Patent Publication Number: US-2016235049-A1

Title: Frames for bladed and weighted fishing lures

Description:
CONTINUITY 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/120,871, titled BLADED FISHING LURE and filed Jul. 7, 2014; which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/999,509, titled LURE FISHING ASSEMBLY WITH WEIGHTED WIREFORM and filed Mar. 5, 2014; which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/694,028, titled LURE FISHING ASSEMBLY WITH WEIGHTED WIREFORM and filed Oct. 22, 2012, now allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,012; which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/200,900, titled INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE AND LURE FISHING ASSEMBLY and filed Oct. 4, 2011, now allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,460; which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/387,024, titled BLADED FISHING LURE ASSEMBLY and filed Apr. 27, 2009; which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/656,099, titled FISHING LURE ASSEMBLY and filed Jan. 22, 2007, now abandoned, by David L. Thorne, which are made part hereof by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to frames for bladed fishing lures. Herein, frames are defined to be infrastructure for blade, fishing hook assembly, line and, often, weight attachment sites for constructing a fishing lure. 
     BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART 
     Frames for bladed lures are generally fishing lure components which are deemed necessary construction and attachment parts for other fish attracting lure parts. In this context, frames may be considered more a part of infrastructure than those parts which attract fish, although in some cases such may not be true. For these reasons, it is generally considered that the frame should be more hidden than revealed. 
     Even so, each frame is a very important part of a bladed fishing lure, providing communicating attachments to withstand strain of forces between fishing line and hook, to provide constraining bends to maintain associated blades in proper orientation while the lure is displaced through water and to have strategically disposed connecting elements for associated weights. In essence, frames may be considered fishing lure skeletons, supplying structure which provides features for attaching and orienting lure parts and for providing secure communication between fishhook and fishing line. In some cases, that communication through a frame may be differently oriented when a lure is “running” through water than when a rearward force is in applied to a hook or other lure part. 
     Frames are commonly made from wire, bent to provide attachment sites and supporting segments. For commercialization purposes, it is preferable that such wire frames be designed for automatic fabrication in an automatic wire bending machine. Perhaps one of the most salient features of a frame is an ability to promote simple and efficient lure assembly. In other lures, frames may be made from such processes as stamped metal or molded plastic. 
     One less noticeable role of a fishing lure frame may be to effect a guard which makes the lure less likely to gather moss or weeds when drawn through a marshy pond. Even so, commonly a frame provides the attachment site for a line and is thus a portion of the leading edge of a lure and a first contacting point when drawn through weeds. As contact with weeds in such environments is immanent it becomes compelling that each impacted weed be sloughed from the lure as attached weeds are all too potent in reducing lure effectiveness. For this reason, it is consequential for weed resistant lures to provide a leading portion of a frame which is designed to shed weeds. 
     Definitions: 
     
         
         For purposes of this disclosure, the following definitions apply: 
         aft, adv, near, toward, or in the rear of a lure away from a line attachment 
         angle of attack, n, generally related to an predetermined angle of a blade relative to direction of pull of a lure through water, the angle of attack being an angle for achieving desired blade action 
         blade, n, a broad flattened part which is affixed to a portion of a fishing lure and which oscillates as the lure is propelled in water to provide a wake following therefrom; such a blade may be rigid or flexible, if flexible such a blade requires a supporting mast to withstand pressure from being displaced through water 
         centrally, adv, near, toward the center of gravity, syn: medially 
         distal, adj, (see also proximal) indicates the segment of a device normally away from a lure fishing line attachment 
         fishhook, n, a device, usually made of rigid metal wire, comprising a curved section which has a sharpened point on one end for catching a fish and a shank which comprises a substantially straight portion on an opposite end. Generally, the shank is ultimately affixed with an eyelet or other attachment providing for connecting line and other accouterments 
         fishhook assembly, n, a combination of a fishhook and other attributes associated with the fishhook for attaching the fishhook to a frame or wireform and for adding attractive components such as an artificial or natural bait 
         fore, adv, in, toward or adjacent to the front (i.e. forward near line attachment site) 
         inferior, adj, situated lower down or closer to the center of the earth than a referenced site 
         nose, n, the front, bow or proximal end of a lure 
         proximal, adj, indicates the segment of a device normally closely disposed relative to a line attachment of a lure 
         shank, n, a portion of a fishhook, the shank usually having a substantially straight portion, e.g. a portion which is associated with an aft curved portion of a fishhook and with a connecting link by which the fishhook is affixed to other fishing gear 
         substantially, adv, in a manner relating to the most or main part or characteristic of something, e.g. a substantially round ball which is known to be imperfect in roundness, but performs acceptably in its imperfect state 
         superior, adj, situated higher up or away from the center of the earth relative to a referenced site 
       
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In brief summary, this novel invention provides a basis for novel frame design which expedites bladed lure assembly, defines blade angle of attack when drawn through water, effectively resists strain of forces between fishhook and fishing line, provides for attaching a strategically disposed weight and, in relevant cases, provides structure for shedding mossy vegetation and weeds contacted in weed infested water. 
     Therefore, it is a primary object to provide a bladed lure frame which is readily formed in a wire bending machine. 
     It is a similar object to provide a bladed lure frame which is formed by metal stamping or plastic molding. 
     It is a paramount object to provide a bladed lure frame which is expeditious and efficacious in lure assembly. 
     It is a basic object to provide a bladed lure frame which can withstand strain of a large fish or snag. 
     It is an important object to provide a bladed frame which provides a site for affixing a fishing line which is consistent with blade and lure action requirements. 
     It is another important object to provide for strategic attachment of a weight associated with a bladed lure frame. 
     It is yet another object to provide a frame which provides a lure which communicates between along a first line between fishing line and fishhook when the lure is “running” and along a second line when strain occurs due attached fish or snag. 
     It is a primary object to provide a bladed lure frame which further provides leading edge which is weed resisting when drawn through water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is side elevation of a simple frame made from wire according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the frame seen in  FIG. 1  with fishing luer parts affixed thereto to form a fishing assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of the fishing assembly seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is side elevation of the fishing assembly seen in  FIG. 3  with a portion of the frame bent to contain and orient the blade at a predetermined angle relative to the frame. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of the fishing assembly seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side elevation of a modified frame and associated fishing lure parts similar to the fishing luer assembly seen in  FIG. 4  except for a distending segment of the modified frame where a weight and a fishhook are affixed. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side elevation of the modified frame and fishing lure parts seen in  FIG. 5A  with a segment of the frame bent to contain and orient an associated blade at a predetermined angle for fishing. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation of a frame, similar to the frame of  FIG. 4  already bent to contain and orient a blade for fishing. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective of the frame and blade of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation with a weighted lure molded to a portion of the frame seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation of a frame, blade and weighted lure similar to the frame and lure seen in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective of the frame, blade and lure see in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation of a PRIOR ART frame with blade, weight, fishhook, fishing line and weight affixed thereto. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation of the frame, blade, weight, fishhook, fishing line and weight seen in  FIG. 12  wherein the frame is distorted by force of pull of fishhook and fishing line. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation of a modified frame and other luer components seen in  FIG. 12  wherein the frame comprises a clasp about a portion of the frame associated with fishing line attachment for securing the frame against distortion associated with strain resulting from opposing forces applied to fishing line and fishhook. 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation of a frame which is formed to be angularly oriented by retarding force but without a force which causes such displacement. 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation of the frame of  FIG. 15  which is angularly displaced by a retarding force. 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation of a multi-section frame centrally affixed to a weighted body with a simple fishhook affixed thereto and wherein the weighted body forms a part of the frame. 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation of the frame of  FIG. 19  with a more complex bait or soft body fishhook affixed in place of the simple fishhook. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective of a fishing lure made according to the instant invention and comprising a frame made from material which may be stamped metal, molded plastic or other rigid frame fabricating material. 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevation of the fishing lure seen in  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-20  wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout. Primes of numbers, otherwise used without primes, are for designating labeled parts which are similar in form and/or function, but not identical, to those parts designated by the numbers without primes. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  wherein a frame, generally referenced by the number  1  and understood to be a frame made according to the present invention made from a simple wireform  10  made for bladed lures according to the present invention is seen. Of course, a wireform may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. As seen in  FIG. 1 , wireform  10  is simply formed by a series of bends in an otherwise straight wire  20 . Wireform  10  is formed by bending wire  20  near a first end  22  (bend  24 ) to form a first segment  26  of predetermined length. A second bend  28  provides an upper blade support segment  30  and a downwardly distending segment  32 . Bend  34  provides a forwardly distending segment  36  which is terminated at a bend  38 . Extending upward at bend  38  is a segment  40  which is terminated at bend  42  which directs a short segment  44  angularly downward to a final forward bend  46  to produce a weight support arm  48 . Aft of bend  42 , wire  20  is further formed to provide a weight support segment which is also segment  40 . (also see  FIG. 2 ) Particular notice should be made of bend  34  which may be formed an acute angle between segments  32  and  36 . A particular reason for an acute angle is disclosed hereafter. 
     A more complete fishing lure assembly is seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  wherein a weight  50  is affixed to wireform  10  about bend site  42 . Note that bend  42  provides a fishing line  78  attachments site. A blade  60  and a fishhook  70  are threadedly affixed to wireform  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , blade  60  comprises a pair of mounting holes  72  and  74  and fishhook  70  comprises an eyelet  76  whereby assembly is facilely accomplished. Those who are skilled in the fishing lure assembly art well understand order and method of such assembly. 
     Note that, while assembly is complete in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , blade  60  and fishhook  70  are not securely affixed to wireform  10 . Disassembly can, consequentially and inadvertently, occur in reverse order to assembly. However, using wire which can be further forcibly bent at bend  28 , end  22  can be bent to near contact with segment  36  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Of course for such to be useful as a fishing lure, wire  20  must be of sufficient rigidity and strength to withstand displacement forces during fishing. Note that the displacement of hole  72  relative to hole  74  and angular displacement of segment  30  relative to segment  36  defines an angle of attack for blade  60 . In fishing lures associated with the present invention, angle of attack is preferred to be approximately 60° relative to the aft horizontal. Note also that other fishing lure parts may be substituted for fishhook  70  within the scope of the instant invention. 
     Further, with the disclosed angle of segment  32  relative to segment  36  (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ), line force from a fishing line  78  to fishhook  70  may be traced from line  78  along segment  36  to eyelet  76  and ultimately to fishhook  70 . An acute angle  79  which is distended between segments  32  and  36  formed by bend  34  effectively provides a force communicating link between wireform  10  and fishhook  70  at acute bend  34  which has very little leverage to bend wireform  10  and displace end  22  from segment  36 . Such is an important consideration because a small wire diameter wireform is an important feature of a fishing lure where the wireform is preferably not a desirably visible portion of a lure. 
     A similar type of blade  60  capture is seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  wherein a wire  20  is seen to be formed with a similarly beginning first end  22 , segment  26 , bend  24 , segment  30 , bend  28 , segment  32 , bend  34  and segment  36  to form a portion of a wireform  10 ′. However wireform  10 ′ comprises a loop  80  contiguously extending from segment  36 . A bend  82  provides and inferiorly distending segment  84  which leads to a coupling  86  with an inferiorly disposed weight  50 ′. A fishhook  70  is securely affixed to weight  50 ′ and a fishing line  78  is affixed to loop  80 . Again, note that a more elaborate fishing assembly may be affixed instead of fishhook  70 . In this case, note that stress of pulling force applied to fishhook  70  is communicated to weight  50 ′ and along segment  84  to loop  80  and fishing line  44 . That stress by nature of direction of pull, rotating segment  84 , weight  50 ′ and fishhook  70 ′ angularly in direction of arrow  88  (see  FIG. 5B ), tends to close loop  80  permitting wire of lower rigidity to be used. 
     While previously disclosed wireforms  10  and  10 ′ have relied upon wire bend geometry for shape retention which is unaffected by pull stress between fishing line and fishhook assembly, a frame  1  comprising a wireform  10 ″ which depends for shape retention upon weight (and associated fishing lure assembly) is seen in  FIGS. 6-7 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wireform  10 ″ is similar to wireforms  10  and  10 ′, but comprises a first additional bend  90  yielding an upwardly extending segment  30 ′ from segment  30  to rearward bend  28 . Note that segment  30 ′ is bent at an angle which provides pivotal support for blade  60 , assuring blade  60  is constrained to an appropriate angle of attack rather than relying on interaction between blade holes  72  and  74  and segments  30  and  36 , respectively, for retention. Wireform  10 ″ is further differentiated from wireforms  10  and  10 ′ by a bend  92  forming descending segment  94  which ends in an upward bend  96  to initiate segment  98 . Segment  98  is bounded by “U” shaped bend  100  which provides a tie point for fishing line  78 . Extending downward from bend  100  segment  102  is terminated at bend  104  to provide rearwardly directed segment  106  which is further terminated at end  110 . 
     Key differences between wireforms  10  and  10 ′ and  10 ″ are the mode of support of blade  60 , attachment of fishing line  78  and weights and lures although all comply with form and function of frame  1 . Bend  90 , distal from segment  30  to form segment  30 ″ in wireform  10 ″ provides a more secure support for blade action than the simpler wire contact along segment  30  in wireforms  10  and  10 ′. Fishing line  78  attachment and weight and lure attachment are more fully disclosed in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     One further modification to wireform  10 ″ produces the wireform  10 ′″ seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Wire  20  has a further bend to form a clasp  130  (see  FIG. 8 ). Clasp  130  provides greater assurance of blade retention while affording an option for more ready blade  60  replacement and use of smaller diameter wire than required for wireforms  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″. In this case, though not necessarily so within the scope of the instant invention, a weight  120  is formed to resemble a fish and is molded over a portion of segment  102 , bend  104  and segment  106 . A fishhook  70 ′ is securely affixed to weight  120 , preferably by overmolding. It may be noted that addition of a fishhook  70 ′ associated with weight  120  does not obviate attachment of a fishhook assembly to along segment  32  as seen in  FIG. 2 , although caution should be used to assure length of segment  36  affords operation without entanglement between two fishhook assemblies. 
     A variation for attaching an assembly, such as a fishhook  70 ′ to a wireform  10 ′″ is seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . While a segment  122  of wireform  10 ′″ is over molded in the same fashion as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a separate coupling ring wireform part  124  is affixed to weight  120 ′, which, in this case, is formed as a minnow, to permit oscillating movement of hook  70 ′. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 12-16  wherein a clasp  130  is used to assure retention of wireform competence. PRIOR ART wireform configurations (referenced by  140 ) are seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , fishing line  78  is tied to a loop  142  made about an open throat  143  of wireform  140 . Wireform  140  has a downwardly distending shaft  144  affixed to a weight  146 . As may be noted in  FIG. 13 , applying pulling forces in directions of arrow  148  (a pull on line  78 ) and arrow  149  (a pull on a hook  70 ) has a tendency to force throat  143  to open further, making wireform  140  less durable, reliable and desirable. By adding a clasp  130  to a wireform  140 ′ (see  FIG. 14 ) stability is markedly increased thereby permitting wire of smaller diameter to be used in wireform  140 ′ than in wireform  140 , for example. 
     Frames can also be used as components which inherently improve weed resistance of lures. Two such frames (commonly identified by the number  1  as falling within the scope of the instant invention) are seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16  and in  FIGS. 71 and 18 , respectively. Referring to  FIG. 15 , a wireform  160 , similar to wireforms  10 ′ and  140 , is seen to comprise a downwardly distending segment  162  to a weight  164 . A rear segment  166  of wireform  160  is canted relative to a base segment  168  similarly to angulation of segment  32  to segment  36 , seen in  FIG. 8 . A fishing lure combination  170  comprising a soft body  171  and hook  70 , a linkage  174  to wireform  160 , wireform  160 , blade  60  and weight  164  are seen in a “running” mode in  FIG. 15 . However, when drag is applied to hook  70  in direction of arrow  176 , seen in  FIG. 16 , the running mode is modified, as seen in  FIG. 16 , with segment  162  rotating to a more acute angle relative to a “running” direction. In this manner, forces induced upon hook  70  are linearly applied directly toward line  78 . Any rotation of wireform  160  in direction of arrow  176  also displaces linkage  174  downward. The resulting angular shift of segment  162  provides an angle of attack of segment  162  which is consistent with an angle at which matter colliding with segment  162  is sloughed off, making lures using wireform  160  more weed resistant. Another weed resistant frame and lure combination is seen in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . In this case a wireform  200  may be made as separate parts. For example, a leading rod  202  with a fishing line  78  attachment ring  204 , may be made of more sturdy yet resilient wire to provide a basis for a strong pull between fishing line  78  and an attached fishing lure assembly of which a fishing hook (e.g.  70  or  70 ′) represents a part. A centrally disposed wireform part  210  is similar in form and function to a blade supporting portion of wireform  10 ′″, see  FIG. 8 . A distending portion  212  is securely affixed to a weight  220 , in this case. Note that weight  220  comprises the form a fish having a tail section  222 . At section  222 , another portion of wireform  200  comprises an anchored clasp  224  to which a fishhook, of which hooks  70  and  70 ′ are examples in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , respectively. Of course one skilled in fishing lure art well understands that more varied and complex fishing lure assemblies can be affixed to clasp  224 . 
     Referring once more to leading rod  202 , please note the approximate 60° angle distended by rod  202  from a “normal” running level of weight  220 . This angle provides a slipping surface to contaminating weeds or other material which would otherwise be affixed, pulled along to deteriorate lure effectiveness. Of course the angle can be varied within the scope of the invention, but care should be taken to make the angle sufficiently acute to slough off impacted material. As rod  202  is subject to being stressed by attached fish and snags, care should be taken to select wire material, such as hardened steel, having appropriate cross sectional girth which will return to an original disposition upon release of such stress. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 19 and 20  wherein a frame  1  made according to the present invention having a portion constructed without a wire  20  is seen. Note, that in this case, a wire  20 , as seen in  FIG. 19 , is used to form a frame part  300  of an attachment segment  302  for a hook  70 ′. Of course, other hooks or even additional fishing lure assemblies may be affixed to part  300  within the scope of the invention. Segment  302  comprises an anchoring leg  304  whereby part  300  is affixed to a weighted lure  306  (preferably by overmolding). From a stern section of leg  304 , wire  20  comprises a series of bends, generally numbered  310  to form a fastener  312  for hook  70 ′. In this case, wire  20  must be sufficiently rigid to resist strain of force placed upon hook  70 ′. Of course a clasp, such as clasp  130 , see  FIG. 14 , may be used to reduce material strength requirements of wire  20 . 
     At the forward end of frame  1 , a frame part  320 , best seen in  FIG. 20  is seen. In conjunction with lure  306 , frame part  320  presents an angulated moss or weed shedding front edge  322  to water based impediments. Leading edge  322  is provided by structure of frontal leg  324  which comprises a superiorly disposed hole  325  whereat a fishing line  78  is affixed. A trailing section  326  comprises two parts, level extension  328  and upwardly angled extension  330 . At a juncture  332  of extensions  328  and  330  a hole  331  is provided for a blade containment pin  334 . Note, in this embodiment of the instant invention, a blade  60 ′, which is geometrically similar to blade  60 , comprises a slot  340  (see  FIG. 15 ) through which section  326  is threaded in assembly. Angulation of extension  330  supports blade  60 ′ at a desired angle of attack. Pin  334  is secured in place after displacing blade  60 ′ about section  326  to capture and secure blade  60 ′. Those skilled in fishing lure art well understand method and specification required for making part  320 . As well, part  320  is preferably securely affixed to weighted lure  306  by overmolding, although other means of attachment may be used within the scope of the invention. 
     Frames, being skeletal parts of lures, have important charges. For a bladed lure, made according to the instant invention, each frame  1  should: 
     1. Provide a secure and direct unbreaking communication between fishing line and lure assembly, especially under stress of a fish or snag. 
     2. Provide support for an oscillating blade while keeping the blade disparate from an associated weight used for ballast. 
     3. Provide means for facile assembly of the blade upon the frame and for surely affixing the blade at an appropriate attack angle after assembly. 
     4. Provide a communicating link between fishing line (e.g. fishing line  78 ) and lure and blade which assures “true” running of the lure when displaced through water. True running should be interpreted to mean substantially level displacement while permitting blade action to be communicated to fishing lure assemblies. 
     5. Provide other functions such as weed resistant shields when so designated. 
     Careful review of the figures should be made to ascertain design for a selected frame from which a fishing lure is to be made. 
     The present embodiment should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.