Removable trigger mechanism for spring-biased fish hook assembly

A removable trigger mechanism for a spring-biased hook assembly includes a generally U-shaped swivel attachment portion having first and second spaced apart resilient surfaces cooperating to frictionally engage a first biasing element of the hook assembly. A hook-setting finger is formed adjacent the first resilient surface of the swivel attachment portion, and is adapted for temporarily holding a second biasing element of the hook assembly when in a loaded condition. An actuation lever is formed adjacent the second resilient surface of the swivel attachment portion, and is adapted for pivoting the attachment portion relative to the first biasing element of the hook assembly. When pivoted, the actuation lever simultaneously moves the hook-setting finger away from the second biasing element of the hook assembly in the loaded condition, such that the hook assembly is released for sudden movement from the loaded condition to an outwardly-flared deployed condition.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates broadly the recreational fishing industry, and more particularly to artificial and natural fishing lures and components adapted for use combination with such lures. In terms of recreational fishing, a lure is an object attached to the end of fishing line and designed to resemble and move like an item of fish prey. The basic purpose of the lure is to use movement, vibrations, and/or color to catch the fish's attention and to entice the fish to “bite” the hook. Conventional lures may be equipped with one or more exposed single, double, or treble hooks. Such lures are generally used with a fishing rod and fishing reel. When a lure is used for casting, it is continually cast out and retrieved—the retrieval making the lure “swim” through the water.

The concept of the present disclosure may be incorporated in many different types of fishing lures. For example, the present lure may comprise or incorporate a jig, spoon, plug (or crankbait), artificial fly, bass worm, spinnerbait, or the like. Additionally, multiple lures of the present disclosure may be used on a single line, as in the manner of a trotline.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example only, and any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “exemplary embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a removable trigger mechanism for a spring-biased hook assembly. The trigger mechanism includes a generally U-shaped swivel attachment portion comprising first and second spaced apart resilient surfaces cooperating to frictionally engage a first biasing element of the hook assembly. A hook-setting finger is formed adjacent the first resilient surface of the swivel attachment portion, and is adapted for temporarily holding a second biasing element of the hook assembly when in a loaded condition. An actuation lever is formed adjacent the second resilient surface of the swivel attachment portion, and is adapted for pivoting the attachment portion relative to the first biasing element of the hook assembly. When pivoted, the actuation lever simultaneously moves the hook-setting finger away from the second biasing element of the hook assembly in the loaded condition, such that the hook assembly is released for sudden movement from the loaded condition to an outwardly-flared deployed condition.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the swivel attachment portion, hook-setting finger, and actuation lever are integrally formed together. The terms “integrally formed”, “integrally joined”, “integrally connected” (and the like) may be used interchangeably herein, and refer to separate elements which are formed together as a single homogenous unit or assembly. For example, two halves of a single folded metal wire may be considered integrally formed together.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the actuation lever comprises a substantially arcuate extension.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the actuation lever has a width dimension and a thickness, the width dimension being substantially greater than the thickness.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the hook-setting finger defines an elongated groove designed to receive and temporarily hold the second biasing element of the hook assembly when in the loaded condition.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the swivel attachment portion and the hook-setting finger are integrally formed together in a substantially S-shaped configuration.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the disclosure comprises a spring-biased hook assembly having first and second biasing elements, and a removable trigger mechanism.

According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first and second biasing elements of the hook assembly comprises an elongated shank with an integrally formed bend and point. Alternatively, one or more of the shank, bend and point may be separately formed.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first and second biasing elements of the hook assembly comprise respective first and second metal hooks. Each hook comprises an elongated shank, bend and point; the elongated shanks of the hook assembly being integrally-formed together at their respective proximal ends. Alternatively, the first and second biasing elements may be mechanically attached together at their respective proximal ends.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the disclosure comprises a fishing lure incorporating a spring-biased hook assembly and a removable trigger mechanism. The term “lure” is defined broadly herein to mean any device used alone, or in combination with other devices, elements, or structure, for purposes of attracting and/or catching fish.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a removable trigger mechanism for an artificial fishing lure according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral10. The exemplary trigger mechanism10is designed for snap-on, retrofit attachment to a spring-biased hook assembly11, such as that used in the recreational fishing industry. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4, the hook assembly11comprises first and second cooperating biasing elements12,14integrally-formed together at their respective proximal ends. The first biasing element12comprises an elongated metal shank15having a substantially straight free end16and an integrally-formed intermediate jog17. The second biasing element14comprises an elongated metal shank18which extends into an integrally-formed bend19and point20at its free end. The jog17of biasing element12may function to properly locate and align the trigger mechanism10relative to the point20of biasing element14, as discussed below, while the straight free end16may be used to help set the hook assembly11and facilitate attachment of optional lure parts (e.g., rubber worm, spinner blades, and the like). The first and second biasing elements12,14are normally arranged in an outwardly flared (or “deployed”) condition, such as shown inFIG. 2. The trigger mechanism10functions, as described below, to release the hook assembly11from a loaded condition shown inFIG. 1to the deployed ofFIG. 2.

As best shown inFIGS. 1A,3and4, the exemplary trigger mechanism10comprises a generally U-shaped snap-on swivel attachment portion21, a hook-setting finger22, and an actuation lever23. The swivel attachment portion21includes first and second spaced apart resilient surfaces24,25which cooperate to substantially surround and frictionally engage the first biasing element12of the hook assembly11. The hook-setting finger22is formed adjacent the first resilient surface24of the swivel attachment portion21, and serves to temporarily engage and hold the second biasing element14of the hook assembly11when in the loaded condition. In the exemplary embodiment, the hook-setting finger22defines an elongated groove28contoured to receive the point20of the biasing element14, as shown inFIG. 3, and is integrally-formed together with the swivel attachment portion21in a substantially S-shaped configuration. When loaded, the trigger mechanism10may further serve as a weed guard to help shield the point20of the biasing element14as the hook assembly11is drawn through the water.

The actuation lever23of the trigger mechanism10is formed adjacent the second resilient surface25of the swivel attachment portion21, and comprises a substantially arcuate extension shaped to readily enter a mouth of the fish. The actuation lever23may have a width dimension “w” substantially greater than its thickness “t”, and a bend radius “r” in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches. When inside the mouth of the fish, the actuation lever23is engaged and pressed towards the hook assembly11thereby causing the attachment portion21of the trigger mechanism10to simultaneously swivel about the shank15of biasing element12. Swivel movement of the attachment portion21causes simultaneous pivoting of the hook-setting finger22away from the second biasing element14of the hook assembly11. As demonstrated inFIGS. 2 and 4, when the second biasing element14is released, the hook assembly11“fires” causing rapid movement of the biasing elements12,14from the spring-loaded condition to the deployed condition, thereby piercing the point20of biasing element14into and through the mouth of the fish.

Use of the trigger mechanism10on an alternative embodiment of a spring-biased hook assembly30is illustrated inFIGS. 5,5A, and6. In this embodiment, the exemplary hook assembly30incorporates first and second cooperating biasing elements32,34; each biasing element comprising an elongated metal shank, bend, and point. The metal shanks are integrally joined together at their proximal ends (e.g., by bending) while the hook bends are oppositely directed and normally biased in an outwardly flared (or “deployed”) condition, such as shown inFIG. 6. The trigger mechanism10functions (identically as described above) to release the double-hook assembly30from a loaded condition shown inFIG. 5to the deployed condition ofFIG. 6.

A further alternative embodiment of the disclosure is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, the trigger mechanism10is used in combination with a hook assembly50comprising first and second cooperating biasing elements52,54. Unlike hook assembly11, the elongated shanks of biasing elements52,54are integrally joined together at their respective proximal ends in the form of an eyelet55adapted for receiving and attaching a fishing line. The remaining structure and features of biasing elements52,54are identical to elements12,14. As described above, the trigger mechanism10functions to release the hook assembly50from a loaded condition shown inFIG. 7to the deployed condition ofFIG. 8.

FIGS. 9,10,11A,11B, and11C, illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of a spring-biased hook assembly60according to the present disclosure. This embodiment incorporates a metal wire spring61comprising first and second cooperating biasing elements62,64, a conventional fish hook65, and attachment collar66. The hook assembly60may be used in combination with a trigger mechanism10identical to that described above. The biasing elements62,64are integrally formed together at their proximal ends, and include respective locating jogs71,72for properly attaching and aligning the hook65and trigger mechanism10. As previously described, the trigger mechanism10functions to release the hook assembly60from a loaded condition shown inFIG. 9to the deployed condition ofFIG. 10.

Referring toFIGS. 11A,11B, and11C, the hook assembly60is assembled by first inserting a free end of biasing element64through the eyelet74of the fish hook65as indicated inFIG. 11A. The hook65is then positioned adjacent the locating jog72, as demonstrated inFIG. 11B, and the free end of biasing element64. The attachment collar66is then applied to both the hook65and biasing element64, as demonstrated inFIG. 11C, and press-fit using (e.g.) plyers or other suitable tool.

In any one or more of the embodiments discussed above, the actuation lever of the trigger mechanism may be used to attach bait or other lure parts to the combination. Additionally, the exemplary snap-on trigger mechanism may be combined with other various spring-biased hook assemblies, and may be used together with any other desired lure or lure parts.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these 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 appended claims.

In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular function or step) is recited in the claims, a construction under §112, 6th paragraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.