Abstract:
A spring loaded fishing device couples a fishing line, extending from a fishing rod and reel, to a leader or bait line. The fishing device has a spring mounted in a cylinder. A shaft, coupled to the spring, extends from the cylinder. The spring biases the shaft to a withdrawn position, resisting extension of the shaft. As a fish nibbles on the baited hook the shaft is extended against the spring, increasing a reactive force tending to return the shaft to its original position. Thus, as a fish tugs on a lure or bait, the spring loaded fishing device pulls the lure or bait back away from the fish, causing the fish to make a more aggressive strike at the lure or bait. Several embodiments of springs for accomplishing the desired action are described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/398,111, filed Jul. 25, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present. invention relates to a device used to catch fish. More specifically, the invention is a spring-loaded fishing device that couples a leader or bait line to a fishing line extending from a fishing rod, and allows the bait line to displace independently of the fishing when an external force is applied. The spring-loaded fishing device entices a fish to aggressively strike the bait and take the hook by pulling away from the fish as the fish nibbles on the bait.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    The related art of interest describes various artificial lures that respond to a striking fish by either having hooks that are either exposed initially and retract towards the lure when a fish strikes, or are retracted in the lure initially and extend to become exposed when a fish strikes. However, none disclose a resilient device that is attached inline in a fishing line between the reel and the hook and bait or lure.  
           [0006]    The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,827 issued to Smith discloses a fishing lure that has a flexible outer plug with an air compartment and a stink bait compartment. The fishing line is attached to a flat metal spring at one end and the hook at the other end. The hook is housed within the flexible tube and is exposed when a fish strikes the lure which then deflects the tube to expose the hook.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,796 issued to Barrows discloses a hook system contained within the body of a lure. The hook retracts when a fish bites the lure at one end and the fisherman pulls on the fishing line at the other end. The hook extends out of the lure via a cam-surfaced plug.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,540 issued to Crumrine discloses a jigging system apparatus. The jigging system apparatus allows the weight to be altered without removing the entire lure. The jigging apparatus has a sinker body that houses a hook locking means that is attached to a fishhook.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,094 issued to Guerin discloses an artificial lure that has a spring loaded hook. The hook pivotally swings 180° into an engaged position when a predetermined force is applied.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,668 issued to McDiarmid et al., discloses an artificial lure with a hook biasing means. The hooks are spring-biased to a position retracted within the lure body. When a predetermined force is applied the hooks extend to an exposed position.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,836 issued to Harris discloses a fishing plug with paired snag-less hooks. The hooks are exposed is with the barbed portion up against the lure so as to prevent snagging on weeds or the like. The hooks engage when a fish bites the lure, which causes the hooks to spring open.  
           [0013]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The present invention is a spring loaded fishing device that. joins a fishing line, extending from a fishing rod and reel, to a leader or bait line leading to a baited hook or artificial lure. The spring loaded fishing device is designed to allow the bait line to be tugged by a fish and momentarily displaced independently from the fishing line. When the bait line is displaced the spring loaded fishing device creates a reactive force tending to pull the bait or lure back away from the fish, adding a life like movement to the baited hook or lure.  
           [0015]    Fish often nibble at a bait or lure, taking the bait or lure in their mouth and tugging, and then letting go. As the fish tugs at the bait or lure, the spring loaded fishing device applies an opposite force to pull the bait away from the fish, teasing the fish. This teasing action causes the fish to aggressively strike at the bait or lure, thus ensnaring the fish to the hook.  
           [0016]    Alternatively when fishing by casting and retrieving an artificial lure, a certain amount of drag is created on the artificial lure that in effect applies a tension force on the spring. The spring then applies a reactive force (RF) to overcome the tension force and pulls or jerks the lure toward the spring. This springing action increases the tendency for the artificial to attract fish.  
           [0017]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to apply a reactive force to a baited hook or artificial lure when an outside force is applied to the hook.  
           [0018]    It is another object of the invention to provide life like movement to a baited hook or artificial lure by causing the baited hook or artificial lure to pull away from a fish as the fish plays with or nibbles on the hook.  
           [0019]    It is a further object of the invention to have a quick reactive force so as to hook the fish on the line.  
           [0020]    Still another object of the invention is to provide life like movement to the baited hook as it is being pulled through the water.  
           [0021]    Another object of the invention is to allow an angler to place the spring loaded fishing device anywhere on the fishing line depending on the type of fishing.  
           [0022]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0023]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hook and bait line according to the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the invention at rest.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the invention when a force is applied to the hook.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
       [0029]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    The invention is a spring loaded fishing device designated generally as  10  in the drawings. Turning to FIG. 1, the spring loaded fishing device  10  is shown attached to a fishing line  11  at cap eyelet  50 . A shank  30  is shown extending from the spring loaded fishing device  10  with a shank eyelet  34  coupled to a leader or bait line  13  with a hook  15 . It is noted that fishing line  11  and bait line  13  could be fastened to either cap eyelet  50  or shaft eyelet  34 . For discussion purposes, the spring loaded fishing device  10  will be described with fishing line  11  tied to cap eyelet  50  and bait line  13  tied to shaft eyelet  34 . Also, the length of bait line  13  is dependent upon the type of fishing being performed and the desired characteristics. Fishing line  11  is typically a heavier fishing line than bait line  13 . In this way if the line is snagged or breaks the break will occur along bait line  13  so as to retain device  10 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows the interior of device  10 . A cylinder  14  with a forward end  16  and a rearward end  12  defines a hollow chamber  62 . Cylinder cap  46  is releasably attached to forward end  16  of cylinder  14  to allow access to chamber  62 . A rear cylinder end cap  42  is located at the rearward end  12  of cylinder  14 . End cap  42  may also be releasably attached to rearward end  12 , or formed integrally with cylinder  14 . End cap  42  also has a chamber outlet  54 . Near the forward end  16  of cylinder  14 , where cylinder cap  46  secures to cylinder  14 , is chamber ridge  38 . Chamber ridge  38  and cap inner face  58  both define an area between which a forward portion of a spring is housed.  
         [0032]    Extension spring  32  is housed within chamber  62 . Extension spring  32  has a free length with opposing forward end coil  22  and rearward end coil  26 . Forward end coil  22  has a slightly greater outer diameter than the rest of the extension spring  32  so as to catch on ridge  38  when placed in chamber  62 . Rearward end coil  26  has an extension or elongate shank  30 . Shank  30  extends away from the extension spring  32  and is parallel to the center longitudinal axis A of extension spring  32 . The distal end of shank  30  has shank eyelet  34  for fastening to bait line  13 .  
         [0033]    To assemble the invention, the rearward end coil  26  and shank  30  are first inserted into chamber  62 . As extension spring  32  is dropped into chamber  62  forward end coil  22  is retained or catches on ridge  38 . Shank  30  also passes through chamber outlet  54  so that a portion of shank  30  and shank eyelet  34  protrude out of chamber  62 . Cylinder cap  46  is then secured to cylinder  14  at forward end  13  so as to retain forward end coil  22  of extension spring  32 . Fishing line  11  is then tied to cap eyelet  50  and bait line  13  tied to shank eyelet  34 .  
         [0034]    The extension spring  32  can have a variety of spring designs depending upon the type of fishing being performed. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3, extension spring  32  can be designed to respond to the slightest amount of external force F. When tension, force F, is applied to the extension spring, such as by a fish nibbling or playing with a connected bait, the extension spring  32  is displaced from a free length position to a deflected position. In this deflected position extension spring  32  applies an opposite or reactive force RF until returned to the free length position. In this manner extension spring  32  acts as a teaser by pulling the bait away from the mouth of the fish in response to the fish pulling on the bait.  
         [0035]    With this teasing action the fish is enticed to strike aggressively at the lure or baited hook thus ensnaring the fish. The spring loaded fishing device  10  is designed with a cylinder  14  length so that the extension spring  32  does not pass its elastic limit. As the fish fights to get loose or pulls away from bait line  13 , a greater amount of force F is applied and the extension spring  32  deflects further past the free length. The extension spring  32  reaches a maximum allowable stress when the rearward end coil  26  butts up against end cap  42 . At this point force F is transferred to cylinder  14 , the fishing line  11  and ultimately the angler. End cap  42  thus prevents the extension spring  32  from reaching a permanent set and losing its elasticity.  
         [0036]    End cap  42  does not necessarily have to be placed at the rearward end  12  of cylinder  14 . The placement of end cap  42  or a stopper can be determined by the following equation:  
         Force( F )= k ( D   (standing)   −D   (Deflected) )  
         [0037]    where  
         [0038]    F=Force  
         [0039]    k=spring constant  
         [0040]    D (Standing) =free length of spring  
         [0041]    D (Deflected) =length of spring deflected  
         [0042]    In this manner end cap  42  can be placed anywhere within chamber  62  depending the spring characteristics, the force applied, and the distance displaced.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. A compression spring  82  is used instead of extension spring  32 . Much like extension spring  32 , compression spring  82  applies a reactive force RF when deflected from the free length of compression spring  82 . The only difference, essentially, is that compression spring  82  resists being deflected and thus buckling within chamber  62 .  
         [0044]    Compression spring  82  has a forward end loop  90  and a rearward end loop  86 . In this embodiment rearward end loop  86  has a slightly larger diameter than the rest of compression spring  82  so as to be retained on ledge  78 . A center shaft  94  extends the longitudinal length of compression spring  82  and is disposed within the circular coils that make up compression spring  82 . Center shaft  94  has two opposing ends. One of these ends is shaft end loop  98 , which is rigidly affixed to forward end loop  90  by soldering or any other known method. Center shaft  94  extends through compression spring  82  and past the rearward end loop  86  and terminates at shaft eyelet  102 .  
         [0045]    Access to inner chamber  62  is through the rear end of cylinder  14  via detachable end plug  66 . To assemble this embodiment, the forward end loop  90  is inserted first within chamber  62 . Rearward end loop  86  of compression spring  82  butts up against rear ridge  78  of cylinder  14 . End plug  66  has rear outlet  70  so as to slip shaft eyelet  102  through and also allow end plug  66  to be attached to the rearward end  15  of cylinder  14 . Inner face  74  of end plug  66  and rear ridge  78  provide a space to retain the rearward end loop  86  of compression spring  82 .  
         [0046]    When a fish applies tension force F to bait line  13  the force is transferred along center shaft  94 , to shaft front end  98 , and to forward end loop  90 . Forward end loop  90  is then compressed toward the retained rearward end loop  86  displacing compression spring  82  from a free length position. Compression spring  82  then applies a reactive force RF in the opposing direction of compressive force F. End plug  66  also acts as the stop and compression spring  82  has a maximum allowable compressive force F. In this embodiment there is no danger of compression spring  82  losing its elasticity as the permanent set of compression spring  82  is never reached.  
         [0047]    There are several alternatives to compression spring  82  available. A few examples are a simple limited-travel extension spring, cone spring, and a variable pitch spring.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 5 discloses yet another embodiment of the spring loaded fishing device  10 . In this embodiment a compliant member  106  is used to apply reactive force (RF) when displaced from a stable position. Cylinder cap  46  is removably attached with the forward end of cylinder  14 . Cylinder cap  46  has a securing fastener  118  on inner face  58  to retain a front loop  114  of compliant member  106 . A rear loop  110  of compliant member  106  attaches to shank fastener  122  of shank  130 .  
         [0049]    Shank  130  also has stopper  126  that is housed within chamber  62 . Stopper  126  limits the amount of load on compliant member  106 . When the predetermined load is reached stopper  126  butts up against the rear cylinder end cap  42  so as to transfer the majority of the load to cylinder  14  and fishing line  11 . Shank  130  is of sufficient length so that if shank  130  is in a fully retracted position shank eyelet  134  remains exposed through outlet  128 . Alternatively, a stopping device may be provided on the external portion of shank  130  to prevent eyelet  134  from retracting within outlet  54 .  
         [0050]    One skilled in the art will appreciate that compliant member  106  has the added benefit of being manufactured from any elastic or compliant material. An added benefit occurs when choosing a material that does not rust when exposed to water such as rubber.  
         [0051]    Also cylinder rear end  138  can have the general cone shape of cylinder cap  46 . In this manner either end could be tied to fishing line  11 .  
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the spring can be placed in cylinder  14  in a retained deflected position, so that when a fish applies the slightest force to bait line  13  it triggers or unlatches the deflected spring. The sudden release allows the spring to release all of the stored energy to return back to the free length position. This sudden releasing of the spring quickly pulls or lunges the hook or lure toward the spring loaded fishing device  10  ensnaring the fish.  
         [0053]    The present invention may operate with any compliant mechanism designed to allow a predefined displacement and returning to a stable rest position, so long as the compliant mechanism couples the fishing line and the bait line.  
         [0054]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.