Abstract:
In one embodiment, a fishing line bobber includes a bobber body having a length and an exterior surface. The bobber body includes an aperture that extends through the length of the bobber body and a slot extending along the length of the bobber body and connected to the aperture through sidewalls that extend from the exterior surface of the bobber body inward to the aperture. The fishing line bobber includes a closing mechanism movable with respect to the bobber body between an open position that permits insertion of a fishing line into the aperture and a closed position that retains the fishing line within the aperture. The closing mechanism is configured to enable the fishing line bobber to function as an attachment bobber that maintains a fixed position on the fishing line and as a slip bobber that is moveable along the fishing line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/009,061, filed Jan. 19, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fishing bobbers are commonly connected to a fishing line when fishing. Bobbers can serve several functions. One possible function includes controlling the depth of the hook and bait. Another possible function includes providing a signaling mechanism for indicating when a fish is biting at the bait or when a fish has been hooked. 
     Two types of fishing bobbers include attachment bobbers and slip bobbers. Attachment bobbers are maintained at a fixed position on the fishing line. For instance, some attachment bobbers having a clipping mechanism that securely fastens the bobber to a particular location on the line. Slip bobbers on the other hand are not attached to one particular location along the line and are able to move at least some distance along the line. For instance, a slip bobber may be placed between a hook and a knot in a fishing line, and the slip bobber is able to move between the hook and the knot. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure relates to fishing bobbers. In one exemplary embodiment, a fishing line bobber includes a bobber body having a length and an exterior surface. The bobber body includes an aperture that extends through the length of the bobber body and a slot extending along the length of the bobber body and connected to the aperture through sidewalls that extend from the exterior surface of the bobber body inward to the aperture. The fishing line bobber includes a closing mechanism movable with respect to the bobber body between an open position that permits insertion of a fishing line into the aperture and a closed position that retains the fishing line within the aperture. The closing mechanism is configured to enable the fishing line bobber to function as an attachment bobber that maintains a fixed position on the fishing line and as a slip bobber that is moveable along the fishing line. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a fishing line bobber includes an elongated portion having an outer surface, a substantially cylindrical aperture, a tab channel formed in the outer surface, and a slot that enables a fishing line to be positioned within the aperture. The fishing line bobber includes a closing mechanism rotatably positioned within the substantially cylindrical aperture of the elongated portion. The closing mechanism includes a tab positioned in the tab channel and configured to rotate the closing mechanism between an open position in which the fishing line is insertable into the aperture and a closed position in which the fishing line is retained within the aperture. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a fishing line bobber includes a buoyant body portion having an aperture formed through a length thereof for receiving a fishing line. The buoyant body portion includes a first body portion having a first slot, a second body portion having a second slot, and a central body portion having a third slot and positioned between the first and second body portions. The central body portion includes a cross-sectional member extending transverse to the aperture. The first, second, and third slots are aligned to form a slot running along the length of the buoyant body portion that enables the fishing line to be positioned within the aperture. A closing mechanism is movable between an open position that permits the fishing line to be positioned within the aperture and a closed position that retains the fishing line within the aperture. 
     These and various other features and advantages that characterize the claimed embodiments will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reviewing the associated drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fishing bobber with its closing mechanisms in the open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fishing bobber with its closing mechanisms in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a close-up view of a bobber closing mechanism. 
         FIG. 3B  is a close-up view of a fishing line being placed within an “attachment slot” of a bobber. 
         FIG. 3C  is a close-up view of a fishing line being enclosed within an “attachment slot” of a bobber. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a fishing bobber. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a fishing bobber. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a fishing bobber. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include fishing bobbers. One particular example of a fishing bobber  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . It should be noted however that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific example shown in the figures. Embodiments of the present disclosure illustratively include fishing bobbers having any one or more features or combination of features described in this specification and/or shown in the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of bobber  100  having a fishing line  190  running through the bobber. In an embodiment, bobber  100  includes a main body portion  102 , a first shaft portion  104 , and, a second shaft portion  106 . Main body portion  102  includes a slot  108  that extends from an outer surface of the main body portion towards the center of the main body portion. First shaft portion  104  includes a slot  110  that extends from the outer surface of the first shaft portion towards the center of the first shaft portion, and second shaft portion  106  includes a slot  112  that extends from the outer surface of the second shaft portion towards the center of the second shaft portion. The main body slot  108 , the first shaft slot  110 , and the second shaft slot  112  are illustratively aligned such that they form a channel that runs along the entire length of bobber  100 . The width of the channel is greater than the width of fishing line  190  such that fishing line  190  is able to be fit within and run through bobber  100 . 
     Bobber  100  also illustratively includes one or more closing mechanisms for connecting bobber  100  to fishing line  190 . In the particular example shown in  FIG. 1 , bobber  100  includes a first closing mechanism  120  and a second closing mechanism  130 . Embodiments are not however limited to any particular number of closing mechanisms and may include more or less than the illustrated two (e.g. 0, 1, 3, 4, etc. closing mechanisms). First closing mechanism  120  includes a slot  121  and a tab  122 . First closing mechanism  120  is able to rotate within first shaft portion  104  in the directions shown by arrow  123 . Second closing mechanism  130  includes a slot  131  and a tab  132 . Second closing mechanism  130  is able to rotate within second shaft portion  106  in the directions shown by arrow  133 . 
     In one embodiment, a user rotates first closing mechanism  120  using tab  122  such that the slot  121  of the first closing mechanism is aligned with the slot  110  of the first shaft portion to form an opening. The user is then able to position fishing line  190  within slot  121  of the first closing mechanism  120 . The user similarly rotates second closing mechanism  130  using tab  132  such that the slot  131  is aligned with the slot  112  of the second shaft portion to form another opening. The user is then able to position fishing line  190  within slot  131  of the second closing mechanism  130 . 
     After fishing line  190  is positioned within the slots of the closing mechanisms and within the main body slot  108 , the first closing mechanism  120  and the second closing mechanism  130  are rotated to a closed position to connect bobber  100  to fishing line  190 .  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of fishing bobber  100  with closing mechanisms  120  and  130  rotated to their closed positions. In  FIG. 2 , both the first closing mechanism tab  122  and the second closing mechanism tab  132  have been rotated such that the slots of the closing mechanisms  121  and  131  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) are no longer aligned with the shaft slots  110  and  112  to form openings. As can perhaps be best seen in the bottom right hand corner of  FIG. 2 , when closing mechanism  130  is rotated into the closed position, fishing line  190  is enclosed within an inner wall  107  of the second shaft portion  106  and the wall of the second closing mechanism slot  131 . When first closing mechanism  120  is rotated into the closed position, fishing line  190  is similarly enclosed with an inner wall of the first shaft portion  104  and the wall of the first closing mechanism slot  121 . Accordingly, bobber  100  is able to be connected to and released from fishing line  190  by rotating first and second closing mechanisms  120  and  130  into their open and closed positions. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, fishing line  190  is positioned within the closing mechanisms  120  and  130  such that the fishing line  190  is able to move throughout the length of bobber  100 . The surfaces of bobber  100  that may come into contact with fishing line  190  are optionally smooth such that there is a minimal amount of friction between the line  190  and the bobber  100 . In such a case, bobber  100  illustratively can be used as a slip bobber. Additionally, as is described in greater detail below, certain embodiments of bobber  100  may also include features that enable the bobber to be used as an attachment bobber as well as a slip bobber. 
       FIG. 3A  is a close-up view of one illustrative end of a bobber. In the example shown in the figure, closing mechanism  130  includes two different slots that run along the entire length of the closing mechanism. The first slot  131  has a first edge  134 , a second edge  135 , and a circular wall  136 . Circular wall  136  has a diameter  137 . In an embodiment, diameter  137  is larger than a diameter of a fishing line to be used with the bobber. Accordingly, when a fishing line is positioned within first slot  131 , the bobber is able to freely move along the length of the fishing line and function as a slip bobber. The fishing line is prevented from escaping first slot  131  by an inner wall  107  of the shaft portion 
       FIG. 3A  also shows that closing mechanism  130  has a second slot  301 . In one embodiment, slot  301  is formed as a shallow groove that runs along the length of the closing mechanism  130 . In the example shown in the figure, second slot  301  is formed as one continuous curved surface. Embodiments of second slot  301  are not however limited to any particular configuration and may have a different shape or design. 
       FIGS. 3B and 3C  show how a fishing line  190  may be connected to fishing bobber  100  utilizing second slot  301 . In  FIG. 3B , the closing mechanism has been rotated using tab  132  such that the closing mechanism second slot  301  is aligned with the shaft slot  112 . This allows for fishing line  190  to be placed within slot  301 . In  FIG. 3C , the closing mechanism has been rotated using tab  132  such that the closing mechanism second slot  301  is aligned with an inner wall  107  of the shaft portion and not aligned with shaft slot  112 . Accordingly, the second slot  310  and the shaft inner wall  107  form an enclosed space that captures fishing line  190 . 
     In an embodiment, second slot  301  has a depth such that the distance  302  between the second slot  301  and the shaft inner wall  107  is less than the diameter/width of fishing line  190 . In such an embodiment, fishing line  190  is prevented from moving along the length of second slot  301 . Second slot  301  can therefore be used to maintain bobber  100  at a fixed position on fishing line  190 . In other words, second slot  301  enables bobber  100  to be used as an attachment bobber. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 3A-3C , a closing mechanism  130  may include both a slot  131  that enables a bobber to move along the length of a fishing line (i.e. a “slip slot”), and a slot  301  that enables a bobber to be maintained at a fixed position along the length of a fishing line (i.e. an “attachment slot”). Accordingly, in at least certain embodiments of the present disclosure, one single bobber can function both as a slip bobber and as an attachment bobber depending upon the positioning of the fishing line within the bobber. 
     Additionally, it should be noted that although  FIGS. 3A-3C  only show one closing mechanism having two slots (i.e. slots  131  and  301 ), it should be recognized that each closing mechanism within a bobber (e.g. both closing mechanisms  120  and  130  in  FIG. 1 ) illustratively include two slots. In such an embodiment, a bobber can be used as a slip bobber by enclosing the fishing line within the “slip slots” of each of the closing mechanisms, or the bobber can be used as an attachment bobber by enclosing the fishing line within the “attachment slots” of each of the closing mechanisms. Embodiments of bobbers of the present disclosure are not however limited to any particular design. For instance, bobbers may have only “slip slots,” only “attachment slots,” or any combination of both “slip slots” and “attachment slots.” Also for instance, embodiments of bobbers may have any number of closing mechanisms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.) with any number of slots within each of the closing mechanisms (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.). 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of bobber  100  with each of the parts of bobber  100  separated from each other. In the embodiment shown in the figure, bobber  100  is made using five pieces. Each of the pieces is optionally made using the same material (e.g. a plastic). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular construction and may be made using more or less than the illustrated five pieces, and may be made from any material or combination of materials. 
     Bobber  100  illustratively includes a first closing mechanism  120 , a first combined shaft/main body portion  140 , a center portion  150 , a second combined shaft/main body portion  160 , and a second closing mechanism  130 . In an embodiment, first and second closing mechanisms  120  and  130  are the same, and first and second combined shaft/main body portions  140  and  160  are the same. This may reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of different parts that need to be made. The parts do not however necessarily need to be made to be the same and may be different. 
     First closing mechanism  120  illustratively includes a tab  122 , a generally cylindrical portion  124 , and a slot  121 . First combined shaft/main body portion  140  illustratively includes a first shaft portion  104 , a first main body portion  142 , and a central aperture  144  that runs throughout the length of the portion  140 . The outer diameter of the closing mechanism generally cylindrical portion  124  is smaller than the diameter of the central aperture  144  such that the first closing mechanism  120  is able to be positioned within the central aperture  144 . In particular, first closing mechanism  120  is positioned within shaft portion  104 . 
     First combined shaft/main body portion  140  also illustratively includes a tab channel  146  that runs perpendicular to the slot  110 . Tab channel  146  provides space on either side of slot  110  such that tab  122  can be rotated between the open and closed positions. Side walls  143  and  145  run between the central aperture  144  and the outer perimeter of the bobber. Side walls  143  and  145  are illustratively smooth and enable a fishing line to be positioned within and removed from the bobber. 
     First combined shaft/main body portion  140  optionally includes a ridge  147  that is smaller than a ridge  152  of center portion  150 . First combined shaft/main body portion  140  may be connected to center portion  150  by fitting ridge  147  within ridge  152 . In an embodiment, first combined shaft/main body portion  140  is hollow such that it has an air space  148 . First shaft/main body portion  140  is illustratively connected to center portion  150  such that water cannot or has difficulty entering air space  148 . In such a case, air space  148  provides buoyancy to the bobber enabling the bobber to float. In one embodiment, first shaft/main body portion  140  and center portion  150  may be connected using a water resistant adhesive. However, first shaft/main body portion  140  and center portion  150  do not necessarily need to be connected using an adhesive and can be connected by other means (e.g. thermally sealed together, mechanically snap-fit to each other, etc.). 
     Center portion  150  also illustratively includes a second ridge  154 , a cross-sectional member  156 , and an aperture  158 . In an embodiment, aperture  158  is formed such that it has portions corresponding to the central aperture  144  and sidewalls  143 ,  145  of the first combined shaft/main body portion  140 . Accordingly, aperture  158  allows a fishing line to be positioned within the bobber and optionally run through the bobber (e.g. for the bobber to be used as a slip bobber). Cross-sectional member  156  in at least some embodiments provides mechanical support for the bobber. For example, cross-sectional member  156  may make a bobber more rigid and less compressible. Second ridge  154  is illustratively used to connect second shaft/main body portion  160  to center portion  150 . For instance, second shaft/main body portion  160  optionally includes a ridge  167  that is smaller second ridge  154 . Second shaft/main body portion  160  can then be connected to center portion  150  by fitting ridge  167  within ridge  154 . Second shaft/main body portion  160  may be secured to center portion  150  in the same or similar manner as first shaft/main body portion  150  is secured to center portion  150  (e.g. adhesive or snap-fit). Second shaft/main body portion  160 , as well as first shaft main/body portion  140 , are not however limited to any particular method of attachment to center portion  150 . 
     In another embodiment, bobber  100  does not include a center portion  150 . Instead, first shaft/main body portion  140  is directly connected to second shaft/main body portion  160 . Additionally, in yet another embodiment, bobber  100  does not need to include two separate pieces for first shaft/main body portion  140  and second shaft/main body portion  160 . Instead, the first shaft/main body portion  140  and second shaft/main body portion  160  are formed as one piece. For instance, a bobber  100  may be constructed from only three pieces such as from two closing mechanisms (e.g. closing mechanisms  120  and  130 ) and one single combined shaft/main body portion. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not however limited to any particular construction and may be constructed using any of the methods described above or any other methods. 
     Second shaft/main body portion  160  illustratively includes a second main body portion  162  and a second shaft portion  106 . In an embodiment, such as in the one shown in  FIG. 4 , second shaft/main body portion  160  includes the same or similar components as first shaft/main body portion  140 . For instance,  FIG. 4  shows that second shaft/main body portion  160  also includes a slot  112 , a tab channel  166 , and a central aperture  164 . Second shaft/main body portion  160  also optionally includes the other parts of first shaft/main body portion  140  such as sidewalls running from the central aperture to the outer perimeter of the bobber and an air space for providing buoyancy. 
     In one embodiment, second closing mechanism  130  is the same or similar to first closing mechanism  120  and illustratively fits within second shaft/main body portion  160  the same or similar to as how first closing mechanism  120  fits within first shaft/main body portion  140 . For instance, in an embodiment, a tab  132  of second closing mechanism  130  fits with a tab channel  166  of the second shaft/main body portion  160 , and is used to align a slot  131  of the second closing mechanism  130  with a slot  112  of the second shaft/main body portion  160  to move the second closing mechanism into an open position to receive a fishing line. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the bobber  100 . As can be seen in the figure, a slot  121  of first closing mechanism  120 , a central aperture  144  of first shaft/main body portion  140 , a central aperture  158  of center portion  150 , a central aperture  164  of second shaft/main body portion  160 , and a slot  131  of second closing mechanism  130  illustratively form one continuous open tubular space that enables a fishing line to be positioned within and run through bobber  100 .  FIG. 5  also shows how ridge  147  of first shaft/main body portion  140  fits within ridge  152  of center portion  150  to connect the two pieces together in a water resistant manner, and how ridge  167  of second shaft/main body portion  160  fits within ridge  154  of center portion  150  to connect the two pieces together in a water resistant manner. Furthermore,  FIG. 5  shows that first shaft portion  104  and first main body portion  142  are formed together as one piece, and that second shaft portion  106  and second main body portion  162  are formed together as one piece. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of bobber  100 .  FIG. 6  is useful in showing some of the dimensions of bobber  100 . Bobber  100  includes an overall length  602  and a maximum width  652 . In an embodiment, overall length  602  is between two and five inches, and maximum width  652  is between half an inch and two inches. Bobber  100  also includes a minimum width  654 , a first shaft portion  104  length  604 , a main body portion  102  length  606 , and a second shaft portion  106  length  608 . Minimum width  654  is illustratively between five and thirty percent of the maximum overall width  652 . First and second shaft lengths  604  and  608  are each illustratively between five and forty percent of the overall length  602 , and the main body portion length  606  is illustratively between forty and ninety percent of the overall length  602 . Embodiments of the present disclosure are not however limited to any particular dimensions or ratios, and may include dimensions and ratios outside of those mentioned above. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 6  and in the other figures, both first shaft portion  104  and second shaft portion  106  have a generally cylindrical shape. The widths  654  of the first and second shaft portions  104 ,  106  are more or less approximately uniform throughout the lengths  604 ,  608  of the shaft portions. Additionally, the lengths  604  and  608  of the shaft portions  104 ,  106  are optionally the same or approximately the same as each other. Main body portion  102  illustratively has a football or oval like shape such that it has a minimal width  654  at its two outer ends and the width increases going towards the center of the main body until the width reaches a maximum width of  652  at the center. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not however limited to any particular shapes or designs, and shapes and designs other than those shown in the figures may be included within embodiments. 
     As has been described above, embodiments of the present disclosure include fishing bobbers. In some embodiments, fishing bobbers include closing mechanisms that enable the bobbers to easily be connected to or removed from a fishing line by rotating the closing mechanisms between open and closed positions. Bobbers may also have “attachment slots” and/or “slip slots” that enable a bobber to be used as either a slip bobber or as an attachment bobber. Additionally, certain embodiments may be less expensive to manufacture by only including a limited number of separate components. For instance, a shaft and a main body are illustratively combined into one component as opposed to using separate components for the shaft and the main body. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include any other feature or combination of features described above or shown in the figures. 
     Finally, it is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.