Patent Publication Number: US-2013247445-A1

Title: Fishing Lure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to fishing lures and, more particularly, in one or more embodiments, to topwater fishing lures comprising a rotatable lure body. 
     Fishing lures have been used for years by sportsmen for both commercial gain and sport. In general, fishing lures are objects attached to the end of a fishing line that are designed to simulate natural prey of a fish as the lures are moved through the water. To attract fish, fishing lures can use, for example, movement, vibration, and/or color. Fishing lures typically include one or more hooks to hook the fish when the fish attacks a particular lure. 
     A wide variety of fishing lures have been developed over the years with wide variance in the style, color, size, and type of the lure. Examples of lures include jigs, top-water lures, crankbaits, artificial flies, spoons, spinnerbaits, and soft-plastic baits. Depending on the design, each type of lure will typically perform differently underwater. Despite the lures that are currently available, there exists a need for improved lures that can attract fish when moved through the water. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention relates generally to fishing lures and, more particularly, in one or more embodiments, to topwater fishing lures comprising a rotatable lure body. 
     An embodiment of the present invention includes a fishing lure. The fishing lure may comprise a rotatable lure body having an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface includes one or more spaced helical grooves configured to effect rotation of the rotatable lure body during retrieval through water. The fishing lure may further comprise a hook coupled to the rotatable lure body, wherein the rotatable lure is configured to rotate independently of the hook. The fishing lure may be a topwater fishing lure. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a topwater fishing lure. The top water fishing lure may comprise a rotatable lure body having an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface includes one or more spaced helical grooves configured to effect rotation of the rotatable lure body during retrieval through water. The topwater fishing lure may further comprise a wire at least partially disposed in a longitudinal channel extending through the rotatable lure body, such that the rotatable lure body rotates about the wire, the wire comprising a forward ring at a proximal end of the wire. The topwater fishing lure may further comprise a swivel coupled to a distal end of the wire. The topwater fishing lure may further comprise a hook coupled to the swivel such that the rotatable lure body is configured to rotate independently of the hook. The topwater fishing lure may further comprise wings disposed between the rotatable lure body and the swivel. The rotatable lure body may be buoyant such that the fishing lure is configured to float on surface when the fishing lure is at rest in still water. 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes and modifications are within the spirit of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These drawings illustrate certain aspects of the present invention and should not be used to limit or define the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a fishing lure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a lure body in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an alternative fishing lure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating another alternative fish lure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is another view of the fishing lure of  FIG. 4  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a fishing lure  2  is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the fishing lure  2  comprises a rotatable lure body  4 , a wire  6 , wings  8 , and a hook  10 . In accordance with present embodiments, the fishing lure  2  is a topwater lure in that it moves across the water&#39;s surface as it is retrieved. As will be discussed in more detail below, the rotatable lure body  4  may be configured to rotate as the fishing lure  2  is moved through water. It is believed that rotation of the fishing lure  2  should attract fish as the fishing lure  2  is moved through water. It is further believed that rotation of the fishing lure  2  should mimic wounded prey of the fish. 
     The rotatable lure body  4  may be elongated in shape in that its length may be long in relation to its width. For example, the rotatable lure body  4  may have a length that is at least 2 times the width of the lure body  4 . In one embodiment, the rotatable lure body  4  may be in the general shape of an elongated cylinder. In accordance with present embodiments, the rotatable lure body  4  may buoyant such that the fishing lure  2  floats on the surface when at rest in still water, which may be saltwater or freshwater, for example. In this manner, the fishing lure  2  may be moved about the surface of the water when it is retrieved. In some embodiments, the fishing lure  2  may not float in still water but could still be configured to have sufficient buoyancy to travel at the water&#39;s surface when retrieved. 
     The rotatable lure body  4  may be constructed from any of a variety of materials including, for example, plastics (e.g., acrylic methyl methacrylate), wood, and combinations thereof. Other suitable materials may also be used for the rotatable lure body  4 . In some embodiments, the rotatable lure body  4  may be designed to allow light to pass through the body. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , an exterior surface  12  of the rotatable lure body  4  may include spaced helical grooves  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, helical surfaces  16  are disposed between each of the helical grooves  14  in the exterior surface  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spaced helical grooves  14  with the helical surfaces  16  extend substantially along the entire length of the exterior surface  12  of the lure body  4 . In some embodiments, the spaced helical grooves  14  with the helical surfaces  16  extend substantially along at least 64% of the length of the exterior surface  12  of the lure body  4  and, alternatively at least 90% of the length of the exterior surface  12  of the lure body  4 . In some embodiments, the helical grooves  14  may have a width (w 1 ) that is at least twice the width (w 2 ) of the helical surfaces  16  and, alternatively, at least three times the width (w 2 ) of the helical surfaces  16 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     In accordance with present embodiments, the rotatable lure body  4  may have a wide variety of different designs suitable for attracting fish. For example, the lure body  4  may be any of a variety of different colors that may be suitable for attracting fish in different conditions. By way of further example, the rotatable lure body  4  may be designed to have the general appearance of shad, crawfish, or a perch, among others. In one embodiment, the helical grooves  14  and the helical surfaces  16  may have contrasting colors and/or designs. In some embodiments, the helical grooves  14  may be designed to have the general appearance of a top portion of a bait (e.g., shad, crawfish, perch) while the helical surfaces  16  may be designed to have the general appearance of a lower portion of the bait, or vice versa. In an embodiment, the rotatable lure body  4  may include fish marks, such as eyes, scales, and the like, that may allow the fishing lure to mimic prey. By way of further example, the rotatable lure body  4  may include additional features for attracting fish, such as a skirt or a tail. In an embodiment, a skirt can be attached to the rotatable lure body  4  with the skirt extending from the distal end—with respect to the direction of retrieval of the rotatable lure body  4 . In an embodiment, a tail can be attached to the rotatable lure body  4  with the tail extending from the distal end of the rotatable lure body  4 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the rotatable lure body  4  may have a longitudinal channel  20  extending therethrough. The channel  20  may be adapted to receive a portion of the wire  6 . The channel  20  may have openings  22  at either end of the lure body  4 . 
     The wire  6  may be at least partially disposed in the longitudinal channel  20  of the rotatable lure body  4 . As the fishing lure  2  is moved through the water, the lure body  4  may rotate about the wire  6 . A proximal end—with respect to the direction of retrieval—of the wire  6  may include a forward ring  24  configured to couple the fishing lure  2  to a fishing line  26 . As the lure body  4  rotates about the wire  6 , the fishing line  26  should not twist and/or tangle as the fishing lure  2  is moved through the water. A swivel  28  may be disposed at a distal end of the wire  6 . 
     The wings  8  may be disposed on the wire  6  at a distal end of the lure body  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wings  8  may be disposed between the rotatable lure body  4  and the swivel  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , two wings  8  may be disposed on the wire  6 . However, it should be understood that more or less wings  8  may be used in embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with present embodiments, the wings  6  may be configured to spin about the wire  6 . In one particular embodiment, the wings  6  spin independent of the rotatable lure body  4 . In another embodiment, the wings  6  are secured to a distal end of the rotatably lure body  4  such that the blades  6  spin with the lure body  4 . 
     The hook  10  may be coupled to the swivel. While a treble hook is illustrated. it should be understood that the present invention encompasses the use of other hooks with the fishing lures disclosed herein. In addition, while one hook  10  is illustrated, the present invention contemplates using one or more hooks  10  as needed for a particular application. While not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hook  10  may include a skirt or a tail coupled thereto. 
     The fishing lure  2  may have a variety of sizes depending, for example, on the particular application. For example, a larger lure may be desired in some instances, such as saltwater fishing. In accordance with certain embodiments, the fishing lure  2  may have a length of from about 2 inches to about 12 inches, and, in other embodiments, from about 2 inches to about 5 inches. In accordance with present embodiment embodiments, the fishing lure  2  may be buoyant in freshwater, seawater, or both freshwater and seawater. 
     The following is a description of one suitable technique for use of the fishing lure  2  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In operation, the forward ring  24  of the fishing lure  2  can be secured to the fishing line  26 , as shown on  FIG. 1 . A fisherman can cast or lower the fishing lure  2  into the water to be fished. The fishing lure  2  can then be moved through the water by subsequent retrieval, jigging, or trolling, for example. As the fishing lure  2  is moved through the water, the helical grooves  14  on the rotatable lure body  4  are adapted to rotate the fishing lure  2 . As the lure body  4  rotates about the wire  6 , the fishing line  26  should not twist and/or tangle as the fishing lure  2  is moved through the water. The swivel  28  should generally allow the fishing lure  2  to rotate independently of the hook  10 . It is believed that rotation of the fishing lure  2  in the water should attract fish. It is further believed that rotation of the fishing lure  2  should mimic wounded prey of the fish. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a fishing lure  2  is illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the fishing lure  2  comprises a rotatable lure body  4 , wings  8 , and a hook  10 . In accordance with present embodiments, the rotatable lure body  4  may include an exterior surface  12  having spaced helical grooves  14  wherein helical surfaces  16  may be disposed between each of the helical grooves  14  in the exterior surface  12 . As illustrated, a distal end of the lure boy  4  may taper to a blunt end while the proximal end may be blunt. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable lure body  4  includes a forward ring  30  at a proximal end thereof. A swivel  32  may be attached to the forward ring  30  with the swivel  32  coupled to the fishing line  26 . As illustrated, the rotatable lure body  4  further may include a rear ring  34  at a distal end thereof. A swivel  28  may be coupled to the rear ring  34  with the swivel  28  coupled to the hook  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hook  10  includes a skirt  36 . The rotatable blades  8  may be coupled to the lure body  4  as shown by  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a fishing lure  2  is illustrated in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, the fishing lure  2  comprises a rotatable lure body  4  and a hook  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable lure body  4  comprises a lure core  38  and a removable sleeve  40  that may be placed over the lure core  38 . As illustrated, the lure core  38  includes a head portion  42  and a cylindrical body portion  44  with the head portion  42  extending from one end of the cylindrical body portion  44 . While the body portion  44  is illustrated as being generally cylindrical in nature, it should be understood that other shapes for the body portion  44  are encompassed within the present invention. In an embodiment, the head portion  42  tapers from the cylindrical body portion  44  to a blunt end  46 . 
     Embodiments of the lure core  38  may further include a forward ring  30  positioned at the blunt end  46  of the head portion  42 . The forward ring  30  can be adapted to secure the fishing lure  2  to a line so that the lure  2  can be moved through the water. Additional embodiments of the lure core  38  may further include a rear ring  34  positioned at the trailing end  48  of the cylindrical body portion of the lure core. The rear ring  34  may be used to secure any of a variety of different devices to the lure core, including for example, swivels, hooks, lures, trailers, leaders, combinations thereof, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear ring  34  secures a hook  10  to the lure core  38 . While a treble hook is illustrated, it should be understood that the present invention encompasses the use of other hooks with the fishing lure  2  disclosed herein. 
     The lure core  38  may be constructed from any of a variety of suitable materials including, for example, plastics (e.g., acrylic methyl methacrylate), wood, and combinations thereof. Other suitable materials may also be used for the lure core  38 . In accordance with present embodiments, the lure core  38  may buoyant such that the fishing lure  2  floats on the surface when at rest in still water, which may be saltwater or freshwater, for example. In this manner, the fishing lure  2  may be moved about the surface of the water when it is retrieved. In some embodiments, the fishing lure  2  may not float in still water but could still be configured to have sufficient buoyancy to travel at the water&#39;s surface when retrieved. The lure core  38  can be designed to allow light to pass through the lure core  38 . As will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 6 , a light source may be incorporated within the lure core  38 , allowing the fishing lure  2  to transmit light when under water to further attract fish, for example. In an embodiment, the lure core  38  comprises a transparent material. In another embodiment, the lure core  38  comprises a translucent material. 
     The removable sleeve  40  may be adapted and configured to be placed over the lure core  38  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Multiple sleeves  40  may be provided with a lure core with each sleeve  40  configured to be placed over the lure core  38 . The sleeves  40  may have different designs and/or configurations, allowing the fisherman to select a particular sleeve  40  for use with the lure core  38  based, for example, on the particular water conditions. As illustrated, the removable sleeve  40  includes a proximal end  50  and a distal end  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end  50  of the removable sleeve  40  includes a forward opening  54 . In an embodiment, the opening  54  is sized to receive the forward ring  30  of the lure core  38 . A rear opening  56  can be located at the distal end  52  of the removable sleeve  40 . In one embodiment, the rear opening  56  is sized to receive the lure core  38 . In an exemplary embodiment, the removable sleeve  40  can be placed over the lure core  38  with the head portion  42  being inserted first into the rear opening  56  followed by the body portion  44 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, an exterior surface  58  of the removable sleeve  40  may include spaced helical grooves  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, helical surfaces  62 , such as ridges may be disposed between each of the helical grooves  60  in the exterior surface  58 . As the fishing lure  2  is moved through the water, the spaced helical grooves  60  should cause the fishing lure  2  to rotate about its longitudinal axis. 
     The removable sleeve  40  may be constructed from any of a variety of suitable materials including, for example, elastomers, silicone, and combinations thereof. In general, embodiments of the removable sleeve  40  may have sufficient elasticity to allow the removable sleeve  40  to slide over the lure core  38  without undesired deformation. In one embodiment, the removable sleeve  40  can be designed to allow light to pass through the sleeve  40 . In an embodiment, the removable sleeve  40  comprises a transparent material. In another embodiment, the removable sleeve  40  comprises a translucent material. 
     The removable sleeve  40  may have a wide variety of different designs suitable for attracting fish. For example, the removable sleeve  40  may be any of a variety of different colors that may be suitable for attracting fish in different conditions. By way of further example, the removable sleeve  40  may be designed to have the general appearance of shad, crawfish, or a perch, among others. In an embodiment, the removable sleeve  40  may include fish marks, such as eyes, scales, and the like, that may allow the fishing lure to mimic prey. By way of further example, the removable sleeve  40  may include additional features for attracting fish, such as a skirt or a tail. In an embodiment, a skirt can be attached to the removable sleeve  40  with the skirt extending from the distal end  52  of the removable sleeve  40 . In an embodiment, a tail can be attached to the removable sleeve  40  with the tail extending from the distal end  52  of the removable sleeve  40 . 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Although individual embodiments are discussed, the invention covers all combinations of all those embodiments. While apparatus and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatus and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps.