Abstract:
The present invention is an apparatus for fishing is provided in the form of a hook is herein disclosed with multiple hook points, an adjustable tension arm, optional snag guard and auxiliary bait retainer.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/219,774, filed on Aug. 29, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved design of a multi-featured fishing hook. 
         [0003]    Fishing hooks are available in a multitude of designs, varying hook styles, including single and multiple hooks, shapes, colors and sizes. Traditionally, these hooks all have in common the basic elements of an eyelet for connecting to a fishing line, a shank extending therefrom, and one or more hooks formed at the end, used to both secure bait and capture aquatic prey. With this basic design, a fish striking (or attempting to ingest the bait attached to the hook) will become ensnared by the hook, provided the fisherman is able to set the hook sufficiently once in the fish&#39;s mouth. This “setting” of the hook is accomplished by the fisherman detecting the strike by observing the line moving as a result of the fish&#39;s contact with the bait and line (in the fish&#39;s attempt to consume the bait), or the fisherman may feel the actual tugging on the line through the fishing rod. Once this striking activity is ascertained, the fisherman typically will tug (or “pop”) the line in order to get the hook lodged in the fish&#39;s mouth, and subsequently ensnare the fish. Once hooked in this manner, it is typically far more difficult for a fish to work its way loose of the fisherman&#39;s line. 
         [0004]    While the above-described method may provide a user with a way to catch fish, this type of apparatus leaves open the possibility of failure due to several reasons, such as not setting the hook quickly enough and having the target fish consume the bait without the hook, having a fish spit the hook out before it has a chance to be set, tugging too violently on the line and pulling the hook from the fish&#39;s mouth before it has a chance to be set, and/or tugging too softly and not having the hook set within the fish&#39;s mouth. If any of these circumstances, or myriad others, occurs, the fish will not be sufficiently secured to the line, and will typically escape capture. 
         [0005]    Clear downsides to the current mode of fishing with a traditional hook exist. Firstly, an easy-to-set solution is not readily available, as the fisherman must keep steady vigil over his line in order to detect any striking activity. Secondly, even while the common method of using a fishing hook may have design variations which help to promote setting of the hook, none offer a solution which automatically helps set the hook once struck by the aquatic prey. Further, additional features which provide for additional bait securing and/or snag protection have not been available with fishing hooks. For those methods employed by others to supply an improved hook design which are now available, the concept is often overwrought and/or ineffective in its implementation. 
         [0006]    The consequence of these issues is the inherent ineffectiveness of the current state of the art for fishing hooks. The absence of a solution which provides an automatic assist with setting a hook in multiple locations in a secure manner, especially one that includes a snag guard to reduce line entanglements and/or a bait securing barb, has yet to be developed. The present invention provides a simple, innovative and effective apparatus for fishing. The present invention of a revised fishing hook is thus a novel, needed and functional answer to the problems in the field relating to having an effective fishing hook. 
         [0007]    All of these aspects of the current state of fishing hooks lead to an increased need for a revised method of implementation with minimized cost and complexity, all of which the present invention addresses. 
       Objects Of The Invention 
       [0008]    One object of the invention is to provide a new fishing hook design. 
         [0009]    An additional object of this invention is to provide a fishing apparatus with an adjustable tension arm for setting a hook in a fish when fishing. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide a new apparatus for hooking a fish in multiple places. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fishing hook with a snag guard to prevent a fishing hook from getting caught in vegetation and other hazards. 
         [0012]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fishing hook with a barb that aids in securing bait to a fishing hook. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    According to the present invention, an apparatus for fishing is provided in the form of a hook is herein disclosed with multiple hook points, an adjustable tension arm, optional snag guard and auxiliary bait retainer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate embodiment(s) of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fishing hook. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the fishing hook. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the fishing hook in the unloaded position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the fishing hook in the loaded (under tension) position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the fishing hook in a two-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is front view of the fishing hook in a four-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the fishing hook in a three-hook configuration with additional snag guards and bait-retaining barbs. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures in describing the various embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 1 through 11  depict various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The present invention relates to fishing hook  100  as pictured in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Fishing hook  100  is formed by first, or primary shank  101  which has first opposite end  102  and second opposite end  103 . Second opposite end  103  is shaped to form a hook  104  and optionally, first barb  105  which can be employed to help retain a fish which may be trapped by fishing hook  100 . First barb  105  is a protrusion which is formed by a relief feature along shank  101  with a point, such that the tip of barb  105  can easily pierce an object, but once pierced, a lack of smooth surface prevents barb  105  from being easily backed out. Similarly, fishing hook  100  includes second, or secondary shank  106 , which has first opposite end  107  and second opposite end  108  which is also shaped to form a hook  109  and optionally second barb  110 . The two shanks are connected at a common point  116  where first shank&#39;s  101  first opposite end  102  is joined to second shank&#39;s  106  first opposite end  107 . These can be joined to form an eyelet  111  through which fishing or other line(s) can be secured to hook  100  and used to tether such a line to hook  100 . These shanks,  101 ,  106  form hook pair  99 . In the exemplary embodiment pictured in the Figures, hook  104 ,  109  face substantially the same direction, though variations on this are possible and considered within the purview of this invention. 
         [0029]    Due to the joining of shanks,  101 ,  106 , at a common point  116 , an acute angle is formed between the two shanks,  101 ,  106 . The precise degree of the angle is dictated by the distance desired between first hook  104  and second hook  109 . For example, if a small fish is desired, which has a corresponding small mouth, the distance may be small, which would reduce the angle, and thus the overall width of hook pair  99 . A larger mouth opening would dictate a greater distance between the hooks, and thus a larger angle would be present at eyelet  111 , and an overall larger width of hook pair  99 . 
         [0030]    Tension arm  112  is formed along the length of first shank  101 , typically by forming a portion of first shank  101  into a new shaft perpendicular to first shank  101  and which is shaped to engage second shank  106  and hold it in tension. Essentially then, along first shank  101 , a section is bent perpendicular to itself, and then back again, thus continuing the overall shape of shank  101 , but while also introducing the bent, or manipulated section forming tension arm  112  as pictured in the Figures. Tension arm  112  has a proximate end  117  and a distal end  118 . The overall length of tension arm  112  will be greater than the distance between first hook  104  and second hook  109  when set to permit an operable connection between the two when set. 
         [0031]    In “tension” in this example means that first shank  101  and second shank  106  are pulled together in closer relation against the forces of the two shanks&#39;  101 ,  106  common point  116  and retained in place by tension arm interlock  115  located at distal end  118  of tension arm  112 . One exemplary method of this type of arrangement is by having tension arm  112  include a small bend as interlock  115  which is shaped to retain second shank  106  in tension. Interlock  115  will typically be of a length at least twenty percent of said overall length of said tension arm  112  to permit easy manipulation by a user. This minimum length will allow easy manipulation with the fingers of a user, or a tool (such as pliers) if desired. 
         [0032]    Perpendicular in the case of the tension arm means perpendicular to the longest dimension of first shank  101  as pictured in  FIG. 1 . Tension arm  112  will typically be closer to the second opposite end  103  of said first shank  101 . 
         [0033]    In an exemplary embodiment, the entirety of the above hook  100  is formed of one continuous piece of material, typically a metal or other durable, ductile and malleable material, for ease of construction and for increased structural integrity. Continuous in this sense means an uninterrupted ductile strand of material, drawn in one piece. In this way, grafting of pieces together, or “connecting” of various components is avoided, adding simplicity and structural rigidity. Having a single extrusion for the hook also reduces failures, decreases the complexities of construction, all of which result in a better product. 
         [0034]    An example of this is a malleable and ductile metal such as wire, which can be drawn in a generally circular cross-section, and from which a single strand of such material the entire hook pair  99  can be formed, by bending or otherwise manipulating the material to form hook pair  99  as described above. Clearly some portions, such as barbs  105 ,  110 , will not be perfectly circular, but the substantial portion of the hook  100  in the exemplary embodiment will generally be circular in cross-section. 
         [0035]    Optionally, fishing hook  100  can also employ snag guard  114 . Snag guard  114  is formed of a length of material substantially parallel to shanks  101 ,  106 , affixed and extending substantially from either or both first shank&#39;s  101  and second shank&#39;s  106  first opposite end  102 ,  107  toward hooks  104 ,  109 , and terminating near hooks  104 ,  109 . In this way, weeds and other debris are less likely to become tangled in hooks  104 ,  109  and cause snags, loss of the hook or other detrimental effects. This is accomplished because snag guard  114  discourages the entry of weeds and the like into the plane formed between hooks  104 ,  109  and first opposite ends  102 ,  107  thus preventing same from being snared by hooks  104 ,  109 . Snag guard  114  can be employed on any number of hooks, depending on the overall design chosen. 
         [0036]    Additionally, fishing hook  100  can include secondary barb  113  on either or both first shank&#39;s  101  and second shank&#39;s  106  first opposite end  102 ,  107 . Secondary barb(s)  113  extend downward toward hooks  104 ,  109  such that the points of hooks  104 ,  109  face the points of secondary barb(s)  113  and are used to help retain bait within fishing hook  100 . Secondary barb  113  is constructed of a piece of material attached to shanks  101 ,  106  and drawn to a point at the end. This additional point assists in capturing and retaining bait and or aquatic prey. 
         [0037]    Additional exemplary embodiments are pictured in  FIGS. 5-11 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  show a odd-numbered-hook configuration, in this case, three hooks, wherein hook pair  99  is coupled with at least a third shank  201  having first opposite end  202  and second opposite end  203 . Identical in construction to above tension arm  112 , tension arm  212  is formed along the length of third shank  201 , typically by forming a portion of first shank  201  into a shaft perpendicular to first shank  201  and which, in this iteration, is shaped to engage either first shank  101  or second shank  106  and hold it in tension. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate another exemplary embodiment utilizing a configuration with multiple hook pairs  99 . This embodiment adjoins multiple hook pairs  99  together near first opposite ends  102 , 107  of hook pairs  99 , such that many hook pairs  99  can be utilized for capturing aquatic prey. 
         [0039]    In either of the alternate exemplary embodiments, hooks  104 , snag guards,  114 , secondary barbs  113 , are all employed in the same manner on the additional hook pairs  99  or third shank  201 , if desired, as pictured in  FIGS. 9-11 , by having multiple snag guards  301  and secondary barbs  302 . 
         [0040]    In operation, then, fishing hook  100  is attached to the operator&#39;s line of choice via eyelet  111 . Tension arm  112  is then “set” by putting tension between first shank  101  and second shank  106  (closing the distance between the two) and then using tension arm  112  on first shank  101  to engage second shank  106  with interlock  115 , as seen in  FIG. 4  to prevent them from retracting to their original position. In this way, kinetic energy is stored in the common point  116  from shanks  101 ,  106  exerting forces in opposing directions. Fishing hook  100  can then be baited, on first hook  104  or second hook  109 , depending on configuration, and cast in the desired location. If multiple hook pairs  99  are used, each tension arm  112  will be set as desired. 
         [0041]    By manipulating interlock  115 , bending it by hand or with a tool (enabled because of the malleability mentioned above) the overall length of tension arm  112  in relation to interlock  115  is varied. As tension arm  112  is thusly made shorter, the distance between first hook  104  and second hook  109  is also made smaller, and the opposite forces between first hook  104  and second hook  109  increase as a result, which correlates to an increasing amount of kinetic energy. Conversely, bending interlock  115  the opposite direction will increase overall length of tension arm  112  and thus the distance between first hook  104  and second hook  109 , thereby reducing the tension and stored kinetic energy. This is where the variable tension is manipulated depending on the user&#39;s desired tension for a particular application, or the overall width of the “set” hook pair  99 . 
         [0042]    When hook  100  is “hit” or attempted to be ingested by a fish, tension arm  112  will be released by the agitation and turbulent action about hook  100 , and will spring open and expend its kinetic energy in the process, as seen in  FIG. 3 . This widens the spread of hook  100 , decreasing the odds that the fish will be able to spit out hook  100 . Simultaneously, the splayed hooks  104 ,  109  are much more likely to snare the fish. Either or both of the above actions ensure a more secured aquatic prey. 
         [0043]    Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.