Abstract:
A realistically shaped dragonfly fishing lure with a body comprised of several sections, which mimic those of a dragonfly. The dragonfly fishing lure has an H-shaped wing positioned on the top side of the body. More specifically, the H-shaped wing is attached to the thorax of the dragonfly fishing lure. The dragonfly fishing lure has at least one hook attached to the bottom of the body. The dragonfly fishing lure is designed to realistically look like and behave like a real dragonfly, thus replacing prior dragonfly lures.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to fishing lures, and more particularly to lures that mimic the action and appearance of live insects. This invention looks like a dragonfly and when cast across water, the invention mimics the behavior of a live dragonfly. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    People have long participated in catching fish for both sustenance and enjoyment. For whatever reason a person attempts to catch fish, the goal is the same. The more fish a person can catch, the more rewarding the experience. Thus, the challenge has always been to design a better lure to attract and hook fish. 
         [0003]    Most effective lures are roughly designed to resemble the natural prey of fish. Different species of fish have preferential food sources based on the fish&#39;s biology and its natural habitat. For example, a fresh-water catfish from the family Ictaluridae generally feeds from the bottom of its water habitat and this behavior is facilitated because of the subterminal orientation of the fish&#39;s mouth. A fresh-water bass from the family Percichthydae has a more upturned mouth and will often feed on insects above the water line. So an artificial fishing lure that resembles a flying insect will likely attract a bass rather than a catfish. 
         [0004]    Fishing enthusiasts often seek fishing lures that are most attractive to certain types of fish. The desire for the best lure often encourages creation and innovation of new lures. U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,112 to Jacobs discloses a lure that attempts to imitate the body structure of a dragonfly, an insect of choice for fish similar to bass. Jacobs presents a simple design for the body of a dragonfly comprising a head, a rear section and two wings. Although the Jacobs lure has some semblance of a dragonfly, there are several faults with the design. While the head of the lure is accurate, the rear section is too thick and fails to mimic the actual shape of the body of a real dragonfly. Furthermore, the wings on the Jacobs lure are flat strips made of flexible rubber which are designed to agitate the water similar to a distressed dragonfly. The Jacobs lure does not replicate a dragonfly in any other situation. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,148 to Lawson discloses a complex approach for simulating a dragonfly. Lawson describes a lure that is more similar to an airplane than a dragonfly. The lure comprises a drive motor connected to a propeller that will fly and hover over a body of water, while remotely attached to a fishing rod or other stabilized control device. Furthermore, the wing structure claimed by Lawson is implicit to attain enough drag for the lure to remain aloft. The wings of a natural dragonfly are significantly different in visible design and function. 
         [0006]    Another innovation by a creative angler is U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,237,276 and 6,955,005 to Storelli. The devices are similar, and both are designed to replicate a variable type of insect hovering above the water surface. The major part of these lures is a buoyant float to which additional pieces are attached. The float may resemble any generic plant or floating detritus that may float on top of a body of water, such as a lily pad or log. An additional fish lure is loosely attached to the float in such a way that the lure dangles above the water. The fishing line, secured to the lure, is threaded through an aperture on the float. The design of the Storelli device prevents a barbed lure from becoming entangled in weeds or other debris by preventing the lure from entering the water. Although Storelli provides an innovative mechanism for catching fish and suggests that a dragonfly may be used, the improvement in the realism of a dragonfly lure is not addressed. 
         [0007]    While each of these lures and accessories are novel and useful, a need still exists to improve the realism of certain lures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention addresses the need for a fishing lure that realistically looks and acts like a natural dragonfly. The present invention is a fishing lure with a body having the shape resembling a dragonfly from the order Odonata and infraorder Anisoptera. 
         [0009]    The fishing lure is comprised of a body, an H-shaped wing structure, and an eyelet. The body has a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the body includes a dorsal side and a ventral side. The H-shaped wing structure includes a crossbar and two sets of generally parallel extensions. Each set of extensions includes a distal end and proximal end. The proximal ends combine at the crossbar, which is positioned over, and removably attached to, the dorsal side of the body. The distal end of each set of extensions extends outwardly from the crossbar and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between each set of extensions; The lure has an eyelet positioned on the first end of the body. The eyelet has an appropriate aperture for receiving a fishing line. 
         [0010]    The present invention is further directed to a fishing lure comprising a body, a bi-wing H-shaped wing, and an eyelet. The body has a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the longitudinal axis includes a dorsal side and a ventral side. The bi-wing H-shaped wing structure includes a first and a second wing structure positioned in alignment with respect to each other. Each of the first and second wing structures includes a crossbar and two sets of generally parallel extensions. Each set of extensions includes a distal end and proximal end. The proximal ends combine at the crossbar. The crossbar of the first wing structure is positioned over, and removably attached to, the dorsal side of the body. The crossbar of the second wing structure is positioned in direct alignment over the crossbar of the first wing structure and is also removably attached to the dorsal side of the body. A spacer is provided between the crossbars of the first and second wing structure such that an air space is defined between the first and second wing structures. 
         [0011]    The present invention has many advantages over prior fishing lures. The body of the present invention more realistically looks like a natural dragonfly because the body is partitioned to include a head, a thorax, the petiole, and an abdomen. Prior dragonfly lures did not articulate the body in such a fashion. The inclusion of the petiole to the present invention distinctly adds to the realism of the dragonfly. 
         [0012]    The distinctive design of the wings on the present invention allows it to more realistically behave like a real dragonfly. The lure is attached to the fishing rod by the eyelet on the head of the lure. When an angler casts from an underhand position, beginning around three o&#39;clock and gently moving up and across the body, finally releasing around eleven o&#39;clock, the lure glides through the air like a dragonfly. The shape and position of the H-shaped wing helps the lure orient itself and glide through the air. The in-flight orientation helps the dragonfly lure to land in the water with the hooks down and the wings up. The lure will float on the water with the hooks below the surface. An angler can reel in the lure gently or quickly with jerking movements. When reeled in gently the lure behaves like a dragonfly slowly skimming across the water. When the angler reels the lure in more quickly, the lure behaves like a dragonfly periodically lighting off the water. The behavior of the present invention more realistically mimics the behavior of real dragonflies. 
         [0013]    The unique design of the present invention gives anglers a significant tool in their tackle box. The accurately shaped body and the shape and performance of the wings encourage hungry fish to attack. 
         [0014]    The objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the dragonfly lure with a single wing and two trident hooks. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the dragonfly lure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the dragonfly lure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the dragonfly lure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the dragonfly lure with a bi-wing and two trident hooks. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the dragonfly lure of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the dragonfly lure with a single wing, two fixed position hooks, and a weed guard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is an illustrated view of the present invention. The dragonfly lure  10  is generally comprised of a body  11 , a wing  32 , and a variable number of hooks  30 . The body  11  of the dragonfly lure  10  is designed to realistically mimic the body structure of a dragonfly from the order Odonata and the infraorder Anisoptera. These realistic structures of the body  11  include first a head  12 , then a thorax  14 , next a petiole  16 , and lastly an abdomen  18 . The head  12  of the body  11  is a bulbous structure. The head  12  and thorax  14  are separated by an annular groove  13 . The thorax  14  is also a bulbous structure. The petiole  16  is separated from the thorax  14  by another annular groove  15 . The petiole  16  is also a bulbous structure with a slightly smaller diameter than the head  12  and thorax  14 . The petiole gradually forms into an extended abdomen  18 . The body  11  of the dragonfly lure can be constructed of any floatable material such as wood, plastic, rubber, or any other material that floats on top of the water. The body  11  can be either hollow or solid. 
         [0023]    A wing structure  32  is attached to the top of the body  20 . The wing  32  is comprised of a crossbar  36  and four extensions  38 . The overall appearance of the wing  32  is an H-shape. The crossbar  36  is fixed via an attachment means  34  to the top of the thorax  14 . The attachment means  34  pierces through the center of the crossbar  36  and into a central portion of the thorax  14 . The attachment means  34  is preferably a fixed means such as a rivet or a nail. However, the attachment means  34  may also be a removable structure, such as a screw or other dowel rod placed into the thorax, so that the wing may be removed for storage or replacement. Extensions  38  extend laterally outward from the crossbar  36  of the wing  32 . The extensions  38  extend perpendicular to the axis of the body  11 . The wing  32  has two generally parallel extensions  38  extending on either side of the body  11 , thus making a total of four extensions  38 . The extensions  38  define a fixed space  40  between each set of extensions  38 . The space  40  extends from the tip of the extensions inwardly to the crossbar  36  of the wing  32 . Without wishing to be held to one particular explanation for the success of the device, the H-shaped wing structure, which encompasses the four separate, flexible extensions  38  in combination with the defined fixed spaces  40 , provides the unique aerodynamic quality required to mimic the dragonfly flight pattern as the lure  10  is cast by an angler. 
         [0024]    The wing  32  is a single piece of material. The wing  32  is preferably constructed of a thin, flexible and lightweight film. However, the wing  32  may also be made of other lightweight and flexible materials such as balsa wood, aluminum, or other plastics, etc. The wings can be made of material that is either translucent or opaque. 
         [0025]    It is also within the scope of the present invention to remove the wing structure  32  entirely thereby leaving a lure similar to a standard fishing plug. In this manner, the lure can be cast and retrieved in the manner of standard plugs. 
         [0026]    The dragonfly lure  10  also has several eyelets along the body  11 . An eyelet  24  is positioned on the head  12  of the body  11 . This eyelet  24  includes an aperture  26  through which a fishing line (not illustrated) is secured. Preferably this eyelet is fixed; however, it can also be constructed to rotate or swivel. The dragonfly lure  10  in  FIG. 1  also has two eyelets to secure hooks. In the preferred example, a lower eyelet  42  is positioned along the bottom  22  of the body. Specifically the lower eyelet  42  is secured to the thorax  14  directly beneath the attachment  34  of the wing  32 . A trident hook  30  is attached to the lower eyelet  42 .  FIG. 1  shows a fixed lower eyelet  42 ; however, it may be constructed so that it is a swiveling eyelet. Furthermore, the lower eyelet  42  may be positioned anywhere along the bottom  22  of the body. In another embodiment of the dragonfly lure, there can be multiple lower eyelets  42  and trident hooks  30  positioned along the bottom  22  of the body. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present invention  10  also has a tail eyelet  28 . This eyelet remains fixed and connects to a trident hook  30 . However, the tail eyelet  28  may also swivel or rotate. Although trident hooks are described herein and illustrated in the figures, it is within the scope of the invention to have any number of sizes and shapes of hooks, including single hooks, double hooks, quadruple hooks, etc. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of the dragonfly lure  10 . The space  40  defined between the wing extensions  38  is visible.  FIG. 3  represents a side view of the dragonfly lure  10 . The wings  32  in  FIG. 3  show a slight curvature. However, it is in the scope of the present invention for the wings  32  to be flat or curved at a greater degree. Representative painting or coloration of the body is visible in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  is a front view of the dragonfly lure  10 . The dragonfly lure  10  can also be a solid color or painted any variation similar to a natural or fanciful dragonfly. While it may be desirable to color the body  11  in such a way that it resembles a real dragonfly, the color of the dragonfly lure is secondary in importance to the shape of the body and of the wings. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the dragonfly lure  10  has a bi-wing  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The body  11  of the dragonfly lure  10  remains constant; however, it has two stacked wings  51 ,  53 . The bi-wing  50  is constructed of a first wing  51  that is attached to the top of the body, preferably at the thorax  14 . A second wing structure  53  is thus positioned directly on top of the first wing  51 . Between the two wings  51 ,  53  is a spacer  54  that separates the wings  51 ,  53 . The spacer  54  is preferably only a couple millimeters in thickness, however, the spacer  54  could be any thickness. A space  52  is thus defined between the two wing structures  51 ,  53  of the bi-wing  50 . The space  52  is generally the same thickness as the spacer  54 . The preferred configuration of the bi-wing  50  is comprised of two wings  51 ,  53  of the same size and same shape. However, it may be appropriate to have two different sized wings of different shapes and curvatures. Furthermore, the bi-wing  50  can be placed along different parts of the body  11 , including the thorax and petiole, or even the abdomen.  FIG. 5  illustrates a body  11  with two trident hooks  30 , one attached under the thorax  14  and the other at the end of the abdomen  18 . However, additional or fewer hooks may be used.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bi-wing  52  construction. The space  52  between the two wings  51 ,  53  is visible. 
         [0029]    In yet a further embodiment of the dragonfly lure, a weed guard  66  is attached to the body  11 . The weed guard  66  is made of a thin and lightweight metal. However, the weed guard  66  can be constructed of any flexibly rigid material.  FIG. 7  shows a single wing  32  attached to the thorax  14  of the body  11 . Instead of dangling trident hooks  30 , a fixed lower hook  64  is positioned on the bottom of the thorax  14 . The fixed lower hook  64  is attached via an attachment means  68 . The attachment means may be fixed, like a rivet or a nail, or it may be removable such as a screw. The weed guard  66  is positioned in front of the fixed lower hook  64  so that aquatic detritus is not accidentally ensnared in the hook.  FIG. 7  also illustrates a fixed rear hook  62 . The fixed rear hook  62  is positioned so that it also will not ensnare aquatic detritus. While  FIG. 7  shows the weed guard  66  attached to a single wing structure, the weed guard  66  may also be applied to a bi-wing dragonfly lure, or any other combination or configuration of the present invention. 
         [0030]    It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangements and parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.