CONVERTIBLE FISHING LURE

A fishing lure that easily and quickly converts from one look or character to another without tools and without untying the lure from the fishing line. A generally hollow body assembly is transparent to view an insert assembly contained inside. The insert assembly is removable to be replaced with a different insert assembly. The insert assemblies are widely variable and may, for example, have different colors or graphics, be reflective or iridescent, include lights or rattles and have a wiggling tail portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to in figure one with numeral10, it can be observed that it basically includes a body assembly12and an insert assembly14. A line30is included in this figure for context and is not to be considered an element of the device.

As can be seen in the drawings at figures one through seven generally show one style of lure in several variations that include some combination of elements including, among other elements, a fin16, an insert18, an eyelet20, a hook22, an eyelet24, a hook26, an eyelet28, a cavity32, an eye34, a dimple36, a pectoral side37, a fin38, a dorsal side39, an eye40, a weight42, a nub44, gills45, a back46, a nose47, a core48, a stripe50, a background52, an eye54, a fin56, a nub58, a fin60, a light62, a fin64, a tail66, a cavity68, a rattle70, a glitter72, an eve74, a fin76and a nub78.

Generally, the body assembly12, shown isolated in figure two, has a cavity32that is adapted for and dimensioned to fit the insert assembly14that is shown isolated in figure three. Figure one shows the insert assembly14fit inside the body assembly12.

The body assembly12is configured to be tied to a fishing line30at the eyelet28. In this regard the lure is similar to most other terminal tackle. The eyelet28is permanently anchored in an integrated into the body assembly12.

An opening to the cavity32of the body assembly12is generally on the dorsal side39. The hooks22and26are generally on the pectoral side37. The eyelet28affixed to the line30on the dorsal side39along with the weight and drag in the water caused by the hooks22and26keep the lure in an upright orientation.

Similarly, the hook22is affixed to the body assembly12at eyelet20. The hook26is also affixed to the body assembly12at eyelet24. The positions of these hooks as shown in the drawings are merely examples of placement on the body assembly12. There may be more or fewer hooks. They may be single or multiple hooks. There may be a split ring between the eyelet and hook to facilitate replacement of the hook if it should break or otherwise not work properly.

In typical use of the device is it normally infrequently necessary to untie and replace the body assembly12. Instead, when the angler wishes to try a new presentation to the fish he may remove the insert assembly14from inside the body assembly12and replace it with a different variety of insert assembly14.

The body assembly12is preferably constructed of a transparent material. This is primarily to allow the insert assembly14to be visible through the body assembly12. Different tints of transparency may be beneficial in some environments. Similarly, a florescent tint may be preferred by some anglers. Generally, though, a clear plastic is best for the body assembly12.

It is a main purpose of the invention to provide a variety of different insert assemblies14. Some examples of how the insert assemblies14can vary are shown individually in figures three through seven. These illustrations are merely some of the different types of insert assembly14characteristic. It should be understood that any of these elements and features might be used individually or in combination. Further, other variations not depicted in the drawings may be used equally effectively and are to be understood to be included in the conceptual designs within the scope of the invention.

Figure three is one of these examples. This example of an insert assembly has an enlarged fin38that is integral to the back46element. The fin38can be used as a handle to aid the angler when inserting or removing the insert assembly14from the body assembly12. The fin38may be a contrasting or similar color as the back46.

Note the nub44on the aft end of this insert assembly. The nub44frictionally engages into the dimple36on the corresponding area of the body assembly12. This helps the angler feel when the insert assembly14is positively snapped into the body assembly12. It also helps keep the insert assembly14engaged into the body assembly14when dragged though the rigors of fishing. The nub58on figure five and the nub78on figure seven are analogous features to the nub44and equally engage into a corresponding divot36on a body assembly12.

Referring again to figure three, an eye40decorates the side of the insert assembly14as well as a stylized gill45pattern. These graphics are visible through the transparent body assembly12. These are but a couple of an infinite class of images that can adorn the side of the insert assembly14. These visuals may or might not resemble a baitfish to entice a fish to attack or eat the lure.

A Figure three also includes an example of a weight42that is built into the insert assembly14. In this example the weight is along the pectoral side towards the tail end of the core48of the insert assembly14. This can act as a ballast weight to keep the lure upright and avoiding spinning while dragging through the water which can cause severe line twist, a problem experienced by many fisherman.

The inclusion of a weight42can be calculated to work with the density of the lure as a whole to cause the lure to present at a specified depth in the water column. In this way the angler can better control the presentation of the lure. For example, over a bottom surface with weeds or structure a lighter weight might be preferred so that the lure does not catch on those obstructions. In other scenarios where the water is deep and obstructions are absent then a heavier weight42might be preferred to bring the lure to the bottom.

The nose47leads when assembling the insert assembly14into the body assembly12. The nose47helps align the insert assembly14into the body assembly12. When the nose47is fully inserted then the nub44is pressed into the aft end of the body assembly12and is engaged into the divot36on the body assembly12where it is held, sufficiently by friction to avoid the risk of inadvertently disengaging during use in the water or while in storage.

Now referring to figure four where another vane of insert assembly is exhibited to include a pair of lights62. Any number of lights62could be included as long as they fit in the insert assembly. Generally, the insert assembly in this version has cavities to snap the lights62into prior to mating with the body assembly12. The lights62may be battery or chemically powered. For example, a cyalume or other types of chemiluminescence are effective. Various colors and combinations of glow provide benefit when used in low light conditions, whether at night or deep or murky water. The fin60may provide stability when pulled through the water.

Figure five is an example of an insert assembly14with a stylized eye54. On this version a background52is tinted a contrasting or complementary color as the stripes50. Any of the versions of any of the insert assemblies may generally be any color. Sometimes the color scheme is meant to mimic nature and other times it is preferred by the angler to be bright, stark colors to attract a game fish from a long distance away to entice a strike.

Figure six is yet another example of a version of an insert assembly14that includes a cavity68containing rattles70. In this example the rattles70are essentially small spheres that loosely shake inside the cavity68. The rattles70make noise while the lure moves through the water to provide an audible attractant to the target fish.

Figure six also has an example of an alternate tail66. The tail66may provide some stability or may intentionally cause some instability. When the tail is made of a supple material, such as rubber or silicone, it can be shaped asymmetrically resulting in a wiggle and bouncing effect as the lure is pulled through the water. This can make the lure appear more life-like to the fish and increase the likelihood of a strike.

Figure seven is a stylized drawing of an insert assembly including a glitter72effect. The glitter72may be flecks of reflective, iridescent or luminescent bits that are integral to the insert assembly. The glitter72may look and shimmer like fish scales in a bait fish and may thereby increase the likelihood of a strike. The glitter72may be contrasting to the color of the balance of the insert assembly. The eye74may also include a reflective, glittery quality or may similarly be iridescent to provide contrast and an attractive sheen.

Figures eight through eleven show a similar device as seen in the earlier figures one through seven but with some variations. This version includes, among other features, a body assembly80, an insert assembly82, a bill84, eyelets86, an eyelet88, a cavity90, a nose92, a nose94, a tail96and a tail98.

The principal variation in this version is the bill84on the leading edge of the body assembly80and the addition of another eyelet88in the middle of the pectoral side. The shape of this version is also a little more elongated than the prior version. It should be understood that the exact profile shape is not the core of the inventive concept. It is intended that any of a wide range of shapes based on the stylized appearance of bait fish may be equally employed.

The nose92of the insert assembly is pressed inside the nose94of the body assembly then the tail96is frictionally engaged into the tail98of the body assembly.

Any of the variations demonstrated for the earlier versions of the device, described supra and shown in the drawings may be equally applied to this version shown in figures eight through eleven. There is a plurality of eyelets88shown that are intended to support connection to a hook with or without an intervening split ring. The eyelet86may be affixed to the end of the fishing line.

The body assembly shown in figured nine and eleven are likewise preferably transparent and optionally clear to allow the insert assembly to be clearly seen while nested inside the body assembly. The size of the bill84may also be adjusted to compensate for a targeted dive depth of the lure.

The balance of the lure should also be carefully adjusted by the location or even inclusion of an additional weight. The net densities of the combined insert assembly and body assembly can also be adjusted with the inclusion of a weight to produce a select amount of buoyancy to float the lure at the correct depth.

An important variation of the device includes a decorative element integral to the body assembly either with or without a decorative element to the insert assembly. This body assembly decorative element can manifest in any of a tint, glitter, imitation gill marks, eyes, lines, scales, three dimensional textures (i.e. scales, eyes, gills or the like) or any of the other elements that have been described above as applied to an insert assembly. In this version of the device the insert assemblies might appear visually to be simply solid colors with the additional characteristics a part of the body assembly.

There are several additional contemplated means to secure an insert assembly into a body assembly either in place of or in addition to the nub and dimple combination as described above. For example, a magnet may be embedded into the forward end of the insert assembly or the forward end of the body assembly, either with a corresponding magnet attracting element in the opposing piece to hold the body assembly and insert assembly together. Magnets may be placed in other strategic positions to magnetically adhere the insert assembly to the body assembly while the lure is in use.

In yet another possible variation of means to hold the insert assembly into the body assembly there may be a spring between the insert assembly and body assembly that acts with a wedge to hold the two pieces together. The user may the press the parts together to unhook from the wedge to separate the insert assembly from the body assembly. Other means such as a pin or clip may equally be used to secure the body assembly over the insert assembly and yet allow easy disconnection by the angler to swap out insert assemblies.

The invention can be fairly described as a fishing lure comprised, of a body assembly and an insert assembly. The body assembly has an eyelet on forward end adapted for attachment to a fishing line. The line is typically clipped or tied to this eyelet. On the other end the body assembly has integrally attached at least one eyelet adapted for attachment to a fishing hook. In an important version the body assembly is transparent to permit the insert assembly to be visible through the body assembly. The body assembly has a generally hollow interior that is dimensioned to frictionally hold inside said insert assembly. Alternatively a spring or clip means can hold or help hold the insert assembly into the body assembly. The insert assembly includes a predetermined decoration that is visible through the body assembly when said insert assembly is fit inside said body assembly. This can be fish-like markings, lights, patterns, dazzling glitter or other visual character intended to entice a fish to attack or eat the device and get caught on the hook.

Important variations can include a bill is affixed on a nose of the body assembly. This can affect the action and dive depth of the lure as well as add an aesthetic dimension. Optionally the insert assembly has any of a rattle, a light or a weight to get the attention of the prey. In addition to or alternatively to other characteristics the insert assembly or the body assembly can include a surface that has glitter, iridescence or fluorescence. To aid in keeping the insert assembly into the body assembly the insert assembly has a nub at the tail end that frictionally engages a corresponding divot at an interior and a tail end of said body assembly. Obviously the nub could be on the body assembly and the divot could be on the insert assembly and remain effective. Alternatively or in combination with other means include a magnet and a magnet attracting element are provided to aid in maintaining the connection between the body assembly and the insert assembly, effectively sticking them together. Another means to aid in securing the pieces together can be characterized in that a spring and a wedge element are included to aid in maintaining the connection between the body assembly and the insert assembly. In yet other versions, with or without other elements, the body assembly can include any of the decorative or attractive elements that have been described to be included on the insert assembly.