Abstract:
An apparatus for releasably securing an intermediate location of a baited fishing line to a weighted and fixed underwater line. The apparatus includes an interiorly hollowed and substantially rectangular elongated sleeve having first and second ends. An elongated slide exhibits axially and outwardly tapered side walls axially which are frictionally engageable within associated inner side walls of the sleeve proximate a first selected and open end of the sleeve, the intermediate location of the fishing line being pinchingly engaged between the slide and the sleeve interior. A further selected end of the sleeve engages the fixed underwater line. Upon a fish striking a baited and trailing end of the fishing line, a substantially linear applied force causes said slide to linearly eject outwardly from within said sleeve, releasing the fishing line therefrom.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/560,096, filed Apr. 7, 2004, and entitled “Fishing Release Apparatus”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to release mechanisms associated with a weighted downrigger or trail along trolling line. More specifically, the present invention teaches an effective release mechanism for a fishing line associated with a downrigger line, associated weight or, in a separate application, a trolling line. The release mechanism operates to maintain a steady degree of tension to a length of the fishing line extending from the reel to its engaging location with the release mechanism, coupled with effective release upon a fish engaging a bait associated with a trailing edge of the fishing line extending from the release mechanism.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     A fishing method known as deep trolling involves the use of special equipment. A weight, often streamlined, is secured to a cable with a winch to a point at or below the level at which fish are believed to be located. As is known in the art, the level and location of the fish may be determined through the use of electronic depth finding equipment or other conventional means.  
         [0006]     As the cable is unwound from the reel of the winch, lowering the weight, a location of a pole secured and reelable fishing line, typically having bait attached to an end thereof, is clipped to a release device in turn secured to the cable, and in order that the fish line will be lowered to a position in the vicinity of the fish. These devices are designed so that a pull corresponding to a fish taking the bait will provide enough force to pull the fish line free of the clip, leaving the fish line to the exclusive control of the fishing rod typically arrayed upon the boat at a location separate from the downrigger assembly.  
         [0007]     Several of such devices are available for attachment to the downrigger cable and operate to release the fish line upon the fish taking the bait. However, a problem that exists with many of these types of devices is that they are highly susceptible to false releases when not secured to the fish line tight enough or the devices operate to cause damage to the fish line when they are applied too tightly. Additionally, many of these types of devices do not allow for the line release force to be adjusted appropriately for the size and type of fish being sought after.  
         [0008]     Selected examples drawn from the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,652, issued to Johnson, and which teaches a fishing line release mechanism having a permanent magnet positioned within a housing. The poles of the magnet are arranged to draw a magnetic release plate toward, or into contact with, the magnet. The release plate has a buttonlike configuration with a central aperture which enables the plate to be threaded by a fish line. When a fish line threaded through the magnetic plate aperture is looped several times around the plate and the plate is then positioned in proximity to the permanent magnet, the line cannot unreel until considerable tension is applied to it. The tension limit can be preset and, upon that limit being reached, the buttonlike magnetic plate springs away from the permanent magnet to release the fish line to further control by the reel.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,414, issued to Hood, teaches a fishing line release mechanism for a downrigger or the like in which there are two claims for holding the fishing line and a cam. Each clip is separately tensioned, preferably adjustable. The clip engaging the upper fishing line segment is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the cam while the clip for the outward segment of the fishing line is fixedly connected to the center of the cam. The line is guided by grooves from the upper to the lower clip. Release of either clip causes the other clip to release, thus causing the entire fishing line to drop free from the mechanism.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,691, issued to Keisala, teaches a device for linking a trolling line to a wire of a downrigger or a sideplaner so that a triggering force from the direction of the lure attached to one end of the trolling line is freely adjustable without affecting the coupling adjustment between the rod and the device, and between the device and the wire. The device can be released from the cable by a sharp pull from the direction of the rod, and then reeled up to the surface and to the boat.  
         [0011]     A still further reference of note is U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,401, issued to Fukumoto, and which teaches a trolling line retainer and release device for use with downriggers or outriggers comprising a conical magnet molded into a hinged cap and a mating threaded conical magnetically permeable closure containing components used to attach the invention to a downrigger or outrigger cable. The latching cap securing the line at one end of the cap that is pinned at the diametrically opposite end to provide a moment to delatch the magnet upon a fish striking the lure or bait. The magnetic biased line retainer consists of two elastomer pads shaped to provide a serpentine path to secure the line. The retention force of the line is adjustable by varying the gap between the magnet and the magnetically permeable closure. The cable attachment mechanism is spring biased to provide a shear force between a piston and the cylindrical housing. The position of the piston can be changed by a simple rotation of a lever, located at the rear of the housing, to unlock the cable and permit free sliding movement of the device. Conversely, the device can be locked on the cable by returning the lever to its normal position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages associated with prior art fishing releases in providing a fishing release operative to be selectively secured to a cable and/or weight of a fishing downrigger, and wherein the release is operative to allow for the line release force to be adjusted to an appropriate level for trolling various types and sizes of lures and baits.  
         [0013]     In particular, the apparatus includes an interiorly hollowed and substantially rectangular elongated sleeve having first and second open ends. An elongated slide exhibits axially and outwardly tapered side walls which are axially and frictionally engageable within associated inner side walls of the sleeve proximate a first selected and open end of the sleeve. The intermediate location of the fishing line is pinchingly engaged between the slide and the sleeve interior.  
         [0014]     A longitudinal slot extends an axial distance along the sleeve, typically along a top extending edge. A portion associated with the inserted slide projects through the slot and defines a range of axial travel established between the slide and sleeve.  
         [0015]     A further selected end of the sleeve engages, in certain applications, a location of the fixed underwater (downrigger) line or, in the alternative, a weight extending from an end of the line. In a yet further variant, a rearwardly trailing and trolling line is employed and from which any plurality of release apparatuses are secured at spaced locations.  
         [0016]     In any of the above disclosed variants, and upon a fish striking a baited and trailing end of the fishing line, a substantially linear applied force causes the slide to linearly eject from within the sleeve, releasing the fishing line therefrom. In a preferred configuration, the slide includes an arcuate extending edge wall for assisting in securing the line in the pinched condition within the sleeve and prior to axial release.  
         [0017]     A feature of the invention is the ability to maintain a steady tension on the portion of the fishing line extending from a pole to the engaged location with the release apparatus. In this manner, and by virtue of the construction of the release apparatus, the line tension is not affected by waves, weather or boat speed. Incidences of false release are further greatly reduced by the construction of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates the fishing release apparatus of the present invention according to a first preferred application in use with a downwardly extending line associated with a conventional downrigger apparatus;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the fishing release apparatus of  FIG. 1  in either of first or second affixing locations relative to a downrigger weight;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a release condition of a fishing line relative to the apparatus illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional illustration of the downrigger arrangement of  FIG. 2  and better showing the first and second affixing locations relative the downrigger weight;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of the fishing release apparatus of  FIG. 1  and better illustrating the manner in which the tapered slide axially engages inside the release body and in order to secure a location of the fishing line in false release preventative fashion;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the fishing release apparatus according the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the fishing release apparatus;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the fishing release apparatus; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of the fishing release apparatus according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention and in use with a trolling line associated with a boat. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     The present invention provides a fishing release operative to be tightly secured to the cable of a downrigger whereby the position of the release on the cable is maintained during unsettled or choppy water conditions, false releases are minimized, and to provide adjustability of the fishing line release force to facilitate trolling various types and sizes of lures and baits.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fishing release apparatus  10  according to the invention is generally illustrated. As shown, the fishing release  10  may be attached to a cable  12  and/or weight  14  of a conventional downrigger  16 , whereby a fishing line  18  may be releasably fastened thereto for allowing a user to maintain a fishing lure  20  secured to a trailing end  22  of the fishing line at a desired depth below a water level  24 .  
         [0030]     As best illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 6  and front and top plan views of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the release apparatus includes an interiorly hollow, typically rectangular elongated, sleeve  26 , typically constructed of a durable plastic and having a first open end  28  and a second open end  30 . The open interior of the sleeve  26  is further defined by interior and exterior sidewalls, such as shown at  32  and  34  in  FIG. 6 , and top and bottom interconnecting and linear extending end walls. Additional features include a longitudinal slot  36  extending an axial distance along the sleeve, as well as an aperture  38  being formed through the sleeve proximate its further selected and open end  30 .  
         [0031]     A sliding release member  40 , see again as best shown in  FIG. 6 , is also typically constructed of a durable plastic and dimensioned for slip (frictional engaging) fit engagement within the interior side walls of the sleeve  26 . The release member  40  includes sidewalls  42  and  44  that are outwardly tapered portions adjacent a proximal end  46 . The tapered portions of the sidewalls are such that their thickness is progressively greater than a thickness of a foremost inserting portion of the release member  40  when moving from proximal to distal ends. An arcuate edge is further referenced at  48  and facilitates gripping of the associated location of the fishing line as will be further described. An eyehook screw  49  engages an aperture location  51  associated with the slide and, accordingly, restrains the travel of the slide a given axial travel along the sleeve and defined by the ends of the longitudinal slot.  
         [0032]     The sliding release member  40  is operative to become increasingly wedgedly retained within the sleeve  26  as it is pushed through the open end  28  of the sleeve toward the second open end  30 . It is appreciated that the increase in retaining force results from the tapered nature of the sidewalls of the slide relative to the sleeve wedgedly engaging as it is pushed toward the second open end.  
         [0033]     The retaining force is due to surface friction between the interior side walls  32  and  34  of the sleeve and the tapered axial surfaces  42  and  44  of the slide. In this manner the degree of release force can be adjusted accordingly by adjusting the position of the slide within the sleeve to either increase or decrease the amount of frictional force. Illustratively, for maximum release force the slide  40  is pushed through the first open end  28  toward the second open end  30  to a maximum positioned along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve  26 . Contrastingly, to adjust the slide  40  to a minimum release force, the same is inserted through the open end  28  of the sleeve  26  to a point where resistance against forward movement of the slide within the sleeve just begins.  
         [0034]     It is also envisioned that the tapered axial surfaces  42  and  44  can be constructed of a soft plastic, rubber or fabric material, and within the scope of the invention. In this fashion, the pads operate to cushion the line, prevent tangling and fouling, etc.  
         [0035]     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , a collar  50  is provided through which extends the weighted line  12 . A projecting portion  52 , otherwise known as an arcuate interlock portion, associated with the collar  50  engages through the second open end  30  of the sleeve and in alignment with its open aperture  38 . A tie zip fastener  54  loops through the aperture and around the collar and weighted line location, in order to secure the sleeve  26  to the collar  50 .  
         [0036]     An elongated and tapered pin  56  engages through an open center associated with the collar  50  and in order to affix the apparatus at a selected location along the weighted line. A crosswise extending opening  58  in an end of the pin  56  receives a further tie zip fastener  60  to secure the same in frictional holding fashion through the collar  50  and to thereby position the apparatus at a desired depth. This fastening arrangement prevents the locking pin  56  from falling into the water and being lost once it becomes dislodged from the interior channel of the collar  50  as the fastener operates to retain the locking pin about the cable while permitting the cable to be winched up.  
         [0037]     In a further preferred variant, and as specifically shown in each of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the sleeve  26  is dimensioned so as to be adapted to engage the weight  14  associated with the weighted line  12 . In particular, and as evidenced at  10 ′ or  10 ″ in  FIG. 4 , a zip tie or the like is employed to engage through the aperture  38  in the sleeve and to secure the same to an eyelet extending from either of upper or forward locations associated with the weight  14 .  
         [0038]     As further referenced in  FIG. 9 , a pair of rearwardly and outwardly trailing trolling lines  62  and  64 , are arrayed in supported fashion relative to such as a bow location  66  of a trolling boat. Each trolling line  62  and  64  supports at least one, and preferably two or more, individually located release apparatuses and such that a plurality of associated fishing lines  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  74 , extend from associated pole locations mounted to the boat and engage with selected release apparatuses which are in turn affixed to specified locations along each of the trolling lines. The sleeves  26  associated with each of the release apparatuses are typically mounted in the same fashion as described in reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , it being further understood that other mechanisms for securing to fixed locations along the trolling lines are also envisioned within the art.  
         [0039]     As further shown, the fishing release  10  is adapted to be attached to the weight at the second open with a conventional fastening means such as a tie strap, string, screws, pins, or other conventional fastening means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0040]     Due to the manner in which the slide engages the sleeve, the concern for inadvertent releases is substantially minimized as the slide becomes disengaged from its set position by the fish taking hold of the bait and pulling in a direction opposite the forward movement of the lure  20 . Once the line is released from the fishing release  10 , the released tension on the line being exerted by the fishing rod causes the hook to be set in the fish. The fishing release  10  is adapted to only release the line upon the fish taking the bait. This allows for line tension to be kept at a maximum via the fishing rod such that the hook will set in the fish due to the recoil of the fishing rod when line tension is released with the fish taking the bait. Additionally, the collar and tapered locking pin prevent movement of the fishing release  10  along the rigging or trolling cable. Thus, the fishing release  10  will not be moved up or down from its secure point in rough or choppy waters.  
         [0041]     Also, and while the illustration of  FIG. 9  does show tapered pins  56  inserted through the associated collars  50 , it is understood that the preferred embodiment illustrated does not utilize the pins. Rather, the trolling lines  62  and  64  extend loosely through the central openings of the collars  50  associated with each of the release apparatuses (see also  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the fishing lines  68 - 74  operating to prevent sliding beyond a given desired location of each of the trailing trolling lines.  
         [0042]     It is also envisioned that the pins  56  may also be removed in application to the downrigger line, the interengaged fishing line again operating to secure the apparatus at a desired location. The apparatus in these instances will freefall and gather at the bottommost or outermost (trolling) locations following detachment of the fishing line.  
         [0043]     From the foregoing, a fishing release for use with a weighted downrigger or outrigger is disclosed. Having the described the fishing release, however, it is appreciated that many modifications thereto may become apparent to one of skill in the art without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.