Patent Publication Number: US-2004055206-A1

Title: Fishing lure holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention concerns a fishing lure holder. More specifically, the present invention is a fishing lure holder that includes a spool for receiving the lure&#39;s leader and an extension with a hook holder for releasably receiving the hook of the lure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] In sport fishing, lures and their attached leaders need to be safely and securely stored, yet easily accessible. The present invention provides a solution to these competing needs.  
       [0003] The present invention provides a spool or other means which functions to receive the leader. The leader is typically secured by wrapping it around the spool. An extension depends from the spool. A hook receptacle is located at a distal end of the extension for receiving the sharp hook.  
       [0004] A lure is secured to the holder by first inserting the hook into the receptacle. The leader is then wrapped around the spool. This not only stores the leader, it also puts the lure, leader and hook under tension. This biases the hook into the receptacle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0005] These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in several views, and in which:  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a perceptive view of one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of the spool.  
     [0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.  
     [0011]FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.  
     [0012]FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternate extension which may be used with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0013] Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternates or modifications in which insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.  
     [0014] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention concerns a lure holder  10  which includes a base  19  having a spool  20  having two opposing side walls  21  and  22  which define an annular groove  23 . Groove  23  receives and holds leader  100  of lure  110  as shown in FIG. 2.  
     [0015] Spool  20  may be rotatable about an axis or stationary. In addition, although shown as being circular in shape, spool  20  may be configured in other shapes that permit leader  100  to be wound around the spool. To do this, at a minimum, spool  20  needs to provide two opposing points of contact  26  and  29  to effectively retain leader  100 .  
     [0016] Spool  20  may be made of either plastic or metallic in construction. A corrosion resistant material is preferred not only for the spool but for all of the components of the device since the device may be exposed to the harsh conditions caused by salt water and other outdoor elements.  
     [0017] Section  25  of spool  20  is adapted to receive extension  30  which may be a metallic tubular rod or of some other elongated type of construction. Extension  30  may be adjustingly retained through the use of a set screw  129  as shown in FIG. 1. Alternately, section  25  may include internal threads  33  as shown in FIG. 2 which coact with external threads  31  on extension  30 .  
     [0018] Located on the distal end of the extension is a hook receptacle  50  which may be made of plastic. Receptacle  50  may include a bore  52  that is sized to receive extension  30  and hook  111 . The receptacle may be attached to extension  30  through the use of internal threads  51  which coact with threads  35  on extension  30 . Alternately, receptacle  50  may include a set screw  51  that adjustably secures the receptacle to the extension. In yet another embodiment, the receptacle may simply be mounted to the extension. Lastly, the receptacle may be formed as part of the extension itself rather than as a separate component.  
     [0019] A line lock  80  may also be provided to hold the leader within the spool. Lock  80  includes a first plug  82  sized to fit within aperture  28  on spool  20 . A second plug  84  is sized to form a friction fit with groove  23 .  
     [0020] To assist in storing the holder and attached lure, a mounting bracket  150  may be provided that is attachable to a support structure. The bracket is elongated and defines an internal channel  152  and has opposing retaining portions  154  and  156 . Mounting cap  160  is used to secure the bracket to the support structure. Cap  160  includes a section  162  sized to mate with and to be retained within channel  152 . An aperture  164  for receiving a mounting fastener is also provided.  
     [0021] Clips  180  and  182  are provided for receiving the holder. As with mounting cap, the clips include sections  186  and  188  that are configured to mate within channel  152  and to be slideably retained within the channel. Deformable prongs  190 - 194  extend from the clips and form passageways  196  and  197  which lead to apertures  200  and  201 . The apertures are sized to releasably receive a designated portion of the spool or extension.  
     [0022] FIGS.  4 - 6  show an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Holder  300  includes two opposing located notches  302  and  304  that provide opposing contact points  301  and  303  for engaging and securing the leader  100 .  
     [0023] Holder  300  also includes a bore  308  sized to receive extension  350 . Extension  350  may sized to form a friction fit within the bore so as to be retained in the bore yet remain positionable. This may also be accomplished by a set screw  320  that coacts with internal threads  322  in holder  300 .  
     [0024] As shown in FIG. 7, extension  400  may be telescopically arranged. This allows the length of the extension to be adjusted as needed.  
     [0025] In use, hook  111  of lure  110  is inserted into the opening in the hook receptacle. Leader  100  is then wound around the spool. This should be done in such a manner so as to create a biasing force that urges the hook into the receptacle.  
     [0026] To insure that the biasing force may be created for lures of various lengths, the effective length of the extension needs to be greater than the length of the largest lure and hook that is to be used with the holder. Alternately, for ease of use, the extension may be adjustable in effective length. This may be accomplished by the use of the coacting threads and set screws discussed above. The threads and set screws allow the receptacle to move along the extension to increase the effective length. In addition, the length of the extension may also be adjusted by moving a portion of the extension relative to the holder by use of the set screws. Lastly, a telescoping extension may be used to accomplish this adjustment as well.  
     [0027] After the lure is affixed to the holder, the lure and holder may be releasably secured to the mounting bracket. This is done by inserting a portion of the holder or extension into mounting clips  180  or  182  so that the device comes to rest within the aperture provided. The use of the clips allows multiple lures to be mounted in a safe and easily accessible manner.  
     [0028] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and other modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.