Abstract:
Most of the present knot tying devices require the mechanical or manual sliding of the leader or line from some object such as a nail or tube onto a leader or line. This invention does not require such a transfer. The Fisherman&#39;s Knot Tier in accordance with the present invention looks and works similar to a retractable ballpoint pen with an alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter attached. When a line is placed in the exposed slot in the shaft, and the shaft is retracted into the tip, cone or insert, the line is secured. The jaws of the alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter holds the hook or similar article during the knot tying operation. The cutter portion of the clip/cutter is used to trim excess leader or line from the hook or similar article after the knot tying process is complete. The jaws of the alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter also doubles as a clip to hold the knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket.

Description:
This application is based on provisional application No. 60/393,543, filed Jul. 5, 2002 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In fishing, especially the art of fly fishing, to be successful, the fisherman must be able to change to different flies, hooks or similar article depending on the water conditions and upon what insect or hatch the fish are feeding on. During the course of time on the water, the angler may change flies, hooks, or similar article many times. Because of these numerous changes, it is desirable to be able to tie a secure knot in a timely and efficient manner. Each time the fly, hook or similar article is changed, the leader or line is shortened. To decrease tying time and minimize this loss of line or leader, a convenient and easy to use tool needed to be invented. 
     A number of special devices have been suggested for assisting anglers and others in the knot tying process. Most of the present, knots tying devices require the mechanical or manual sliding of the leader or line from some object such as a nail or tube onto a leader or line. This invention does not require such a transfer. Descriptions of some of prior art knot tying devices are contained in the following list; whish list is not all-inclusive but merely representative. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,858 Smith Aug. 15, 1956 Knot-Tying Implement 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,895,478 Post Jul. 21, 1959 Suture-Tying Instrument 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,036 Wimberley Feb. 23, 1960 Fisherman&#39;s Knot Tying Tool 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,152 Gardipee Jul. 18, 1978 Fisherman&#39;s Knot tying Tool 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,762 Cox Sep. 12, 1989 Line Tying Device 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,482 Gerdes Feb. 13, 1990 Multi-Utility Fishing Tool 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,874 Pietrandrea et al. Sep. 24, 1996 Multi-Purpose Fishing Tool 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,067 High Sep. 14, 1999 Knot tyer 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,858 Shepard May 16, 2000 Fishing Device 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,709 Strini Aug. 14, 2001 Combination Forceps and Knot Tying Device 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The Fisherman&#39;s knot tier, in accordance with the present invention, includes, in general, two elongated hollow bodies or barrels joined together by circular internal and external threads or an overlapping glueable joint and reductions in diameter with a coil expansion spring-mounted tubular piston or shaft, and a second piston/push button therein and an alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter mounted thereon. 
     The upper barrel has internally mounted threads or an overlapping glueable joint at one end of the elongated hollow body. The upper barrel also contains a terminal bore located longitudinally and centered at the distal end of the barrel from the internally-mounted threads or overlapping glueable joint. This terminal bore located therein creates a shoulder. An alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter is attached to the outer surface of the upper barrel near the terminal bore. 
     The lower barrel has externally recessed threads or a reduction in diameter located at one end of the elongated hollow body. The recessed threads or a reduction in diameter also creates a shoulder. A tapered end is located longitudinally on the distal end of the lower elongated hollow body from the externally mounted recessed threads or reduction in diameter. The lower elongated hollow body also has a longitudinal terminal bore at the tapered end of the body. The terminal bore located therein creates a shoulder. The lower barrel may or may not have a rubber finger grip attached to the outer surface. The lower barrel may or may not contain an insert in the tapered end of the barrel. 
     The upper and lower barrels have two pistons slidably mounted and constrained within them. 
     The coil expansion spring-mounted tubular piston or shaft housed within the upper and lower barrels, has lug members or a stop located near one end of the tubular piston or shaft and a slot located near the same end of the tubular piston or shaft. The slot is cut to a depth of ½ to ⅔ the diameter of the tubular piston or shaft. This slot is at an incline less than 90 degrees measured from the long longitudinal side of the tubular piston or shaft. The end opposite the slotted end of the tubular piston or shaft fits into a bore in the second or upper piston. 
     A coiled expansion spring encircles the slotted end of the tubular piston or shaft. One end of the coiled expansion spring abuts the lugs or stop on the tubular piston or shaft and the other end abuts the shoulder created by the terminal bore, or the shoulder of an insert, if so equipped, in the lower elongated hollow body. 
     The upper piston housed within the upper and lower barrels has a bore centered and extending on the longitudinal axis into one end of the upper piston a short distance. At the opposite longitudinal end of the piston, a reduction in diameter creates a shoulder and push button. 
     The clip/cutter, in accordance with the present invention, in general, is a modified alligator clip with cutting surfaces thereon. The clip/cutter consists of two jaws hinged together by a common pivot pin, with suitable ears being provided to hold the pin and the ears are extended to provide U-shaped arms for a continuation of the jaws. The U-shaped arms are to actuate the jaws and incorporate the cutting edges. A coil spring, wound around the pivot pin, has opposite ends in contact with each of the U-shaped arms to keep the jaws in bias and towards each other. 
     The U-shaped jaw on the upper half of the clip has serrated teeth to aid in holding a fishhook or similar article therein, or clipping the Knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket. The U-shaped arm of the upper half of the clip has two cutting surfaces that may be flat or ground at an incline to the horizontal axis of the jaw located thereon. 
     The jaw on the lower half of the clip is smooth and curved to allow for easy attachment of the clip to the upper barrel and aid in holding a fishhook or similar article therein, or for easily clipping the Knot tier in a shirt or vest pocket. The U-shaped arm of the lower half of the clip has two cutting surfaces that may be flat or ground at an incline to the horizontal axis of the U-shaped arm. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     Further objectives and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 A plan view of the knot tier of the persent invention with the tubular piston or shaft retracted with the upper and lower barrels joined together by internal and external threads. 
     FIG. 2 A plan view of the knot tier of the present invention with the tubular piston or shaft extended, and the upper and lower barrels joined by an overlapping glueable joint and a reduction in diameter, and with an insert in place. 
     FIG. 3 A left end plan view of the knot tier of the present invention. 
     a. With hidden lines shown 
     b. With hidden lines not shown. 
     FIG. 4 A right end plan view of the knot tier of the present invention. 
     a. With hidden lines shown 
     b. With hidden lines not shown 
     FIG. 5 A plan view of the attached clip/cutter of the present invention. 
     a. Left-end view 
     b. Side view 
     c. Right-end view 
     FIG. 6 A successive schematic diagrams illustrating the knot tying process using the Fisherman&#39;s Knot Tier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numerals are used to denote like parts or structural features in the different views. While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is not limited hereto, since modifications may be made that will become apparent to those skilled in the art. A knot tier  60 , embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The Fisherman&#39;s knot tier  60 , in accordance with the present invention, includes, in general, two elongated hollow bodies, or barrels  1  and  20 . The two barrels  1  and  20  are joined together by circular internal  2  and external  22  threads or an overlapping glueable joint  12  and a reduction in diameter  13  with a coil expansion spring-mounted lower tubular piston or shaft  23  and a second upper piston  3  therein and an alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter  40  mounted thereon. 
     The barrels  1  and  20  have two pistons  3  and  23  slidably mounted and constrained within the two elongated hollow bodies or members  1  and  20 . 
     The upper barrel  1  has internally mounted threads  2  or an overlapping, glueable joint  12  at one end of the elongated hollow body  1 . The upper barrel  1  also contains a terminal bore  4  located longitudinally and centered at the distal end of the barrel  1  from the internally mounted threads  2  or an overlapping, glueable joint  12 . This terminal bore  4  located therein creates a shoulder  5 . An alligator clip or modified alligator clip/cutter  40  is attached to the outer surface of the upper barrel  1  near the terminal bore  4 . 
     The lower barrel  20  has externally-recessed threads  22  or a reduction in diameter  13  located at one end of the elongated hollow body  20  and the recessed threads  22  or a reduction in diameter  13  also create a shoulder  24 . A tapered end  26  is located longitudinally on the distal end of the lower elongated hollow body  20  from the externally mounted recessed threads  22  or a reduction in diameter  13 . The lower elongated hollow body  20  also has a longitudinal terminal bore  25  at the tapered end  26  of the body  20 . The terminal bore  25  located therein creates a shoulder  28 . The tip  27  of the lower barrel  20  may be formed by a cone or insert. 
     The tubular piston or shaft  23  has lug members or stop  31  located near one end  29  of the tubular piston or shaft  23 , and a slot  30  located near the same end  29  of the tubular piston or shaft  23 . The slot  30  is cut to a depth of ½ to ⅔ the diameter of the tubular piston or shaft  23 . The slot is cut at an incline of less than 90 degrees measured from the long longitudinal side  32  of the tubular piston or shaft  23 . The end  6  opposite the slotted end  29  of the tubular piston or shaft  23  fits into a bore  7  in the upper piston  3 . 
     The upper piston  3  has a bore  7  centered and extending on the longitudinal axis into one end of the upper piston  3  a short distance. At the distal longitudinal end  11  of the upper piston  3 , a reduction in diameter  9  creates a shoulder  8  and push button  10 . 
     A coiled expansion spring  21  encircles the slotted end  29  of the tubular piston or shaft  23 . One end of the coiled expansion spring  21  abuts the lugs or stop  31  on the tubular piston or shaft  23  and the other end abuts the shoulder  28  created by the terminal bore  25  in the lower elongated hollow body  20  or the end of the insert  27 . 
     When the button  10  is pressed, the longitudinal transfer of motion to the tubular piston or shaft  23  causes the lugs or stop  31  on the tubular piston or shaft  23  to exert pressure on one end of the coil expansion spring  21 . This longitudinal transfer of motion in turn depresses the other end of the coil expansion spring  21  against the shoulder  28  of the terminal bore  25  within the lower elongated hollow body  20  or the end of the insert  27 . This continued transfer of motion forces the slotted end  29  of the tubular piston or shaft  23  to protrude beyond the distal end, cone or insert  27  of the lower elongated hollow body  20 . 
     When pressure on the button  10  is released the opposing longitudinal transfer of motion created by the coil expansion spring  21  against the shoulder  28  of the terminal bore  25  within the lower elongated hollow body  20  or the end of the insert  27 , and longitudinal transfer of motion against the lugs or stop  31  on the tubular piston or shaft  23  created by the coil expansion spring  21 , cause the tubular piston or shaft  23  to recede back into the lower elongated hollow body  20 . When this transfer of motion is completed the slot  30  located near the tip, cone or insert  27  of the tubular piston, or shaft  23 , will no longer protrude beyond the tip, cone or insert  27  of the lower elongated hollow body  20 . 
     A clip/cutter  40 , in accordance with the present invention, in general, is a modified alligator clip  40  with cutting surfaces  46 ,  56 ,  48 , and  58  thereon. The clip/cutter  40  consists of two jaws  41  and  42  hinged together by a common pivot pin  44 , with suitable ears  43  and  53  being provided for that purpose. The ears  43  and  53  are extended to provide U-shaped arms  47  and  49  for a continuation of the jaws  41  and  42 . The U-shaped arms  47  and  49  are to actuate the jaws  41  and  42  and incorporate the cutting edges  46  and  56  with cutting edges  48  and  58 . A coil spring  45 , wound around the pivot pin  44 , has opposite ends in contact with each of the U-shaped arms  47  and  49  to keep the jaws  41  and  42  in bias and towards each other. 
     The U-shaped jaw  41  on the upper half of the clip  40  has serrated teeth  50  to aid in holding a fishhook or similar article therein or for clipping the Knot tier  60  in a shirt or vest pocket. The U-shaped arm  47 , of the upper half of the clip  40 , has two cutting surfaces  46  and  56  that are flat or may be ground at opposite inclines to the horizontal axis of the upper jaw  47  located thereon. 
     The jaw  42  on the lower half of the clip  40  is smooth and curved to allow for attachment of the clip to the upper barrel and ease of clipping the Knot tier  60  in a shirt or vest pocket and to aid the upper U-shaped jaw  41  in holding a fishhook or similar article therein. The U-shaped arm  49  of the lower half of the clip  40  has two cutting surfaces  48  and  58  which are flat or may be ground at opposite inclines to the horizontal axis of the lower U-shaped arm  49 . The inclines or flat surfaces  46  and  56  of the upper arm  47  and the meshing inclines or flat surfaces  48  and  58  of the lower arm  49  are at the same angle to create a shearing action when the U-shaped upper and lower arms  47  and  49  are forced together. 
     When pressure is applied to the upper U-shaped arm  47  of the clip  40 , the upper U-shaped arm  47  of the clip  40  is forced toward the U-shaped lower arm  49  of the clip  40  as they pivot around the pivot pin  44 . This action opens the jaws  41  and  42 , while at the same time forces the cutting edges  46  and  56 , and the cutting edges of  48  and  58  of the U-shaped arms  47  and  49  together in a shearing action. When the pressure to the upper U-shaped arm  47  of the clip  40  is released, the opposing pressure caused by the action of the coil spring  45  returns the jaws  41  and  42  to the closed biased position and the U-shaped arms  47  and  49  to the open position. 
     This invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular embodiment thereof but it will be understood that various other modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention. It will also be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. These might include but not limited to modifications made during manufacture to make each part of this invention workable in the manner for which it is intended. 
     OPERATION 
     The invention can be used in several ways. The following explains four possibilities. Referring to FIGS. 6A through E of the drawings the operation of the invention will be described. 
     A. To Tie a Leader or Line to a Hook. 
     While holding the knot tier in one hand, place the curve of the fishing hook in the jaws of the clip on the knot tier so the shank and eye of the hook are pointing in the direction of the distal end of the body (FIG.  6 A). Thread the line or leader through the eye of the hook (FIG.  6 A). With the other hand, grasp the end of the line between the thumb and index finger allowing 1 inch to 1½ inches of the end of the line to protrude beyond the finger and thumb (FIG.  6 A). Grasp the other portion of the line in the same hand allowing the two lines to run parallel to the body of the tier with enough line to extend beyond the tip end of the instrument (FIG.  6 A). Move the tip so it is positioned between the two parallel lines or leaders (FIG.  6 A). While continuing to hold the line turn the entire instrument in a wobbling action around the grip of the two lines, this will allow the two portions of the line to wind around each other (FIG.  6 B). (This wobbling motion around an axis is sometimes called nutation.) After completing 5 or 6 turns, depress the push button to expose the slot in the end of the tier (FIG.  6 C). Insert the end of the line into the slot far enough to allow a good “grasp” when the push button is released. Hold the line in the slot while releasing pressure on the push button (FIG.  6 C). The end of line will be secured between the slot and the end of the tire body. Release the end of the line between the finger and the thumb. Pull on the other portion of the line already secured in the same hand to remove the slack in the line (FIG.  6 D). While continuing to pull the line, release the hook from the clip to allow the hook to be pulled toward the tip of the tier as the line is tightened (FIG.  6 D). When the eye of the hook reaches the end of the tier hold the hook securely about ⅛ of an inch from the point of the tier (FIG.  6 D). While holding the hook at this position, continue pulling the line until the line is securely cinched around the eye of the hook. Release the end of the line secured by the slot and body by depressing the push button. The knot has been tied. The excess line protruding from the eye of the hook can be trimmed by using the clip/cutter. This can be accomplished by placing the end of the line into the cutter at the desired trim length and holding it there while opening the clip (closing the cutter). The line should not be trimmed closer than {fraction (1/16)} of an inch from the eye of the hook. 
     B. To tie a leader or line to a swivel. 
     Tying a line to a swivel is similar to tying a line to a hook. The only difference is that the swivel needs to be securely held by the jaws of the clip in such a way as to allow the threading of the line through one eye of the swivel. 
     C. To tie a leader or line to a lure. 
     Tying a line to a lure is similar to tying a line to a hook. The only difference is that the lure needs to be securely held by the jaws of the clip in such a way as to allow the threading of the line through the eye or ring of the lure. 
     E. To cut the hook from the line or leader when a clip/cutter is attached. 
     Place the eye of the hook close to the cutter so the leader or line is cut when the cutter is activated.