Abstract:
A helical groove fishing tackle, which may be a sinker, a bullet rotator, a lure, a bobbler, or the like, is configured with one or more rotation control surfaces to counteract the spinning caused by water flowing across the helical grooves. The rotation control surfaces may be fins or keels, protrusions, or grooves, provided on an outer surface of the fishing tackle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A lead sinker is one of the basic equipment in all fishermen&#39;s tackle box. It is the weight that lowers baited hooks or lures down to the desired depth in fresh or salt water. There are variety of sinker designs and weight options in existence. 
         [0002]    The egg sinker is one of the most common designs used. Egg sinkers are shaped somewhat like an egg with a straight hole running down its longitudinal axis for the fishing line to pass through. All surfaces on the egg sinker are smooth to allow the sinker to easily slide up and down the fishing line, so that the biting fish feels little resistance from the sinker weight. 
         [0003]    The disadvantage of the egg sinker design is the need for the line to be cut and retied every time a sinker is replaced. A skilled fisherman can quickly perform this task but it can become a hassle when it is done numerous times over the course of a day and fingers become raw from continued exposure to water. Also, there are occasions when quicker replacement method is desired because by the time the egg sinker is replaced and the angler is fishing again, the fish bite may have already shut down. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,599,973 discloses a “Slip-on Fishline Sinker” that is designed to be readily attached and connected to a fishing line without being tied thereto. The disclosed sinker has an elongated body formed with longitudinally-extending bore openings therethrough and the body is provided with a helical slot by which the fishing line is inserted into the openings. 
         [0005]    One drawback of the sinker design of U.S. Pat. No. 2,599,973 is that the sinker rotates about its longitudinal axis. The sinker rotates like a turbine when water flows across the helical grooves and spins the sinker. The spinning motion against the fishing line creates additional wear leading to lower ultimate strength of the fishing line. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments provide a helical groove fishing tackle, which may be a sinker, a bullet rotator, a lure, a bobbler (also known as a float), or the like, that is configured to counteract the spinning caused by water flowing across the helical grooves. In one embodiment, fins or keels are provided on an outer surface of the fishing tackle to oppose the fishing tackle rotation. In another embodiment, slots are provided on an outer surface of the fishing tackle to oppose the fishing tackle rotation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and top views of a sinker according to a first embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sinker according to a second embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sinker according to a third embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are orthographic views of the sinker according to the third embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sinker according to a fourth embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sinker according to a fifth embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of a sinker according to a sixth embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a lure that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a bullet rotator that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a bobbler that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and top views of a sinker according to a first embodiment. Sinker  40  has a body (typically made of lead, but other dense materials may be used) with an elongated slot  49  extending through the center of the body of sinker  40  along its longitudinal axis. Helical groove  46  is formed around the body to permit a fishing line (not shown) to be inserted into and positioned within elongated slot  49  by winding the fishing line in through helical groove  46 . When the fishing line is positioned within elongated slot, sinker  40  is deemed attached to the fishing line and operable for use during fishing. Sinker  40  is detached from the fishing line in a reverse manner, by unwinding the fishing line out through helical groove  46 . 
         [0018]    Fins  41 ,  42  (or keels) are formed on outer surfaces of sinker  40 . Fins  41 ,  42  function as anti-rotation surfaces of sinker  40 . When sinker  40  is attached to the fishing line and used during fishing, water flows past sinker  40 , in particular across surfaces of helical groove  46 , thereby urging sinker  40  to rotate. Fins  41 ,  42  prevent such rotation of sinker  40 . Fins  41 ,  42  are formed with a control surface that is at a preconfigured angle of attack, e.g., 45 degrees, to counter the rotation of sinker  40  urged by water flowing across surfaces of helical groove  46 . The angle of attack is preconfigured to be large enough to counter the rotation of sinker  40  urged by water flowing across surfaces of helical groove  46 . By way of example, the angle of attack may be preconfigured as 10 degree to 45 degree. It should be recognized that the preconfigured angle of attack would be increased or decreased in accordance with the helical groove design. For helical groove designs that urge a greater rotation of sinker  40 , the preconfigured angle of attack should be increased. For helical groove designs that urge a lesser rotation of sinker  40 , the preconfigured angle of attack should be decreased. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sinker according to a second embodiment. Sinker  50  is identical to sinker  40  except its body is coated with resin  58 . For illustrative purposes,  FIG. 2  shows resin  58  partially peeled off and a part of body  57  that is covered by resin  58  that has been peeled off. When the body of sinker  50 , which is typically lead or some other metal, is manufactured (through molding or some other process), sharp edges may be formed. The sharp edges are not desirable because they may cause the fishing line to be cut during use of sinker  50 . The resin coating is applied by submersing the body of sinker  50  in a resin bath above a melting temperature of the resin and covers any sharp edges. Upon hardening, the resin coating covering the sharp edges protects the fishing line from being cut during use of sinker  50 . The resin coating is also desirable because sinker  50  can be colored easily, simply by adding color to the resin bath. In a similar manner, fluorescence (useful for nighttime fishing) can be applied to sinker  50  by adding fluorescent materials to the resin bath. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sinker according to a third embodiment.  FIGS. 4A-4E  are orthographic views (respectively, top, left, front, right, and bottom) of the sinker according to the third embodiment. Sinker  60  has helical groove  66  which is configured in substantially the same manner as helical groove  46  of the first and second embodiments. The primary difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is in the fin design. Here, three fins  61 ,  62 ,  63  are formed on the outer surface of sinker  60 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sinker according to a fourth embodiment. Sinker  80  has helical groove  86  which is configured in substantially the same manner as helical groove  46  of the first and second embodiments. The primary difference between the fourth embodiment and the first and second embodiments is in the design of the rotation control surface. Here, multiple protrusions  81 - 85  are formed on the outer surface of sinker  80  as rotation control surfaces instead of fins. 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sinker according to a fifth embodiment. Sinker  90  has helical groove  96  which is configured in substantially the same manner as helical groove  46  of the first and second embodiments. The primary difference between the fifth embodiment and the first and second embodiments is in the design of the rotation control surface. Here, cutouts or grooves  91  are formed on the outer surface of sinker  90  as rotation control surfaces instead of fins. 
         [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sinker according to a sixth embodiment. Sinker  70  has helical groove  76  which is configured in substantially the same manner as helical groove  46  of the first and second embodiments. The primary difference between the sixth embodiment and the first and second embodiments is in the design of the rotation control surface. Here, multiple oval-shaped protrusions  75  are formed on the outer surface of sinker  70  as rotation control surfaces instead of fins. Alternative to oval-shaped protrusions  75 , protrusions having other shapes, e.g., spherical, may be used. 
         [0024]    The above embodiments incorporate the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces in a sinker. The same design may be extended to other types of fishing tackle.  FIG. 8  illustrates a lure that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces.  FIG. 9  illustrates a bullet rotator that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces.  FIG. 10  illustrates a bobbler that incorporates the helical groove design with rotation control surfaces. 
         [0025]    In addition, the above embodiments incorporate the helical groove design with a certain type of helical groove and a certain number of rotation control surfaces. The type of helical groove may be varied as well as the number of control surfaces for optimum performance. In addition, in the embodiments employing fins, the angle of attack of the fins may be varied for optimal performance. 
         [0026]    While the foregoing is directed to specific embodiments, other and further embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.