Patent Publication Number: US-2012023806-A1

Title: Fishing tackle swivel having a knurled outer surface

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/344,460, entitled “TERMINAL TACKLE HAVING A KNURLED SWIVEL”, filed Jul. 28, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to fishing tackle, such as a terminal tackle provided between a fishing line and a fishing lure. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The prior art is replete with references directed to fishing tackle devices provided with a swivel body. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,466,243 to Johnson describes a swivel body adapted for use with fishing tackle. As described therein, a pair of spindles, each spindle having a first end is inserted into the swivel body. Additionally, a ring is attached to a second end. Both of the first ends of the spindle are in turn connected to a pair of ball bearings allowing each spindle to swivel. One of the rings is attached to a fishing line and the second ring is attached to a fishing lure. Therefore, in use, each of the spindles would be allowed to rotate as the lure moves through the water. Fishing tackles employing ball bearing swivels are illustrated with respect to U.S. Design Pat. No. D549,750 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0031183 to Sim. Additional fishing tackles having ball bearing swivels are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,075 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0255170 to Garber, as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. D456,827 to Butts. 
     A typical swivel body used with a fishing tackle presently utilized in the fishing industry, as well as described in the aforementioned references is approximately 1/2  inch in length. Therefore, as can be appreciated, due to the relatively small size of the swivel body and the fact that the exterior surface of the swivel is metallic, and since a fisherman&#39;s fingers are generally wet when endeavoring to attach the fishing tackle to the fishing line and lure, it becomes quite difficult to attach the fishing tackle to the fishing line and lure. This often results in the fisherman losing a grip on the swivel which would then result in the swivel falling in the water and being lost to the fisherman. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a fishing tackle having a swivel body, with the exterior surface of the swivel roughened, such as, but not limited to providing a knurled surface on the swivel body to ease attachment of the fishing tackle between a fishing line and a fishing lure. 
     The present invention is directed to a fishing tackle assembly including a swivel body, the tackle assembly provided between a fishing line and a fishing lure. The ability of the swivel to rotate with respect to the fishing line and the fishing lure makes it possible for the lure to be drawn through a body of water without twisting and tangling the fishing line. This allows for the lure to swim or spin without causing the fishing line to rotate and be tangled in itself. The fishing tackle would generally include a swivel body portion having a hole extending from each end. A post or other fitting would extend from each end of the swivel body. The interior of the body of the swivel would include a device for allowing the post to rotate or swivel. This device would generally include one or more ball bearings provided in the interior of the swivel body and cooperating with at least one of the posts, allowing the post to swivel with respect to one another. Each of the post members extending from the swivel body portion would be provided with a through hole allowing a ring to be provided through the hole. One of the rings would be attached to the fishing line and the other ring would be attached to the fishing lure. This configuration would allow each post member and its ring to rotate with respect to the swivel body portion and each other. The posts and swivel body portion as well as the rings are constructed from a corrosive resistant metallic material. A portion or the entire exterior surface of the swivel body portion is roughened for ease of handling. This roughened portion would generally have a knurled appearance, but need not be limited to a knurled surface. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface according to the present invention shown from the opposite end to that shown in  FIG. 1  and rotated 90°. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface according to the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface according to the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface. 
         FIG. 6  is an opposite end view of the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled surface. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the fishing tackle swivel with a snap loop. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing the interior of the fishing tackle swivel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate the fishing tackle swivel having a knurled outer surface.  FIG. 7  illustrates the fishing tackle swivel with a snap loop attached thereto.  FIG. 8  shows the interior of the swivel body of the present invention. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-6 , a fishing tackle swivel  10  is shown. This fishing tackle swivel  10  includes a generally cylindrical swivel body  11  encompassing a central area  12 , a first end area  13  and a second end area  15 . It is noted that the first end area  13  is tapered with respect to the central area  12 . The second end area  15  is not tapered with respect to the central area  12 . As shown particularly in  FIGS. 1-4 , the exterior surface of the central area  12  has a roughened surface  14 . Generally, this roughened surface  14  is knurled but can be roughened in other manners. Furthermore, the exterior surface of the first and second end areas  13 ,  15  can also be roughened in a similar manner as the central area  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a first end  44  of a first post member  16  extends through an opening provided in end portion  13 . A first end  46  of a second post member  20  extends into the interior of the swivel body  11  through a hole provided in the second end area  15 . As will be subsequently described, the interior of the swivel body  11  is provided with a mechanism for allowing both of the post members  16 ,  20  to independently rotate with respect to one another as well as the swivel body  11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  8 , the post member  16  is provided with a hole  17  extending from a second end  48  of the post member  16  to its second side. Similarly, post member  20  is provided with a hole  19  which extends entirely through a second end  50  of the post member  20 . A ring  22  is shown extending through the hole  17  of the post member  16 . Similarly, a ring  18  is shown extending through the hole  19  of post member  20 . 
     Since the fishing tackle swivel would be utilized in a relatively harsh environment, the swivel body  11 , the post members  16 ,  20  and the rings  18 ,  22  shown in all of the drawings are constructed from a non-corrosive metallic material. 
     In use, a fishing lure would be attached to the ring  18  and the fishing line of a standard fishing rod would be attached to the ring  22  in the manner customary in the fishing art. However, as can be appreciated, the lure can be attached to the ring  22  and the fishing line can be attached to the ring  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a snap loop  28  could be used to attach a lure having a leader thereto. The snap loop  28  includes a series of metallic loops  26  attached thereto which in turn is attached to a ring  24  which in turn is attached to ring  18 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a typical mechanism for allowing the posts  16  and  20  to independently rotate with respect to themselves as well as the swivel body  11 . The end of the second post member  20  extending into the swivel body  11  includes a portion having a reduced diameter  32  and a flange  38  having a diameter greater than the diameter of portion  32 . The interior of the swivel body is provided with a race  40 . Ball bearings  34  and  36  are provided between the flange  38  and the race  40  and are each adjacent to the portion  32 , allowing the post  20  to rotate when the fishing tackle moves within or on top of a body of water. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , although no ball bearings are associated with the post  16 , this post could also rotate, albeit at a lower rate than post  20  due to the friction between the post  16  and the swivel body  11 . 
     Alternatively, although not shown, a ball bearing can be provided between an end surface  42  of the post  16  and the flange  38  to further facilitate the rotation of post  16 . In this instance, a recess would be provided on the surface  42  as well as on the surface of the flange  38  facing the surface  42  to accommodate this ball bearing. 
     In use, after the fishing lure and fishing line were attached to the fishing tackle swivels shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the lures would be cast into the water. The particular construction of the fishing tackle swivels would allow the lure to swim or spin without causing the fishing line to itself rotate. 
     While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.