Patent Publication Number: US-2023148580-A1

Title: Multi-function fishing tool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/915,202, filed Jun. 29, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. Ser. No. 62/867,961, filed Jun. 27, 2019, the disclosures of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a fishing tool for use in association with the performance of fishing and other similar activities, and more particularly, to a rod-mountable fishing tool exhibiting an integrated aesthetic appearance wherein aesthetic shapes and features also can serve multiple functions associated with tasks typically performed while fishing, such as cutting of lines, nipping of knots and other severable materials, tying of knots, storage of hooks and lines and other tasks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For individuals who fish or work as fishing guides, various tools such as knives and scissor like cutters may be used to cut fishing line or nip extra lengths of such fishing line. Often, tying of the knots between the fishing line and a lure is accomplished separate from a cutting tool. Further, for storage of tied hooks when not fishing, various methods of storing the hook are employed such as hooking the hook onto an existing line guide mounted to the rod, a hook keeper mounted on the rod, or in some cases, embedding the hook into existing rod structure such as a cork handle or other similar material. Notably, some these functions are performed by separate tools and some functions by structures found on a fishing rod. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fishing tool, which overcomes disadvantages associated with known fishing equipment and accessories. 
     The invention creates a more efficient way to keep people fishing and reduce the time it takes to re-rig, ultimately getting customers back to what they loved to do, fish. Objects of the invention include creating something that was an extension of and a complement to existing gear, did not interfere with the act of fishing, and that never got left behind. The multi-function fishing tool of the present invention is designed to be a subcompact line management solution taking the place of larger tools such as knifes, scissors, nippers, etc., which are commonly used when re-rigging. 
     The fishing tool as illustrated in the drawings performs multiple functions while providing an aesthetically pleasing design, wherein the functions include but are not limited to the following features: 
     SLICE (Like a Knife)—Heavy duty cutting blade makes quick work of monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, and braided fishing lines (120 IB+). The blade preferably is made of stainless steel and is embedded in a main body, preferably by insertion through a bottom slot formed in the main body and fastening in place by a central bore and dowel pin or other fastener. In one construction, the main body may be 3D printed, although it will be understood that the main body may be formed by other manufacturing techniques such as molding. 
     SNIP (Like a Nipper)—Thumb depressible nipper makes precision cuts a breeze, allows easy removal of tag ends, and makes quick work of knots remaining on eyelets. Conveniently placed thumb dimple improves ergonomics (50 IB+) and allows the upper jaw to flex relative to the lower jaw to snip objects against the forward extending blade end on the blade. 
     STOW (Like a Hook Keeper)—Utilize the enlarged and inline hook keeper formed as an hourglass opening in the tail end of the fishing tool. Designed to remedy the awkward and slow gear storage experience found with traditional (or non-existent) hook keepers. 
     LINE DYNAMIC—Design Concept utilized to make the fishing tool essentially snagless as well as low profile and convenient—remaining incredibly user intuitive. Compact, low profile, and practically weightless 
     VERSA-MOUNT—Attach anywhere, go anywhere. The fishing tool is designed to seamlessly integrate as a line management tool with a fisherman&#39;s most integral pieces of gear all using the included O-rings for attachment: 
     1. Securely mount to your rod blank (in front of reel or behind reel on split grips) 
     2. Zippers of clothing and tackle bags 
     3. Zingers 
     4. Lanyards 
     5. Keychains, etc. 
     EASY GLIDE ENTRY POINT—Seamless line entry point only allows line inside the jaws intentionally—works like a weedless lure to prevent snags and unintentional cuts 
     KNOT POP—Precisely shaped fish head allows user to split knots apart that may be remaining on eyelets. 
     KNOT ASSIST—Use the fishing tool&#39;s eye to stabilize hooks and keep both hands free when tying knots. In addition, the eye provides a safer and more effective way to hold your lure when firmly pulling down knots. 
     RAZORCUT BLADE—Stainless steel coated blades ensure a razor sharp edge lasting thousands of cuts 
     QUAD-LOCK ATTACHMENT—Attachment is made easy and secure with the Quad-Lock technology—Four point attachment system works in conjunction with a concave base to eliminate lateral torsion on rod blank. Also featuring low profile attachment points to eliminate snags. 
     XTRA-TOUCH O-RINGS—6 total O-rings are included in pairs of small, medium, and large to accommodate nearly all rod diameters and are nearly indestructible - guaranteed to hold up to the harshest weather extremes. This attachment method is non marring and rock solid. 
     NEXT-GEN CONSTRUCTION - Advanced polymer body blends strength, durability, and flexibility into one incredibly lightweight material. Intentionally designed to be “non-mechanical” (no hinges, springs, etc.) to increase longevity. Does not become cold to touch and is engineered to withstand repeated exposure to harsh environmental conditions. 
     Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention relates to a multi-function fishing tool, of which the following is a Specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of the present invention showing the fishing tool of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view thereof; 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom view thereof; 
         FIG.  5    is a right side elevational view; 
         FIG.  6    is a left side elevational view; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view as taken from the bottom right thereof with the blade omitted for illustrative purposes; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view as taken from the top right thereof with the blade omitted; 
         FIG.  9 A  is an enlarged front view thereof; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a front cross-sectional view of the fishing tool as taken along line A-A of  FIG.  9 C  wherein the fishing tool is shown mounted, for example, on a fishing rod; 
         FIG.  9 D  is an end cross-sectional view as taken along line B-B of  FIG.  9 A ; 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the fishing tool of  FIG.  9 B  shown in use on a fishing rod; 
         FIG.  11    is a fragmentary perspective view of the nose of the fishing tool as viewed from the right front; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the fishing tool in use on a rod and storing the hook such as during storage or transport; 
         FIG.  13    is a front right perspective view of the fishing tool mounted on the rod; 
         FIG.  14    is a rear left perspective view of the fishing tool mounted on the handle of the fishing rod; 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of the rod-mounted fishing tool showing use of the tool for hook storage and tying of the hook; and 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of the fishing tool of  FIG.  15   . 
       Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , a multi-function fishing tool  10  of the present invention is designed as a subcompact line management solution taking the place of larger or separate tools such as knives, scissors, nippers, etc. commonly used when re-rigging fishing gear. The fishing tool  10  as illustrated in the drawings performs multiple functions while providing an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     Generally, the fishing tool  10  includes a main body  12  that is preferably shaped in the general aesthetic appearance of a fish. The main body  12  is configured with various features that not only contribute to the aesthetic appearance but also are configured to perform multiple different functions or tasks that are typically performed when the user is fishing. Preferably, the main body is formed of an advanced polymer body that blends strength, durability, and flexibility into one lightweight material. The main body  12  is designed to be “non-mechanical” (no hinges, springs, etc.) to increase longevity, and does not become cold to touch and is engineered to withstand repeated exposure to harsh environmental conditions. 
     The fishing tool  10  includes at least one blade  14  wherein a single blade preferably is provided which performs multiple functions. In particular, the blade  14  includes a first portion that forms a cutter blade  15  and a second portion that forms a nipper blade  16 . While the blade  14  is configured as a unitary single piece, it will be understood that these cutting and nipping functions may be formed by separate blades. 
     As one function, the cutter blade  15  is configured to slice like a knife, wherein the cutting edge  15 A may be arcuate and face generally forwardly into a hollow body cavity  17 . The heavy duty cutting blade  15  quickly cuts many fishing line materials and constructions such as monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, and braided fishing lines (120 IB+). The blade  14  preferably is a metal blade made of or comprising stainless steel and is embedded in the main body  12 , preferably by insertion through a bottom slot  18  (see  FIGS.  4 ,  7  and  8   ) formed in the main body  12 . The blade  14  is fastened or pinned in place by a dowel pin or other fastener  19  that is inserted into a central bore  20  formed in the main body  12 . While the blade  14  is formed separate from the main body  12 , it will be understood by the skilled artisan that the cutting and nipping functions could be incorporated integrally into the main body  12 . 
     As a further function, the nipper blade  16  is configured to snip like a nipper. In more detail, the nose  12 A of the main body  12  includes lower jaw  22  from which the nipper blade  16  projects vertically, and a depressible head section  23 , which is flexibly joined to a tail section  24  of the main body  12  by a flexible backbone  25 . The head section  23  defines an upper jaw  26 , which normally is spaced vertically from the lower jaw  22  and the nipper blade  16 , to define a horizontally elongate throat  27  that opens rearwardly into the hollow body cavity  17  and forwardly to define a mouth  28  of the head section  23 . All of the mouth  28 , throat  27  and body cavity  17  open sidewardly through both of the opposite sides of the main body  12  so that fishing line or the like can extend sidewardly or transversely through the thickness of the main body  12 . Basically, the upper jaw  26  includes a flat cutting face  29  that faces dowardly toward the cutting edge  16 A of the nipper blade  16 , such that the cutting face  29  and nipper blade  16  are normally spaced apart as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . However, the head section  23  can be manually pressed downwardly such as when a user grips the head section  23  and presses with one part of a hand downwardly on the head section  23  and presses upwardly on the lower jaw  22  with another part of the hand. As such, manual squeezing of the head section  23  in this manner displaces the upper jaw  26  downwardly into contact with the nipper blade  16 . Any object such as fishing line  48  (see  FIG.  10   ) will then be nipped or severed similar to the use of scissors. As such, the upper jaw  26  and lower jaw  22  function together to define a nipper  30  in the head section  23 . 
     The backbone  25  flexes to allow such movement of the upper jaw  26  and effectively defines a living hinge between the head section  23  and tail section  24 . As seen in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the backbone is relatively wide and spans the width of the main body  12  so as to resist twisting of the head section  23  relative to the tail section during nipping. This helps maintain the upper jaw  26  in alignment with the lower jaw  22  so that the nipper blade  16  is substantially perpendicular with the cutting face  29 . Further, the curvature of the backbone  25  allows line to slid past the fishing tool  10  when rod-mounted to resist snagging of fishing line on the fishing tool  10 . 
     While one cutting edge  16 A is provided, the upper jaw  26  instead could be provided with its own respective cutting blade. The depressible nipper  30  makes precision cuts, allows easy removal of tag ends  48 A ( FIG.  16   ) hanging from a knot  48 B after tying, and makes quick work of knots remaining on hook eyelets  55 B. A conveniently placed thumb dimple  31  is provided on the upper surface of the head section  23  to improve ergonomics (50 IB+) and allows the upper jaw to flex relative to the lower jaw  22  to snip objects against the nipper blade  16 . Therefore, the precisely shaped head section  23  allows a user to split knots apart that may be remaining on fishing hook eyelets  55 B. The backbone  25  flexes to allow such movement of the 
     In another function, the fishing tool  10  is configured to stow a tied hook in a manner similar to a hook keeper. In this regard, the tail section  24  may be formed with a storage opening  34 , which has an hourglass shape that defines an enlarged and inline hook keeper the tail section  24  of the fishing tool  12 . As will be described further herein, the storage opening  34  is designed to remedy the awkward and slow gear storage experience found with traditional (or non-existent) hook keepers. To strengthen the tail section  24 , a projecting rib  35  is provided, which has the aesthetic appearance of a fin, and has the structural function of stiffening the tail section  24  in the region of the opening  34 . As such, the upper wall of the storage opening  34  might flex or straighten out when pulled on by the fishing line pulling on a stored hook, but the rib  35  helps resist such flexing and strengthen the upper wall of opening  34 . 
     Further, the rib  35  is vertically adjacent and next to the upper wall of the storage opening  34  such that the rib  35  helps stabilize the backbone  25  and resist twisting of the backbone  25  and upper jaw  26  during nipping, which is desirable as described above. In this manner, the rib  35  helps maintain alignment of the nipping blade  16  and cutting face  29 . 
     As a further advantage, the head section  23  further includes an upwardly projecting lip or flange  36  that has a terminal end  36 A that contacts the head section  23  proximate the thumb dimple  31 . This essentially closes the open front end of the mouth  28  and prevents access to the throat  27  when the head section  23  is in the normal, undepressed condition of  FIG.  1   . When the head section  23  is flexed downwardly (such as by the user squeezing the head section  23 ), the mouth  28  is opened and fishing line can be slid into the mouth  28 , and then the throat  27  for nipping, and then slid into the body cavity  17  if so desired for cutting by the cutter blade  15 . Preferably, the lip  36  is spaced forwardly of the head section  23  and then curves backwardly into contact with the head section  23 . This curvature defines an easy glide or seamless entry point that only allows fishing line inside the upper and lower jaws  26  and  22  when intended by the user since the mouth  28  and throat  27  are normally closed and works like a weedless lure to prevent snags and unintentional cuts to the fishing line due to inadvertent entry into the areas of the cutting blade  15  and nipper blade  16 . Further, the overall shape of the main body  12  curves generally from the nose section  12 A to the backbone  25 , which serves to make the fishing tool  10  essentially snagless, as well as low profile and convenient to use. 
     As noted, the fishing tool  10  is rod-mountable and may be mounted and removed from any fishing rod. The main body  12  is formed with a versa-mount system defined by connector formations that may be formed as a plurality and preferably four connector blocks  38  on the bottom edges of the main body  12 . The connector blocks  38  anchor ends  51  of a connector strap such as resilient O-rings  52  and allow the O-rings  52  to wrap about the fishing rod to mount the fishing tool  10  in position. As such, the fishing tool  10  can attach anywhere, go anywhere. For example, the axial position along the length of a rod  50 , such as near the handle and in front or back of the reel, and the radial position around the circumference of the rod  50  can be varied as desired by the user. 
     Further, the fishing tool  10  is configured as a knot assist that helps with the tying of knots. The head section  23  is provided with an opening or eye  40  that opens through the thickness of the main body  12 . A user can use the fishing tool&#39;s eye  40  to stabilize hooks and keep both hands free when tying knots. In addition, the eye  40  provides a safer and more effective way to hold your lure when firmly pulling down knots. 
     The fishing tool  10  is designed to seamlessly integrate as a line management tool with an angler&#39;s most integral pieces of gear all using included O-rings for attachment. As will described, the fishing tool  10  can securely mount to your rod blank (in front of reel or behind reel on split grips) such as by using the O-rings  52 , and also on zippers of clothing and tackle bags, zingers, lanyards, keychains, etc. such as by using connectors looped through the openings  34  or  40 . 
     As generally described above, the fishing tool  10  allows the user to accomplish multiple different tasks. In more detail, the main body  12  is preferably formed as a integral or single piece that is assembled together with the metal blade  14 . Referring to  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B , the main body  12  is preferably formed with the blade slot  18  that allows insertion of the blade  14  into the main body  12  from below and securement therein. It will be understood that the blade and cutting functions might be integrated into the main body  12 . 
     The blade  14  includes the cutter blade  15  and nipper blade  16 , which are joined together by an intermediate blade body  41 . The slot  18  is accessible through the bottom surface of the main body  12  and has a first slot section  18 A that extends into the main body to surround the back portion of the body cavity  17  with the cutting blade  15  projecting outwardly from the first slot section  18 A and exposed within the body cavity  17 . The slot  18  also has a second slot section  18 B that extends forwardly into the lower jaw  22 , wherein the nipper blade  16  is exposed. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  9 C and  9 D , the blade  14  essentially is aligned with the centerline of the main body  12  and includes the pin bore  20  for receiving the pin  19 . The slot sections  18 A and  18 B help to limit deformation of the thin blade  14  laterally or sideways within the main body  12 . The blade  14  may also include a fastener bore  41  through which the pin  19  is inserted during assembly. 
     The blade  14  is installed by inserting or nosing the nipper blade  16  into the second slot section  18 B and swinging or pivoting the cutter blade  15  upwardly into the first slot section  18 A, at which time the blade  14  can be pinned or secured in a fixed position by inserting the pin  19  into the fastener bore  20  such that the pin  19  extends laterally through the blade pin bore  41 . Other fastening means may also be used or the blade  14  may be molded into the main body  12 , or a blade may be mounted to an exterior of the main body  12  without departing from the present invention. 
     In more detail, the main body  12  is formed so that the second slot section  18 B includes a front shoulder  43  having a front wall  44  and bottom shoulder surface  45 . The shoulder surface  45  is configured to lie close to and intermittently support a bottom blade edge  16 B during use. The main body  12  also includes a transverse bridge  46  in the slot  18  between the first and second slot sections  18 A and  18 B. When the blade  14  is installed, the nipper blade  16  is inserted into the second slot section  18 B and the pivoted upwardly with the nipper blade  16  pivoting on the front shoulder  43  until the cutter blade  15  moves into and seats within the first slot section  18 A. Once seated in position, the pin  19  is installed and the blade  14  is secured in the slot  18 . 
     Once installed, the pin  19  defines a first contact point that in effect is a pivot point for the blade  14  when cutting and nipping. When cutting, the upper blade edge  14 A contacts the bottom surface of the bridge  46 , which defines a second contact point that in effect is a fulcrum point for the larger cutting blade  15 . 
     When the blade  14  is in the normal installed position, the bottom blade edge  16 B is spaced a small distance from the shoulder surface  45  as seen in the detail view of  FIG.  10   . For nipping, the blade section  16 C in effect defines a flex point, wherein the nipper blade  16  can always self-align because of the gap between blade edge  16 B and shoulder surface  45 . This gives the nipper blade  16  a shear action regardless of where along the edgewise axial length of the nipper blade  16  that line material is being cut when depressing the head section  23 . 
     As noted above, the head section  23  has a front-facing surface  23 A that contacts the terminal end  36 A of the front lip  36  that thereby controls access to the mouth  28 , throat  27  and body cavity  17 . The terminal end  36 A normally contacts the head surface  23 A as seen in  FIG.  10    and closes access to the mouth  28 . When the head section  23  is depressed to open the mouth  28 , the fishing line  48  can enter the mouth  28  generally as shown by position P 1 . The fishing line  48  then moves to position P 2  in the throat  27  and may be nipped in position P 3  by the nipper blade  16 , or be moved to the body cavity  17  for cutting by the cutter blade  15  in position P 4 . As seen in  FIG.  11   , the nipper blade  16  preferably has a blade nose  49  formed with a flat radius or curvature that prevents cuts to the fishing line  48  or line abrasion due to movement of the line  48  through the throat  27  which potentially may cause dragging of the fishing line  48  over the blade nose  49 . 
     As noted, the fishing tool  10  is removably mountable to a fishing rod  50  as shown in  FIG.  12   . The main body  12  is formed with connector blocks  38  that project sidewardly and anchor ends  51  of O-rings  52  and allow the O-rings to wrap about the fishing rod to mount the fishing tool  10  in position. This four point attachment system works in conjunction with a concave base surface  54  as seen in  FIGS.  9 C and  9 D  to eliminate lateral torsion on rod  50  and maintain the fishing  10  in axial alignment with the rod axis. 
     Also the connector blocks  38  define low profile attachment points to eliminate snags. As seen in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , one end  51  of each O-ring  52  is hooked on one connector block  38  and then the O-ring  52  is stretched around the rod  50  and the other O-ring end  51  is hooked onto the connector block  38  on the opposite side of the main body  12 . The connector blocks  38  are provided with smooth, arcuate channels  53  to snugly receive the O-ring ends  52  without cutting or marring the surface thereof. This provides tight fitting attachment of the fishing tool  10  on the rod  50  at virtually any axial position and virtually any radial position about the rod circumference. Preferably, the fishing tool  10  is sold with a kit of six total O-rings  51  of different sizes, which may be included in pairs of small, medium, and large to accommodate nearly all rod diameters, wherein the O-rings  52  and are nearly indestructible and hold up to the harshest weather extremes. This attachment method is non marring. 
     As noted, the tail end  24  includes the opening or aperture  34  for receiving a hook  55  already tied onto the fishing line  48 . The end wall of the opening  34  serves as a storage formation that essentially defines a hook keeper. This aperture  34  is hourglass shaped and has a relatively large length corresponding to the length of a hooked portion  55 A so that the hooked portion  55 A can be inserted sidewardly into the aperture  34  and then pulled axially under line tension to the stored position of  FIGS.  15  and  16   . This hook movement is generally identified by reference arrow  56  ( FIG.  16   ). As such, the aperture  34  and end wall function as a line keeper for tied hooks  55 . If there is substantial line tension, the upper wall of the opening  34  might tend to flex, but the upper wall is strengthened and rigidified by the adjacent fin-shaped rib  35 . 
     However, it may be necessary to tie the fishing line  48  to an untied hook  55 - 1 . The aperture  34 , however, is relatively large and the untied hook  55 - 1  would tend to easily fall out in the absence of line tension, such that the aperture  34  does not provide much benefit or assistance in the tying of fishing line  48 . However, the eye  40  is provided, which is relatively small and requires that the untied hook  55 - 1  be manipulated into the eye  40 . This then helps hold the hook  55 - 1  on the fishing tool  10  and then the fishing line  48  can be more easily tied onto the hook  55 - 1  as seen in  FIGS.  15  and  16    after tying is completed. The eye  40  serves as a hook anchor that holds the hook during knot tying. Typically, the fishing line  48  is slack during this task and the hook  55 - 1  can then be readily removed from the eye  40  once tied. Once tying is complete, the line slack is reeled in and the hook keeper  34  can then be used, whereby the hook is now tied and designated as tied hook  55 . 
     The inventive fishing tool  10  is particularly suitable for use in association with the performance of fishing and other similar activities, and more particularly, serves as a rod-mountable fishing tool  10  that is usable mounted or off of a fishing rod  50 . The fishing tool  10  exhibits an integrated aesthetic appearance wherein aesthetic shapes and features also can serve multiple functions associated with tasks typically performed while fishing, such as cutting of lines, nipping of knots and other severable materials, tying of knots, storage of hooks and lines and other tasks. 
     Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.