Abstract:
A fishing lure has retractable hooks. A spring has a coiled portion mounted around a pin in the lure body, two energizing leg extending from the coiled portion, and a foot extending laterally from each energizing leg. The feet engage a rearward side of the shank of each hook. A trigger has a rod on a forward end that extends from the body for attachment to a line. The trigger has a trigger body that engages a forward side of each of the shanks. The trigger and the lure body have mating detent surfaces to releasably retain the hooks in a cocked position. A forward pull on the rod releases the trigger to move forward, freeing the coiled portion of the spring to unwind, causing the energizing legs to rotate the hooks to the extended position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to provisional application 60/755,641, filed Dec. 30, 2005. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to fishing lures, and in particular to fishing lures having spring-loaded hooks which are retained within the body of the lure until released by a trigger mechanism. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fishing by casting artificial lures is widespread pastime. The lures come in many shapes, colors and sizes. One or more barbed hooks will be attached to the lure body. Some lures are designed for returning on the surface of the water and others for being submerged. 
   Snagging the hook of a lure on weeds or other submerged objects has been a longstanding problem. Often, the fisherman is unable to free the lure simply by pulling on the line. In many cases the lure will be lost. 
   Lures with retractable hooks are known in the patented art. The hooks rotate from an exposed position to a cocked position with the barbs recessed within the body. Some type of bias means urges the hooks toward the exposed position, and a detent device retains the hooks in the cocked position. When the lure is grabbed by a fish, the detent frees the hooks to rotate to the exposed position. Although the various types appear to be workable, improvements are desired. 
   SUMMARY 
   The fishing lure of this invention has a spring separate from the hook. The spring has a coiled portion, an energizing leg extending from the coiled portion, and a foot extending laterally from the energizing leg. The hook has a shank engaged by the foot of the spring. A trigger engages a forward side of the shank and when pushed rearward, the trigger pushes against the shank to rotate the hook to a cocked or recessed position. Mating detents on the trigger and in the lure body releasably retain the hook in the cocked position. A forward pull on the trigger by a fish grabbing the lure releases the trigger to move forward, freeing the coiled portion of the spring to unwind, and causing the energizing leg to rotate the hook to the extended position. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the foot is offset in a rearward direction a slight amount from the energizing leg. The offset allows the shank of the hook to be parallel with the energizing leg while in the cocked position. The trigger thus simultaneously engages both the shank of the hook and the energizing leg, avoiding bending the shank of the hook. Preferably, the hook does not undergo bending when moved between the cocked and exposed positions. 
   The trigger preferably has a detent surface that inclines relative to the axis of the lure body. The detent surface is preferably spaced forward from the rearward end of the trigger by a ramp surface that inclines in an opposite direction from the trigger detent surface. In the preferred embodiment, the end of the trigger has a shank engaging surface that slopes at an angle selected to be flush with the shank while in the released position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a fishing lure constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the hooks recessed within slots. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of one of the two halves of the lure body of  FIG. 1 , and showing the hooks recessed within the slots and the trigger in a cocked position. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the trigger in the process of being moved to the forward position and the hooks being rotated to an exposed position. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 3 , showing the trigger being moved further toward the forward position and the hooks being rotated further toward the exposed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 4 , showing the trigger in the forward position and the hooks in the exposed position 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the spring mechanism and the hooks of the fishing lure of  FIG. 1 , shown removed from the lure body. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded plan view of the spring mechanism and the hooks of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , but with the hooks assembled with the spring. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded plan view similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing the hooks rotated into a side view. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fishing lure  11  is shown fully assembled. Fishing lure  11  includes a body  13  having a head end  15  and a tail end  17 . In the preferred embodiment, body  13  is torpedo-shaped. Body  13  has a longitudinal axis that extends through an opening  19  ( FIG. 2 ) on its forward or head end  15 . In the preferred embodiment, body  13  is molded in two halves, each having an inner side  14  that abuts and is joined to the other, such as by sonic welding, when assembled. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , fishing lure  11  includes a hollow cavity  21  located within body  13 . A pair of elongated slots  23  leads from cavity  21  to one side, shown to be the upper side of body  13 . Forward opening  19  also communicates with cavity  21 . At least one hook  25 , and preferably two, is housed within cavity  21  of body  13 . As shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6-9 , each hook  25  has a curved portion with a barb  27  on one end. As is readily understood by those skilled in the art, barb  27  allows hook  25  to remain in a fish after hook  25  has been set. Referring back to  FIGS. 2-5 , each hook  25  has a circular mounting loop  31  on its opposite end that wraps around a mounting pin  29  located within cavity  21 . Pin  29  is stationary in body  13 , and mounting loop  31  rotates on pin  29  to pivotally secure hook  25  within body  13 . In the preferred embodiment, pin  29  is cylindrical in shape and extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of body  13 . 
   Hook  25  also preferably includes a substantially straight shank  33  that extends from mounting loop  31  on a tangent line of pin  29 . In the preferred embodiment, shank  33  is the portion of hook  25  that engages the triggering mechanism of fishing lure  11 . Hook  25  also preferably includes an angled region  35  ( FIG. 6 ) extending away from shank  33 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , angled region  35  extends away from engagement region at approximately 23 degrees. In the preferred embodiment, angled region  35  extends away between 15 and 30 degrees from shank  33 . Angled region  35  is straight and joins the curved portion of hook  25  to shank  33 . 
   Hooks  25  are movable from a cocked or recessed position shown in  FIG. 1  to a released or exposed position shown in  FIG. 5 . In the cocked position, barbs  27  are recessed within slots  23 , and in the exposed position, barbs  27  are exterior of body  13 . In the preferred embodiment, hooks  25  are made from a standard material generally associated with fish hooks, which is steel, but not resilient steel such as used in springs. 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 2-5 , cavity  21  also includes a spring base section  41  located opposite slots  23 . Spring base section  41  is preferably an elongated chamber for receiving a portion of a coiled spring  43 , which is located between the two hooks  25 . As best shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , coiled spring  43  includes a pair of coiled sections  49  with a central loop  45  extending between them. Central loop  45  extends rearward from coiled sections  49  and fits within spring base chamber  41 , serving as a stationary end or leg of coiled section  49 . In the preferred embodiment, each coiled section  49  slides over pin  29  and is prevented from rotating relative to pin  29  by the contact of central loop  45  with spring base section  41 . 
   Each coiled section  49  has an energizing leg  47  extending therefrom along a tangent line from coiled section  49 . Energizing legs  47  can be rotated in one direction relative to coiled section  49  to increase the energy stored in coiled section  49 , and when released, the coiled section energy will rotate hooks  25  to the exposed position. 
   A foot  50  extends laterally outward from each energizing leg  47  for engaging a rearward side of the shank  33  of one of the hooks  25 . Each foot  50  is bent into a configuration that places it rearward from its energizing leg  47  by the offset dimension  52  ( FIG. 6 ). Dimension  52  is substantially equal to the diameter of hook shank  33 , and the diameter of spring energizing leg  47  is substantially the same diameter as hook shank  33 . Stated another way, a tangent line drawn from pin  29  to foot  50  would be at an angle relative to energizing leg  47 . As a result, the centerlines of hook shank  33  and spring energizing leg  47  are located in the same plane. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , foot  50  of spring energizing leg  47  engages shank  33  of hook  25  such that spring energizing leg  47  biases hook  25  to the released or exposed position, which is upward and through slot  23  away from cavity  21 . In the preferred embodiment, spring energizing leg  47  is at an angle relative to spring central loop  45 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , the angle between spring energizing leg  47  and spring central loop  45  is approximately 55 degrees when spring  43  is in its relaxed or extended state shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . When hook  25  is positioned in its cocked or recessed position shown in  FIG. 2 , coil spring  43  is further wound such that spring central loop  45  and spring energizing leg  47  extend on substantially parallel planes. In the preferred embodiment, coiled spring  43  is made from spring steel that has a high tensile strength and is resilient to perform the spring functions of coiled spring  43 . 
   Fishing lure  11  preferably includes a trigger  53  that moves linearly within cavity  21  along the longitudinal axis between forward and rearward positions. Trigger  53  has an engagement surface  55  that simultaneously engages shank  33  and energizing leg  47 . Engagement surface  55  is located on the surface opposite trigger  53  from slots  23 . Engagement surface  55  preferably includes an inclined face  57  located on a rearward end of trigger  53 . Inclined face  57  slopes upward from its forward edge to its rearward edge at the end of trigger  53 . The term “upward” is used for convenience to mean a direction away from the longitudinal axis. Inclined face  57  slopes at an angle such that it is flush with shank  33  of hook  25  when hook  25  is in its extended position as shown in  FIG. 5 . Trigger  53  also preferably includes a detent or friction surface  59  located opposite engagement surface  55  for engaging an interior surface of body  13  defining cavity  21 . Friction surface  59  slopes downward in a forward direction from its rearward end to its forward end. A ramp surface  61  extends from the rearward end of trigger  53  to the rearward end of friction surface  59 . Ramp surface  61  slopes upward in a forward direction from the end of trigger  53  to the junction with friction surface  59 . The angle of the slope of ramp surface  61  relative to the axis is less than the slope of friction surface  59 . 
   Trigger friction surface  59  and ramp surface  61  are located on a trigger body  63 . Body  63  has a width selected so that its rearward end simultaneously engages shanks  33  of both hooks  25  and both energizing legs  47 . When trigger  53  is positioned with trigger body  63  in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , trigger  53  is in its cocked position. The release of trigger  53  causes energizing legs  47  of coiled spring  43  to force trigger  53  axially forward such that hooks  25  can extend through elongated slots  23 . Trigger  53  also preferably includes a trigger spring contour  65  located adjacent engagement surface  55 . Trigger spring contour  65  is formed to receive the outer circumference of coiled section  49  of coiled spring  43  when trigger  53  is in its cocked position shown in  FIG. 2 . Trigger  53  also includes a cylindrical trigger rod  67  extending from trigger body  63  on the longitudinal axis through forward opening  19 . Trigger rod  67  preferably includes a fishing line hole  69  for receiving a fishing line from a fishing rod. The fishing line can be secured to trigger rod  67  through fishing line hole  69  in a manner known by those skilled in the art. 
   Body  13  preferably includes a detent surface  73  defining an upper portion of cavity  21 . Detent surface  73  is faces generally rearward to frictionally engage friction surface  59  of trigger  53  when in its cocked position. Detent surface  73  slopes downward from its rearward end to its forward end. A relief surface  75  forms an apex with detent surface  73  and extends forward to a landing shoulder  77 . Relief surface slopes upward from the apex to landing shoulder  77 . The apex between detent surface  73  and relief surface  75  is spaced slightly closer to longitudinal axis than the apex between trigger friction surface  59  and ramp surface  61 , so that it has interference. When trigger  53  is pushed rearward, the apex between trigger friction surface  59  and ramp surface  61  snaps past the apex between detent surface  73  and relief surface  75 . When the rearward force is then removed, friction surface  59  frictionally engages detent surface  73  to hold trigger  53  in the cocked position. 
   Landing shoulder  77  slopes downward from its rearward end to its forward end at substantially the same angle as trigger friction surface  59 . In the released position ( FIG. 5 ), trigger friction surface  59  engages landing shoulder  77 , which acts as a stop to prevent further forward movement of trigger  53  after being actuated by coiled spring  43 . Coiled spring  43  is preferably need not completely unwound to its natural state while trigger  43  is in the released position, rather a slight forward bias against hooks  25  still exists. 
   Preferably, at least portions of trigger body  63  contain an impregnated lubricant to reduce sliding friction. These portions may include engagement surface  55 , inclined face  57  and ramp surface  61 . The coatings on these areas are applied in a conventional manner. 
   Each half of lure body  13  has one or more recesses or pockets  81  formed therein offset from the longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, pockets  81  are located below the axis. Weights  83  may be placed in one or more of the pockets  81 . When the halves of body  13  are placed in contact with each other, each pocket  81  defines a closed chamber to retain the weights  83 . Weights  83  reduce the tendency for body  13  to spin about the longitudinal axis. If more buoyancy is desired, weights  83  may be left out of some of the pockets  81 . When the halves of body  13  are assembled, pockets  81  form sealed buoyancy chambers. 
   In operation, a fisherman attaches fishing lure  11  to a fishing line by tying a fishing line to trigger rod  67  after inserting the fishing line through fishing line hole  69 . Once the fishing line is tied to trigger rod  67  through fishing line hole  69 , the user can place fishing lure  11  into its cocked position shown in  FIG. 2  by pushing trigger rod  67  rearward. As trigger rod  67  is pushed rearward, trigger body  63  slides axially with inclined face  57  and engagement surface  55  pressing against shanks  33  of hooks  25  and energizing legs  47  of coiled spring  43 . The rearward movement causes energizing leg  47  of coiled spring  43  to rotate counterclockwise when viewed as shown in the Figures, further winding coiled portion  49  of spring  43  to store energy. Trigger frictional surface  59  will snap past the apex formed between detent surface  73  and relief surface  75 . The fisherman then releases the force on trigger rod  67 , and friction surface  59  will slide into frictional engagement with housing detent surface  73  to retain trigger  53  in the rearward position. With trigger  53  cocked, hooks  25  are in the retracted position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The frictional resistance due to the engagement of friction surface  59  and detent surface  73  is enough to resist forward movement of trigger  53  due to general casting of fishing lure  11  while tied off to a fishing line. In the preferred embodiment, the frictional forces associated with the engagement of friction surface  59  and detent surface  73  is also strong enough to keep trigger  53  in its cocked position while fishing lure  11  is being reeled back by a fishing line through the water and through underwater foliage. When a fish “hits” or bites fishing lure  11  such that the fish&#39;s mouth surrounds body  13  and the fish&#39;s mouth encloses around head end  15 , fishing lure  11  will experience rearward forces due to the fish pulling against the fishing line tied off to trigger rod  67 . The rearward forces associated with a fish biting fishing lure  11  are sufficient to break the frictional forces between friction surface  59  and detent surface  73 . When the frictional forces are overcome, energizing leg  47  of spring  43  rotates clockwise to force hook barbs  27  through elongated slots  23  into the extended position of hooks  25 . Barbs  27  of hooks  25  advantageously penetrate the interior surface of the fish that is biting fishing lure  11  so that the fish is thereby hooked and ready to be reeled in. 
   As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, tail  17  of body  13  is formed in such a manner that a variety of flowing streamers of tails can be connected thereto. Fishing lure  11  advantageously utilizes retractable hooks and a moveable trigger for an increased measure of safety and handling of fishing lure  11  and reducing the likelihood of snagging fishing lure  11  on underwater foliage or debris. Having a separate spring enables the energy storing portion of the assembly to be of resilient spring steel, while the hook is made of conventional, non resilient steel. The hooks do not bend when moved between the released and cocked positions. The offset foot of each spring energizing leg keeps the shanks of the hooks in parallel alignment with the energizing legs, avoiding bending of the shanks of the hooks. 
   While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, hooks  25  can be arranged to extend through oppositely located elongated slots  23  so that hooks extend from both sides of fishing lure  11 , in a v-like manner, rather than through the same side of fishing lure  11 .