Abstract:
A fish hook remover for humanely removing a hook from a fish is particularly useful for catch-and-release fishing. The fish hook remover has a handle for a user to manipulate, a hook engagement member, and two rods which connect the handle and the hook engagement member. These connections are located such that the hook remover acts similar to a four-bar linkage. When the handle, forming one side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated one direction, the hook engagement member, forming the opposing side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated the same direction, thereby allowing the user to remotely control the motion of the hook engagement member. The hook engagement member has a channel running through it. An opening in the hook engagement member allows the user to insert the fishing line which is then used as a guide to properly place the fish hook remover. The hook engagement member is slid downward until the fish hook slides into a notch located in the bottom of the hook engagement member. At this point the fish hook is locked in place within the fish hook remover and the hook may be removed. There are several way to remove the hook, but the most basic is to twist the handle so that the hook engagement member rotates 180° which removes the fish hook by backing the hook out of the flesh of the fish in the direction it entered, thereby causing the minimum amount of trauma possible.

Description:
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/795,277, filed Feb. 5, 1997, now patent number 5,921,016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/011,218, filed Feb. 6, 1996. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a device for removing hooks from fish. More particularly it relates to a fish hook removing device for causing a minimum of damage to a caught fish while removing a hook. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The concept of fishing goes back before the beginning of recorded history, and man has continued to fish to provide food to eat and, today, as a recreational sport. As time has past, we have developed more and more refined fishing equipment and techniques to attract and catch fish. However, as more and more fisherman are drawn to the sport, we have begun to endanger some species of fish. In order to preserve endanger species and prevent other species from becoming endangered, limits have now been imposed fisherman as to size, type and quantity of fish they may keep. Catch and release fishing, where a fisherman releases fish, has become the single most important conservation tactic for the average fisherman. 
     However, the catch and release tactic may not actually save the fish which have been caught. A fish which has been hooked and released may very well be fatally injured. The hook removing process is particularly dangerous to the fish. During this time the fish is generally out of the water where they cannot breath; and, for a novice, the hook removing process may take long enough to endanger the life of the fish. Even more often, however, the process of removing the hook causes severe trauma to the area where the fish was hooked. Especially, if the hook was in the esophagus or close to vital organs, the wound and associated trauma may eventually kill the fish. An additional danger is created when the fisherman is removing the hook from the fish. The removal process frequently disturbs the mucus which protects the fish from germs. When this protective coating is disturbed or removed, the fish is more likely to sicken and die. 
     A further danger, in this case to the fisherman, is damage to the hand being used to release the hook. Some fish have characteristics which may injure the fisherman. These characteristics include such things as sharp teeth, aggressiveness, sharp gill plates, and dangerous thorns, spikes or fins. These characteristics increase the chances that a fish may wound a fisherman who is trying to release a hook from the fish&#39;s flesh. 
     Therefore, it is clear that there is need in the industry for a device which removes a hook from a fish while causing a minimum of damage and trauma to the fish and helps protects the fisherman from injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In keeping with the foregoing discussion, the objective of the present invention is to provide a hook removing device which quickly, effectively, and with minimal damage to the fish, removes a hook from a fish. Optimally, this should be done without requiring the fisherman to hold and/or manually manipulate the fish, thereby keeping the mucus of the fish generally intact and protecting the fishermanÕs hands from spikes, bites, etc. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device which can remove a hook from virtually any part of a fish, including the lips, mouth, throat, esophagus, tongue, and gill plate. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fish hook removing device which can remove a hook from many types of fish including those who have lockjaws, small mouths, large mouths, sharp teeth, aggressive natures, sharp gill plates, bony mouths, and dangerous thorns, spikes, and fins. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to remove both single and treble hooks from a fish no matter where the hook has been taken by the fish. The present invention may be used with both bait and fly fishing, including the use of flies, streamers, etc. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to allow a fisherman to remove a hook from a fish without lifting the fish out of water. 
     In keeping with these objectives, the present invention takes the form of a fish hook remover having a handle for a user to manipulate and a hook engagement member. Between the handle and hook engagement member are two rods. One side of the handle is attached to the first rod, at a spaced apart location the handle is also attached to the second rod. One side of the hook engagement member is attached to the first rod and the other side of the hook engagement member is attached to the second rod. These connections give the hook remover an action similar to a four-bar linkage. When the handle is rotated one direction, the hook engagement member is rotated the same direction, thereby allowing the user to remotely control the motion of the hook engagement member. 
     The hook engagement member has a slot through which the fishing line is placed. This allows the user to use the fishing line as a guide to properly place the fish hook remover. The hook engagement member is slid downward until the fish hook slides into a notch located in the bottom of the hook engagement member. At this point the fish hook is locked into the fish hook remover and the hook may be removed. There are several ways to remove the hook, but the most basic is to rotate the handle using your middle finger and the palm of your hand so that the hook engagement member rotates 170° which removes the fish hook by backing the hook out of the flesh of the fish in the direction it entered, thereby causing the minimum amount of trauma possible. Other objects and advantages of the invention will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a side view of the fish hook remover. 
     FIG. 1B is a top view of the fish hook remover. 
     FIGS. 2A-2C show the steps involved in removing a hook from a lip-caught fish using the fish hook remover. 
     FIGS. 3A-3E show the steps involved in removing a hook from a throat-caught fish. 
     FIG. 4 shows a more controlled method for removing a hook from a throat caught fish. 
     FIG. 5 shows an impact method of removing a hook from a lip-caught fish. 
     FIG. 6 shows a manual method of removing a hook from a lip-caught fish. 
     FIG. 7 shows a gravity method of removing a hook from a lip-caught fish. 
     FIG. 8 shows a momentum method of removing a hook from a lip-caught fish. 
     FIG. 9 shows a manual fish contact method of removing a hook from a lip-caught fish. 
     FIG. 10 is a heavy duty model of the fish hook remover for use with large fish, sharks, etc. 
     FIGS. 11A-11G show enlarged detail views of the hook engagement member of the fish hook remover. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the rods and connecting pins of the fish hook remover. 
     FIGS. 13A and 13B are side and perspective views of the handle of the fish hook remover. 
     FIGS. 14A-14D are views of a simulated mouth for practice use of the fish hook remover. 
     FIG. 15 shows a non-articulated embodiment of the fish hook remover. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a top view of the fish hook remover  20 . At one end of the fish hook remover  20  is a handle  22 . Preferably, the handle  22  is made with an ergonomic shape. A userÕs finger may be placed within a hole  24  in the handle  22 . This allows the user finer control over the movement of the fish hook remover  20  as well as assuring a firm grip so that the fish hook remover  20  will not be accidentally lost if a fish is struggling and fighting. Adjacent the hole  24  in the handle  22  is an indentation  26  in the perimeter of the handle  22 . A second or other finger of the user may be rested within the indentation  26  which provides finer control over the fish hook remover  20 . 
     Two rods  38 ,  42  are connected to the handle at spaced apart locations  32  along the perimeter of the handle  22 . The opposite ends of these rods  38 ,  42  are connected to adjacent corners  60  of a hook engagement member  50 . The hook engagement member  50  serves a number of purposes. A slot  52  on one side of the hook engagement member  50  allows a user to guide the fishing line into a channel  56  running through the center of the hook engagement member  50  (shown in FIGS.  11 C- 11 F). The fishing line  70  then guides the fishing hook  72  into the channel  56 . A slot or stripper notch  58  (shown in FIGS. 11C,  11 D, and  11 F) holds the hook  72  steady in relation to the hook engagement member  50  while the hook  72  is being removed from the fish  74 . 
     FIGS. 2A-2C show the steps involved in removing a hook  72  from a fish  74 . To operate, a user places the fish hook remover rods  38 ,  42  across the fishing line  70  at an angle, for example tilted to the side about 30 and back about 15, then slides fish hook remover  20  across line  70 . When the line  70  contacts the slot  52  in the hook engagement member  50 , it will pop through the slot  52  and into the channel  56 . As shown in FIG. 2A, the fish hook remover  20  is then brought parallel to the line  70  and slid down to the hook  72 . This motion is done while keeping the line  70  pressed to the sealed side (see FIG. 11B) of the hook engagement member  50  which keeps the line  70  from coming out of the slot  52  accidentally. When the fish hook remover  20  comes in contact with the hook  72 , it is desired that the tip of the hook  72  be pointed in the direction of the stripper notch  58 . This allows the hook  72  to drop into the stripper notch  58  to obtain a positive lock. The starting process for all of the following methods disclosed herein will start from this positive lock position. 
     After the hook  72  has been locked into place, the user rotates the handle  22  which rotates the hook engagement member  50  in the same direction. In FIG. 2B, the handle  22  has been rotated approximately 45. The handle  22  has rotated the hook engagement member  50  approximately 90 which has turned the hook  72  most of the way out of the flesh of the fish  74 . In FIG. 2C, a handle  22  rotation of approximately 90° has rotated the hook  72  almost 170° and the hook  72  has been fully removed from the fish  74 , thereby allowing the fish  74  to swim away untouched by the fisherman&#39;s hands and with minimal damage from the hook  72 . The difference in rotation between the handle  22  and the hook engagement member  50  is created because the distance between the rod attachments on handle  22  is significantly more than the distance between the rod attachments on the hook engagement member  50 , in this case a ratio of about 1 to 1.5. The difference between these distances amplifies the rotation of the hook engagement member  50 . If preferred, the distances between the attachments could be made equal so that the rotation would be one-to-one, or the difference could be reversed in cases where a full rotation of the hook is not required. 
     FIGS. 3A-3E show the steps involved in removing a hook  72  from a throat-caught  78  fish  74 , as well as the standard positioning of a fisherman&#39;s hand on the fish hook remover  20 . This method also applies to removing a hook  72  from any area of the fish  74  that is difficult to see or reach such as the throat  78 , mouth, esophagus, tongue and gills. The body or widened section  28  of the handle  22  of the fish hook remover  20  is held in the palm of the hand. The middle finger is placed through the hole  24  in the handle  22  with the user&#39;s thumb pointing down approximately parallel to the rods  38 ,  42 . 
     The first step in removing the hook  72  is to get the fish  74  under control so that no flopping occurs while the user is removing the hook  72 . Then, after locking the hook  72  in place as previously described, firmly grasp the fishing line  70  and push down on the fish hook remover  20  as you rotate the handle  22 . This starts the hook  72  backing out the same hole it went in. After the hook  72  is rotated and disengages from the fish  74 , slowly remove the hook  72  from where it has penetrated fish  74 . This process forces the hook  72  to go out the same hole that it went in thereby minimizing bleeding and harm to the fish  74 . If the fish  74  is hooked deep in the esophagus, then, as the user slowly pulls the fishhook  72  from the fish&#39;s throat  78 , he or she keeps fish hook remover  20  pushed forward against the side of throat  78 . If there are difficulties getting the hook  72  to clear the tight area of the throat  78 , then the handle  22  is gently rotated back and forth. This walks the fish hook remover  20  out of the throat  78  (note: once the hook  72  is flipped within the throat area, it stays flipped). 
     FIG. 4 shows a more controlled method for removing a hook  72  from a throat-caught  78  fish  74 . The user places his or her middle finger in the hole  24  in the handle  22 . The third finger is placed within the indentation  26  adjacent the hole  24 , and the thumb and first finger grasp the wider, solid section  28  of the handle  22 . This gives the user the finest control over minute movement of the handle  20  and the corresponding movement of the hook engagement member  50 . 
     FIGS. 5-9 show alternate methods of removing a hook  72  from a lip-caught  76  fish  74 . Again, each of these methods start with the hook  72  locked into place in the stripper notch  58  of the hook engagement member  50 . FIG. 5 shows an impact method which is accomplished by sliding the fish hook remover  20  in contact with the hook  72  until a positive lock up is obtained and then turning the fish hook remover  20  between 10-90 to the fish  74 . As you hold the line  70  and the middle of the rods  38 ,  42  of the fish hook remover  20  in the left hand, hit the handle  22  of the fish hook remover  20  with the palm of the right hand. This dislodges the hook  72  and the fish  74  swims away unharmed. 
     FIG. 6 shows a manual method of removing a hook  72  from a lip-caught  76  fish  74 . This method is accomplished by holding the fish hook remover  20  straight down in a non-flipped mode and then tightly pulling the line  70  over and down directly below the fish  74 . As the line  70  comes over, the hook  72  is turned within an arc of the stripper notch  58  and this mechanically pulls the hook  72  out of the fish lip  76 . 
     FIGS. 7 shows a gravity method of removing a hook  72  from a lip-caught  76  fish  74  which is accomplished by flipping the hook  72  upside down with the fish hook remover  20  and letting gravity pull the fishÕs weight down, thereby removing the hook  72 . A downward movement with a sudden stop may be required to assist the disengagement between hook  72  and fish  74 , especially if the fish  74  is lightweight. 
     A momentum method, shown in FIG. 8, is accomplished by swinging the fish  74  forward as the fish hook remover  20  is rotated. This flips the fish  74  off of the hook  72 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a manual fish contact method of removing a hook  72  from a lip-caught  76  fish  74 . The fish hook remover  20  is held in a non-flipped mode with the right hand and the fish  74  is grasped with the left hand. The fish hook remover  20  is then pushed forward to dislodge the hook  72 . 
     FIG. 10 is a heavy duty model of the fish hook remover  80  for use with large fish, sharks, etc. Sharks and certain fish have very tough leathery mouths, and it may be difficult or impossible to flip the hook out of the flesh of the fish without aid. In this embodiment of the fish hook remover  80 , one of the parallel rods of the remover  80  is extended from the handle  86  of the remover  80  in the opposite direction from the hook engagement member  88 . Around this rod  82  is placed a weight  84 . After the hook  72  has been locked into place in the hook engagement member  88 , the user may try to manually flip the hook. If this is unsuccessful, or the user does not wish to try, the locking pin  89  is released to allow the weight  84  to drop. On impact, the weight  84  provides a jarring that helps rotate the hook and hook engagement member  88 , thereby removing the hook  72  from the fish  74 . After use, the weight  84  is returned to its initial position and locked into place with the locking pin  89 . Alternatively, a separate rod  82  may extend one of the rods. It is preferred to extend the second rod  81  since the impact of the weight  84  is used to rotate the hook engagement member  88  which is most easily rotated by pushing the second rod  81  downwards. 
     FIGS. 11A-11G are close-up views of the hook engagement member  50  of the fish hook remover  20 . FIG. 11A is a slot-side view, FIG. 11B an enclosed-side view, FIG. 11C a perspective view, FIG. 11D a front end view, FIG. 11E a back end view, FIG. 11F a bottom view, and FIG. 11G a top view. These views show the location and configuration of the features of the hook engagement member  50 . The slot or opening  52 , located on the slot side of the hook engagement member  50  is angled such that after the line  70  has been inserted into the channel  56  and the fish hook remover  20  has been turned parallel to the line  70 , the line  70  is unlikely to accidentally pop out. The channel  56  is sized such that flies, streamers, etc. may slide through the channel  56  as the fish hook remover  20  descends toward the hook  72 . The holes  62  at the back edge of the hook engagement member  50  (shown in FIGS. 11A-C) are the connection point for the rods  38 ,  42 . FIG. 11C shows a hook  72  locked into place in the stripper notch  58 . 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the rods  38 ,  42  and connecting pins  34  of the fish hook remover  20 . The first rod  38  has a bend  40  near the hook engagement member end. The bend  40  allows the rod  38  to fit flush against the back edge of the hook engagement member  50 . The second rod  42  has a jog  44  a short distance up the rod  42  from the end which connects to the hook engagement member  50 . When the fish hook  72  and the hook engagement member  50  have been turned 170°, the jog  44  allows room for the connection between the corner  60  and the bend  40  in the first rod  38  so that the handle  22  may be turned to an extent where the two rods  38 ,  42  are adjacent one another. The rods  38 ,  42  are approaching this position in FIG.  2 C. The connecting pins  34  shown are placed through the holes  46  in the rods  38 ,  42  thereby attaching the two rods  38 ,  42  to the hook engagement member  50  and to the handle  22 . 
     FIG. 13A is a side view and  13 B is a perspective view of the handle  22  of the fish hook remover  20 . One end of the handle  22  is predominantly a finger hole  24 . Adjacent to the finger hole  24  is an indentation  26  which provides a location for a finger when an especially gentle touch is needed, as described in FIG.  4 . Moving farther around the perimeter of the handle  22 , there is a wide portion  28  for grasping with the palm of the hand. It is from this section that force may be applied if necessary to turn and manipulate the fish hook remover. Finally there are two small holes  30  through which pins  34  connect the rods  38 ,  42 . Each hole  30  is located within a slight projection  32  which allows the rods  38 ,  42  to lie flush when in their initial position (shown in FIG.  1 A). The handle  22  shown is a generally planar embodiment. However, other shapes, such as those which would conform to the shape of the palm and/or have impact surfaces so that a user would not hurt his or her when using the impact methods, are also envisioned. 
     The methods described herein are preferably used with barbless fishing hooks. The barbless hooks cause the least amount of damage on entry and removal which may be imperative if fish survival is critical. However, when using barbed hooks, the use of the fish hook remover will still significantly decrease damage to the fish. It will also make manipulation of barbed hooks safer for the fisherman. 
     As fishermen use the fish hook remover  20 , they will each develop their own style based on their ability and the type of fish that they are catching. Some fish have specific characteristics such as lockjaw, small mouths, large mouths, sharp teeth, aggressiveness, dangerous thorny spikes and fins, sharp gill plates, and bony mouths. In most cases the fish flops around a lot, requiring the fisherman to control the fish to prevent it from injuring itself or tearing flesh with the hook. While practicing, each fisherman will develop his or her own way to alleviate or minimize whatever problems occur with the fish caught. 
     Currently, the fish hook remover  20  is formed from metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, etc. Other materials may also be used. However, in order to function properly, the hook engagement member  50  of the fish hook remover  20  must be able to withstand a significant force without significant deformation, and therefore, must be relatively strong and rigid. 
     In order to become proficient with the fish hook remover, the user should practice with simulated fish  90 . This allows the user to develop some technique prior to encountering a live fish. This is important to assure that the fish receives no more damage than necessary. The novice user may require several attempts to remove the fish and, during this time, a fish may be unnecessarily injured or killed. After practicing on the fish simulation  90 , a user will be able to release the fish more gently, quickly and effectively. In order to achieve this practice several fish mouth simulations  90  have been developed to simulate different types of fish. 
     FIGS. 14A-14D are views of a fish simulation  90  for practice use of the fish hook remover  20 . FIG. 14A is a side view and FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the rigid outer tube  92  of the fish simulation  90 . FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 14D is a perspective view of the finished simulator  92 . The embodiment shown has a rigid outer tube  92  such as a polyvinyl chloride tube having an internal diameter of about  2  inches and an external diameter of 2.25-2.5 inches. In order to give the simulated fish  90  an orientation (i.e. side, belly, back) a dorsal fin  98  is placed on one edge of the simulator  90 , thereby defining a back of the simulated fish  90 . An elastic rubber tube  100 , such as a bicycle tube having a diameter of 2.125 inches, is then placed within the interior of the tube  92 . One end  94  of the rigid tube  92  is compressed to firmly hold the corresponding end of the elastic tube  100 . The opposite end of the elastic tube  100  is pulled out and around the open mouth  96  of the rigid tube  92  and secured. This provides a simulation of a wide mouth narrowing down to a throat of rubbery material to hook and unhook a fishing hook  72 . An alternate version uses the rubber tube alone, thereby providing a simulation of a more flexible, floppy fish. In order to preserve the rubber material, it is preferred to use barbless hooks when practicing with the fish simulators  92 . 
     An alternate, non-articulated embodiment  110  is shown in FIG.  15 . This embodiment  110  would have a single, non-pivoting rod  112  extending down from the handle  114  to the hook engagement member  116 . As shown the hook engagement member  116  is actually formed as the distal portion of the rod  112 . The non-articulated embodiment  110  would be used with the manual and impact methods described and shown in FIGS. 5,  6 , and  9 . 
     Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only one possible embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.