Abstract:
A new and improved fish attracting light for use at any depth or location along an angler&#39;s fishing line and/or tether line. Said improved light also optionally can employ a slip on float for surface fishing or for depth control of bait. The lighted area produced now becomes the zone of fishing or fisherman&#39;s Own Zone. This light consists of a directional line mountable housing. An upper line attachment point and a lower line attachment point directing the light downward and outward. Optionally attachable float mounted over the said light and retained by a threaded removable nut.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a new and improved fishing light and or float. This light/float will be universally used by many types of fisherman that incorporates the use of lights for attracting bait fish such as large and small minnows to draw larger pray fish to their bait. The design will be used by recreational fisherman such as bank fisherman and recreational boaters/fisherman as well as charter boats that wish to draw bait fish to their customers. The light is not limited to use in fresh or salt water for bait fish are drawn in both applications. The light is also not limited to surface use or deep water use. The present invention will allow individuals to control their own area or own zone to fish within. 
         [0003]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Fisherman in general very often employ the use of commercial offered lighting as a source of drawing bait fish such as minnows to the area were they have placed there bated line. Many of these style lights are free standing for use during bank fishing along creeks and rivers where others are mounted to boats or free standing for lake fishing from boats. 
         [0005]    The intent of the light is to draw larger more desirable fish to the bait fish which gather around the light. With the light present the angler increases his or her chance of landing or catching the larger fish drawn to the bait fish surrounding the light. In general large fish are drawn to injured easy pray such as would be found bated on a hook displayed by the light. Many sources of said light such as lanterns, both gas and electric, are sold in commercial establishments such as Bass Pro of Springfield Mo., Cabalas of Sidney Nebr. and Wal-Mart of Bentonville, Ark. Generators are often used to provide power for higher powered lights either permanently mounted or free standing both on shores and boats. 
         [0006]    The individual placement of such lights by each fisherman becomes very desirable for it raises their probability of catching larger fish. The ownership of said territory or zone established by the light becomes even more valuable to the angler therefore the following invention is introduced. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention enhances the opportunity for the typical angler to increase their harvest by the introduction of their Ownzone of controlled lighted area. The introduction of light directed downward and outward as well as positioned at any depth the angler desires attracts bait fish followed by the targeted fish to the anglers lure. 
         [0008]    In addition to positioning the light at any depth the angler desires, a secondary float can be positioned over the outside of the said light and retained by a finger tightened nut. Said light and float assembly now provides the ability for the angler to adjust and maintain the depths of the desired bait. In addition to controlling the depths of the desired bait the angler now has the ability to direct light as an attractant to other bait fish such as minnows, fingerlings, and adolescent fish of all types. Controlling said depth and light produces the angler&#39;s Ownzone of fishing. 
         [0009]    The present invention employs the use of electrical batteries, compact LED lights, and electronics, housed within a plastic tubular member. Said tubular plastic housing extends generally downward. Within the tubular portion of the housing is a seat, or a shelf-like area. This area is located generally to the lower end of the plastic tube. Within said plastic tube are internal threads located at the uppermost portion of the tube. Said threads extend approximately 25% of the tube&#39;s length. 
         [0010]    Housed within said tube is an LED light assembly which locates against shelf-like area located generally to the lower end of the plastic tube. 
         [0011]    The LED light assembly employs an insulating disc and an insulated electrical contact lead as well as a centered contact located in the center of the disc. When positioned within said tube and located against said shelf-like area the LED light and disc become sealed against said shelf-like area. 
         [0012]    The LED light assembly is then followed by four generally round and wafer shaped batteries. An insulated electrical contact lead follows generally upward and along the outside edge of the batteries but retained within said tube. Located above said batteries is a ring shaped insulator. Said insulated electrical contact lead extends alongside and beyond the ring shaped insulator. The portion which extends beyond the ring shaped insulator is non-insulated to allow electrical conduction. 
         [0013]    Positioned above the insulating ring and contacting the electrical contact lead is a generally conical compression spring. Said conical spring is an extended portion of the above upper line latch body assembly. This said assembly screws into the internal threads located in the upward end of said plastic tube assembly. 
         [0014]    Protruding from the lowermost portion of the upper line latch body assembly is a generally cylindrical component symmetrically machined on each end to produce a shoulder centered within the component. One protruding end of component is located within the lowermost portion of the line latch body assembly. The small upward diameter of said conical spring locates over and attaches to the opposite extended portion of the above upper line latch body assembly. 
         [0015]    Located within said conical spring and over said shoulder is a symmetrical compression spring. Said compression spring rests in a recessed position within the outer conical compression spring. 
         [0016]    Upper line latch body assembly is screwed into lower tube assembly until electrical contact is made between the large diameter of conical spring. Further rotation of said line latch body assembly furthers the compression of the conical spring allowing contact of said internal symmetrical compression spring with the batteries. Upon contact with said batteries electrical circuit is complete and the LED light illuminates. 
         [0017]    Located externally on the line latch assembly generally centered is a threaded portion. Above threaded portion is a generally tapered portion. Located above this tapered portion is a symmetrical portion extending approximately 25% of the overall length. Located within this generally symmetrical portion is a groove extending generally inward and upward. 
         [0018]    Said groove provides the needed area for the angler&#39;s line to attach. Positioned over said symmetrical portion of upper line latch assembly and over said groove is a symmetrical compression spring. Said compression spring when in use retains the angler&#39;s fishing line to the upper end of the entire assembly. 
         [0019]    Optionally located over said upper line latch assembly is a float. This optional float locates over the lower tube assembly and against a shoulder provided on the upper line latch assembly. Located above said float and on the centered threaded portion of the line latch assembly is the threaded float nut. Threaded float nut is generally round wafer shaped and threaded through the middle. Said nut is designed for finger tightening only. 
         [0020]    With the float in position, clockwise rotation of the line latch assembly urges the float to rotate as one line latch assembly around the bottom tube. Located on the external lowermost portion of the light body assembly is a reduced diameter area. The said area extends upwardly approximately one-eighth of the overall length of the lower tube. Positioned over said reduced diameter area is the lower line guide. The lower line guide is a generally metal coil comprised of a larger diameter coil on one end and a smaller diameter coil generally centered but separated by a length of generally straight wire. Large diameter coils of said line guide are slightly smaller on the inside diameter than the diameter of the light body assembly reduced diameter portion. When said large coils of line guide assembly are placed over the reduced portion of the light body housing, friction between the two surfaces is introduced retaining the line guide in position. 
         [0021]    Smaller diameter of said line guide now positioned generally centered beneath the light body housing provides an attachment point for the angler&#39;s fishing line. Said fishing line is spirally wrapped into the coils of the said line guide. Line becomes positioned within the center of the coils urging the entire assembly to remain in a generally vertical attitude during use. The smaller diameter line guide coils also retract themselves to a closed position, disallowing the escape of the fishing line during use. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    For further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantage of the present invention, reference should be given to the following drawings, read in conjunction with the following detailed description, wherein the reference numerals denote like elements. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  Perspective side view of complete light and float assembly. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  Perspective side view of complete light assembly with adjacent float and nut. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  Perspective side view of complete light and float assembly with cut away float. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  Perspective side view of line light assembly. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  Perspective cut away side view of line light. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  Exploded side view of line light assembly. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  Perspective side view of the light body housing and line guide mechanism. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  Cutaway view of float. 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  Upper prospective side view of the LED light and insulating disc assembly. 
         [0032]      FIG. 10  Lower prospective side view of the upper line latch body. 
         [0033]      FIG. 11  Prospective side of Electrical contact spring mount, centered electrical contact spring and conical electrical spring. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    To best describe the present invention attention should be given to  FIG. 1  the overall side prospective view of the complete invention. The embodiment of the complete invention is comprised of  24  Light body housing,  22  Float,  23  float nut,  29  Upper line latch body,  27  line latch spring and  25  Lower line guide. 
         [0035]    To further describe the embodiment of the preferred invention further attention should be given to  21  light body assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7 , and  20  upper line latch body assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0036]    To best describe  21  light body assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7  it should be understood that  21  is a tubular shaped member of the lower light assembly. Said tubular shaped assembly is threaded on the inside diameter of the uppermost portion of the tube best described in  36  of  FIG. 5 . It should also be noted that the inside diameter of the tubular member employs a step or seat near the lowermost portion of said tube best described by  43  light body housing seat of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0037]    To further describe embodiment of the preferred invention employment of  44  LED light and insulating disc assembly of  FIGS. 6 , and  9  comprising of  41  light mount disc of  FIGS. 5 , and  9 ,  42  LED light bulb of  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  9  and  39  light power lead of  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  9  rest upon  43  light bulb housing seat of  FIG. 5 . It should be noted that within said  41  light mount disc of  FIG. 9  exists a centrally located hole passing horizontally through center of said disc best described by  45  of  FIG. 9 . Said hole provides a passage for  40  LED positive electrical contact of  FIGS. 5 and 9 . Said disc also employs a  53  groove shaped portion vertically positioned upon the outer disc body best described in  FIG. 9 , said groove provides an opening for  39  light power lead of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and  9  to pass vertically through edge of said disc and upward along the inside of  24  light body housing of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 . 
         [0038]    Vertically positioned above  40  LED positive contact of  FIGS. 5 and 9  are four (4) generally wafer shaped batteries  38  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . said batteries are positioned so that the positive side of one battery contacts the negative side of the opposing battery producing a series thus increasing the battery voltage to the desired amount. 
         [0039]    Located vertically above said batteries is  37  insulating ring of  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  37  insulating ring is employed as an electrical insulating separation between  39  light power lead of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  9 .  38  batteries of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Extending generally vertical between said  37  insulating ring and  24  light body housing and  38  batteries is  39  light power lead. It should be understood that  39  light power lead employs  57  exterior insulation best described in  FIG. 9 , which exists the length between  41  light mount disc and the uppermost portion of  37  insulating ring of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0040]    Light power lead  39  of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  9  employs an uppermost portion of said insulated wire which is free of insulation. Best described by  FIG. 47  of  FIG. 9 . Said insulation free extension of power lead rests on the uppermost portion of  37  insulating ring of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . It should be noted that the above components described makeup the interior components of  21  light body assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7 . 
         [0041]    To further describe the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be noted that  20  upper line latch body assembly best described in  FIG. 2  is employed within the uppermost threaded portion of  21  light body assembly. 
         [0042]    To further describe  20  upper line latch body assembly of  FIG. 2  consideration should be given to  29  upper line latch body best described in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  10 .  29  upper line latch body is generally round and cylindrical in shape employing  33  assembly and light activating threads at the lowermost portion of the of the body, best described in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  10 . Centrally located within  29  upper line latch body is  31  float nut threads of  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  10 . Extending vertically above said threads is a generally tapered shaped portion  48  of  29  upper line latch body best described on  FIGS. 5 and 10 . 
         [0043]    Protruding generally vertically from  48  tapered area of line latch body extends a generally rod shaped area best described by  49  of  FIGS. 5 and 10 . Employed within this rod shaped area is  28  line latch groove best described in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  10 . Said line latch groove of  49  rod shaped area is surrounded by  27  line latch spring of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 . 
         [0044]    To further describe  29  upper line latch body of  FIGS. 1 and 6  it should be noted that a shoulder like area  32  float mount shoulder of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  10  is employed. 
         [0045]    To further describe  21  line latch body assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7  a centrally located  50  hole, recessed portion exists on the underside lowermost portion of  29  upper line latch body best described in  FIG. 10 . Positioned within said recessed portion or hole is  30  electrical contact spring mount of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 .  30  electrical contact spring mount is generally cylindrical in shape with a recessed portion on each end best described by  FIG. 30  electrical contact spring mount of  FIG. 11. 30  electrical contact spring mount is retained within the said  50  hole of  29  by an interference fit. 
         [0046]    Positioned below  30  electrical contact spring mount is  34  centered electrical contact spring of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 .  34  centered electrical contact spring is generally symmetrical in length and of the compression style. Inside diameter of said  34  spring is slightly smaller than  30  electrical contact spring mount.  34  centered electrical contact spring is positioned onto and over the protruding portion of  30  electrical contact spring mount. The interference fit created between  30  and  34  affects  34  spring to  30  spring mount. 
         [0047]    Located over  34  centered electrical contact spring and onto  30  electrical contact spring mount is  35  conical electrical spring of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 . Said  35  conical electrical spring is positioned onto  30  electrical contact spring mount so as the  52  of  FIG. 11 , smallest diameter end of  35  conical electrical spring rests upon the centrally positioned shoulder of  30  electrical contact spring mount of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 . 
         [0048]    To further describe the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be noted that  20  upper line latch body assembly threads into the uppermost portion of  21  light body assembly of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7 . 
         [0049]    It should be understood that as  20  upper line latch body assembly threads within  21  line latch body assembly contact is made between the  51  large diameter portion of the conical spring of  FIG. 11 and 47  insulation free portion of  39  light power lead best described in  51  of  FIG. 5 . It should be noted that  34  centered electrical contact spring of assembly  20  being generally shorter in length than  35  conical electrical spring comes in contact with the uppermost portion of  38  batteries of  FIGS. 5 and 6  as  20  upper line latch body assembly is threaded into  21  light body assembly. Upon contact of  38  batteries an electrical circuit is completed and the LED light is illuminated. Upon unthreading of  20  upper line latch body assembly and  21  light body assembly the light is extinguished. 
         [0050]    To further describe the embodiment of the invention attention should be given to  25  lower line guide of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7  and  24  light body housing best described in  FIG. 7 . It should be understood that  25  lower line guide typically is comprised of a single strand of wire or light materials wound in opposing cylindrical closed spring shapes best described in  FIG. 7 . Located between wound cylindrical shapes is  58  a generally straight portion joining said two coils or shapes together. 
         [0051]    It should be understood that the  59  uppermost coil portion of  25  lower line guide is generally larger in diameter than the  60  lower most coiled portion of the lower line guide. 
         [0052]    To further describe the relationship between  24  light body housing  1 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7  and  25  lower line guide of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7  a  61  recessed portion of  24  light body housing of  FIG. 7  employs a  26  shoulder of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0053]      59  large spring diameter of  25  lower line guide is of slightly smaller inside diameter than the exterior of  61  recessed of  24  light body housing.  59  large coil spring inside diameter is located over  61  and against  26  shoulder of  FIG. 7 . It should be noted that the difference between the inside diameter of the  59  spring coil provides an interference fit between  24  light body housing and  25  lower line guide. 
         [0054]      25  lower line guide of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7  employs  60  small diameter of spring as the angler&#39;s line locking receptacle. It should be noted that the coils of  25  lower line guide at  60  on  FIG. 7  will be of a design whereas the coils are positioned together allowing the angler&#39;s fishing line to be wound between the coils and trapped between the center of the coils. 
         [0055]    To further describe the embodiment of the invention an optional float  22  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  is introduced. It should be understood that said described Ownzone light can function independently or with optional said float. 
         [0056]    To further describe said  22  float, attention should be given to  FIGS. 3 and 8  float cutaway view. Said float being generally egg-shaped and having hollow centered portion with an area described by  54  of  FIG. 8  slips onto and is placed over  29  upper line latch body assembly best described in  FIG. 1. 54  of  FIG. 8  being of larger diameter than the outside diameter of  24  light body housing of  1 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7  is allowed to pass freely over  21  light body assembly. An area  55  of  FIG. 8  being of a smaller diameter slips over  31  float nut threads of  figure 5  and allows  56  float mount surface to position against  32  float mount shoulder of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , best described in  FIG. 3  where contact is made. 
         [0057]    Retaining said  22  float onto  29  upper line latch body is  23  threaded float nut. It is to be understood that as  23  threaded float nut in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  is tightened against  22  float  56  float mounting surface is urged against  32  float mounting shoulder of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 . 
         [0058]    To further describe the angler&#39;s use of the “Ownzone light and optional float attachment”, it should be understood that the angler&#39;s positioning of the Ownzone light onto the fishing line is accomplished by the uppermost portion of  29  upper line latch body. Employment of  28  line latch groove of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  10  provides an area to wind the line onto and within  28  line latch groove of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  10 .  27  line latch spring of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6  is compressed prior to the angler winding the line into  28  line latch groove. Upon the completion of the line winding into  28  line latch groove  27  line latch spring is released thus extending over and compressing the angler&#39;s line into  28  line latch groove. 
         [0059]    To attach the Ownzone light into a vertical desired position  25  lower line guide of  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7  is employed. The angler wraps the fishing line into  60  small diameter spring  FIG. 7  until the line becomes centrally located within the spring coils. 
         [0060]    The employment of the upper line winding system employing  28  line latch groove and  27  spring, and the employment of  25  lower line guide allows the angler to position the Ownzone light with or without the optional  22  float anywhere desired on their line. 
         [0061]    The following is a list of parts best suited to construct the present invention: Part Number 
         [0062]    Description
         20  upper line latch body assembly light     21  body assembly     22  float     23  float threaded nut     24  light body housing     25  lower line guide     26  light body shoulder     27  line lock spring     28  line latch groove     29  upper line latch body     30  electrical contact spring mount     31  float nut threads     32  float mount shoulder     33  assembly and light activating threads     34  centered electrical contact spring     35  conical electrical spring     36  inside light body threads     37  insulator ring     38  batteries     39  light power lead     40  LED positive contact     41  Light mount disc     42  LED light bulb     43  Light bulb housing seat     44  Led light and insulating disc assembly     45  Center hole through insulating disc     46  Negative LED light lead     47  Noninsulated portion of light power lead.     48  Tapered portion of line latch body.     49  Rod shaped area of line latch body.     50  Mount hole for electrical contact spring mount# 30       51  Large diameter end of conical spring     52  Small diameter end of conical spring     53  Groove in disc     54  Large diameter of through hole in float.     55  Small diameter of hole in float.     56  Float mounting surface.     57  Wire insulation     58  Straight portion of lower line guide  25       59  large diameter coil of lower line guide     60  small diameter of lower line guide     61  small diameter of light body housing