Abstract:
A single small elastic disk, which may or may not include a central perforation, is dispensed from the storage cavity of the device into a holding channel at the edge thereof so that it can be threaded onto a fishhook to serve as a bait retainer. The lateral movement of the hook from the edge of the dispenser removes the retainer from the channel, so that is placing firmly on the shaft of the fishhook. The central portion, being opened by the fishhook tip before removal from the dispenser, will exert a gripping force when disposed on the shaft or shank portion of a fish hook. Preferably, the disk portion of one such retainer when placed against adjacently threaded bait or lures will retain them on the hook during use until the bait or lure is intentionally removed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to the US Provisional Patent Application of the same title, filed on Aug. 24, 2009, having application Ser. No. 61/236,482, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device and method for retaining bait or lures on fishing hooks. 
     Loss of bait while fishing is more than an annoyance for recreational fisherman, as rare and expensive lures can be lost. Further, it can cause a loss in productivity and yield for commercial fisherman that use live bait. 
     Others have tried to solve this problem using specialized hooks for retaining bait. However, these methods have not gained commercial success, most likely because of the added cost of the hooks, the limited versatility as well as the difficulty of threading the bait with the added retaining mechanism in place. Others have recognized the need for more versatile bait retaining devices that can be used with standard fishing hooks and lures. Prior art US patents show bait retainers of a tubular and ovulating grips that can be threaded onto the hook around the bait, as well as wires and clamps that are part of the fishhook (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,141,900, 6,240672 and 4,827,657 being most typical of the closest prior art). However, while the devices appear to be simple, they are not convenient to apply to the baited hook in the typical fishing environment of a variety of weather conditions that easily cause wet and windy conditions. This is particularly the case because such devices, being small, are easy to lose before they are even applied to the hook. 
     It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved device and method that saves baits and lures from loss. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for rapid dispensing and insertion of such bait retainers on fishhooks. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a dispensing means that is easily accessible and portable for convenient use while fishing in the most challenging environments. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide such a dispensing means in the form of a highly reliable device, preferably that does not require moving parts. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a safe method of dispensing such highly reliable bait retainer, particularly in light of the sharp points on fishhooks. 
     It is another object of the invention to be able to provide more naturally appearing bait for increased productivity of catching fish. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a process for setting a bait retainer on a fish hook, the process comprising the steps of providing a dispenser containing a plurality of elastic disks with a opening at the edge for retaining and presenting a single elastic disk for removal there from, manipulating the dispenser to advance a single elastic disk to be retained in the opening where the central portion is accessible from the exterior of the opening in the dispenser, inserting a fish hook point through the center of the disk via the relative downward movement of the fish hook tip, removing the disk from the dispenser by laterally translating the hook away from the opening in the dispenser. 
     A second aspect of the invention is characterized by a bait retaining dispenser comprising an upper shell and a lower shell connected to the upper shell wherein at least one of said upper and lower shell have a concavity facing the other shell, and wherein the upper and lower shell are disposed in removable engagement so that the concavity define s a cavity for holding a plurality of disk shaped bait retainers; an opening at the edge of the dispenser for retaining a single disk shaped bait retainer that is connected to the cavity, wherein the cavity tapers in width and thickness toward said opening to permit only a single bait retainer to enter the opening. 
     The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of two disks used as bait retainers on a fishhook. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the bait retaining disk in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bait retaining disk in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view of an embodiment of the bait retaining disk dispenser. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front elevation view of the bait retaining disk dispenser of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevation of the bait retaining disk dispenser of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-section perspective view of the assembled shells that form the disk retaining cavity of another embodiment of the bait retaining disk dispenser. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the lower cavity of the dispenser in  FIG. 3A  to illustrate the tapered regions that terminate in the opening channel where the bait retainer are removed from the device with the fishhook. 
         FIG. 4  is a cut away perspective view to illustrate the disk retaining function of the channel opening in the embodiment of the dispenser shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         FIG. 5  is a cut away perspective view to illustrate in more detail a portion of the latching mechanism of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved bait retainer and dispenser apparatus, the dispenser apparatus generally denominated 100 herein. 
     In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates the use of the bait retainer  10 , to hold bait  2  on a fishhook  1 . The bait retainer is an elastic disk  10  when penetrated in the center by the shaft  1   c  of the fishhook  1  to which it sticks to prevent bait form sliding past it. Preferably the elastic disk  10  has a preformed hole, perforation, punch or slit  11  in the center of the disk  10  to accommodate the shaft  1   c  of the fishhook  1 . The bait retainers  10  are threaded onto the shaft  1   c  of the fishhook land surround the bait  2  limiting its motion on shaft  1   c  and preventing it from loss or inadvertent removal. The bait retainers  10 , when circular in cross section preferably have an outer diameter of about 0.150″, with a hole  11  providing an inner diameter of about 0.012″ and a thickness of about 0.038″. The bait retaining disks  10  can be used with either natural or artificial baits and allows a natural presentation of baits. 
     While disks  10  of the above dimensions are suitable for use with a plurality of hook sizes and styles, it should be apparent that the dimensions can be changed to more preferably accommodate a particular size or style of fishhook. Any hole or perforation in the disk  10  is smaller than the diameter of the fishhook shaft and is thus or closed by the elasticity of the disk when threaded onto the fishhook. To the extent the disk  10  does not tear easily, it may or may not need a preformed hole but can optionally have a puncture in the center to aid in the opening and sticking to the fishhook shaft. Further, the disk  10  need not have a circular cross-section, but can also have a square, rectangular, octagonal and the like. Generally, disk  10  should be much wider than it&#39;s thickness, so it is easy to thread onto the curved fishhook, but retains bait. Preferably, the width of disk  10  is about 3 to 4 times the thickness, or more. The thickness is generally in the range of about 0.02 to 0.06 inches, but more preferably about 0.04 inches thick. Further disks  10  can be any color, such as clear or blending with the bait, lure or surroundings, as well as a distinctive color to catch the attention of further attract a particular species of fish. It is generally preferably that the disks  10  have an outer diameter that is at least about 3 times the thickness to aid in threading and also block bait  2  from moving past it. It should be appreciated that the disks can be made wider or stiffer to accommodate different types of bait  2  and fishhooks 1. 
     A currently preferred type and source of such disks  10  are pre-notched silicone dental stops available from Dentsply Maillefer of Ballaigues, Switzerland. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, circular disk form of the bait retainer  10  is readily dispensed form the container  100  shown in  FIG. 2-5 . The container has a cavity  130  that is sealed by a portal or removable portion, such as  125  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C , or what can generally can be considered to an upper shell  110  that is engaged in a substantially sealed connection to the lower shell  120  to form a cavity  130 . Either portion  125  is removed or the shells  110  and  120  are opened to insert and then store bait retainers  10  until dispensed from the cavity  130  via opening  140  therein. Opening  140  is preferably configured at one side of cavity  130  for temporarily retaining and presenting a single bait retaining disk  10  for removal from the dispenser  100 . 
     Further, the portion of the cavity  130  should taper in thickness toward opening  140 , as shown for pyramidal tapers  132  and  131  that are orthogonal in  FIG. 2A-C . 
     More preferably, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3-4 , at least one of the upper  110  and lower  120  shells has a concave surface  111  that tapers in the width and thickness of the cavity toward the opening  140  to accommodate a single disk  10 . 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates a method of attaching the bait  2  and bait retainers  10  and  10 ′ to a fishhook, having a barb end  1   a  and an opposing eyelet end  1   b.    
     First upon providing the dispenser  100 , it loaded with the bait retainers  10 , either by opening the shells  110  and  120  or via a removable portal  125 . Next, preferably by agitating the dispenser  100 , at least one of the retainer disks  10  from the cavity  130  descends or transfers through the tapers  131  and  132  to be disposed in the opening  140  or channel  141  wherein the center portion of the disk is accessible from above. Then as shown in  FIG. 2B , a fishhook tip  1   a  is inserted with the downward motion shown by arrow  300  through the perforation  11  or a central portion in the disk  10 . 
     The fishhook  1  is optionally baited after the first retainer  10 ′ is inserted on shaft  1   b  so that a second retainer disk  10  can then be inserted to hold the bait or lure  2  on shaft  1   b  from the other side closer to the point  1   a  of fishhook  1 . Depending on the size and type of bait or lure used relative to the fish hook  1 , it can be retained with just the single disk  10 , omitting the first retaining disk  10 ′. The retainer disk  10  and  10 ′ are optionally moved to the eyelet end  1   c  of fishhook shaft  1   b  either before or after removing the hook  1  from the position in channel  141 . The retainer disks  10  and  10 ′ can be moved by hand along the direction of arrow  200 , or by moving the fishhook  1  in the same direction while the disk  10  is retained in channel  141 . 
     Disk  10  is then removed from the dispenser  100  by laterally translating the fishhook  1  away from the opening  140  in the direction of arrow  400 . 
     Thus, it should be appreciated that device  100  is sized to provide a cavity  130  for retaining multiple bait retainer disks  10 . Opening  140  is dimensioned as a partially opened channel  141  to admit only a single elastic disk  10  with at least one of friction or an end stop to retain the hook until the disk  10  is distorted to remove it from the opening  140  or channel  141 . This opening channel  141  is also wider than the diameter of the fishhook shaft, so the later can be removed after insertion of the disk  10  by lateral movement. 
     As further illustrated in the more preferred embodiment of  FIG. 3-4 , the first taper  131  is a concave portion  111  of at least one shell, such as the lower shell  120  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and has a smooth continuously curving surface  135  that extends toward the opening  140   
     It should be appreciated that the preferred disks are not only elastic, but are sufficiently soft and thus tacky enough to remain in the fixed position on shaft  1   c  after placement as shown in  FIG. 2 , even in wet conditions. However, such properties also make them more likely to self adhere or cling to the internal surface of a dispenser  100 . Accordingly, the most preferred aspects of the invention enable disk like bait retainer  10  to be reliably dispensed. Toward this end, the dispenser  100  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  also has grooves  150  on the interior of at least one of the upper and lower shell, but preferably both. These grooves  150  run toward the opening and have a half round profile to minimize friction/stiction with the elastic disks  10 . Preferably, the groove  150  dimensions are similar to the diameter of the elastic disk so the disk is supported by the groove peaks, minimizing the contact area of the disk surface with the inner wall of the cavity  130 . 
     In this more preferred embodiment, the cavity  130  first tapers in thickness in region  131  to less than the height of two disks, then in a second taper in region  132  the width is reduced to less than the width of two disks at the opening channel  140 . Thus, the wider portion  135  of the cavity  130  stores elastic disks  10 . It is also more preferably that the first taper  131  (in thickness) is a gradual curve to a thinner triangular region  132  having the second taper in width. Most preferably, this triangular region  132  has walls  136  that are disposed at obtuse angles with respect to the principle plane axis of the second taper  132 . 
     Further improving the delivery of single disk to channel  141  and precluding clogging of opening  140  with multiple disks are stepped walls  137  along the final taper before opening  140 . 
     The dispenser  100  can be opaque, but is more preferably at least one of translucent or transparent so different colored disks show through for easy identification. 
     The channel opening  141  to cavity  130  is slightly wider than the disk  10  to allow the disk to move from storage area of the cavity  130  into loading area at opening  140 . Most preferably the channel  141  has at least one of further narrowing of the channel or a designed stopping part to preclude the disk  10  from moving any further after it exits cavity  130  until it is deliberately threaded onto the fishhook  1  and removed while disposed thereon. 
     Another aspect of the most preferred embodiment of the invention is to provide either the upper or lower shell with an external funnel or inverted pyramidal recess  148  above the channel opening for guiding the fishhook tip to the disk. The external funnel or inverted pyramidal recess  148  is defined by walls  149  that extend upward above the exterior surface of the upper shell. 
     Further, for the user&#39;s convenience when fishing, the device also includes external grip  160 , which in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  is to opposing external ridges  161  and  161 ′ having a semicircular shape for engaging the ball of the thumb or another finger there between. The side walls of the dispenser also have a midsection concavity  126  to accommodate a portion of the hand opposing the thumb for gripping. 
     Most preferably device  100  also includes an external ring or snap (not shown) for attachment to gear or clothing is connected to the dispenser  100  via the hole  170  on the upper shell  110  outside of the region of cavity  130 . 
     It should be appreciated that although different features and aspects of the invention have been described with respect to a particular embodiment, such features and aspects may be combined with others in alternative embodiments. For example, the upper or lower shell can be a flat plate, provided the other shell has at least a concave portion to hold bait retaining disks. These shells can engage and lock via either a snap fit, one or more screws that extend from one shell to a nut or threaded fitting in the other shells, external clamp or a screw cap in either one or both shells, as well as at least one hinge and another type of fastener as stated above and the like. 
     A preferred form of the locking means is snap fit mechanism  180  having a flexible detent arm  181  that engages the edge of the receiving hole  182 , which is shown in the FIG.  3 AB and  FIG. 5 . The receiving hole  182  in this embodiment is recessed below the planar upper face of the upper shell  110  having the grip  160 . The flexible detent arm  181  is also recessed into a connected portion of the lower shell  120 . Preferably the shells  110  and  120  have several portions of the opposing edges insure the alignment of the shells to assure secure closure as after the single detent is engaged. Once such embodiment of such aligning means are protrusion  191  just inside the wall of shell  120 . When the detect arm  181  is released the upper shell  110  can slide backwards and is then readily lifted away in direction of arrow  500 . 
     Opening channel  141  can be formed in either or both upper and lower shell. Further, this opening channel width can be the same as the OD of the disk to hold it by stiction, or can have a slightly greater width but have a partially closed end wall to retain one disk until it is removed with the fishhook. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.