Abstract:
A fishing lure is made with an interior channel communicating with a front opening to and to a pattern of apertures in the rear. The motion of the lure, rising from, and diving into the water, traps an air pocket which is forced out the rear apertures in a stream of bubble which attract fish and other marine life.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    Fishing lures are well known, having been, and continuing to be developed for one of the most popular recreational sports, by anglers dating back to Izak Walton, usually by observing the activities of fish and lures, and their attraction to different species of fish. Most fishing lures are designed to take advantages of an oscillating motion, plunging and rearing, into and out of the water and swinging from side to side, as well as yawing about a vertical axis. Fishing lures have been known to use bubbles to attract fish, using a system to stream bubbles from air pockets, which trap air when the lure is submerged and from which the air streams in bubbles under the force of buoyancy.  
           [0002]    Examples of bubbling lures may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,167 and 6,115,956. U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,956 shows fishing lure having an elongated, generally cylindrical body portion having a head at one end and a tail at an opposite longitudinal end. There is a honeycomb structure longitudinally arrayed along a body with a central elongated longitudinal bore. The bore is connected to the series of radially directed honeycomb channels that extend to the radial periphery of the body. Preferred cross sections are square, rectangular, round, or polygonal cross sections. The lure is designed so that when it is dragged through water, the water under the force of ambient water pressure, can pass radially inward through a honeycomb channel and then tail ward along the longitudinal bore and in some configurations some of the water can then bubble out a more tail ward honeycomb channel. In others, some of the water can pass in a turbulent manner out a rear exit of the lure.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,167 shows a fishing lure apparatus having a changeable skirt, with a head containing a bore with apertures for the passage of water into the head and then out of the head through an annular opening for passage of a fishing line in a chamber formed therein However, the limitation of existing fishing lures is the inability to create a kind of bubbling action or activity, from the force of the water created against the lure when it is trolled or retrieved, and which may be varied by the angler by changing the location or position of the weight or weights arranged in the lure as ballast, or changing the size or shape of the opening of the lure to the ambient water, or by modifying the internal shape of the lure to change the characteristics of the flow of the water through the lure or by changing the angle of the outrigger or rod, used to tether the lure, or the trolling speed at which the lure is pulled through the water, or by varying the configuration of the discharge from the lure into the ambient water.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention, according to the disclosed inventive principles is a fishing lure, which may be trolled or cast and retrieved, to produce an oscillatory and bubbling action. It has several advantages over known lures in that the intensity of the bubbling action is related to the motion of the lure through the water, forcing water into the lure in the opposite direction to its motion through the water, and to the oscillatory action of the lure as it dives into and rises from, the water, and which may be varied by changing the configuration of the lure, such as for example, the weighting of the body, or the size or spacing of the inlet opening and outlet openings or the shape of the body and the volume and velocity of the water flow through the lure, or the point of attachment of a trolling or retrieving line.  
           [0005]    In a preferred embodiment, according to the disclosed inventive principles, the lure is shown in a tubular configuration, however as would be known and understood by those skilled in the art, the configuration of the lure may be any geometric shape, without departing from the disclosed inventive principles. One or more connectors are provided for varying the location of the trolling line or tether, to the body of the lure. The lure, as disclosed according to a preferred embodiment, has a ballast weight mounted proximate a trolling line connection, and, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, the location of the weight in the lure may be varied to change the oscillatory motion of the lure when pulled through the water and the location may be fixed or moveable for an in field adjustment by the angler.  
           [0006]    The lure, as shown in a preferred embodiment, and according to the inventive principles, has an elongated body shown in tubular form, and shown with a front opening for admitting air or water into the interior channel of the lure and through the lure and out through the rear opening. At the rear of the tubular lure, as shown in a preferred embodiment, there are a series of openings, the combined area of these opening being less than the cross sectional area of the tubular lure. The openings are arranged in a pattern designed to give the best or most attractive bubbling effect. As would be known to those skilled in the art, the shape of the openings and the pattern formed by the openings may be varied without departing from the inventive principles disclosed herein. In addition, the configuration of the front opening of the lure, to the ambient water, may be varied to control the amount of water entering the lure or the way the force of the water on the lure affects the movement of the lure.  
           [0007]    The configuration of the interior channel through the lure may be varied to control the dynamics of the water flow and the effect on the bubbles expelled from the rear of the lure and the action of the lure under the force of the water through lure.  
           [0008]    The angle made by the plane of the front or rear openings, may be varied with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lures internal channel. In a preferred embodiment, the front opening is shown in a plane at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.  
           [0009]    What is shown and described according to the disclosed inventive principles, is a fishing lure with a front opening communicating with a rear opening through an interior channel and a pattern of apertures in a rear plug at the rear opening for producing bubbles from entrapped air, under the force of the water driven into the front opening of the lure as it is pulled through the water, comprising a) first means forming a body with an interior channel; b) the first means including a second means forming a front opening to the interior channel for allowing water to be forced into the interior channel from the motion of the first means as it is pulled through the water or allowing the water to drain from the interior channel when the first means is driven out of the water; c) the first means including a third means forming a rear opening from the interior channel for allowing entrapped air to be forced from the interior channel in bubbles, from the water forced into the interior channel, or allowing air to enter the interior channel when the first means is driven out of the water.  
           [0010]    The fishing lure as shown includes with the third means, means forming a pattern of apertures and with at least some of the apertures forming an opening from the interior channel, and means for ballasting the first means.  
           [0011]    Alternatively, the fishing lure, as described and claimed herein is an elongated body containing an interior channel; a front opening connected to the interior channel at a first end of the elongated body and a rear opening connected to the interior channel as a second end of the elongated body; the rear opening including a pattern of apertures extending from the interior channel to the ambient; a ballast placed proximate the front opening; and the elongated body including a connector for connecting the elongated body to a line, for trolling or retrieving, and to move the elongated body through the ambient water, whereby the elongated body dives to force water to flow into and through the interior channel and trap air in the interior channel and to force the trapped air through the apertures into the ambient water in the form of bubbles.  
           [0012]    The fishing lure connector is placed proximate the front opening to move the elongated body through the ambient water, whereby the elongated body rises from the ambient water to drain the water from the interior channel and to admit air into the interior channel, and then dives to trap the air in the interior channel in the construction of the fishing lure, the front opening may be in a plane at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, a rear plug may be placed in the rear opening and with the pattern of apertures located in the rear plug.  
           [0013]    According to the disclosed inventive principals, a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention is a fishing lure that submerges into the ambient water and rises into the ambient air, as it is trolled or retrieved, comprising; a body formed with a front opening and a rear opening and an interior channel communicating with the front opening and the rear opening; a pattern of apertures placed proximate the rear opening and communicating between the interior channel and the ambient water or the ambient air; and wherein, the ambient air enters into the interior channel when the lure rises from the ambient water or the ambient water enters into the interior channel when the lure submerges into the ambient water and the air entering into the interior channel is forced from the pattern of apertures by the ambient water entering into the interior channel.  
           [0014]    In the motion of the lure through the air and water, ambient air entering into the interior channel when the lure rises from the ambient water, and displaces the water in the interior channel and causes the water to drain from the interior channel through the pattern of apertures.  
           [0015]    The elongated body of the fishing lure may include a baffle or ridge or constriction or flare, for varying the flow of water through the interior channel. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 shows the lure in a perspective view from the front of a preferred embodiment of the lure, with a part of the lure internal passageway exposed for view.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 shows the lure in a perspective view from the back of a preferred embodiment of the lure.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 a  shows the lure in cross section along the longitudinal axis, showing the internal configuration of a preferred embodiment of the lure, showing the ridges or baffles or a constricted inner passage, shown in a preferred embodiment at the rear of the lure.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 b  shows the lure in cross section along the longitudinal axis, showing the internal configuration of a preferred embodiment of the lure, and showing a flared inner passage shown in a preferred embodiment at the rear of the lure.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 a  shows the rear of a preferred embodiment of the lure, in an exploded view, with a bayonet plug removed from the lure.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 b  shows the rear of a preferred embodiment of the lure, in an exploded view, with a screwed plug, removed from the lure.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 5 a  to  5   c , show the rear plug of FIG. 2, with the bubble forming apertures arranged in different configurations, according to the disclosed inventive principles.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 6 a  to  6   c , show the operation of the lure diving into the water, rising from the water and being pulled through the water producing a trail of bubbles. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    FIGS.  1  to  6 , inclusive are intended to illustrate the claimed features of the invention, in a preferred embodiment which may be varied in dimensions, material, or appearance, as would be known to those skilled in the art, without departing from the disclosed principles of the invention.  
         [0025]    The fishing lure in a preferred embodiment, is as shown in FIG. 1. The lure  10 , as shown, is an elongated body  12 , shown in a tubular form, but as would be known to those skilled in the art, the cross section of the elongated body may be varied relative to any location along the longitudinal axis  16 . Lure  10  has a front aperture or opening  11  and a rear opening  13  and with its longitudinal axis  16 , extending from front opening  11  to rear opening  13 . As shown for a preferred embodiment, the lure  10  is opened at the front opening  11  and has a plug  35  in its rear opening  13  and although shown as circular or annular in cross section, may be made of any other geometric cross section without departing from the principles disclosed herein.  
         [0026]    As may be seen from FIG. 1, the wall  15  of lure  10  has an outer surface  17  and an inner surface  19 , shown in phantom extending from front opening  11  to rear opening  13 , and enclosing interior channel  20 , is shown as annular, but as stated above, may be made in any geometric cross section. The cross section of the lure at any point or location along the longitudinal axis  16  of the lure, from front  11  to rear  13 , may be varied by being made larger or narrower than the front opening  11 , or rear opening  13 , or altered by the addition of baffles  29  or ridges  27 , as may be seen in the cross section view of FIG. 3. A connector  21 , which may be a ring or a hole through wall  15 , for tying a leader or any other suitable device as would be known to those skilled in the art, may be mounted at a convenient location, for example as shown in the preferred embodiment, proximate the top  23  or dorsal of the lure, relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 1, and proximate the front opening  11 . The location of the connector  21  may be varied along the top or dorsal  23 , or placed at any other suitable radial location relative to the longitudinal axis  16 , as would be known to those skilled in the art, for varying the response of the lure  10 .  
         [0027]    A suitable ballast weight  31 , as would be known to those skilled in the art, may be placed in the interior channel  20  of the lure  10 , on or within its inner surface. The size or location of the weight  31 , may be varied as would be known to those skilled in the art, without departing from the principles of the invention, to vary the response of the lure. For example, the ballast  31  could be moveably placed on the interior surface  19 , by means of an adhesive that can be softened by heat or a solvent and removed and readjusted. A hook  18  is shown attached proximate the rear opening, as would he known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0028]    The lure  10  is shown in a cross section taken along the longitudinal axis  16 , in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . As shown in FIG. 3 a , the inner surface  19  of wall  15 , along the internal channel  20  of the lure  10 , may be varied to include ridges  27  or baffles  29  or a constriction  33 , at any location along the inner wall  19  and at any chosen radial location relative to any point in the longitudinal axis  16 , of the lure from the front opening  11  to the rear opening  13 . As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 3 a , the narrowing constriction  33  is at the rear opening to increase the velocity of the water as it leaves the lure interior  20  through the apertures  39  in the pattern  37  set into rear plug  35 . As shown in FIG. 3 b , a widening flare  41  nay be placed in the interior  20  and at the rear opening  13 , of lure  10  to reduce the velocity of the water as it leaves the lure through apertures  39  in the pattern  37  in rear plug  35 . In addition, other structures may be added and the locations for any such structure varied in the internal channel  20  of lure  10 , for changing the flow characteristics of the water forced in and through the lure, as it is pulled through the water, and in a direction opposed to the direction of the lure  10 , as would be known to those skilled in the art. without departing from the disclosed inventive principles.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is the rear of the lure  10 , showing, in a preferred embodiment, a rear plug  35  configured with a pattern  37  of apertures generally shown by numeral  39 . The pattern  37  and size of the apertures  39  may be varied as would be known to those skilled in the art, to vary the size and arrangement or speed of ejection of air bubbles from the internal channel  20 , of lure  10 .  
         [0030]    Various patterns  37  and aperture sizes  39  may be arranged for use in the lure  10 , for example as shown in a preferred embodiment in FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b , and  5   c , all shown by way of example and not in limitation of the inventive principles disclosed.  
         [0031]    The rear plug  35  may be permanently fixed in the arranged in the rear opening  13  of elongated body  12 , or may be made into a unitary piece with the body  12 , or as shown in FIG. 4 a , as removable with a bayonet lock  36   a  to hold the rear plug in place in the rear opening  13 .  
         [0032]    Alternatively, rear plug  35  may be made with a screw thread  38   a  to hold the rear plug in place. A suitable matching bayonet lock stud  36   b  or matching screw thread  38   b , would be mounted for mating with the bayonet lock  36   a  or screw thread  38   a , respectively, on the inner wall  19  and at the rear opening  13 . Other suitable arrangements may be used to hold removable rear plug  35  in place or the rear plug may be permanently set in place in rear opening  13  or made integral with the rear opening  13  of the lure  10 , without departing from the principles of the disclosed invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 a  to  5   c  shows the rear plug  35  in a preferred embodiment with three (3) patterns  37   a ,  37   b , and  37   c , respectively. Pattern  37   a  is rectilinear with the apertures  39  aligned orthogonally. Pattern  37   b  is a six pointed star with the apertures  39  forming the outline of the star. Pattern  37   c  is a circle pattern with the apertures forming the shape of the circle. However, as would be known to those skilled in the art, patterns  37  of circles, five pointed stars, ovals, or any other pattern, may be used in the lure  10  with out departing from the principles of the disclosed invention and patterns  37   a  are not limiting but shown by way of example.  
       Operation of the Lure  
       [0034]    The lure is operated by attaching a leader or fishing line (not shown but as would be understood to those skilled in the art) to or through the connector  2 . For the purpose of explanation, operation of the lure  10  is described with reference to the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, it being understood the configuration may be varied as disclosed herein without departing from the principles of the disclosed invention.  
         [0035]    As the lure  10  is towed or trolled or retrieved, as shown in FIG. 6 b , ambient water  41 , is forced into the front opening  11  in a direction shown by arrow  51 , opposed to the general direction of the lure, as shown by arrow  53 , as it is pulled through the water, and the entrained water  43 , flows internally through the interior channel  20  from the front opening  11  to the rear opening  13  out to the ambient water  41  through the apertures  39  in rear plug  35 .  
         [0036]    The response of lure  10  to its ballast weight  21 , or the force of the water on inner surface  19  and outer surface  17 , is to submerge filling the interior with water, and to oscillate or swing at the end of the line where it is joined at the connector  21 . The body  12  of lure  10 , responsive to the force of the ballast or the water is made to dive into and rise out of the water as the lure  10  progresses through the ambient water  41  in the direction  53 .  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 6 a , and as described above, the lure  10  fills with water when diving, trapping the air in a pocket  47 , as shown in FIG. 6 c , in the interior channel  20  and when rising, as shown in FIG. 6 b , air enters the lure to and causes or forces the entrained water  43 , to be drained or forced, from the apertures  39  at the rear plug when it rises out of the water, leaving the interior  20  partially or fully evacuated of water, which is displaced by air pocket  47 . Then when the lure  10  dives into the water, the entering water being forced through interior  20 , forces the air pocket  47  to the rear opening  13 , compressing it and forcing it our of the lure interior  20  through the apertures  39 , in streams of bubbles.  
         [0038]    The water flow  43  through the interior  20  may be varied as described above, by ridges  27 , baffles  29 , flares  34 , or constrictions  33 , to vary the direction of the flow and its velocity at any location along the longitudinal axis, including the rear outlet.  
         [0039]    The connection point of the lure to the leader or line may be varied to change the angle of attack of the lure to the water, changing is pitching or diving and rising characteristics, according to the needs of the individual using it. Similarly, the ballasting of the lure  10  by weight  31  size and location may be varied, without departing from the principles of the disclosed invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 a , shows the lure  10  when placed in the water  41  and forced into a diving or pitch down position by the ballast  31  or force of the water  43  on the exterior wall  17 , or interior wall  19 . As shown in FIG. 6 c , the lure  10 , is made to submerge fully into the water  41 , trapping an air pocket  47 , in the lure  10  internal channel  20 , which is compressed by the force of entrained water  43  and forced toward the rear opening  13 . A boundary layer  55  is shown at the juncture of the air pocket  47  and entrained water  43 . As the air pocket  47  is displaced to the rear opening  13 , by the force of the water  41  entering the front opening  11  and flowing through the interior channel  20  as entrained water  43 , the air pocket  47  is displaced or forced to rear opening  13 , and is forced through the apertures  39  in the pattern  37 , formed in rear plug  35  and producing a stream of bubbles.  49 , having a pattern, size and dispersion, dependent on the pattern  37  and size of the apertures and the velocity of the flow of the water  43  in and through the interior  20  of lure  10 .  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 6a, the force of the water on the lure  10  as it made to move through the water  41 , and within its oscillating movement, as would be known to those skilled in the art, rises from the water  41 , draining the entrained water  43  from the rear plug  35 , apertures  39 , forming an air pocket  47 , all of some of which is trapped in interior channel  20  when the lure dives into the ambient water  41 , forming entrapped air pocket  47 , as shown in FIG. 6 c.    
         [0042]    As would be known to those skilled in the art, the body  12  of lure  10  may be fitted with a hook  48  proximate the rear opening  13 . The body  12  may be configured to provide a more or less random or erratic oscillatory motion in the vertical and horizontal plane, or composite plane, with reference to the surface of the ambient water  41 . The size, shape and appearance of the lure  10  may be varied as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. The material used to fabricate the lure  10  may be any suitable material known or which may be developed. In a preferred embodiment, an extrudable plastic is used.  
         [0043]    While this invention and the inventive principles have been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, variations may be made without departing from the disclosed inventive principles.