Abstract:
A fishing lure including a one-piece length of wire configured to have an uppermost loop for attachment of a fishing line, a first linear segment, a first bend, a second linear segment extending from the first bend and towards the uppermost loop so as to be closely adjacent and parallel to a lower portion of the first linear segment, the second linear segment terminating at a second bend, and a third linear segment extending from the second bend to a terminal loop, the second bend configured to orient the third linear segment in a direction extending generally away from the first linear segment and the second linear segment. A hook is positioned on the first bend and a spinner is operatively associated with terminal loop for rotating relative to the terminal loop.

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of fishing lures. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a fishing lure having an inline and an off-set spinner. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Improvement is desired in the manufacture of fishing lures. 
     The disclosure advantageously provides a new configuration for a fishing lure, with the lure configured to be able to utilize both an in-line and an offset spinner, and being made from a single length of wire. 
     In one embodiment, the fishing lure includes a one-piece length of wire configured to have an uppermost loop for attachment of a fishing line, a first linear segment, a first bend, a second linear segment extending from the first bend and towards the uppermost loop so as to be closely adjacent and parallel to a lower portion of the first linear segment, the second linear segment terminating at a second bend, and a third linear segment extending from the second bend to a terminal loop. The second bend is configured to orient the third linear segment in a direction extending generally away from the first linear segment and the second linear segment. A hook is positioned on the first bend, and spinner is operatively associated with terminal loop for rotating relative to the terminal loop to provide an offset spinner. In other configurations, an additional spinner is located between the uppermost loop and the second bend and configured to rotate about the first linear segment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fishing lure according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the lure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the lure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of the lure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fishing lure according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the lure of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the lure of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear plan view of the lure of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the disclosure relates to a fishing lure  10  having a one-piece elongate wire member  12  and at least one spinner assembly  14  mounted thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the lure also includes an additional spinner assembly  16 , and a plurality of body members  18   a - 18   i  disposed on the wire member  12 . 
     The wire member  12  is a one-piece length of wire configured to have an uppermost loop  20 , a first linear segment  22 , a lower bend  24 , a second linear segment  26  extending from the lower bend  24  and towards the uppermost loop  20  so as to be closely adjacent and parallel to a lower portion of the first linear segment  22 . The second linear segment  26  terminates at a bend  28 , and a third linear segment  30  extends from the bend  28  to a terminal loop  32 . The bend  28  preferably ranges to provide an angle a of from about 80 degrees to about 110 degrees, most preferably about 90 degrees, so that the third linear segment  30  is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to both the first linear segment  22  and the second linear segment  26 . 
     The length of the first linear segment  22  is preferably at least about twice the length of the second linear segment  26 , with a preferred ratio of the length of first linear segment  22  to the length of the second linear segment  26  being from about 2 to about 4. The length of the third linear segment  30  is preferably substantially the same as the length of the second linear segment  26 , such that the ratio of the length of the third linear segment  30  to the length of the second linear segment  26  is preferably in a range of from about 0.75 to about 1.25. For use as a bass lure, the first linear segment  22  preferably has a length of about 2.75 inches, and the second linear segment  26  and the third linear segment  30  is each about 0.75 inches. 
     The uppermost loop  20  of the wire member  12  is configured for attachment of a fishing line, as by tying a knot in the fishing line to secure it to the loop  22 . The lower bend  24  is configured for receiving and locating a fishing hook  34  at the lowermost portion of the lure  10 , with an eye  34   a  of the hook  34  receiving the bend  24 . The fishing hook  34  may be a single, double, treble, or other type of fishing hook. 
     The spinner assembly  14  may be provided as by a variety of conventional spinner blades and associated hardware, and, for the purpose of example, may include a swivel  40  having one end connected to the loop  32  at the end of the third linear segment  30 , a split ring  42  connected to the opposite end of the swivel  40 , and a spinner blade  44  connected to the split ring  42 . When the lure  10  is retrieved, the spinner blade  44  will rotate relative to the loop  32  of the third linear segment  30 . 
     The spinner assembly  16  is configured as an in-line spinner, and is provided as by a clevis  50  rotatably mounted onto the wire member  12  proximate and below the uppermost loop  22  of the wire member  12 , and preferably between the body members  18   a  and  18   b . A spinner blade  52  is mounted onto the clevis  50 . When the lure  10  is retrieved, the spinner blade  52  will rotate about the first linear segment  20  of the wire member  12 . 
     The body members  18   a - 18   i  may be provided as by plastic and/or metal beads and/or sleeves and/or other shaped members, each of the body members having a central aperture therethrough for passage of the wire member  12 . The body members  18   a - 18   h  are located on the first linear segment  22 , and the body member  18   i  is preferably located so as to receive both the first linear segment  22  and the second linear segment  26 . This may be accomplished as by positioning the body member  18   i  after the bend  24  is formed, but before the bend  28  is formed. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of a lure  70 . The lure  70  is substantially identical to the lure  10 , except it is of smaller dimension, and is desirably sized for use to catch trout, panfish, and the like. 
     The lure  70  includes a one-piece elongate wire member  72  and at least one spinner assembly  74  mounted thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the lure also includes an additional spinner assembly  76 , and a plurality of body members  78   a - 78   h  disposed on the wire member  12 . 
     The wire member  72  is a one-piece length of wire configured to have un uppermost loop  80 , a first linear segment  82 , a lower bend  84 , a second linear segment  86  extending from the lower bend  84  and towards the uppermost loop  80  so as to be closely adjacent and parallel to a lower portion of the first linear segment  82 . The second linear segment  86  terminates at a bend  88 , and a third linear segment  90  extends from the bend  88  to a terminal loop  92 . The bend  88  preferably ranges to provide an angle β of from about 80 degrees to about 110 degrees, most preferably about 90 degrees, so that the third linear segment  90  is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to both the first linear segment  82  and the second linear segment  86 . 
     The length of the first linear segment  82  is preferably at least about twice the length of the second linear segment  86 , with a preferred ratio of the length of first linear segment  82  to the length of the second linear segment  86  being from about 2 to about 4.The length of the third linear segment  90  is preferably substantially the same as the length of the second linear segment  96 , such that the ratio of the length of the third linear segment  90  to the length of the second linear segment  96  is preferably in a range of from about 0.75 to about 1.25. For use as a trout lure, the first linear segment  92  preferably has a length of about 2.25 inches, and the second linear segment  96  and the third linear segment  90  is each about 0.75 inches. 
     The uppermost loop  80  of the wire member  72  is configured for attachment of a fishing line, as by tying a knot in the fishing line to secure it to the loop  80 . The lower bend  84  is configured for receiving and locating a fishing hook  94  at the lowermost portion of the lure  70 , with an eye  94   a  of the hook  34  receiving the bend  84 . The fishing hook  94  may be a single, double, treble, or other type of fishing hook. 
     The spinner assembly  74  may be provided as by a variety of conventional spinner blades and associated hardware, and, for the purpose of example, may include a swivel  100  having one end connected to the loop  92  at the end of the third linear segment  90 , a split ring  102  connected to the opposite end of the swivel  100 , and a spinner blade  104  connected to the split ring  102 . When the lure  70  is retrieved, the spinner blade  104  will rotate relative to the loop  92  of the third linear segment  90 . 
     The spinner assembly  76  is configured as an in-line spinner, and is provided as by a clevis  110  rotatably mounted onto the wire member  72  proximate and below the uppermost loop  80  of the wire member  72 , and preferably between the body members  78   a  and  78   b . A spinner blade  112  is mounted onto the clevis  110 . When the lure  70  is retrieved, the spinner blade  112  will rotate about the first linear segment  82  of the wire member  72 . 
     The body members  78   a - 78   h  may be provided as by plastic and/or metal beads and/or sleeves and/or other shaped members, each of the body members having a central aperture therethrough for passage of the wire member  72 . The body members  78   a - 78   g  are located on the first linear segment  82 , and the body member  78   h  is preferably located so as to receive both the first linear segment  82  and the second linear segment  86 . 
     Accordingly, the disclosure advantageously provides a new configuration for a fishing lure, with the lure configured to be able to utilize both an in-line and an offset spinner, and being made from a single length of wire 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.