Abstract:
This disclosure is directed to a fishing system capable of reducing loss due to entanglement with environmental obstacles. The most common form of device is a sinker. The construction of this system allows the user tension the line in different direction to extricate the fishing element from obstacles by easily reversing the direction of line tension.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/639,433, filed Dec. 27, 2004. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is directed to a fishing device most commonly a sinker, and more particularly to a fishing sinker with improved resistance to snags and capable or reversing line direction to be withdrawn from obstacles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     When fishing, one generally wants the fishing line and attached bait or lure to sink below the water surface, so that the bait may be seen by the fish. Typically, one attaches a sinker to a fishing line, which is generally a weight with a density greater than water. The sinker may be attached to the fishing line at a fixed position, or may be able to slip or slide along a portion of the line. These slidable sinkers are generally referred to as slip sinkers. The sinker may be made of a dense metal, such as lead or an alloy of lead, and may have a protective coating to prevent significant contact between the lead and the water. The sinker may also have a buoyant portion in addition to the dense portion, in order to achieve a desired orientation in the water. The sinker may optionally be colored in a manner that is appealing to fish, such as a combination of bright, fluorescent colors.  
         [0005]     Fishing sinkers tend to sink to the bottom of the fishing area, and a common drawback is that they may become snagged in fishing areas with rocks, brush, weed beds or stump fields (i.e. become engaged with environmental obstacles). When a sinker becomes snagged, one typically attempts to free the sinker by pulling generally upward on the fishing pole. If that doesn&#39;t work, one may let the line go slack, translate the pole a few feet in a given direction parallel to the water surface, then attempt to pull upward again. The process of letting the line go slack, translating the pole and pulling upwards may be repeated until the sinker is freed, or until patience is lost and the sinker is abandoned.  
         [0006]     Abandoning a sinker is undesirable for a number of reasons. First, the sinker costs money to replace. Second, the sinker may contain lead and may potentially contaminate the fishing area. Third, the individual who lost the sinker may be subject to hurtful ridicule from his or her fishing companions.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there exists a need for a sinker with improved snag resistance, so that the process of letting the line go slack, translating the pole and pulling upwards may be more effective at freeing a snagged sinker.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     There are several aspects to the invention and reference should be had to the detailed description and the claims. For the reader&#39;s convenience a summary of some of salient features appears below.  
         [0009]     For example, one embodiment includes a snag resistant fishing sinker system which has a first filament having a first and second end, a sinker weight being attached to said first filament proximate said ends, an attachment link to a fishing line, slidably engaging said first filament so that it can selectively slide between ends; so that the link can be moved by tensioning of a fishing line to avoid entanglement of the system with environmental obstacles.  
         [0010]     A further feature includes a system where the first filament is substantially rigid.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, the system of claim  2  wherein said first and second ends are attached to said sinker weight to form at least one corner.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment the first and second ends are attached to the sinker weight to form at least two corners and wherein the link is slidable between said corners.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment the first filament includes a bend intermediate said first and second ends so that said link may engage said either said first or second end or said bend.  
         [0014]     In a further embodiment, the bend is generally midway between said first and second ends and forms an apex between said ends.  
         [0015]     In a further embodiment, the said bend is generally midway between said first and second ends and wherein said filament follows a generally arcuate shape.  
         [0016]     In a further embodiment the arcuate shape is concave relative to the sinker weight.  
         [0017]     In a further embodiment the filament extends generally from said first to said second end and a float slidable therealong.  
         [0018]     In a further embodiment the float has sufficient buoyancy to tend to raise whichever end it is most adjacent.  
         [0019]     In a further embodiment the further filament is substantially rigid.  
         [0020]     In a further embodiment the filament is substantially rigid and extends from the sinker weigh at one end thereof, follows around the sinker weight toward its other end and terminates at the sinker weight adjacent the first end and has a corner adjacent its second end, so that the link may be moved from the first end to the second to avoid environmental entanglement.  
         [0021]     A method of making a snag resistant sinker system is also disclosed including the steps of suspending a fishing element to the ends of a substantially rigid filament; establishing a plurality of corner bends in said filament; slidably attaching a fishing line to said filament capable of sliding therealong and engaging said bends; so that tensioning the fishing line at different angles can cause the slidable attachment to move to bend most effective in disentangling said sinker system from environmental obstacles.  
         [0022]     The above summary is just exemplary. Reference should be had to the detailed description for further inventive concepts and to the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art fishing sinker.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates a prior art fishing sinker, wedged between two rocks.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a fishing sinker.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a fishing sinker, wedged between two rocks.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a fishing sinker, wedged between two rocks.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a filament with rounded corners.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a filament with more than two corners.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a weight that is slidable along the filament.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a rattle.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a float incorporated into the clasp.  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a float that is slidable along a filament.  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a gumdrop-shaped weight.  
         [0035]      FIG. 13  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a gumdrop-shaped weight and a rattle.  
         [0036]      FIG. 14  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a weight on a slidable clasp.  
         [0037]      FIG. 15  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a more than one slidable clasp.  
         [0038]      FIG. 16  illustrates a further embodiment of a fishing sinker, with a decorated weight, multiple hooks, and a hydrodynamic fin.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     A prior art fishing sinker  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . A weight  11  is rigidly attached to a clasp/link  13  by a filament  12 . The clasp  13  may either attach directly to a fishing line, between the bait and the pole, or may attach to an intermediate device that enables attachment to the fishing line. The term clasp or attachable link should be read broadly as the connection to the fishing line, and indeed the fishing line itself. In can be as simple as a slidable knot or complex as a link element which itself attaches to the fishing line. Once cast into a fishing area, the prior art sinker  10  sinks and carries the bait below the surface of the water to a depth at which it may be seen by the fish.  
         [0040]     As the fisherman artfully adjusts the positions of the pole/rod and the line, in order to entice fish to eat the bait, the prior art sinker  10  may become entangled in some structures on the bottom of the fishing area. For instance, it may become wedged between rocks, or snagged in plant beds.  FIG. 2  shows the prior art sinker wedged between two rocks  21  and  22 . (The rocks  21  and  22  are drawn with a rectangular profile for simplicity.) In an attempt to free the snagged sinker, the fisherman may use the pole to exert a force on the line, and in turn, exert a pulling force on the sinker. This pulling force is represented schematically by element  27 , and shows the direction in which the fisherman pulls. The pulling force denoted by  27  is exerted on the clasp  13 , and based on the orientation of the wedge of the rocks  21  and  22 ,  FIG. 2  shows that such a force will not free the snagged sinker.  
         [0041]     Once the fisherman realizes that pulling in the direction denoted by  27  will not free the snagged sinker, he may optionally shift his position in the boat or on the dock, then try pulling in a second direction. This second direction is denoted by element  26 , and a pulling force denoted by direction  26  is also exerted on the clasp  13 .  FIG. 2  shows that this force, too, will not free the snagged sinker. Presumably, the fisherman will be unable to dislodge the prior art sinker using the fishing line, and will have to abandon the prior art sinker at the bottom of the fishing area, possibly leaving lead at the bottom of the lake.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a fishing sinker  30  with improved snag resistance. A sinker has been illustrated throughout, but it is understood that any fishing element could be used in this configuration. A lure, a spinner, rattle, bait (live or synthetic) or any fishing device that can be tied to a fishing line, is liable to become entangled in environmental obstacles. Because sinker weights are the most problematic, they are used for illustration, but should not be considered a limitation of the invention. A weight  31  may be formed generally from a dense material, such as lead or an alloy of lead, and may have a protective coating to prevent significant contact between the lead and the water. The weight  31  may also have a buoyant portion (not shown), in order to achieve a desired orientation in the water. The weight  31  may optionally be colored in a manner that is appealing to fish, such as one or more bright, fluorescent colors. Furthermore, the weight  31  may preferably have an elongated or tubular shape, with a first end  35  and a second end  36 . The weight  31  is preferably located at the midpoint between the corners (end points) but as it is not on the same filament, spaced therefrom. Thus the center of gravity of the weight (or other fishing device) will preferably along a line running orthogonally through the midpoint between the corners. (This is only true on non slidable embodiments, of course)  
         [0043]     The first end  35  and second end  36  may be connected by a filament  32  having a linear/straight section and arcuate sections. The filament  32  may preferably be a generally or substantially rigid wire, which may optionally be coated to prevent corrosion. Its rigidity should be taken broadly. It should be rigid enough that the link can slide therealong. It can also be very rigid as that would aid in slidability. Alternatively, the filament  32  may be made from a synthetic material, such as plastic or nylon. The filament  32  may extend externally from the first end  35  to the second end  36 , and may be joined to the weight  31  only at the ends  35  and  36 . Alternatively, the filament  32  may extend partially into the weight  31 , or may pass completely through a hole (not shown) in the weight  31 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , it is preferable that the weight  31  be rigidly attached to the filament  32 . In further embodiments, the weight may slide along the filament, which extends through a hole in the weight.  
         [0044]     A clasp  34  is slidably attached to the filament  32 . In this case, a sliding ring is shown, but any means for slidable engagement is possible so long as the resistance is low. The clasp  34  may either attach directly to a fishing line, between the bait and the pole, or may attach to an intermediate device that enables attachment to the fishing line.  
         [0045]     The filament  32  preferably has one or more corners  33   a,    33   b . (Note that “corners” (interchangeably used with “bends”, “junctions”, etc., should be interpreted broadly and junctions or bends and are not limited to corners in the traditional sense.) The link  34  is slidably engaged along the filament and may engage any of the corners/bends so as to allow the fishing line to alter the vector or directional force applied to the sinker system thereby resulting in reversal or partial change of direction depending upon where the bends are located along the filament.) Although the corners  33   a,    33   b  are drawn as sharp corners, they may be formed as regions in which the local curvature is distinctly greater than the surrounding regions. Sharper or acute angle corners may have an advantage that the reversing function is stepwise and more distinct, as will be explained below. In other words, the corners  33   a,    33   b  may be simply bends in the filament  32 , with a local radius of curvature that is conducive to well-known wire manipulation techniques. If the filament  32  is formed from a synthetic material, rather than shaped from a wire, then the corners  33   a,    33   b  may either be sharp, or may be rounded.  
         [0046]     A utility of the two corners  33   a,    33   b  is visible from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in which the sinker  30  is shown wedged between two rocks  41  and  42 . (As in  FIG. 2 , the rocks are drawn as rectangular in profile for simplicity. Furthermore, it should be noted that the rocks may be rotated by 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the weight  31 , so that one rock is below the plane of the page, and one rock is above the plane of the page. This orientation as described is more likely in practice, but more difficult to draw in a single-pane representation.)  
         [0047]     Analogous to  FIG. 2 , the fisherman first pulls along a direction denoted by element  47  in  FIG. 4 , and is unable to free the snagged sinker. However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the fisherman shifts the direction of pull, denoted by element  46 , the clasp  34  first slides from corner  33   a  to corner  33   b,  then applies a force at corner  33   b  in the direction of  46 . Unlike force  47 , the force denoted by  46  is applied against the direction of the wedge of rocks (weeds, branches, etc.)  41  and  42 , and may therefore extract the snagged sinker from the rocks  41  and  42 . Therefore, compared with the prior art sinker  10 , the sinker  30  shows an improved snag resistance.  
         [0048]     One potential contributor to the improved snag resistance of sinker  30  may be the allowed reversibility of the sinker&#39;s motion. Unlike the prior art sinker  10 , the sinker  30  allows the clasp position to change, depending on the direction of pull. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , the two corners  33   a  and  33   b  are on opposite sides of the weight  31 , and when the clasp  34  engages each of these corners, the sinker  30  may be pulled in opposite directions. If a particular motion (caused by force  47 ) manages to wedge the sinker  30  between two rocks, as in  FIG. 4 , then a corresponding motion (caused by force  46 ) in another direction should therefore be able to dislodge the sinker. The ability to retract the sinker, or extract a sinker from a snagged location, may be known as reversibility.  
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  60 . A preferably elongated weight  61  has its first end  65  connected to its second end  66  by a filament  62 . A clasp  64  is slidably engaged along the filament at one end, and at its second end, either attaches directly to a fishing line between the bait and the pole or, alternatively, attaches to an intermediate device that enables attachment to the fishing line. The filament has two corners  63   a  and  63   b  that may engage the clasp  64  when forces are applied in the appropriate directions. Note that the corners  63   a  and  63   b  may be either rounded or sharp, preferably acute, such as between 30 and 45 degrees. Here again, the term corners must be read broadly as they are clearly just angular bends. The concept of filaments “joined” at corners is applicable also, but the meaning of joined, must also include a continuous filament and the joining is not physically distinguishable.  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  70 . Drawing elements  70 - 76  are analogous to  60 - 66  and  30 - 36 . In comparison with sinker  60  in  FIG. 6 , note that the filament  72  may have more than two corners. In particular, filament  72  has three corners  73   a,    73   b  and  73   c  to form a “crown of these points, with corner  73   c  at the apex. Note that the sections of filament  72  between corners may be either straight or curved. Those portions of the filament between  73   a - b - c  are also straight or curved. If curved, they are preferably an arcuate shape, convex as viewed from the sinker weight  71 . This convex interior helps keep the link/claps  74  in one of the bends/corners in response to tension of the fishing line pulled along a selected vector. In particular, filament  72  is curved inwards between corners  73   a,    73   b  and  73   c.  An inward curve may be preferable, in that it may guide the slidable clasp  74  more readily to a corner  73   a,    73   b  or  73   c.  Note that the corners  73   a,    73   b  and  73   c  may all be sharp, as drawn, or may preferably be slightly rounded in order to simplify the manufacturing process. The advantage of this structure is that the apex point provides an alternative “exit” direction of pull in case the other directions are not sufficient to extricate the sinker. Likewise, additional corners or bending points will provide additional angles for extrication.  
         [0051]      FIG. 8  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  80 . A weight  81  with a first end  85  and a second end  86  is hollowed out (i.e. being in slidable engagement with the filament, and having a passage of greater diameter that the filament outer diameter), and is drawn in cross-section in  FIG. 8 . A filament  82  passes through the hole in the weight  81 , and the weight  81  may slide along a section of the filament  82  between corners  87  and  88 . A clasp  84  is slidably attached to the filament  82 , which may slide between corners  83   a  and  83   b  depending on the direction of pull, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Note that the corners  87  and  88  may preferably not engage the slidable clasp  84 ; the directions of pull as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  preferably guide the slidable clasp  84  to either corner  83   a  or  83   b.  Any or all of the corners  83   a,    83   b,    87  and  88  may optionally be rounded, as well as the sections of filament between them.  
         [0052]     Using a sliding weight, such as element  81  in  FIG. 8 , may be advantageous in achieving a desired orientation for the sinker. For instance, if the sinker  80  is suspended by the clasp  84  and engaged at corner  83   a,  then weight  81  slides along the filament  82  until it reaches corner  85 , thereby shifting the center of mass away from  83   a,  and increasing the rotational inertia of the sinker  80 . (Rotational inertia may sometimes be referred to as moment of inertia.) Because the rotational inertia (about the clasp) is increased, it takes a greater force to change the orientation of the sinker. Put another way, given a particular set of obstacles at the bottom of a fishing area, a sinker may be more likely to stay in its desired orientation if its rotational inertia is increased.  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  90 . Drawing elements  90 - 96  are analogous to  30 - 36 , except that the weight  91  includes a rattle  98 . The use of rattles is generally well-known to fisherman, and the thumps, ticks, clicks and clatters that rattles emit are known to lure fish. The rattle  98  may be a generally hollow cavity, in which several ball bearings may roll around and knock into each other. Although  FIG. 9  shows the rattle  98  surrounded by the weight  91 , the rattle  98  may also be embedded on an edge of the weight  91 , or attached externally to the weight  91 . Furthermore, the rattle  98  may be detached from the weight  91 , and either free to slide along the filament  92  independent of the weight  91 , or fixedly attached to the filament  92  or the clasp  94 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 10  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  100 . Drawing elements  100 - 106  are analogous to  30 - 36 , except that the slidable clasp  104  includes a float  108 , which attaches to the fishing line by an additional clasp  109 . The additional clasp  109  may either attach directly to the fishing line, between the bait and the pole, or may attach to an intermediate device that enables attachment to the fishing line. The float  108  may be made of a buoyant material with a density less than water, such as cork or balsa. Alternately, the float  108  may contain a pocket of low-density material, such as an air bubble, preferably sealed to minimize contact with the water. The float helps orient the fishing line vertically and may keep it in the elected corner for extrication.  
         [0055]      FIG. 11  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  110 , in which a float  118  is attached to its own filament, either slidably or fixedly. In the slidable configuration, the float slides along a filament preferably running from one corner to the other (in a two corner system) and preferably rigid to allow the float to slide therealong. Drawing elements  110 - 116  are analogous to  30 - 36 . Although the float  118  may be fastened to the same filament  112  as the weight  111 , it is preferable to use a separate filament, so that the float and weight may move past each other if required. Note that more than two filaments may be used, as well as multiple floats or weights. With a float of sufficient buoyancy, the float itself can help orient/urge/raise one end of the sinker system upwardly, to allow the line to more easily seek a corner or end when tensioned (i.e. pulled up). Otherwise, the fisherman may have to shake the line to find a corner.  
         [0056]      FIG. 12  shows an additional embodiment of a sinker  120 , in which the weight  121  is not elongated, but is gumdrop or projectile shaped with an apex and a conical body. Note that although any shaped weight may be used, it may be preferable to use a shape in which the center of mass is located distant and perhaps as far from possible from the nominal clasp engagement corner  123   b.  Note that the corners  123   a,    123   b  and  123   c  offer multiple engagement points for the slidable clasp  124 , and do not necessarily have to be located on opposite sides of the weight  121 . The filament is preferably rigid and extends outwardly from the weight and rises to an apex above the weight.  
         [0057]     During nominal sinker operation (in other words, when the sinker is not snagged), it may be desirable for the sinker to hang from one particular corner. For instance, the sinker  120  of  FIG. 12  may preferably hang from corner  123   b  during normal operation. One method to preferentially favor one corner over another is to tailor the filament shape so that when hung from one particularly undesirable corner, the clasp slides to the desired corner. Using the example of  FIG. 12 , if one accounts for the center of mass of weight  121 , and properly locates corner  123   a  (or  123   c ) and the local slope at each point along the filament between  123   a  (or  123   c ) and  123   b,  the sinker will re-orient itself under the influence of gravity to the desired orientation. A guiding principle when designing the contour of the filament is that the local slope at each point (corner), when the entire sinker is hung from that point, should be large enough to overcome friction. When the filament is shaped properly, the clasp will preferably not get stuck between corners.  
         [0058]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a sinker  130 , in which a rattle  138  is attached to the weight  131 . Drawing elements  130 - 134  are analogous to  120 - 124 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows another embodiment of a sinker  140 , in which the weight  141  is attached to the filament  142  by a slidable clasp  149 . Drawing elements  140 - 144  are analogous to  120 - 124 . Note that the filament  142  is preferably rigid, and preferably retains its shape as the slidable clasps  144  and  149  move along it. Additional features may be combined with the embodiment in  FIG. 14 , including a float, a float on an additional filament, or a rattle.  
         [0060]      FIG. 15  shows another embodiment of a sinker  150 , in which a second clasp  158  is slidably attached to the filament  152 . Drawing elements  150 - 156  are analogous to  30 - 36 . Slidable clasp  154  may be attached to the fishing line (connected to the fishing rod), and slidable clasp  158  may be attached to the bait (or to an intermediate line, which is in turn connected to the bait). During normal operation, clasp  154  is engaged with corner  153   a , and clasp  158  is engaged with corner  153   b.  If the sinker  150  becomes snagged at the bottom of the fishing area, the slidable clasp  154  may be slid to corner  153   b  to dislodge the sinker  150 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Note that more than two clasps may be used, as well.  
         [0061]     The weight on the sinker may also be shaped, colored and textured to be more appealing to fish. For instance, the sinker  160  of  FIG. 16  has a weight  161  that resembles a fish. The exemplary filament  162  of  FIG. 16  extends from the front end of the weight  161 , at corner  163   a,  to the back end of the weight  161 , at corner  163   b , although it need not follow the contour of the weight, and need not span the full extent of the weight. The weight  161  shown in  FIG. 16  is exemplary, and any decorative or functional design may be used, including geometric patterns. Furthermore, the weight may include hydrodynamic features, such as fins or ridges, that may cause the sinker to wiggle as it moves through the water, in order to lure fish. A lip  168  is shown on the sinker  160  in  FIG. 16 , which may impart a wiggling motion to the sinker as it passes through the water.  
         [0062]     Note that the sinker  160  may have one or more additional features attached to it, including hooks  167 . Note that the additional features, such as the hooks  167 , may or may contribute to the sinking ability of the sinker, or the effectiveness in removing the sinker if it becomes stuck. Furthermore, the additional features may or may not directly contribute to the ability to lure or catch fish.