FISHING HOOK THREADING DEVICE

Abstract: A fishing hook threading device (10) is provided for threading a leader of a fishing line (46) through the eye (44) of a fishing hook (40) having a shaft (42), the eye (44) at one end thereof and a hook at the opposite end thereof. The device (10) has a hollow body (12) with a frusto conical recess (22) at one end section (24) and a fishing line guide recess (26) at the other end section of the body. The wall of the body (12) defining the conical recess (22) is made of a resilient material and the conical recess (22) is configured to frictionally retain the eye (44) therein. The conical recess (22) can be a stepped arrangement so that each step is for retaining the eye (44) of a particularly sized fishing hook (40). The guide recess (26) is in communication with the conical recess (22) and is configured to guide the leader (46) automatically into the eye when retained in the conical recess (22). A slot (34) can be provided in the wall of the body (12) for allowing sections of the fishing line (46) in the recesses (22) to be lifted out of the body (12) for tying around the eye (44). The slot (34) can also have one or more narrowed passages (35) for temporarily holding a section(s) of the line (46) in a substantially upstanding position and thereby allowing one handed tying operation. The device (10) may have a stem (14) connected at one end to the body (12) and the other end (16) to a securing means (18) for fixing, preferably removably, to a support such as a tackle container (20).

Description: FISHING HOOK THREADING DEVICE TECHN ICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a threading device for threading a fishing line through the eye of a fishing hook, in particular but not limited thereto, the device having a recess configured for use with fishing hooks of different sizes. BACKGROUND ART Fishing hooks are normally J-shaped with a shaft having a hook at one end and an eye at the opposite end. To tie a knot on the fishing hook a fisherperson must hold the hook with one hand and use the other hand to thread a fishing line through the eye. When the fisherperson is successful in threading the line the hook is dangling on the line and both hands must also be used while attempting to tie a knot on the hook. The applicant has observed that many people have difficulties in attempting to thread a fishing line through the eye of a fishing hook. The degree of difficulties increases when lighting is inadequate or fading, such as at dawn or dusk. In addition people with bad eye sight and people with certain physical disabilities such as inability to maintain a sufficiently steady hand experience even higher degree of difficulties. Attempts to provide devices for assisting fisherperson in tying knots on fishing hooks have been made previously. But the prior art devices are generally not completely satisfactory in guiding a fishing line through the eye and/or tying a knot around the eye. An object of the present invention is to provide a threading device which alleviates or at least reduces to a certain level one or more the above difficulties. OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention resides in a threading device for a fishing hook having a shank, an eye at one end thereof for receiving a fishing line and a hook at the opposite end thereof. The device comprises a hollow body having a first end section and a second end section. The first end section has a substantially frusto conical recess for receiving the eye and a first slot for receiving the shank. The conical recess is configured so that the eyes of the hooks of various sizes can be received therein. At least the wall of the first end section which defines the conical recess is made of a resilient material so that the eye of the first hook can be frictionaliy retained therein. The second end section has a guide recess in communication with the conical recess The guide recess is arranged so that a leader of the fishing line introduced into it can be guided into the conical recess for automatic threading through the eye. The conical recess can be so arranged that when the eye is received therein the hook is in a plane intersecting an axis joining the conical recess and the guide recess. Typically, the conical recess and the guide recess are aligned coaxially. In use the eye of the fishing hook is introduced into the conical recess and the shaft in the first slot The fishing hook is then positioned further into the conical recess until the eye is frictionaliy retained therein To thread the fishing line in the eye a leader of the line is introduced into the guide recess until it extends from the conical recess The guide recess guides the line automatically Preferably a passage means is provided for connecting the conical recess to the guide recess. More preferably the conical recess, the guide recess and the passage means are aligned coaxially. Advantageously, the conical recess has its larger dimension adjacent to first end of the body and the dimension decreases progressively towards its smaller dimension at a predetermined distance into the body Typically the dimension decreases in a stepwise manner and the dimension at each step corresponds substantially to the size of the eye of a fishing hook. More typically the dimension at each step is just slightly smaller than the diameter of the eye of the corresponding fishing hook so that the eye can be frictionaliy retained therein The guide recess may be substantially funnel shaped with its larger dimension at or adjacent to a second end of the body and its dimension decreasing progressively into the body Advantageously the body has a second slot means extending from the first end to the second end The second slot is in communication with the guide recess and the conical recess so that a section of the fishing line when in the guide recess can be lifted through the second slot means for tying a knot onto the eye. Preferably the second slot means has a straight section extending substantially the length of the first end section and a curved section extending substantially the length of the second end section. Desirably the second slot has one or more restricted portions, each arranged for temporarily retaining a part of the fishing line in position prior to tying the knot. This arrangement allows the fisherperson to tie a knot with a single hand operation. Preferably the or each restricted portion is a narrowed passage in the second slot and more preferably in the straight section of the second slot. The device may have a stem or support member having an end connected to the body. The other end of the stem or support member may be connected to a foot member. Advantageously the foot member is configured for removable fixing to a securing means. Preferably the foot member can be removably fixed in a recess formed on the securing means. More preferably the securing means is adapted to be attached to a fishing tackle box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect, reference will now be made at the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention and wherein:- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the threading device of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a partial end view of the device of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a partial front view of the device of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a partial side view of the device of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a partial cross section side view of the device of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a top view of the device of the present invention; Figure 7 shows the procedure for positioning the eye of a fishing hook in the conical recess; Figure 8 shows the procedure for threading a fishing line into the eye; Figure 9 shows the procedure for positioning the fishing line through the second slot for tying a knot onto the fishing hook; Figure 10 shows a knot being tied onto the fish hook. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to Figures 1 and 6, the threading device 10 of the present invention has a hollow body member 12, a stem member 14 and a foot member 16 which can be removably fixed to an attachment means 18. The attachment means 18 as shown is fixed to a fishing tackle box 20 by an adhesive means. The adhesive means may be a double sided adhesive tape for fixing the device 10 to the tackle box 20. The hollow body member 12 has a frusto conical recess 22 at a first end section 24, a funnel shaped guide recess 26 at the second end section 28 and a passage 30 interconnecting the conical recess 22 and the guide recess 26. The conical recess 22 as shown has its diameter decreases in a stepwise manner into the body 12 and in the embodiment shown in the figures the recess 22 is configured for fishing hooks of six different sizes. The body 12 also has a first slot 32 for accepting the shaft 42 (see Figures 7 to 10) of a fish hook 40. A second slot 34 extends substantially the entire length of the body 12. The slot 34 has a straight section 34a extending substantially the full length of the first end section 24 and a curved section 34b extending substantially the full length of the second end section 28. A restricted porion 35 shown in Figures 3 and 6 which in this case is a narrowed passage, is located in the straight section 34A adjacent to the open end of the recess 22. The restricted portion is also made of a resilient material and is for temporarily holding a leader section of the fishing line in a substantially upright position for tying a knot. A number of holes 36 are formed in the stem member 14 for reducing the weight of the device 10 and to reduce material cost. The body 1 2 is made from a resilient material such as plastic or rubber and the diameters at the steps in the conical recess 22 are just slightly smaller than the eyes of fishing hooks of different predetermined sizes. Referring now to Figure 7 the fish hook 40 is being introduced into the conical recess 22 with the axis of the eye 44 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 1 2. When a certain resistance is felt by the fisherperson the hook 40 is turned substantially 90 degrees in the direction as shown or opposite to the direction as shown so that the eye 44 is frictionaliy retained in the step part of the recess 22 configured for the particular hook size. In Figure 7 the sharp end of the hook 40 is at substantially the first end. But it can be positioned so that the sharp end is adjacent to the stem 14. This arrangement reduces accidental injury to the fishing person. A fishing line 46 is then guided as shown in Figure 8 by the guide recess 26 into the passage 30 and threaded automatically through the eye 44 and out from the first end 24. Figure 9 shows the fishing line 46 being pulled out of the guide recess 26 and the second slot 34b. If the restricted portion 35 is provided in the straight section 34A the leader of line 46 can be held by this portion so that the leader is in a substantially upward direction. While the embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings have a single restricted portion 35, it should be understood that one or more other restricted portions can be provided in the second slot 34. For example one other restricted portion can also be provided in the curved section 34b so that another length of the fishing can be held in a substantially upright direction, and the leader and said another length are on opposite sides of the eye 44. Figure 10 shows that the end of the fishing line 46 being tied into a knot on the eye 44 after having being pulled into the first slot 34a and towards the fish hook 40. The hook 40 with the fishing line 46 secured thereto can be removed from the device 10 by turning the hook 40 substantially 90 degrees and then axially out of the conical recess 22. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A threading device for a fishing hook having a shank, an eye at one end thereof for receiving a fishing line and a hook at the opposite end thereof, the device comprising a hollow body inclining a first end section and a second end section, the first end section having a substantially frusto conical recess for receiving the eye and a first slot means for receiving the shank, the conical recess being configured so that eyes of fish hooks of various sizes can be received therein, at least the wall of the first end section defining the conical recess is made of a resilient material so that the eye of the fishing hook can be retained therein, the second end section has a guide recess in communication with the conical recess, the guide recess being arranged so that a leader of the fishing line introduced into the guide recess can be guided into the conical recess for automatic threading through the eye. 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the conical recess is arranged so that when the eye is received therein the hook is in a plane intersecting an axis joining the conical recess and the guide recess. 3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the conical recess and the guide recess are aligned axially. 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the hollow body further includes a passage means connecting the conical recess to the guide recess and the conical recess, the guide recess and the passage means are in axial alignment. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the conical recess has its larger dimension at or adjacent to a first end of the body and the dimension decreases progressively towards its smaller dimension at a predetermined distance into the body. 6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the dimension decreases in a stepwise manner and the dimension at each step corresponds substantially to the size of the eye of a fishing hook of a particular size, so that the eye of the particular fishing hook can be retained at said step. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the guide recess is substantially funnel shaped with its larges dimension at or adjacent to a second end of the body and its dimension decreases progressively into the body. 8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the body including a second slot means extending from the first end to the second end, and spaced form the first slot means. 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the second slot means is a communication with the guide recess and the conical recess so that a section of the fishing line when in the guide means can be lifted through the second slot means for tying a knot onto the eye. 10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the second slot means has a straight section extending substantially the length of the first end section and a curved section extending substantially the length of the second section. 1 1 . The device according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the second slot has one or more restricted portions, each arranged for temporarily retaining a part of the fishing line in position prior to tying the knot. 12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 wherein a stem or support member is connected at one end thereof to the body. 1 3. The device according to claim 12 wherein the opposite end of the stem or support member is connected to a foot member. 14. The device according to claim 1 3 wherein the foot member is configured for removable fixing to a securing means or a fishing tackle box. 1 5. The device according to claim 14 wherein the securing means is located on the tackle box and has a recess so arranged that the foot means can be removably fixed in the recess. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 22 December 1997 (22.12.97); original claims 1, 8 and 9 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages} ] 1. A threading device for a fishing hook having a shank, an eye at one end thereof for receiving a fishing line and a hook at the opposite end thereof, the device comprising a hollow body including a first end section and a second end 5 section, the first end section having a substantially frusto conical recess for receiving the eye and a first slot means for receiving the shank, the conical recess being configured so that eyes of fish hooks of various sizes can be received therein, at least the wall of the first end section defining the conical recess is made of a resilient material so that the eye of the fishing hook can be retained 10 therein, the second end section has a guide recess in communication with the conical recess, the guide recess being arranged so that a leader of the fishing line introduced into the guide recess can be guided into the conical recess for automatic threading through the eye. 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the conical recess is arranged so 15 that when the eye is received therein the hook is in a plane intersecting an axis joining the conical recess and the guide recess. 3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the conical recess and the guide recess are aligned axially. 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the hollow body 20 further includes a passage means connecting the conical recess to the guide recess and the conical recess, the guide recess and the passage means are in axial alignment. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the conical recess has its larger dimension at or adjacent to a first end of the body and the 25 dimension decreases progressively towards its smaller dimension at a predetermined distance into the body. 6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the dimension decreases in a stepwise manner and the dimension at each step corresponds substantially to the size of the eye of a fishing hook of a particular size, so that the eye of the 30 particular fishing hook can be retained at said step. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the guide recess is substantially funnel shaped with its larges dimension at or adjacent to a second end of the body and its dimension decreases progressively into the body. 8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the body including a second slot means extending from the first end to the second end, and spaced from the first slot means. 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the second slot means is in communication with the guide recess and the conical recess so that a section of the fishing line when in the guide means can be lifted through the second slot means for tying a knot onto the eye. 10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the second slot means has a straight section extending substantially the length of the first end section and a curved section extending substantially the length of the second section. 1 1 . The device according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the second slot has one or more restricted portions, each arranged for temporarily retaining a part of the fishing line in position prior to tying the knot. 12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 wherein a stem or support member is connected at one end thereof to the body. 13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the opposite end of the stem or support member is connected to a foot member. 14. The device according to claim 1 3 wherein the foot member is configured for removable fixing to a securing means or a fishing tackle box. 1 5. The device according to claim 14 wherein the securing means is located on the tackle box and has a recess so arranged that the foot means can be removably fixed in the recess. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 The amendments are intended to replace the word "inclining" in claim 1 to "including", "form" in claim 8 to "from" and "a" in claim 9 line 1 to "in". The amendments are for correcting obvious typographical errors and they do not have any impact on the description and the drawings.

Inventors: HINE PAUL ANTHONY, HINE, PAUL, ANTHONY
Applicants: HINE PAUL ANTHONY, HINE, PAUL, ANTHONY
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A01K91
IPC codes: A01K91