Abstract:
An adjustable fishing rig comprises a unitary, streamlined, hollow, double barreled sinker through which a fishing line is threaded. The sinker can be moved to any location along a fishing line without untying the line or tying new knots.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fishing rigs that include a sinker, and more particularly to rigs in which the sinker is adjustable along the fishing line. 
     Many fishing rigs, such as the Carolina rig, require several knots tied in the fishing line to position a sinker a desired distance ahead of a lure or fish hook, and each knot weakens the line. When the distance between the lure or hook and the sinker is changed, the line must be cut and new knots must be tied, and this wastes valuable time at the fishing site. 
     OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved fishing rigs and sinkers. 
     Another object is to provide an adjustable fishing rig with a sinker that can be moved along a fishing line without requiring the untying of knots and the tying of new knots. 
     An additional object is to minimize the number of knots that must be tied in a Caroling fishing rig. 
     Another object is to provide a fishing sinker and rig that is less likely to snag on or to collect weeds or debris in the water being fished. 
     A further object is to provide a fishing sinker that prevents fishing lines from twisting. 
     Another object is to protect fishing lines from nicking and abrasion. 
     A further object is to provide streamlined fishing sinkers that can be cast, trolled or still fished, that are rugged, economical, attractive, easy use, and which do not possess defects found in similar prior art sinkers. 
     Other objects and advantages of the sinkers and rigs incorporating this invention will be found in the specification and claims and the scope of the invention will be set forth in the claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fishing rig in accord with this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is cross sectional side view of the sinker in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a of side view of another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The drawing shows a fishing rig 1 that includes a fishing line 2 which has been tied by a knot 3 to fishing tackle connector means, such as the eyelet 4, of a fish hook, lure or other fish attracting or catching device. A sinker 5, in accord with this invention is adjustably attached to the line 2 between the eyelet 4 and the fishing rod or reel. 
     The sinker 5 is an elongated, streamlined, integral one piece body of material that is dense enough to sink in water. Sinker 5 has a front terminal end 7, a back terminal end 8, and a longitudinal central axis 10. The sinker body has an enlarged conical forward portion 11 and an essentially identical enlarged conical rearward portion 12 that are connected by a cylindrical center portion 13 of reduced diameter. The forward portion 11 has a pair of mating conical sections 14 and 15 that are joined at a common circular base 16 which is located closer to the center portion 13 than to the front terminal end 7. This makes the one conical section 15 that is closest to the center section 13 shorter than its mating conical section 14. The apex 17 of the longer conical section 14 coincides with the front terminal end 7. The rearward portion 12 has a pair of mating conical sections 19 and 20 that are joined at a common circular base 21 which is located closer to the center portion 13 than to the back terminal end 8. This makes the one conical section 19 that is closest to the center section 13 shorter than its mating conical section 20. The apex 22 of the longer conical section 20 coincides with the back terminal end 8. 
     The forward portion 11 has a forward bore 23 that extends there through for receiving the fishing line 2. One end 25 of the bore 23 begins at the front terminal end 7 and the opposite end 26 of the bore 23 exits from forward portion through the short conical section 15 of the forward portion 14. The rearward portion 12 has a rearward bore 27 that extends there through for receiving the fishing line 2. One end 29 of the bore 27 begins at the one shorter conical section 19 of the rearward portion, and the opposite end 30 of the bore 27 exits from rearward portion through the back terminal end 8. The end 26 of the bore 23 and the end 29 of the bore 27 are offset from each other on opposite sides of the central axis 10. 
     The fishing line 2 has been threaded in through the end 25 of the bore 23 and out through the bore end 26, and then around the center portion 13 and in through the end 29 of the bore 27 and out through the bore end 30 to the tackle connector 4. 
     The segment 31 of the line 2 that extends between the bore ends 26 and 29 contacts the reduced diameter center portion 13. The segment 31 can be wound around the center portion 13 several times (e.g. three times), and this will hold the sinker 5 at a predetermined distance ahead of the tackle to which the knot 3 is tied. When it is necessary to change or adjust the location of the sinker 5, the wraps or winds of the segment 31 encircling the center portion 12 can be loosened, and the sinker can be moved along the line 2 to another location without tying or untying any knots. When the segment 31 passes directly from the bore end 26 into the bore end 29 without being wrapped around the center portion 13, the sinker will function as a slip sinker that permits a fish taking a bait or lure to pull out line 2 without significant resistance from the line passing through the bores and over the center portion 13. Although the locations of the sinker 5 on the line 2 are essentially unlimited, only one knot is required. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a resilient O-ring 32 encircles the reduced center portion 13 in gripping contact therewith. The line segment 31 is not wrapped around the center portion 13, but instead, is threaded under the O-ring between the bore ends 26 and 29. The frictional contact of the O-ring pressing the segment 31 against the center portion 13 will hold the sinker in any predetermined location on the line 2. To adjust or change the location of the sinker 5, it is merely necessary to pull the line through the O-ring 32. Also, when the sinker 5 has been rigged as a slip sinker, but it is later realized that the sinker must be held immovable on the line 2, the sinker and line can be threaded into an O-ring 32 as shown in FIG. 4. This will convert the slip sinker rig into a fixed sinker rig without requiring the tying or untying of any additional knots. 
     The body of sinker 5 may be molded from any non soluble material that is dense enough to sink in water. When the material is a relatively pliable or bendable metal such as lead or a soft copper alloy, the reduced center portion 13 can be bent by moving the forward and rearward portions 11 and 12 toward each other, as shown in FIG. 5. This causes the sinker 5 to have a keel shape 33. This will cause the bent center portion 12 to always remain lower than the terminal ends 7 and 8, which will prevent the rig 1 from spinning when the rig is moved through water. The keel shape 33 thus prevents the line 2 from becoming twisted when the rig 1 is used for trolling. 
     The streamlined double conical shape of the forward and rearward portion 11 and 12 enables the sinker 5 to snake through aquatic plants and around and over rocks, roots and other obstructions in the water without picking up debris or becoming snagged. The sinker 5 produces minimal turbulence when the rig 1 is trolled, and sinker 5 can also be pulled along or retrieved in contact with the bottom of a body of water with minimal disturbance, resistance and turbulence. Also, the streamlined sinker 6 can be cast like a bullet with exceptional accuracy and for greater distances. Except for the segment 31, all parts of the line 2 that are in contact with the body of sinker 2 are completely enclosed and surrounded in the bores 23 and 27 by the material from which the sinker is made. This protects the line 2 from abrasion and nicking at the locations of the line&#39;s greatest vulnerability. The sinker can also be broken or cut in half at the reduced center portion 13 to produce two slip sinkers each having half the weight of the original sinker. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is not intended to illustrate or describe all of the equivalent forms or ramifications thereof. Also, the words used are words of description rather than limitation, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.