Automatic fish hook setter apparatus and method

An automatic fish hook setter apparatus includes a trigger with a length and a center line, where the trigger includes a cocking rod hole, a tensioner hole and a line hole and where at least the cocking hole and the tensioner hole are located off of the center line. A cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole and a tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an automatic fish hook setter apparatus and method. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the invention relates to an automatic fish hook setter apparatus including a trigger with a length and a center line, where the trigger includes a cocking rod hole, a tensioner hole and a line hole and where at least the cocking hole and the tensioner hole are located off of the center line. A cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole and a tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing is fun and sometimes easy if the fish are biting. The difficult thing for novices and experienced fishermen and women is to properly set the hook. At the moment a fish takes the bait, the fish is most vulnerable to being hooked. Unfortunately, inexperience and inattention often leave the hook empty and the fish fed with the bait.

The prior art includes many inventions directed to the improvement of the chances for people to catch fish. The Applicant is aware of a prior art invention for an “Automated Fishhook Tackle System” as described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,299 (the “Rich” patent). The Rich patent uses a spring loaded plunger with a notch in the side and a hook attached to one end. The plunger with the hook end must be pulled until the notch in the plunger latches. An obvious difficulty with the Rich device is that it requires the user to grasp the plunger on the end where the line with a hook is tied. A further difficulty is that the device is prone to self activate when the plunger contacts something like the bottom of the fishing place or while being cast, for example, even before a fish takes the bait.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an automatic fish hook setting apparatus and method that is easy and safe to use, that may be remotely operated to ready the device for use and that is resistant to operation when cast or when coming in contact with another object such as the bottom of the place being fished. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide an automatic fish hook setting apparatus that may be easily and safely used by novices and experienced fishermen and women alike, that is remotely operable so that the user does not have to be concerned with hooking themselves when arming the device and that is resistant to self actuation when being cast and when coming in contact with the bottom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an automatic fish hook setter apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a trigger with a length and a center line, where the trigger includes a cocking rod hole, a tensioner hole and a line hole and where at least the cocking hole and the tensioner hole are located off of the center line. A cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole and a tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole.

As used herein the term “center line” has the common meaning of a line running down the center of an object. In this case the object is the trigger of the present invention. As described and discussed more fully hereafter, a key feature of Applicant's invention is the “off center” location of the cocking rod hole and the tensioner hole, one hole on either side of the center line of the trigger.

In another aspect of the invention, a cocking tube with a top and a bottom is provided where a first end of the tensioner is connected at the top of the cocking tube and a second end of the tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube. In one aspect, a connecting ring is located at the top of the cocking tube and the first end of the tensioner is connected with the connecting ring. In another aspect, the cocking rod includes a first end and a second end and the first end of the cocking rod extends beyond the top of the cocking tube and the second end of the cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube.

In a further aspect, a weight is connected with the cocking tube. In another aspect, a shroud is connected with the bottom of the cocking tube. According to one aspect, a float is connected with the cocking tube. In another aspect, the tensioner is a spring. In another aspect, the cocking rod includes a push pad.

According to another embodiment, an automatic fish hook setter apparatus includes a trigger with a length and a center line, where the trigger includes a cocking rod hole, a tensioner hole and a line hole and where at least the cocking hole and the tensioner hole are located off of the center line. A cocking rod, with a first end and a second end, is connected with the cocking rod hole and a tensioner, with a first end and a second end, is connected with the tensioner hole. A cocking tube, with a top and a bottom, is provided where the first end of the tensioner is connected at the top of the cocking tube and the second end of the tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube and where the first end of the cocking, rod extends beyond the top of the cocking tube and the second end of the cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube.

In another aspect, a connecting ring is provided at the top of the cocking tube and the first end of the tensioner is connected with the connecting ring. In another aspect, a weight is connected with the cocking tube. In one aspect, a shroud is connected with the bottom of the cocking tube. In a further aspect, a float connected with said cocking tube. In another aspect, the tensioner is a spring. In another aspect, the cocking rod includes a push pad.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an automatic fish hook setter method includes the steps of: providing a trigger with a length and a center line, where the trigger includes a cocking rod hole, a tensioner hole and a line hole and where at least the cocking hole and the tensioner hole are located off of the center line, a cocking rod connected with the cocking rod hole, and a tensioner connected with the tensioner hole; and actuating the cocking rod so as to tension the tensioner and cock the trigger.

In another aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of attaching a line with a hook to the line hole. In another aspect, the method includes the step of providing a cocking tube with a top and a bottom where the first end of the tensioner is connected at the top of the cocking tube and the second end of the tensioner is connected with the tensioner hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube and where the first end of the cocking rod extends beyond the top of the cocking tube and the second end of the cocking rod is connected with the cocking rod hole in the trigger at the bottom of the cocking tube. In another aspect, the method includes the step of providing a cocking tube with a shroud connected with the bottom of the cocking tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example inFIGS. 1-4. With specific reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, according to one embodiment, an automatic fish hook setter apparatus10includes a trigger14with a length “L” and a centerline “Cl”, as more clearly shown inFIG. 4. Trigger12includes a cocking rod hole14, a tensioner hole16and a line hole18. As illustrated, and as more easily seen inFIG. 4, cocking rod hole14and tensioner hole16are located off of, and on opposite sides of, the center line Cl of trigger12.

FIGS. 1 and 2also illustrate cocking rod20and tensioner22. According to one embodiment, cocking tube24is provided. Cocking tube24includes a top26and a bottom28. Cocking tube24may be made of brass or any other suitable material. As illustrated, the first end30of cocking rod20extends beyond the top26of cocking tube24and the second end32of cocking rod20is connected by cocking rod hole14with trigger12at the bottom28of cocking tube24. Preferably, the first end30of cocking rod20includes a push pad21for use in cocking the apparatus as will be discussed more fully hereafter.

FIGS. 1 and 2also illustrate that the first end34of tensioner22is connected to a connection ring36at the top26of cocking tube24. Connection ring36passes through the top26of cocking tube24and provides a connection place for the first end34of tensioner22. Connection ring36also provides a connection place for fishing line38that is attached with a fishing pole, not shown, as is known in the art. Second end40of tensioner22is connected with tensioner hole16in trigger12at the bottom28of cocking tube24as illustrated.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, other features of the invention include a float42. Float42is a buoyant float designed to suspend fishing line38with a hook44connected to trigger12at line hole18from the surface of the water. Float42may be made of Styrofoam or any other buoyant material now known or hereafter developed. Cocking tube24may also include a weight46at the bottom28. Weight46keeps cocking tube24oriented from top26to bottom28, as shown, particularly when used in conjunction with float42. Weight42may be brass, lead, steel, or any other heavy material that is non buoyant now known or hereafter developed.

FIG. 1shows automatic fish hook setter apparatus10in the “uncocked” or “unarmed” position andFIG. 2shows automatic fish hook setter apparatus10in the “cocked” or “armed” position. To arm the automatic fish hook setter apparatus10, a user pushes down on push pad21of cocking rod20. This creates tension in tensioner22which is a spring or any other elastic tensioner now known or hereafter developed. Importantly, because tensioner22and cocking rod24are connected with trigger12at off center tensioner hole16and off center cocking rod hole14, trigger12is caused to pivot around center line Cl. Once trigger12passes the bottom28of cocking tube24it pivots as shown until it is captured by tensioner22in the cocked or armed position at the bottom28. When a fish takes the hook44and pulls on the line38, trigger12is released or moved from the bottom28of cocking tube24and tensioner16rapidly and forcefully retracts, thus setting the hook in a fish automatically. The device is then in the unarmed position shown inFIG. 1. Resetting the automatic fish hook setter apparatus10is as easy and simple as pushing down on push pad21as described. Advantageously, the user never has to handle trigger12itself or risk injury from hook44while cocking the Applicant's invention.

Referring now toFIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, cocking tube24includes a shroud48. Shroud48is a concave form that creates a space beneath the bottom28of cocking tube24. When the user depresses push pad21with his or her finger50, as shown, the invention operates as discussed above. Cocking rod20, connected on one side of the center line Cl of trigger12, pushes trigger down to the bottom28of cocking tube24. At that point, tensioner22, connected on the other side of centerline Cl of trigger12, pulling up on trigger12causes trigger12to rotate, approximately ninety degrees, and to cock itself on the bottom28. In this embodiment, shroud48shields trigger12from contact with the bottom, not shown, of the bay, lake, or ocean, for example only. As a result, shroud48prevents the inadvertent and unwanted setting of hook44by contact with something other than a fish. This enables users of Applicant's invention in this embodiment to fish the bottom since the shroud, again, prevents the operation of the device from the armed to the unarmed position except by a fish taking the hook and releasing the trigger as described.

FIG. 4, is a detailed view of the trigger12of the invention clearly showing the offset location of cocking rod hole14and tensioner hole16. At least these two holes are off set from the center line Cl as illustrated. Line hole18may or may not be off set from center line CI as desired.

By way of further explanation, to cock Applicant's automatic fish hook setter apparatus10, a user depresses cocking rod20, preferably by using his or her finger50, to depress push pad21. This causes trigger12to rotate approximately ninety degrees and to set itself in place as discussed in the cocked or armed position. When a fish takes the bait, not shown, the trigger is righted by tensioner22which pulls the trigger12back up, and into cocking tube24, and causing the fish hook44to set into the fish's mouth, not shown. One advantage of Applicant's invention is that cocking rod20with push pad21acts to prevent a fish from pulling the device apart by pulling the cocking rod20out of the device. That is, the cocking rod20with push pad21is stopped at the top26of cocking tube24in the event of a vigorous fish strike.

The positioning, again of the holes in the trigger12are critical. Cocking rod hole14enables cocking rod20, in combination with tensioner22, to rotate trigger12to the cocked position because cocking rod hole14, and tensioner hole16, are drilled off center. When in the cocked position, tensioner hole16is rotated closer to center line Cl and applies approximate center line pull thus keeping trigger12in the cocked position. A portion of the top52of trigger12is drawn against the bottom28of cocking tube24and prevents trigger12from releasing from the cocked position. This also makes it less likely that the trigger12will release when cast.

The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.