Abstract:
An offshore fishing apparatus aligns properly, is light weight, and is consistently adjustable by the user to their desired tension for smooth release of their fishing line when a fish strikes or when any force overcomes the applied tension placed on the fishing line release arm. The device further includes a proximal beveled entry and exit including a pivot ball with an aperture, through which a kite or connection line is run through. The pivot ball allows the device to pivot in the direction the fishing line moves. The device is advantageously light weight, in part due to lightweight materials used to construct the device without reducing the device&#39;s performance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/368,874, filed on Jul. 29, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to offshore fishing, and more particularly, to a fishing line holding release apparatus for an improved offshore fishing technique. 
         [0003]    Fishing lines have been known to tangle on, break, or not release smoothly from existing fishing line release arms due to the improper angle, misalignment, and small diameter of the release arms present in prior art. The release tension adjustment range is not sufficient, precise, or consistent enough in the prior art to facilitate optimal uses in the varying fishing techniques and applications. The overall weight of existing devices is significant, and has an adverse effect on the varying fishing techniques and applications, such as kite fishing where multiple fishing line release apparatus are attached to a single kite line, which are attached to a single kite. 
         [0004]    There exists a need for a device that is lightweight and aligns properly, is rotational and pivots, and is reliably and consistently adjustable by the user to their desired tension for proper and smooth release of their fishing line. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an offshore fishing apparatus that aligns properly, is light weight, and is consistently adjustable by the user to their desired tension for smooth release of their fishing line when a fish strikes or when any force overcomes the applied tension placed on the fishing line release arm. The apparatus is advantageously light weight, in part due to lightweight materials used to construct the device without reducing the device&#39;s performance. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a fishing apparatus comprises an apparatus body, an adjustable thumb screw coupled to the apparatus body, and a release arm gripping mechanism at a distal end of the apparatus body, the release arm gripping mechanism holding a release arm, and the release arm gripping mechanism being able to increase or decrease a tension on the release arm when the adjustment thumb screw is tightened or loosened. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a beveled entry and exit at a proximal end of the apparatus body, wherein a kite line or other connection line is run through an aperture of the beveled entry and exit. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a pivot ball at a proximal end of the device, the pivot ball comprising a beveled entry and exit, wherein a kite line or other connection line can be run through an aperture of the beveled entry and exit, the pivot ball rotating in the direction of movement of the fishing line. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the release arm gripping mechanism comprises a first arm and a second arm, wherein the release arm is positioned between first arm and the second arm. In one embodiment, a fishing line is run through an opening of the release arm. In one embodiment, the release arm is releasable from the release arm gripping mechanism. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a method of offshore fishing includes providing an offshore fishing apparatus comprising an apparatus body, an adjustable thumb screw coupled to the apparatus body, and a release arm gripping mechanism at a distal end of the apparatus body, the release arm gripping mechanism holding a release arm, and the release arm gripping mechanism being able to increase or decrease a tension on the release arm when the adjustment thumb screw is tightened or loosened. The method further comprises running a fishing line through an opening of the release arm, tightening the adjustment thumb screw such that the release arm gripping mechanism applies tension to the release arm, and increasing or decreasing the tension based on an estimated force desired to release said release arm. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the method further includes running a kite line or other connection line through an aperture of a beveled entry and exit at a proximal end of the apparatus body, the beveled entry and exit being in a pivot ball which rotates in the direction of movement of the fishing line. In one embodiment, one end of the release arm is released from the release arm gripping mechanism releasing the fishing line into a water body once a fish with the necessary force to overcome the tension on the release arm is caught. In one embodiment, the release arm and fishing line are perpendicular to the kite line or connection line run through a proximal aperture of the apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is one embodiment of a fishing apparatus; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first side of a fishing apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second side of a fishing apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fishing apparatus shown in an exemplary, initial state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fishing apparatus shown in an exemplary, initial state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fishing apparatus shown in a secondary exemplary state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fishing apparatus shown in a secondary exemplary state; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is sectional view of the invention taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a section detail view of the fishing apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a section detail view of the fishing apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the first side of the fishing apparatus; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective detailed view of the second side of the fishing apparatus; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective detailed view of a part of the fishing apparatus; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the primary components of the fishing apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0029]    Often in offshore fishing, the angle of the fishing line in relation to the fishing line release arm or holders and the outrigger halyard, kite line, downrigger cable or planer board line (herein referred to as “the connection line”) is not aligned for optimal performance. This less than optimal angle combined with the small diameter of wire used on the release arm present in the prior art creates unnecessary stress and friction on the fishing line. The release tension adjustment range is not sufficient, precise or consistent enough to facilitate uses in the varying fishing techniques and applications. The overall weight of the prior art is significant, and has an adverse effect on the varying fishing techniques and applications. 
         [0030]    Broadly, the current device is an offshore fishing apparatus that solves several issues present in existing fishing devices. The claimed device also rotates and/or pivots in the direction the fishing line is being pulled. This is an improvement to prior art, as the prior art is held directionally by the connection line. 
         [0031]    The claimed device is designed so the tension applied on the fishing line release arm is precise, consistent and releases the fishing line smoothly when a fish strikes or when any event overcomes the tension placed upon the fishing line. Also, the claimed device solves the problem of misalignment relating to the fishing line, the release arm, and the connection line. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , a fishing apparatus  10  (herein referred to as the “device”) is attached to a kite line or connection line  14  and a fishing line  12 . A kite is attached to the connection line  14  and provides the lift necessary to keep bait close to the surface of water body  16 . The fishing line  12  is dropped below the water line  16  to bait a fish  18 . When live bait or a lure is taken, the force releases the fishing line  12  from the apparatus  10  and the connection line  14 . A fisherman can then use a rod and reel to wind in the fishing line  12 . More than one fishing line  12  can similarly be attached to one or more additional apparatuses  10 , and connection line  14 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood that the device can be used in several fishing techniques where one wants a controlled release of their fishing line from a remote location. The device, for example, can be used with alternative offshore fishing devices such as outriggers, flat lines, downriggers or planer boards. 
         [0034]    The embodiment of  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device  10 . A first half  16 , is juxtaposed to a second half  28 . A perspective view of the second half  28  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0035]    The first half  16  and the second half  28  both include reflective weight reducing chambers. They also include beveled entries and exits  56  for the connection line  14 . A pivot ball  54  is placed within the device through a ball receiver major slot  26  in the first side, and a ball receiver minor slot  34  in the second side  28 . The pivot ball  54  includes a protruding collar  58  with an opening which leads to beveled entry and exit  56 . Collar  58  extends from the first half  16 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , first half  16  or device  10  includes a tension knob  48  with tension knob grip  50 . The device also includes a first flexible arm elliptical gripper  18  (“first arm”) on the first half  16  and a second arm elliptical gripper  30  (“second arm”) on the second half  28 . The device  10  also includes flexible arm notch  20 . A close-up view of the knob  48  is shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 15 . 
         [0037]    As shown in the embodiments of  FIG. 8  (a sectional view along  8 - 8  from  FIG. 4 ) and  FIG. 10  (a sectional view along  10 - 10  of  FIG. 2 ), the tension knob  48  is inserted into a hole on the first half  16  and is secured using a tension adjustment thumb screw  52 , which extends into a female threading  40  on the second half  28 . As the tension adjustment thumb screw  52  is tightened with the adjustment knob  50 , the tension placed upon the release arm  42  increases. This fine and precise adjustment action causes the release arm  42  to stay in the closed position until the tension setting is overcome. Once the tension is overcome, the release arm  42  opens freely, smoothly and crisply, thus releasing the fishing line  12 . 
         [0038]    One embodiment of the fishing line  12  being released from the release arm  42  is shown in the detailed views of the first half  16  in  FIG. 13  and the second half in  FIG. 14 . As the knob  48  is rotated in a counter-clockwise motion to reduce the tension on the first pressure arm  18  and second pressure arm  30 , the arm  42  is released or opened, thus releasing the fishing line  12 . Once the tension setting is overcome, the release arm  42  opens freely and pivots about a pivot point  44 , thus smoothly releasing fishing line  12 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  show the role of friction between the release arm  42  and a pressure arm bump  22  on arm  18 . The knob  48  is used to apply more or less pressure to the arms  18  and  30 . When the release arm  42  hits the pressure arm bump  22 , it creates a pivot arm interference surface  46 . The release arm  42  also creates an interference on arm  30  and on stop  32 . Once the force of the fishing line  12  overcomes a threshold, the release arm  42  slips from the pressure arm bump  22 .  FIG. 11  shows the pivot arm  42  before it overcomes the threshold, and  FIG. 12  shows it after it overcomes the threshold. Notch  20  on arm  18  allows further flexibility of movement for arm  18 . 
         [0040]    The release arm  42  and fishing line  12  is held closed by adjusting tension created by the diameter of the release arm  42  being slightly greater than the distance between the first arm  18  and second arm  30 . As the tension adjustment screw  52  is tightened, the tension placed upon the release arm  42  will increase, keeping the release arm  42  in the closed position until the tension setting is overcome. 
         [0041]    An experienced user can adjust the tension applied to the release arm  42 , and thus the force needed to overcome that tension based on the estimated force (or weight) of the desired fish/bait being used. In one embodiment, the tension can range from 0 to approximately 25 pounds or more of necessary force to cause the release arm  42  to release from apparatus  10 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the pivot ball  54  includes the beveled entry and exit  56  for the connection line  14 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the beveled entry and exit  56  ranges in size from about 0.050 inches to 0.270 inches, though it can be of any suitable length or diameter. The beveled entry and exit  56  is designed for the connection line  14  and for varying size of stoppers used for multiple fishing lines from a single connection line  14 . Advantageously, the beveled entry and exit  56  will also work on the variations in outrigger, downrigger, and planer board line materials and sizes. The pivot ball  54  in a first position is seen from the first half side  16  in  FIG. 4 . and from the second half side  28  in  FIG. 5 . The pivoted ball  54  in a rotated position is seen on the first side in  FIG. 6  and on the second side in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0043]    A ball and socket configuration is formed by the first half  16  and second half  28  of the device. Details of this configuration are shown in the sectional views of  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  (a sectional view along  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ). The device  10  includes a major ball receiver slot  26  and a second ball receiver slot  34  within which the pivot ball  54  is positioned. The respective slots  26  and  34  provide clearance for the pivot ball  54  to move and for the connection line  14 . The ball  54  rotates against a first body slant surface  36  and fits within concavity  38  in the second half  28 . Pivot ball  54  sits in concavity  24  on the first half  16 .  FIG. 8  shows a first non-rotated position of the ball  54  and  FIG. 9  shows the ball  54  in a rotated position. The ball  54  rotates in the spherical concavities formed by both sides of the device. 
         [0044]    One embodiment of the disassembled components of the complete device is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0045]    Advantageously, the invention is light weight by design and incorporates internal weight reducing chambers, as well as the uses of lightweight materials throughout, which reduce the overall weight without compromising the invention&#39;s performance. The light weight design makes the device  10  less likely to cause adverse effects on the fishing line or the device  10  to which it is attached. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the device  10  is symmetrical in design and can be used by both right or left-handed people. Further, the release arm  42  makes the entire device  10  less likely to cause adverse stress on the fishing line  12  by tangling with the fishing line and/or the apparatus to which it is attached. Because the device  10  is frictionally adjustable in the rotational axis, it moves in a controlled manner towards the direction that the fishing line  12  is being pulled for optimal performance. 
         [0047]    To use the device  10 , the connection line  14  is positioned through the beveled entry and exit  56 . The pivot arm  42  opens towards the fishing bait or lure. 
         [0048]    As previously described, tension placed on the release arm  42  is achieved by adjusting the knob  48 , which loosens or tightens the thumb screw  52 . This loosening or tightening action of the screw  52  causes the first arm  18  and the second arm  30  to compress the release arm  42  against the pressure arm bump  22  and stop  32  to create the required tension. 
         [0049]    Once the device  10  is installed on the connection line  14  (outrigger halyard, kite line, downrigger cable or planer board line), the user simply opens the release arm  42  and places the fishing line  12  through the opening of the release arm  42 . The user then closes the release arm  42 , using the knob  48  to adjust to the desired tension on the release arm  42 . The user then adjusts the desired position of the pivot ball  54 , if desired. 
         [0050]    Additionally, when using the invention for kite, outrigger, downrigger, or planer board fishing, one may want to use multiples of the device  10  on a single connection line  14 . This is achieved by placing several stoppers along the connection line  14 . These stoppers vary in diameter with the smallest being positioned towards the kite. The beveled entry and exit  56  is manufactured with various size holes for the appropriate size for each stopper. Advantageously, the user may select the proper beveled entry and exit hole size  56  for the varying sizes of outrigger halyard material. 
         [0051]    Further, the components of device  10  can be made of several different materials or all the same material. In one embodiment, the components can be made of forged metals or sintering of various materials. In alternative embodiments, apparatus  10  can be made using snap plastic injection connections instead of traditional securing hardware, such as screw, nuts or rivets. In an alternative embodiment, components can be epoxied, glued, ultrasonically bonded, welded or attached by any suitable means. 
         [0052]    In alternative embodiments, modifications, such as a mirror image of the device used on a port and starboard side of a fishing vessel, may be made. 
         [0053]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.