Abstract:
A fishing swivel, such as a barrel, includes a slip-on connector, i.e., an attachment element, formed from bent wire. The attachment element has a neck and, adjacent the neck, an opening for slidingly inserting and removing fishing line, lure or hook. An embodiment of the attachment element further includes a blunt acute leading edge and an S-shaped trailing edge. A terminal end is removably hooked around the neck, separably abutting the neck, or adjacent to and apart from the neck. A swaged end is attached to the neck for rotational engagement within a cavity of a body. An embodiment features a first lateral bight that leads to a second bight, leading to a first side, leading to a tip bight defining an acute blunt leading edge, leading to a second side, leading to a fourth bight defining a capture recess, leading to a return bight, leading to a terminal end proximate the neck. In one embodiment, the first lateral bight is a 90 to 180 degree bend, and the second bight is a 45 to 270 degree bend and the third bight is a 90 to 270 and the return bight is a 90 to 180 degree bend, leading to a terminal end proximate the neck.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/021,957, filed Dec. 24, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to fishing, and more particularly, to a fishing swivel with a slip-on connector. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A fishing swivel is a device consisting of rotatable parts (i.e., rings with stems) connected to a pivoting joint. The device is usually made of metal, and the pivoting joint is usually ball- or barrel-shaped. The line from a rod and reel is tied to one ring, and a length of fishing line, often terminated by a hook, lure or sinker, is tied to another ring, usually the opposite ring. Snap swivels have a safety-pin like clip linked to one or more of the rings. Three-way swivels provide a point of connection for an additional lure or length of line, and are essential for certain line and hook setups. Swivels come in sizes ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters, and are traditionally composed of metal, and may be flat black or brass in color. The main purpose of the swivel is to allow the line to untwist during line retrieval, preventing undesirable tangling. 
         [0004]    While conventional swivels have proven effective in reducing twisting and tangling, they suffer a major drawback, namely, difficulty in changing hooks and lures. Various detachable fastenable swivel devices have been used for connecting elements of fishing tackle together. The usual swivel devices are formed in such a way that the devices cannot be easily be removed without pliers or cutting line. Therefore, such swivel devices cannot be changed or replaced without the use of tools, or without cutting the line. Additionally, conventional swivels have a separate component, such as a band or clamp, that is required to form a closure means. Eliminating such extra components would facilitate manufacturing and reduce costs. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a fishing swivel that enables a hook or lure to be slipped onto and easily slipped off, without appreciable risk of unintended withdrawal. The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, a slip-on fishing swivel is provided. The fishing swivel may be configured as a barrel, snap or three-way swivel. An exemplary fishing swivel according to principles of the invention includes a body and an attachment element, such as, but not limited to, an arrowhead or heart shaped attached element, rotationally coupled to the body. The attachment element is formed from bent wire. The attachment element has a neck and, adjacent the neck, an opening for slidingly inserting and removing a fishing hook or lure. A second attachment element may also be coupled to the body and configured for attaching to a line. The first (e.g., arrowhead or heart shaped) attachment element further includes a blunt acute leading edge and one or a pair of S-shaped trailing edges. A terminal end is removably hooked around the neck, separably abutting the neck, or adjacent to and apart from the neck. The end of the neck retained in the body is swaged. A first lateral bight leads to a second bight which may either define a first capture recess or merely lead to a first side, leading to a tip bight defining an acute blunt leading edge, leading to a second side, leading to a third bight defining a capture recess, leading to a return bight, leading to a terminal end proximate the neck. In one embodiment, the first lateral bight is a 90 to 180 degree bend, and the second bight is a 45 to 270 degree bend and the third bight is a 90 to 270 degree bend and the return bight is a 90 to 180 degree bend, leading to a terminal end proximate the neck. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the invention, a fishing equipment swivel attachment is rotationally coupled to the equipment, which may be a swivel body, a lure or some other form of equipment. The attachment includes an arrowhead shaped element formed from bent wire. It has a neck, one S-shaped trailing edge or a pair of S-shaped trailing edges adjacent the neck, a terminal end, and, between the an S-shaped trailing edges and the neck, an opening for slidingly inserting and removing a fishing hook or lure between the terminal end and neck. The terminal end may abut the neck, hook around the neck or be adjacent to and apart from the neck. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]    The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view an exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of another exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded plan section view an exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of an alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a plan view of an alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects or proportions shown in the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Referring to the Figures, in which like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals, various views of exemplary barrel swivels according to principles of the invention are shown. The components comprising each swivel will first be described, after which the advantages will be addressed. 
         [0020]    The body  130  of the exemplary swivel  100  has a bulbous (i.e., blunt), semi-spherical front leading edge and trailing edge. A central axis  515  passes through the center of the body from leading edge to trailing edge. A wider concentric cavity  510  is provided in the middle of the body  130  for engaging swaged ends  505 ,  520  of attachment elements. 
         [0021]    An exemplary attachment element is a blunt arrowhead (or heart) shaped element comprised of bent wire or a similar curved structure. The releasable attachment element  165  includes a swaged end  505 , a neck  135 , a first lateral bight (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend)  145 , a second bight  140  (e.g., a 90 to 270 degree bend) defining a first capture recess  160 , a first side  175 , a tip bight  105  defining a blunt acute leading edge, a second side  180 , a fourth bight  150  (e.g., a 90 to 270 degree bend) defining a second capture recess  155 , and a return bight  110  (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend) bringing the terminal end  115  proximate the neck  135 . The return bight  110  and terminal end  115  may abut (i.e., separably abut—capable of being separated yet abutting) the neck, or be adjacent to the neck  135 , as in  FIG. 3 , or be hooked around the neck  135  as in  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 5 . Shapes other than arrowheads that are suitable for attaching a lure or hook come within the scope of the invention. 
         [0022]    Another exemplary attachment element comprises a ring  125  attached to a neck  120  with a swaged end  520  rotatably retained within the body  130 . The ring  125  may be circular or another geometric shape suitable for retaining an attached line. The ring may be continuous (i.e., unsplit), split (like a key ring) or otherwise opened to receive a line. 
         [0023]    In use, a line from a rod and reel may be attached to  125  while a hook or lure is slipped onto the free end  115  of the opposite leading edge attachment element, and then advanced along to the blunt acute leading edge defined by the tip bight  105 . If the return bight  110  and terminal end  115  are hooked around the neck  135  as in  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 5 , they should be unhooked in order to install or remove a hook or lure. Upon unhooking the return bight  110  and terminal end  115  from around the neck  135 , the hook or lure may be slipped between the neck  135  and the return bight  110 . Fishing line from a rod and reel may then be tied to the eyelet  125  of the opposite attachment means. Twisting of either the terminal line or the line from the rod and reel causes the coupling attachment elements  125 ,  170  to rotate independently relative to the body  130 , thus preventing tangling. Even if the return bight  110  and terminal end  115  are not hooked around the neck  135 , a retained hook or lure will not unintentionally escape, because the recesses  155 ,  160  defined by the return bight  110  and second bight  140  prevent the line from migrating (i.e., sliding) along the wire forming the attachment element to the opening. In most cases, the hook or lure will remain at the leading edge defined by the tip bight  105 . However, if the hook or lure moves to either side, as it slides along the wire forming the attachment element, it will encounter a recess  115 ,  160 , which will impede further sliding travel of the hook or lure to the free end  115 . Thus, the retained hardware is prevented from escaping. 
         [0024]    As used herein, a recess (or capture recess) refers to a concavity or other similarly shaped curve or bend configured to impede engaged hardware, such as a line, lure or hook, from sliding off the free end of an attachment element. In a preferred embodiment, a recess is formed and positioned near the free end of an attachment element to prevent engaged hardware (i.e., a fishing accessory), such as a line, lure or hook, from sliding off the free end of an attachment element. Optionally, another recess is formed and positioned near the free end of an attachment element to prevent engaged hardware, such as a line, lure or hook, from sliding onto the neck and potentially impede free rotation of the attachment element. 
         [0025]    Exemplary recesses  155 ,  160  are curvaceous departures configured to pose an obstacle to sliding of a line to the free end  115 . In an exemplary embodiment, the recesses are u-shaped formations; although other shapes such as v-shaped, semicircular and polygonal may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Each of the exemplary adjacent bights  140 ,  145  and  110 ,  150  generally form an S-shaped curve. Thus, each of the exemplary adjacent bights  140 ,  145  and  110 ,  150  generally form a pair of S-shaped trailing edges. The exemplary recesses are offset from the tops of the second and return bights  145 ,  110 , by a distance d, approximately equal to or greater than the sum of the radii of curvature of the adjacent bights  140 ,  145  and  110 ,  150 . 
         [0026]    The second  140  and fourth  150  bights also serve as finger tabs. They may be urged towards each other or away from each other to either close or open the space  170  between the return bight  110  and the neck  135 . The tabs may also be urged towards each other to facilitate hooking and unhooking of the terminal end  115  around the neck  135 . The tabs may also be urged towards each other or away from each other using conventional pliers. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the blunt acute leading edge  105  reduces the risk of snagging objects (e.g., rocks, branches and debris) in the water. The blunt acute leading edge  105  also avoids stress concentrations that may otherwise contribute to failure. Furthermore, the blunt acute leading edge streamlines the tip and improves hydrodynamic performance by reducing drag and facilitating laminar flow. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a plan view of an alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention is conceptually illustrated. The body  130  of the exemplary swivel  100  has a bulbous (i.e., blunt), semi-spherical front leading edge and trailing edge. A central axis  515  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) passes through the center of the body from leading edge to trailing edge. A wider concentric cavity  510  is provided in the middle of the body  130  for engaging swaged ends  505 ,  520  of attachment elements, as also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0029]    Here, the exemplary attachment element includes only one recess to prevent the hook or lure from escaping. The releasable attachment element has a neck  635 , a first lateral bight (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend)  640 , a second bight  645  (e.g., an acute bend), a first side  650 , a tip bight  655  defining a blunt acute leading edge, a second side  660 , a fourth bight  665  (e.g., a 90 to 270 degree bend) defining the capture recess  655  adjacent the free end  675 , and a return bight  670  (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend) bringing the terminal end  675  proximate the neck  635 . The return bight  670  and terminal end  675  may abut (i.e., separably abut—capable of being separated yet abutting) the neck, or be adjacent to the neck  635 , as in  FIG. 6 , or be hooked around the neck  635  as in  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 5 . Shapes other than hearts or arrowheads are feasible and come within the scope of the invention. 
         [0030]    Another exemplary attachment element comprises a ring  125  attached to a neck  120  with a swaged end  520  rotatably retained within the body  130 . The ring  125  may be circular or another geometric shape suitable for retaining an attached line. The ring may be continuous (i.e., unsplit), split (like a key ring) or otherwise opened to receive a line. 
         [0031]    In use, a line from a rod and reel may be attached to  125  while a hook or lure (e.g., a length of terminal fishing line terminated by a hook or a lure) is slipped onto the free end  675  of the opposite leading edge attachment element, and then advanced along to the blunt acute leading edge defined by the tip bight  655 . For example,  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention with a hook  720  attached to a terminal line  710  having proximal an distal crimped retaining loops  705 ,  715 . Fishing line from a rod and reel may then be tied to the eyelet  125  of the opposite attachment means. Twisting of either the hook/terminal line  710  or the line from the rod and reel causes the coupling attachment elements to rotate independently relative to the body  130 , thus preventing tangling. The retained loop  705  of the terminal line  710  will not unintentionally escape, because the recess  665  defined by the return bight  665  prevents the terminal line  710  from migrating (i.e., sliding) along the wire forming the attachment element to the opening. In most cases, the terminal line  710  will remain at the leading edge defined by the tip bight  655 . However, if the retained loop  705  of the terminal line  710  moves towards the opening, then, as it slides along the wire forming the attachment element, it will encounter the recess  665 , which will impede further sliding travel of the retained loop  705  of the terminal line  710  to the free end  675 . Thus, the retained hardware is prevented from escaping. 
         [0032]    The recess  665  is a curvaceous departure configured to pose an obstacle to sliding of a line to the free end  675 . In an exemplary embodiment, the recess is a u-shaped formation; although other shapes such as v-shaped, semicircular and polygonal may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The exemplary adjacent bights  665 ,  670  generally forms an S-shaped trailing edge. 
         [0033]    Advantageously, the blunt acute leading edge  655  reduces the risk of snagging objects (e.g., rocks, branches and debris) in the water. The blunt acute leading edge  655  also avoids stress concentrations that may otherwise contribute to failure. Furthermore, the blunt acute leading edge streamlines the tip and improves hydrodynamic performance by reducing drag and facilitating laminar flow. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , plan and perspective views of an alternative exemplary barrel swivel according to principles of the invention are provided. The body  130  of the exemplary swivel  100  has a bulbous (i.e., blunt), semi-spherical front leading edge and trailing edge. A central axis  515  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) passes through the center of the body from leading edge to trailing edge. A wider concentric cavity  510  is provided in the middle of the body  130  for engaging swaged ends  505 ,  520  of attachment elements, as also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0035]    Here, the exemplary attachment element includes only one recess to prevent the hook or lure from escaping. The releasable attachment element has a neck  840 , a first lateral bight (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend)  835 , a second bight  830  (e.g., a 90 degree bend), a first side  825 , a tip bight  820  defining a blunt acute leading edge, a second side  815 , a fourth bight  810  (e.g., a 90 to 270 degree bend) defining the capture recess adjacent the free end  800 , and a return bight  805  (e.g., a 90 to 180 degree bend) bringing the terminal end  800  proximate the neck  840 . The return bight  805  and terminal end  800  may abut (i.e., separably abut—capable of being separated yet abutting) the neck, or be adjacent to the neck  840 , as in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , or be hooked around the neck  840  as in  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 5 . Shapes other than a curved tip with elongated linear sides (e.g., partially or wholly circular, oval, elliptical, parabolic, polygonal and other shapes) are feasible and come within the scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    Another exemplary attachment element comprises a ring  125  attached to a neck  120  with a swaged end  520  rotatably retained within the body  130 . The ring  125  may be circular or another geometric shape suitable for retaining an attached line. The ring may be continuous (i.e., unsplit), split (like a key ring) or otherwise opened to receive a line. 
         [0037]    In use, a line from a rod and reel may be attached to  125  while a hook or lure (e.g., a length of terminal fishing line terminated by a hook or a lure) is slipped onto the free end  800  of the opposite leading edge attachment element, and then advanced along to the blunt acute leading edge defined by the tip bight  820 . Fishing line from a rod and reel may then be tied to the eyelet  125  of the opposite attachment means. Twisting of either the lure or hook or the line from the rod and reel causes the coupling attachment elements to rotate independently relative to the body  130 , thus preventing tangling. The retained portion of the terminal line, lure or hook will not unintentionally escape, because the recess  810  defined by the return bight  810  prevents the terminal line, hook or lure from migrating (i.e., sliding) along the wire forming the attachment element to the opening. In most cases, the terminal line, hook or lure will remain at the leading edge defined by the tip bight  820 . However, if the terminal line, hook or lure moves towards the opening, then, as it slides along the wire forming the attachment element, it will encounter the recess  810 , which will impede further sliding travel of the retained terminal line, hook or lure to the free end  800 . Thus, the retained hardware is prevented from escaping. 
         [0038]    The recess  810  is a curvaceous departure configured to pose an obstacle to sliding of a line to the free end  800 . In an exemplary embodiment, the recess is a u-shaped formation; although other shapes such as v-shaped, semicircular and polygonal may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The exemplary adjacent bights  805 ,  810  generally form an S-shaped trailing edge. 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the blunt acute leading edge  820  reduces the risk of snagging objects (e.g., rocks, branches and debris) in the water. The blunt acute leading edge  820  also avoids stress concentrations that may otherwise contribute to failure. Furthermore, the blunt acute leading edge streamlines the tip and improves hydrodynamic performance by reducing drag and facilitating laminar flow. 
         [0040]    The swivel may be produced using any suitable manufacturing techniques known in the art for the chosen material, such as (for example) molding, casting, and machining. Preferably the manufacturing technique is suitable for mass production at relatively low cost per unit, and results in an aesthetically acceptable product with a consistent acceptable quality and structural and mechanical characteristics. 
         [0041]    The swivel may be comprised of any suitable fishing tackle materials now known or hereafter developed. The material may include any corrosion resistant metals, alloys, composites and/or plastics that provide adequate strength and rigidity for a given size swivel. Exemplary materials include steels (e.g., high carbon, low carbon, and stainless), aluminum, titanium, alloys thereof, carbon composites, and ABS, polyvinyldene fluoride, fluoropolymer and nylon. The material should exhibit an ultimate tensile strength and rigidity (e.g., Young&#39;s modulus of elasticity) sufficient to resist failure and appreciable deformation during normal use. 
         [0042]    While a barrel swivel is shown and described as a preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to barrel swivels. Rather, releasable arrowhead attachments with recesses may be utilized with other types of swivels, such as snap or three-way swivels, as well as with lures. Additionally, although only one releasable arrowhead attachment is shown and described in the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to a device with one releasable arrowhead attachment. Rather, a swivel may include two or more releasable arrowhead attachments. Such other embodiments are intended to come within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0043]    While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps of the invention, including variations in order, form, content, function and manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.