Abstract:
A fishing lure creating irregular fish-attracting signals to attract fish to the fishing lure. The fishing lure includes circuitry located within an interior chamber of the fishing lure. The circuitry includes a timer for periodically sending electrical signals to a relay having a magnetic coil. The coil converts the electric signals into signals attractive to fish, such as sound or light signals. The coil receives voltage at a gradually decreasing rate which allows the fishing lure to create irregular signals to the fish.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/500,939 filed Feb. 15, 2000, now abandoned, in the name of Freddie E. Jackson II, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to fishing lures, and more particularly, to a fishing lure having a relay providing irregular sounds and visual signals for luring fish. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     For countless years, fishermen have tried various devices for luring fish to a hook with the primary goal of catching the fish. Many hooks include colorful shapes and sizes of lures to attract the fish. It is commonly know that typical game fish have an inner ear enabling the fish to hear or sense sound transmitted through the water. Additionally, the fish have lateral line sensing organs which also can sense sound. It is equally well known fact that fish are attracted to specific sounds. Specifically, many fish are attracted to sounds/vibrations created by other aquatic creatures, especially those sounds attributed to creatures in distress. Naturally, most sounds created by aquatic creatures are not constant. In addition, many fish are attracted to lights, on the presumption that the light is light reflecting from the scales of another fish. 
     Although there are no known prior art teachings of a device such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,339 to Fuentes et al. (Fuentes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,182 to Rodgers (Rodgers), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,492 to Watson et al. (Watson). 
     Fuentes discloses a sonic fishing lure having an energy source, an electrical circuit, and a sonic transducer container within chambers of a generally hollow cylindrically-shaped fishing lure. The sound output from a coil activator having a vibrating plate-type transducer is enhanced by an addition of a second vibrating plate. A fluid connection between the outer surface of the sound transducer and the body of the fishing lure further enhances and intensifies the sound output by the fishing lure. Although, Fuentes discloses a fishing lure which creates sounds for luring fish, Fuentes does not teach or suggest creating sounds at an irregular rate and volume, such as those created by aquatic creatures in distress. Additionally, the fluid connection disclosed in Fuentes suffers from the disadvantage of still requiring the sound to emanate through the outer shell of the lure, thereby deceasing the ability of the lure to efficiently transmit the sound to nearby fish. 
     Rodgers discloses a fishing lure having a battery connected to a timing circuit by a motion responsive switch. The timing circuit, responsive to an off-to-on transition of the motion responsive switch results in the timing of a power interval during which power is supplied over a timing circuit controlled connection from the battery to an output circuit. The timing circuit controls the timing connection. The output circuit is connected to receive power during the power interval and may supply power to a light-emitting diode, a speaker, or field effect probes. Although Rodgers discloses a fishing lure which may create sounds for luring fish, Rodgers does not teach or suggest a fishing lure creating irregular sounds for attracting fish. Rodgers merely discloses creating sounds at a steady rate and volume. In addition, Rodgers does not disclose a device for effectively transmitting the sounds through the water. 
     Watson discloses a fishing lure having a battery-powered oscillator circuit positioned within a water-resistant container module that is removably inserted into a selected body module that is balanced to insure proper lure action to recreate fish-attracting sounds and motions from the module. Watson does discloses a lure which creates sounds at a specified frequency. However, Watson does not teach or suggest a lure which creates sounds which are irregular. Additionally, Watson does not disclose any device for effectively transmitting and amplifying the sound to other fish. 
     Review of the foregoing references reveals no disclosure or suggestion of a fishing lure which provides a circuit which can create aural and visual signals for attracting fish at an irregular rate or volume. Additionally, there is no reference which discloses a device for effectively transmitting the created sound to the fish. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention is a fishing lure for attracting fish located in water. The fishing lure includes a body having an outer surface, and circuitry for creating a plurality of irregular electric signals. The plurality of irregular electric signals are converted into a plurality of fish-attracting signals for attracting fish to the fishing lure. The attraction signals may be aural or visual signals. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is a fishing lure for attracting fish in water. The fishing lure includes a body having an outer surface. The outer surface has an indentation indented toward an interior chamber of the fishing lure. In addition, the fishing lure includes circuitry for generating a plurality of irregular electric signals. The circuitry converts the irregular electric signals into a plurality of fish-attracting signals for attracting fish to the fishing lure. The circuitry is protected from water flowing in the indentation by a single layer of water-impervious material. The circuitry is positioned within the interior chamber of the fishing lure and emits the attraction signals out through the indentation of the fishing lure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a fishing lure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the fishing lure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the fishing lure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the fishing lure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of a circuitry located in the interior chamber of fishing lure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is relay diagram of the relay illustrating how the relay functions during the casting of the fishing lure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the incremental decrease in current and the resultant creation of different sounds in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the separated components of a visual signaling device in an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9A illustrates the inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder in the closed position; 
     FIG. 9B illustrates the inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder in the open position revealing the glow stick; and 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating the fishing lure with a propeller in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A fishing lure having a circuit which creates an unsteady visual or aural signal is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a side view of a fishing lure  20  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fishing lure includes a front section  22 , a mid-body  24 , and a tail section  26 . The front section is preferably conically shaped. Additionally, the overall shape of the fishing lure is bullet-shaped to provide a better shape for traversing underwater. However, the fishing lure may be any size or shape allowing the placement of internal circuitry explained below. The mid-body includes an indentation  28  indented toward an interior portion of the fishing lure and providing an open space approximately mid-position on the mid-body. The fishing lure may optionally include a cavity  70  for holding weights in the front section. In addition, the mid-body may include one or more hollow chambers  72  for the accommodation of additional weights within the mid-body. The use of weights in fishing lures is well known to allow the fishing lure to sink downwardly into the water. The tail section may also include an opening  29  located within an interior portion  27  for the attachment of a hook to the fishing lure. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the fishing lure  20  of FIG.  1 . The front section  22  may include a loop  30  affixed to an outer surface of the aft portion of the front section. A fishing line may be affixed to the loop. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the fishing lure  20  of FIG.  1 . The indentation  28  is superimposed in FIG.  3 . The indentation allows water, when the fishing lure is positioned within the water, to enter into an interior portion  32  of the fishing lure. At a bottom portion of the indentation is a surface layer  36 . The surface layer is preferably a thin plastic or other water impervious material separating the interior circuitry of the fishing lure from the water. In this manner, when the fishing lure&#39;s circuitry creates sounds, the sounds are more efficiently transmitted from the fishing lure. Existing sonic fishing lures emanate sounds from the interior of the fishing lure through a hard plastic shell separated by a clearance between the fishing lure sound originator and the outer surface of the fishing lure, which results in the inefficient transmission of sounds. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the fishing lure of FIG.  1 . The bottom portion of the fishing lure does not include any indentation, thus providing a solid continuous surface. The tail section may also include an opening  34  for allowing entry of water into the interior portion  27  of the tail section  26 . In addition, in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the indentation  28  may be located anywhere on the surface of the fishing lure. 
     FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of a circuitry  40  located in the interior chamber  32  of fishing lure  20  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The circuitry includes an integrated circuit  60  having a timer  42 , resistors  44  and  46 , a capacitor  48 , a transistor  50 , a relay/transducer  52 , and a power supply  56 . 
     The timer  42  is a 555 timer which is configured as an astable multivibrator. Although a 555 timer is preferably used, any timer may be used, such as an astable timer. In operation, when power is first applied by power supply  56 , which is preferably a direct current (DC) battery, the capacitor  48  is uncharged, which results in both a trigger input  70  and threshold input  72  having nearly zero volts. A lower comparator (not shown) located within the timer  42  sets the control flip-flop (not shown) of the timer causing the output of the timer to switch high, which in turn also turns off the transistor  50 . The capacitor is then allowed to begin charging through resistors  44  and  46 . As soon as the charge on the capacitor reaches ⅔ of the supply voltage, the upper comparator of the timer (not shown) triggers, causing the flip-flop to reset, thus causing the output to switch low and the transistor to conduct. With transistor  50  conducting, resistor  46  is then connected across the capacitor. The resistor  46  is effectively connected to ground through the transistor  50 , which results in the capacitor discharging through resistor  46 . 
     When the voltage across the capacitor reaches ⅓ of the supply voltage, the lower comparator is triggered, causing the control flip-flop to set and the output to go high. The transistor  50  then cuts off and the capacitor begins to charge. The cycle continues to repeat with the capacitor alternately charging and discharging, as the comparator induces the flip-flop to be repeatedly set and reset. The resulting output is a continuous stream of rectangular pulses. 
     The frequency of operation of the astable circuit is dependent upon the values of the resistors  44  and  46  and the capacitor  48 . The time intervals for the on and off positions of the output depend on the values of resistors  44  and  46 . Additionally, the duty cycle may be varied by changing the values of the resistors. 
     The timer  42  is used to generate digital pulses and drive the base of the transistor. By changing the resistors, the digital pulses created by the timer may be changed, which may result in different sounds. 
     The transistor  50  is used as a switch as well as an amplification device for amplifying the current that flows across a relay coil (not shown) of the relay  52 . The timer output  80  is connected to the base of the transistor  50 . The output square wave of the timer is used to drive a base  81  of the transistor. Each time the timer pulse is on the positive side, the relay&#39;s coil pulls in the contact and holds the contact until the pulse goes on the negative side. The coil then releases the contact, causing the contact to switch, resulting in the contact striking the metal plate that it rests on, thereby creating a sound. Thus, the transistor performs the function of a switch. In addition, each time the transistor connects the circuit and performs a complete loop causing current to flow, the transistor magnifies the current according to the voltage being applied from the battery. 
     The timer  42  drives the base of the transistor and induces the transistor  50  to switch on and off. When the transistor switches on, the transistor performs like a conventional switch. Each time the transistor receives a positive pulse, the transistor closes. In the alternative, when the transistor receives a negative pulse, the transistor opens. When the transistor&#39;s base receives a positive pulse, the current flows through the coil. In addition, the transistor amplifies the current according to the power supply&#39;s (battery) voltage that is being applied to complete the circuit. The timer only operates the switching portion of the transistor. A collector pin  83  of the transistor  50  is connected directly to the power supply  56 . When the timer drives the base of the transistor, the transistor performs as a switch by creating a complete loop to apply the current through the coil. In turn, the transistor pulses into the contacts of the relay  52 . When the transistor receives a negative pulse from the timer, the transistor performs as a switch and opens, thereby breaking the complete loop. Thus, the coil is de-energized and the current ceases to flow. 
     In summary, the circuitry  40  works as follows. The timer  42  generates rectangular pulses which are used to drive the base of the transistor  50 . The transistor functions as a switch by closing up when a positive pulse is detected and opening when a negative pulse is detected. However, even though the timer is driving the base of the transistor, the collector pin of the transistor is connected to the power supply  56 . Each time the timer sends a positive pulse to the base of the transistor, the transistor closes and current is allowed to flow through the coil of the relay. When the current begins to flow through the transistor, the transistor then begins to perform its secondary function of amplifying the current that it receives from the power supply. The amplified current flows through the coil. When the current starts to flow through the coil, the coil performs as an electromagnet while the pulse is on the positive side. 
     As is well known to those skilled in electrical circuits, the greater the current is allowed to flow through the coil, the stronger the magnetic field (flux density) becomes. The greater strength of the flux density of the coil enables the relay coil to pull the contact toward the magnetic field and into the strike plate (not shown). The strike plate is preferably a metal plate that the contact strike when pulled into the contact&#39;s final destination. This striking of the contacts on the metal plate creates a sound. 
     FIG. 6 is relay diagram of the relay  52  illustrating how the relay functions during the casting of the fishing lure  20  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each zone  89  represents a different frequency for different sounds for a given fisherman&#39;s cast. Typically, the relay is energized and the magnetic field is produced by the relay coil  91  and in turn a relay contact  93  is drawn toward a strike plate  95  nearest the energized coil. If a normal current is utilized, when the relay is de-energized, the magnetic field&#39;s magnetic flux would normally decrease to zero, which would allow the contact to return to its original position (opposite strike plate) until the coil is re-energized again. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the timer  42  turns on the transistor  50 , the transistor receives current from the power source  56  and magnifies the current beyond the nominal current of the relay. The amplified current is then applied to the coil. When the coil is de-energized, the magnetic field continues to hold the contact near the energized coil, which enables the contact to move partially, rather than returning to its original position. 
     Specifically, when the timer  42  sends the transistor  50  a negative pulse, the transistor opens and current ceases to flow. However, even though the current is no longer flowing, the relay coil&#39;s magnetic field (flux density) is still great. This residual magnetic field occurs because the transistor amplifies the current at a higher level than the relay&#39;s nominal coil current. When the current is amplified, the relay coil&#39;s magnetic field gets stronger than normal through this current amplification. Thus, the coil does not allow the contact to be released during the time period that is typically allocated for the contact to be released (e.g., during the off pulse or negative pulse time). 
     As discussed above, the resistors  44  and  46  and capacitor  48  can be varied, which may result in creating different sounds. Additionally, the complete time that it takes the pulse to go from the positive side to the negative side is called the duty cycle. 
     The amplification of the current enables the magnetic field of the relay&#39;s coil to become stronger and stronger, which causes the coil to continue to hold the contact, even with the current turned off. This is caused by the fact that an adequate amount of time is not given for the magnetic flux of the coil to die out. This situation is called dropout. Dropout is defined as when the coil of the relay is de-energized and the magnetic flux does not die out immediately, causing the coil to hold the contact during this “off” time period. 
     Each time the timer  42  initiates a complete duty cycle, the transistor amplifies the current through the coil, causing the magnetic field of the coil to hold the contact, even though the negative pulse opens the transistor  50  and current ceases to flow. During the process of the coil being energized with the amplified current and de-energized for the shorter period of time, the power supply  56  (battery) starts to drain the amplified current that is being applied to the relay coil, resulting in a decreased magnetic field of the coil. When the negative pulse is generated by the timer, the current ceases to flow and the magnetic field is decreased, as compared to the beginning of the cycle. This weakened magnetic field results in the contact being released for a period of time, resulting in the contact to level the strike plate (where it was forced to stay when the magnetic field was at its peak). However, at this point, the magnetic field is still strong enough not to allow the contact to totally switch to the opposite strike plate, thus allowing the magnetic field to draw the contact back to the strike plate to produce a sound. 
     The process of the power supply weakening continues, which results in the contact going an incrementally smaller distance further toward the opposite strike plate during the off time than the prior period of time. However, at this point, the magnetic field is still strong enough to pull the contact back with a great, although weaker force, thus creating a different sound which may be a different pitch and or decibel level. These varying sounds attract fish toward the fishing lure  20 . 
     During the time the power supply  56  is draining, the amplified current also incrementally decreases. Thus, the magnetic field is also incrementally weakened, causing the contact to move further toward the opposite strike place, which results in a different sound. This entire process is continued until the fishing lure is retrieved from the water and the power supply is allowed to recharge itself. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the incremental decrease in current and the resultant creation of different sounds in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is merely exemplary and it should be understood that different voltages, resistance, and currents may be used and still function in the same manner. Referencing FIGS. 6 and 7, the zones represent how far the magnetic field allows the contact  93  to be released while the coil is de-energized with respect to the power supply  56 &#39;s voltage. When the power supply voltage decreases, the current also decreases, which causes the magnetic field&#39;s flux to weaken. This variance in the positioning of the contact may produce a different frequency each time the power supply weakens. When the power supply weakens, the contact of the relay is allowed to travel further toward its original position, which increases the travel time (t1 and t2) and changes the frequency to produce a different pitch. 
     Referencing FIG. 7, column A represents the voltage of the power source  56  (battery). Column B represents the voltage received to turn the transistor  50  on each time the timer  42  sends a positive pulse to the base of the transistor. Column C represents the relay&#39;s coil resistance. Column D represents the amplified current. Column E represents the positive side (t1) of the square wave in seconds that is received by the base of the transistor each time the timer initiates a complete cycle. Column F represents the negative side (t2) of the square wave in seconds that is received by the base of the transistor each time the timer initiates a complete cycle. Column G represents the complete duty cycle (both the positive and negative side of the square) which is given when both the positive and negative portion of the square wave is completed. Column H represents the frequency of the timer. Column I represents the duration in time that the contact spends in each zone. Column J represents the frequency of the relay in each given zone. The different frequencies are calculated by adding the time it takes the contact to go from any given zone back to the strike plate that is closest to the relay coil. After both t1 and t2 are confirmed, the times are added together to compute the total time it takes the contact to make a complete trip from any given zone back to the strike plate nearest the coil. After this has been determined, the reciprocal of the sum is calculated to determine the frequency of each zone. Each time the power source weakens, the magnetic flux weakens which allows the contact to travel to a different zone. Column K denotes each different zone. Column L denotes each different pitch. 
     After the cast is completed, the fishing lure  20  is retrieved from the water. A plurality of electrodes  85  located on a board  87  holding the circuitry  40  within the interior of the fishing lure&#39;s body, are used to complete the circuit when the fishing lure is cast into the water. However, when the fishing lure is removed from the water, the electrodes disconnect the circuitry  40  from the power supply  56 , thus allowing the power supply (battery) to start a recharging process. In a conventional battery, in approximately three to four seconds, the battery is back to its original voltage (e.g., 12 volts). At this time, the fishing lure may be cast back into the water. Thus, each time the fisherman casts the fishing lure into the water for a period of time, the fishing lure emits varying sounds. 
     The circuitry  40  may also be utilized to power other signaling devices, such as visual light emitters and propeller-type devices. FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the separated components of a visual signaling device  100  in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The signaling device includes a stationary inner cylinder  102  surrounding a glow stick  108 . Additionally, an outer cylinder  104 , slightly larger than cylinder  102  is positioned over the cylinder  102 . The inner cylinder has shutters  110  which are similar to shutters located on window. The outer cylinder  104  also has shutters  112  which are preferably offset from the shutters  110 . The outer cylinder has a magnet  114  positioned at a bottom end of the cylinder. The shutters  112  are also moveable and preferably slide laterally with respect with the stationary cylinder  102 . The shutters  110  and  112  are offset from each other so that when shutters  112  are at complete rest (fully down), the shutters  110  are hidden by shutters  112 . When shutters  112  are fully up, the shutters  110  are visible outwardly. With the shutters  110  visible, the glow stick illuminates through cutouts formed by the shutters  110 . FIG. 9A illustrates the inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder in the closed position. As illustrated, the glow stick is not seen. FIG. 9B illustrates the inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder in the open position revealing the glow stick. 
     With respect to the operation of the visual signaling device, when the coil of the relay  52  is energized, the created magnetic field causes the magnet  114  to push away from an external coil&#39;s (not shown) magnetic field, thus pushing the shutters  112  upwardly and exposing the cutouts of the shutters  110  and the underlying glow stick  108 . 
     When the relay  52  opens and closes depending on the nominal voltage of the relay, the shutters  112  also open and close, thus causing a blinking effect, which may attract fish to the fishing lure  20 . 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating the fishing lure  20  with a propeller  120  in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this alternate embodiment of the present invention, the fishing lure may be equipped with the propeller  120  having a capability of rotating within an inner portion of the fishing lure  20 . As illustrated in FIG. 10, the fishing lure includes an interior portion  122  where the propeller is position. An opening  124  allows water to enter into the interior portion. The propeller is preferably a two-bladed propeller positioned within the cylinder. At each end of the propeller is a permanent magnet  126 . One of the magnet  126  has the same pole setting as the magnetic field created by the relay  52 &#39;s coil while the other magnet  126  on the opposite end of the propeller has a different pole setting as the magnetic field of the coil. Thus, one blade of the propeller includes the magnet with a different pole setting than an electromagnet of an additional external coil  188 , while the other blade includes a magnet with the same pole as the electromagnet. As the propeller rotates, it propels the fishing lure through the water. 
     Still referring to FIG. 10, the operation of the fishing lure  20  having the propeller  120  will now be explained. When the coil of the relay  52  is energized, a magnetic field is produced. One of the magnet  126  has the same pole setting as the coil, which allows the magnet  126  to be pushed away from the coil (180 degrees). After pushing the propeller 180 degrees, the timer  42  produces a negative pulse which turns off the relay and de-energizes the external coil. When the external coil is de-energized, the magnetic field falls out. The propeller continues to rotated by the momentum of the rotating propeller. When the timer reproduces another positive pulse, the propeller is pushed an additional 180 degrees. Thus, during the on and off cycle of the fishing lure, the fishing lure provides a movement of the fishing lure by the rotation of the propeller, which may result in the attraction of fish. 
     Although the fishing lure utilizes the circuitry  40  discussed above, any circuitry allowing the variance of sound or visual signals may be used. By varying the sound and visual signals from the fishing lure, fish are more likely to be attracted to the fishing lure. Additionally, although the circuitry is preferably located within an interior chamber of the fishing lure, the circuitry may be located anywhere where the circuitry can efficiently transmit sounds and visual signals to other fish. Additionally, although the fishing lure may utilize a shutter system to create blinking lights, any method may be used which provides an irregular light pattern. 
     The fishing lure  20  provides many advantages over existing fishing lures. Although there are fishing lures which emit sounds, there are no devices which emit irregular sounds, which provides a more realistic simulation of an aquatic creature in distress. Additionally, the fishing lure may be used to create visual signals, as well as movement of the fishing lure, to attract the fish. The fishing lure also provides an effective method of emanating the sound through the water by allowing the circuitry  40  to be located adjacent the water, rather than separated by an outer shell of the fishing lure. 
     It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.