsection  130  and the absence of a two-fan tail-like back end  132 ,  136 . The front end  126  of the cover  170  has an opening  128 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , and in the preferred embodiment, the opening  128  is situated at the midpoint of the front end  126  and traverses a distance of the cover  170 , terminating at the back end of the cover  146 ,  147 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , a top view of the device is shown. The device shows a cover  170  and a portion of the inside surface  122  of the base  102 . The cover  170  of the device  100  is distinguished from the base  102  as indicated by the shaded areas. The choice of the diamond pattern in the various figures indicates that the surfaces covered in the diamond pattern in the embodiments shown herein are black. Thus, and as an example, as seen in  FIG. 2A , the black cover  170  overlays the front end  126  of the base  102 . The cover  170  has a front end  126  and two back ends  144 ,  145 . The two back ends  144 ,  145  of the cover  170  correspond to the two widest points on the cover  170  and also correspond to the two back ends  144 ,  145  of the base  102 . The cover  170  in  FIG. 2A  shows a right top area  114  and a left top area  112 . Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the right top area  114  of the cover  170  has a right edge  108 . The right edge  108  of the cover  170  connects the right top area  114  of the cover  170  to the right edge  104  of the base  102 . Correspondingly, the left top area  112  of the cover  170  has a left edge  110 . The left edge  110  of the cover  170  connects the left top area  112  of the cover  170  to the left edge  106  of the base  102 . In the present embodiment, the right top area  114  of the cover  170 , the right edge  108  of the cover  170  and the right edge  104  of the base  102  are configured to form a concave curve. Similarly, the left top area  116  of the cover  170 , the left edge  110  of the cover  170  and the left edge  106  of the base  102  are configured as a concave curve. Illustrative of the concave configuration, and referring to  FIG. 2C , the outside surfaces  124  of the cover  170  are seen curving from the edges  104 ,  106  of the base  102  and towards the opening  128  at the front end  126  of the device  100 .  FIG. 3C  also illustrates the concave configuration at the right edge  108  of the cover  170 . 
         [0031]    As seen in  FIG. 2A , the cover  170  has an opening  128 . In the preferred embodiment shown herein, the opening  128  is situated at the midpoint of the front end  126 . The right top area  114  of the cover  170  and the left top area  112  of the cover  170  are separated by a space  120  that originates in the opening  128  at the midpoint of the front end  126 . The space  120  runs from the opening  128  in the front end  126  of the cover  170  and terminates at distances  146 ,  147  prior to the back ends  144 ,  145  of the cover  170 . 
         [0032]    There are two inside edges of the cover  170  as shown in  FIG. 2A . A right inside edge  118  corresponds to the right top area  114  and a left inside edge  116  corresponds to the left top area  112  of the cover  170 . The inside edges  116 ,  118  define the width of the space  120  that traverses the length of the cover  170 . The opening  120  between the inside edges  116 ,  118  exposes the inside surface  122  of the front end  126  of the base  102 . In the cover  170  shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 2A , the edges at the front end  126 , the edges at the terminal ends  146 ,  147  of the space  120 , and the edges at the back ends  145 ,  146  of the cover  170  are contoured. The contoured, soft edges prevent the fishing line from becoming snagged at points or connections joined together to form sharp edges. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1B and 2A , in one embodiment the inside surface  122  of the base  102  and cover  170  is made of a Low Density Polyethylene material. The Low Density Polyethylene material is selected to maintain the device&#39;s shape and provide strength to support a choice for a softer more pliable coating along the outside surface  124 . Other embodiments may be prepared using Medium Density Polyethylene, High Density Polyethylene, Nylon, PC, ABS, or a variety of composite materials. In the present embodiments, the outside surface  124  is coated with Dura Grip® 6000 rubber. Alternatively, silicon based materials or coatings could be used. The benefit to using the combination of Low Density Polyethylene on the inside surface  122  together with the Dura Grip® 6000 rubber on the outside surface  124  is to allow the angler a sturdy yet flexible product in order to apply sufficient pressure on a caught fish positioned within the device  100  without damaging the fish. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the inside surface  122  of the base  102  and the cover  170  includes hatching to enhance a firm grip on the fish. Diamond pattern hatching is one option. Other options include cross diagonal hatching, honeycomb hatching and dot hatching, but this list does not rule out the use of other hatching patterns not named herein. In the preferred embodiment, hatching is used on the outside surface  124  of the base  102  and the cover  170 . Hatching on the outside surface  124  of the cover  170  ensures the angler can grasp the device  100  securely. Hatching on the outside surface  124  of the base  102  prevents the device  100  from slipping on surfaces including boat docks, rocks or moving boats. Diamond pattern hatching is one option. Other options include cross diagonal hatching, honeycomb hatching and dot hatching, but this list does not rule out the use of other hatching patterns not named herein. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the midsection  130  of the base  102  originates at points along the back ends  144 ,  145  of the base  102  and, in the preferred embodiment, the midsection  130  is configured to taper inwardly. In other embodiments the midsection  130  may remain the same width as the front end, or may taper inwardly at various widths. In the preferred embodiment, the back end  136  of the base  102  as shown in  FIG. 2A  originates at the narrowest portion of the midsection  130  and is configured into a fish tail  132 . In other embodiments the back end  132 ,  136  may remain the same width as the front end, or may taper inwardly at various widths. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , tabs  134  are positioned at equidistant intervals along the inside surface  122  of the base  102  to create a built-in ruler  134 . The ruler  134  is used to determine whether the fish  140  is large enough to keep or whether the fish  140  must returned to the water after the fishhook is removed, or simply to know how long the fish is. In one embodiment, the ruler  134 , in inches, in  FIG. 2B  shows raised tabs located along the front end  126 , the midsection  130 , and the back end  136  of the base  102  in half-inch increments. The expanded view in  FIG. 2B  illustrates that the tabs are raised. In the preferred embodiment, the height of each tab is approximately 0.01 inches, the width of each tab at the inch mark is approximately 0.75 inches and each tab is approximately 0.06 inches thick. The tabs at the half-inch marks are approximately 0.25 inches wide, approximately 0.01 inches in height and approximately 0.06 inches thick. In another embodiment, the ruler  134  may be presented using metric equivalents. In yet another embodiment, the ruler  134  may not be included on the base  102 . The ruler  134  could be made with the inch or metric demarcations being recessed, raised to other heights, to other widths and to other thicknesses. Another embodiment could be prepared by stamping the demarcations directly onto the base  102 . 
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, an injection mold process is used to make the base  102  and cover  170 . Although the various edges, lines and surfaces of the fishhook remover aid  100  are identified herein, the device itself is made as one contiguous piece. In the current injection mold process, there is a male (core) and female (cavity) piece to the mold. The device can be made using either a single shot injection molding process or a dual shot injection mold process. In the single shot injection shot process there are two molds: one for the Low Density Polyethylene (or any material chosen for the inside surface  122 ) and one for the Dura Grip® 6000 (or any material chosen for the outside surface  124 ). The Low Density Polyethylene is made initially in the first mold and the second mold is used to coat the Low Density Polyethylene with the Dura Grip® 6000. The dual shot process requires only one mold. The inner layer is poured first, a sleeve within the dual shot machine retracts and the outer layer is added. The Dura Grip® 6000 identified for used in the preferred embodiment is Dura Grip® 6000 Shore A30. Dura Grip® brand melt-processible rubber is available from Advanced Polymer Alloys, a division of Ferro Corporation, located in Wilmington, Del. 
         [0038]    The preferred embodiment employs Low Density Polyethylene for the inside surface  122  of the base  102  and the inside surface  122  of the cover  170 . Low Density Polyethylene provides support and structure but is still pliable enough to safely secure the fish when the fish is placed inside the cover  170 . Dura Grip® 6000 is a soft, spongy, yet sturdy material selected to coat the outside surface  124 . Thus, the Dura Grip 6000® becomes the outside surface  124  both for the base  102  and the cover  170 . The Dura Grip® 6000 is poured to an approximate uniform thickness of 0.03 inches. The hatching on the preferred embodiment appears on the outside surfaces  124  of the cover  170  and the base  102 . The hatched areas are lightly knurled, approximately 0.005 inches deep. In other embodiments, the hatching may be eliminated entirely or may be added to the inside surfaces  122  of the cover  170  and base  102  in addition to the hatching on the outside surfaces  124 . Alternatively, only the inside surfaces  122  could contain hatching. 
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment, the length of the cover  170  is approximately 6.2 inches and the length of the base  102  from the front end  126  to the terminal point of the back end  132  is approximately  10 . 4  inches. The distance between the widest points on the back end  144 ,  145  of the cover  170  is approximately 4.3 inches. The approximate height from the bottom edges  104 ,  106  of the base  102  to the right and left inside edges  116 ,  118  of the cover  170  is approximately 0.8 inches at the front end  126  of the cover  170  and approximately 1.0 inch at the back ends  144 ,  145  of the cover  170 . In the preferred embodiment, the ruler  134  shows tabs at half-inch intervals. When using the Low Density Polyethylene for coating the inside surface  122  of the device and the Dura Grip® 6000 Shore A30 for coating the outside surface  124  of the device  100 , the weight of the device is approximately two ounces. 
       Uses and Benefits of the Invention 
       [0040]    The current preferred embodiment meets a need when fishing for fish approximately less than twelve inches in length, including croppies, perch, and blue gills. Referring to  FIG. 3A , when the caught fish is reeled in, it is easily inserted into the device  100 . While the fish is suspended on the fishing line  138 , the device is threaded around the line  138 , and can easily be slipped down over the mouth of the fish. By continuing to direct the device down over the body of the fish, the fish is easily secured between the inside surfaces  122  of the base  102  and the cover  170 . Again, as seen in  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3C , the mouth of the fish is secured in the opening  128  at the front end  126  of the device  100 . As seen in  FIG. 3C , the fish is indisposed simply by placing one hand around the cover  170  and base  102  along the front end  126  of the device. The midsection  130  and back end  136 ,  132  of the base  102  offer additional support for the fish when it is secured between the front end  126  of the base  102  and the cover  170 . Thus, the fish is further restrained from flopping back and forth because the fish is also restrained against the surfaces of the midsection  130  and the back end  136 ,  132 . The length of the caught fish is readily measured using the ruler  134  shown in  FIG. 3B  during the time it takes to remove the hook  138 . 
         [0041]    The size of the fishhook remover aid  100  can be increased to receive fish of larger sizes. The ability to enlarge the fishhook remover aid  100  as shown here is important because some species of larger fish have toxic chemicals in their outer coatings and other species of fish have sharp scales or stingers that create problems when trying to remove fishhooks. Unfortunately, many anglers choose not to attempt to remove the fishhooks and simply resort to cutting the fishing line at some distance from the mouth and thereafter release the fish back to the water with the fishhook still lodged within the mouth of the fish. This option injures and possibly kills the fish and results in lost fishing tackle. Having the ability to dispose a fish within the fishhook remover aid and to immobilize the fish to remove the hook will help the ecosystem and save money on lost tackle and equipment as well. In addition, women and young children may be more interested in taking up fishing if they understood they would not be required to actually touch the fish they catch. 
         [0042]    Because the outside surface of the device is coated with Dura Grip® 6000, the outside surface is resilient and thus resistant to scratches and tears. When Dura Grip® overlays Low Density Polyethylene the resultant layers prevent a sharp point of the hook from piercing through the materials, thus avoiding skin punctures. The resilient outside surface can easily be rinsed off, dried, and reused over and over again. The Low Density Polyethylene that coats the inside surface is also resilient and withstands scratches, tearing and tolerates repeated uses when rinsed or washed and dried over time. The device can be stored in a standard tackle box for easy transport to and from fishing outings. The flexibility of both the Low Density Polyethylene and Dura Grip® allows for the cover  170  to expand around a body of a fish of various thicknesses.