Abstract:
A fish hook setting device is described in which a hook setting device is attached to a fishing line in such a manner that it may be actuated by a fish attempting to remove bait from the hook on a fishing line. The device allows the fishing line to slacken a little before snapping into the fish hook setting operation so that the chances of getting the fish hook “set” in the fish&#39;s mouth are good.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a fish actuated hook setting device. Fish have shown an uncanny ability to remove the bait from a fish hook before a fisherman realizes that a fish is removing the bait from the hook. It is all but impossible for a fisherman to remain diligent during long periods of time waiting for the fish to bite and it will be found that the previously baited hook has been stripped of its bait by one ore more fish before any action from the fisherman is initiated. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a fish hook setting device which is actuated by a fish. Thus an inattentive fisherman may have his hook “set” by the device of this invention. A fish attempting to remove bait from the hook will provide sufficient activation of this device to cause an overcentre toggle link to be actuated so that the fishing line is given a quick jerk thus setting the fish hook in the mouth of the fish attempting to remove the bait from the hook. 
   PERTINENT PRIOR ART 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,222 
   This is a complex fish hook setting device which performs multiple functions. The fish hook setting device utilizes an elastic band to “jerk” the line to “set” the hook of the fishing line in the mouth of the fish. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,346 
   This fish hook setting device is mounted on a fishing pole so that an elastic band moves a captive “car” on a track to set the hook in the mouth of a fish. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,948 
   This patent uses a pin in an elbow of a “loaded” toggle to hold the elbow in the “loaded” position. The collapse of the toggle is accomplished by pin movement to release the elbow. The toggle collapse is driven by a pair of rubber bands. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,250 
   In this invention, an over center toggle is moved by a slight tug on the fishing line. This releases a lever which causes a “tug” on the line, setting the hook in the mouth of the fish which is attempting to take the bait. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the device of this invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the orientation of various components during a tripping operation; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial elevational view showing the adjustment of the sensitivity of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are side elevational views of device  10  showing the position of the various parts in a tripping operation; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are enlargements of the tripping assembly shown during a tripping operation. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows the fish hook setting device  10  which is “set” to provide a “jerk” on the line  12  upon suitable actuation. Line  12  is secured to an elongated pin  14  which is rigidly attached to toggle member  16 . Toggle  16  is pivotably mounted between a pair of pivot arms  18  of which only one is shown in  FIG. 1 . Pivot arms  18  are mounted on pivot pins  20  so as to freely swing together at pins  20  (in an arc). Pins  20  are housed in bearing apertures  54  (see  FIG. 3 ) in base member  22 . Thus pivot arms  18  act as a unitary member upon actuation of device  10 . 
   Toggle  16  is the latching device which “trips” when the fish hook on line  12  is pulled setting device of this invention. Toggle  16  is made to be rotatable about pin  24  (mounted in pivot arms  18 ) and is shown in the latched (or loaded) position in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Toggle  16  is provided with projection  26  which houses a recess  28  shown engaging latch pin  30  (which is solidly attached to base  22 ). 
   The pivot arms  18  are securely held together by pin  32  so that both arms  18  must pivot together about pins  20 . Arms  18  are provided at their upper surfaces with a ramp  34  which is engaged by a slide  36  in the “loaded” position. Slide  36  is made to have a frictional fit with the protrusion  38  of base member  22 . Slide  36  is an adjustable stop which changes the sensitivity of the device  10  as it is moved from one location to another. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that an elastic band  40  is stretched between pins  32  and  42 . Pin  42  is provided within the recess shown as  44  in  FIG. 3  in the body  22  specifically to provide a stationary anchor for elastic band  40 . 
   Upon careful examination of  FIG. 2  it will be noticed that elastic band  40  is stretched so that its center of “pull” is slightly above pin  20 . This causes the pivot arms  18  to be urged in a clockwise manner against sliding stop  36  in the “loaded” position. In this position the toggle  16  is shown with recess  26  of projection  26  firmly engaging latch pin  30 . 
   In the event of a “nibble” on bait which is applied to a hook (not shown) on line  12 , the line will be pulled slightly to the left as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  causing toggle  16  to rotate ever so slightly in a clockwise manner such that pivot arms  18  are forced to rotate in a counter clockwise manner. If the rotation of the toggle  16  is sufficient to cause the “center of pull” of band  40  to drop below the axis of pivots  20  the elastic band  40  will “snap” the pivot arms  18  into a programmed rotation about pins  20  to assume the final position (shown dotted) in  FIG. 4 . 
     FIG. 3  shows toggle  16  in an unobstructed manner. Toggle  16  is a unitary member having a clearance hole  50  provided therein (to permit toggle  16  to rotate about pivot  24 ) and a pair of projecting ears  52  which ultimately engage pin  32  at the position (shown dotted in  FIG. 4 ). Clearance holes  54  are also provided in base  22  to permit pins  20  of arms  18  to freely rotate therein. Arms  18  are provided with “stops” (not shown) to limit the rotation of arms  18  in base  22  to that shown in  FIG. 4  (dotted). 
   Referring to  FIG. 4  specifically it will be seen that device  10  has now been “tripped”. In the intermediate position, the arms  18  now have rotated in a counterclockwise manner away from stop  36 . In this position the “fish” has managed to unlatch toggle  16  from pin  36 , causing toggle  16  to rotate clockwise and drive pivot arms  18  in a counterclockwise direction. 
   Now elastic band is “enabled” because its “center of pull” is well below pivot  20 . Arms  18  are now pulled to the ultimate position as shown dotted in  FIG. 4 . 
   Note that the projecting ears  52  of toggle  16  are shown engaging pin  32  so that line  12  is now pulled to the right to the final location and now has firmly set the hook (not shown) at the end of line  12  in the mouth of the fish that unlatched the toggle from latch pin  30 . Arms  18  are provided with a suitable stop to limit the counterclockwise rotation of arms  18  about pins  20  located in holes  54  in base  22 . 
     FIG. 5  shows how the adjustment of stop  36  may be used to adjust the “sensitivity” of device  10 . In the position shown in  FIG. 5  toggle  16  will require only a very slight tug on line  12  to set off the device  10 . It will be found that device  10  in this state is almost unstable and may experience “nuisance” tripping. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  show the “offcentredness” of the “line of pull” for the untripped device  10  (in  FIG. 6 ) and the “tripped” position of device  10  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Note how the “line of pull” is moving away from pin  20  in  FIG. 7  thus increasing the force on pin  14  to which line  12  is attached. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  are enlargements of the toggle  16  and pin  30  showing the position of various elements during a tripping operation. It will be noted that upon the initial “tug” on line  12 , that the apparatus  10  is designed so that line  12  is allowed to slacken as shown in  FIG. 9  before device  10  pulls the line  12  in the direction as shown in the dotted illustration of  FIG. 4 . This action helps “set” the hook in the fish&#39;s mouth. 
   It will be noted that the device  10  has been illustrated to be fabricated from wood or plastic in the drawings attached hereto; it could be manufactured from sheet metal as well. 
   Sensitivity adjustment device  36  has been chosen to be easy to adjust as it slides along extension  38  of base  22 . A threaded set screw could be used to adjust the rest position of pivot arms  18 . 
   In the drawings, an elastic band is shown as the “stored energy” device. This could be replaced by a tension spring if desired. 
   The basic configuration of device  10  may well be used on a fishing pole. It will be noted that device  10  may be manufactured to be installed directly on the rod of a fishing pole.