Patent Publication Number: US-2020288691-A1

Title: Fishing Bait Inflator and Method of Using the Same

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for inflating bait. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inflating fish bait, e.g. a worms used for fishing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In fishing, trout and other fish tend to respond more to bait that has some measure of buoyancy. One method of increasing the buoyancy of a worm has been to inject small bubbles of air under the worm&#39;s skin with some sort of needle and air compressor. However, needles tend to come to a sharp point, which risks injury, and require an air-proof seal, which requires that the needle be the source of all air entering and exiting the apparatus. Therefore, there is a present need for a fishing bait inflator that does not have a sharp point, and that has a method of inflation that allows the apparatus to be filled with air while the needle is in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for inflating fishing bait. The apparatus is comprised of a compressible air reservoir, and needle, wherein the distal end of the needle is operably coupled to the compressible air reservoir. The proximal end of the needle terminates in a dull hollow rectangular prism. There is a continuous air passage between the dull hollow rectangular prism of the needle and the compressible air reservoir. The compressible air reservoir has a vent such that it can refill with air while the continuous air passage through the needle is obstructed. The vent can be covered up by a hand of a user when the apparatus is in use. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a method for inflating fishing bait, such as, for example, worms, using an apparatus comprising a compressible air reservoir coupled to a needle. In a first step, the apparatus for inflating the fishing bait via the needle is provided. In a second step, the needle is placed against the skin of bait. In a third step, a vent, such as, for example a vent, in the compressible air reservoir is covered with the hand of a user. In a fourth step, the compressible air reservoir is gently compressed to gradually inflate the skin of the worm. In a fifth step, the needle is removed from the skin of the worm. In a sixth step the compressible air reservoir is vented by uncovering a vent in the side of the compressible air reservoir. In a seventh step, the compressible air reservoir is allowed to re-inflate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side view of the apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the apparatus while in use inflating a worm, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart for a method of inflating fishing bait, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts the side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2  after inflating the worm, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions: 
     Herinafter, unless defined otherwise, a check valve is defined as a valve that doses to prevent backward flow of air. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of the apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus  2  is comprised of a compressible air reservoir  4 , and needle  6 , where the distal end of the needle  6  is operably coupled to the compressible air reservoir  4 . The proximal end of the needle terminates in a dull hollow rectangular prism  8 , such that said proximal end is a blunt end. There is a continuous air passage  10  between the dull hollow rectangular prism  8  of the needle  6  and the compressible air reservoir  4 . The compressible air reservoir  4  has a vent  12 , such as, for example, a hole, such that the compressible air reservoir  4  can refill with air while the continuous air passage  10  through the needle  6  is obstructed. The vent  12  can be covered up by a hand of a user when the apparatus is in use. 
     In an embodiment, the compressible air reservoir contains retractable baffles  14 . 
     In an embodiment, the vent  12  additionally contains a one way valve  16 , e.g. a check valve. 
     In an embodiment, the compressible air reservoir  4  is shaped so that the vent  12  is easily covered by the thumb  18  of the user, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In an embodiment, the dull hollow rectangular prism  8  is covered by a removable safety cap  20 . 
     In an embodiment, the dull hollow rectangular prism  8  is small enough to successfully pierce the skin of a worm, but not sharp enough to pierce the skin of the user. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart for a method  22  of inflating fishing bait. The method  22  of inflating fishing bait comprises. A first step  24  of the method  22  is comprised of providing the apparatus of any preceding claim. A second step  26  of the method  22  comprises placing the needle against the skin of a worm. A third step  28  of the method  22  comprises covering the vent  12  with the hand of the user. A fourth step  30  of the method  22  comprises gently compressing the air reservoir to gradually inflate the skin of the fish bait  40 , e.g. a worm. A fifth step  32  of the method  22  comprises removing the needle  6  from the skin of the fish bait  40 , e.g. a worm. A sixth step  34  of the method  22  comprises uncovering the vent. A seventh step  36  of the method  22  comprises allowing the air reservoir  4  to re-inflate. In an embodiment, there is an eighth step  38  of the method  22  comprised of the vent  12  being covered with the thumb  18  of the user. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the side view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2  after inflating the fish bait  40 , e.g. a worm, as in step  30  of the method  22 , comprising gently compressing the air reservoir to gradually inflate the skin of the fish bait  40 , e.g. a worm. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the practice of this invention is not limited to those embodiments. Modifications and variations falling within the spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be determined by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather should be determined by the breadth of the appended claims.