Patent Publication Number: US-2006000138-A1

Title: Casting spinner lure

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
      Not Applicable  
     DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to sport fishing using artificial spinner lures, and more particularly, to a casting spinner lure.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In the prior art spinner lures were commonly shown with one or two blades, beads, clevis(es), a straight flexible wire shaft where the hook or artificial bait would be attached and either with or without a casting weight. To connect the hook or artificial bait, such as an artificial fly pattern to the eye of the wire shaft, typical connecting devices such as link(s), snap(s), snap-swivels(s), swivels or spilt-ring(s) can be used. Examples of the companies that manufacture these spinner lures are Mepps, Worden&#39;s and Blue Fox. For the majority of these spinner lures it is difficult to change artificial baits easily.  
      Normally, anglers will just use another spinner lure which adds to the cost of their fishing enjoyment.  
      Predatory fish are attracted to a spinner lure primarily by its spinning blade(s) and coloration. They will the take or strike the spinner lure because of instinctive traits of hunger, anger and in some fish species curiosity. As the spinner lure moves through the water column it does not have substantial wobbling action that would also help stimulate these instinctive traits.  
      It is well know that by increasing the distance the artificial bait from the lure itself by a length of flexible leader line increases substantially the probability that a predatory fish will strike or take the artificial bait. This is commonly accomplished by trolling a device with rotating blades with attached extended leader and bait or artificial bait and not by casting and retrieving.  
      One significant problem that occurs when an angler attempts to cast with a spinning lure or device with leader line or extended flexible leader is that it becomes twisted or tangled with the fishing line or spinning lure itself This is primarlly caused by the length of the flexible leader and movement or swinging of the connector itself. By not having a casting spinner lure with an extended leader is frustrating to anglers who are fishing from a riverbank, shoreline, or non-trolling watercraft.  
      What is needed is a casting spinner lure with nutate or wobbly action, an extended flexible leader and a screw-like connector that permits exchangeability of the leader, hook or artificial bait. A retainer that supports the extended flexible leader, along with the connector that would not swing or twist would minimize the tangling of the hook or artificial bait with the casting spinner lure.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
      U.S. Pat. No. 853,972 issued to E. A. Grout on May 21, 1907 discloses an Artificial Bait or trolling lure with an extended flexible leader. No retainer is disclosed and this is not a weighted casting spinner lure.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 1,515,849 issued to L. J. Eppinger on Nov. 18, 1924 discloses a Casting Lure with a tubular guard serving as a keeper to where the hook is fastened to the lure. No leader line or screw-like connector is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 1,713,041 issued to G. W. Fey on May 14, 1929 discloses a Fishhook Coupling Device with the hook attached directly to the lure. No leader line or screw-like connector is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 2,756,478 issued to John J. Morrissey on Jul. 31, 1956 discloses a Fishline Connector Joint with a plastic protective tube. The protective tube fails to provide any means for supporting a leader line and to hold a connector attached to a fishing lure from excessive movement while casting.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,790 issued to D. A. Konomos on Dec. 27, 1966 discloses a Fishing Lure with a screw connector. No leader line, retainer or lure nutate motion is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,468 issued to Creath W. Linville on Sep. 25, 1973 discloses a fishing connector. The connector disclosed is not a screw-like connector.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,576 issued to James W. Strader on Oct. 26, 1976 discloses a Fishing Lure with the hook attached directly to the lure. No leader line, connector or retainer is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,608 issued to Robert A. Brewer on May 24, 1977 discloses a Function-Separating Connector with a sleeve. The sleeve fails to provide any means for supporting a leader line and is unlike the retainer in the present invention.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,824 issued to James D. Maxwell on Jun. 24, 1980 discloses a Fishing Lure where the hook is attached by means of a spilt-ring connector. No leader line, screw-like connector or retainer is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,875 issued to Ralph M. Swenson, Sr., on Jul. 20, 1993 discloses a Quick Connect Electrical Connector. The connector in the present invention fails to provide any means for supporting or attaching a leader line.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,290 issued to Floyd H. Johnson on Jun. 3, 1997 discloses a Device And Method For Making A Fishing Lure with a retainer. The disclosed retainer fails to provide any means for supporting a leader line and to hold a connector attached to a fishing lure from excessive movement while casting.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 420,418 issued to Tommy Allmon on Feb. 8, 2000 discloses a Fishing Lure with a connector. No leader line or retainer is disclosed.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,036 issued to Philp J. Pease on Jan. 23, 2001 discloses a Terminal Tackle. No means is disclosed for supporting a leader line and a screw-like connector is not disclosed. Moreover, the y shaped tube is unlike the retainer in the present invention.  
      U.S. Pat. Appl. 20010047608 submitted on Dec. 6, 2001 by Daniel S. Cox discloses a Fishing Lure With Dual Wing Compound Angle Spinning Blade. No retainer or leader line is disclosed.  
      None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in combination, are seen to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed by the present invention.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      By the present invention, an improved casting spinner lure is disclosed.  
      Accordingly, one of the objects and advantages of the present invention is a screw-like connector that permits exchangeability of the leader line, hook and artificial bait. Furthermore the connector does not swing or twist while casting and retrieving.  
      Another of the objects of the present invention includes leader line or extended flexible leader, which is attached to the externally or male threaded element of the screw-like connector. At the trailing end of the extended flexible leader line is attached a hook or artificial bait.  
      Yet another of the objects of the present invention is a tubular retainer that would slide over the flexible leader line and partially onto the screw-like connector. The retainer supports the flexible leader line from undo bending or swinging while casting the spinning lure. Thus, the retainer prevents, along with the screw-like connector, the extended flexible leader line with attached hook or artificial bait from becoming tangled or twisted with the lure itself or fishing line when casting.  
      With a casting spinner lure not having a screw-like connector, the tubular retainer can also hold a typical connector such as link(s), snap(s), snap-swivels(s), swivels and spilt-ring(s) in somewhat of a locked position and therefore prevent the connector from bending or swinging while casting the spinning lure which will prevent the attached flexible leader and hook from becoming tangled.  
      A further object of the present invention is the tubular retainer has circular holes near the end that covers the extended flexible leader line where fish attracting scent can be placed.  
      A final object of the present invention, which in our belief is that the screw-like connector that is, attached pivotably, tubular retainer, and extended flexible leader, when being pulled through the water provides the improved casting spinner lure a nutate or wobbling action. Even so this is our belief we do not want to be bound by it. This wobbly action then imparts to predatory fish a realistic movement of something alive, which helps to provoke a strike of the bait or artificial bait.  
      Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of one preferred embodiment of the screw-like connector.  
       FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the screw-like connector.  
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention without a screw-like connector. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMBERALS IN DRAWINGS  
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 10 
                 casting spinner lure 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 flexible wire shaft 
               
               
                   
                 12a 
                 flexible wire shaft first end eye or loop 
               
               
                   
                 12b 
                 flexible wire shaft second end eye or loop 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 knots (flexible wire shaft) 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 clevis 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 spinner blade 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 bead 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 weight 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 connector (screw-like) 
               
               
                   
                 24a 
                 internal or female threaded 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (connector) end 
               
               
                   
                 24b 
                 external or male threaded (connector) end 
               
               
                   
                 24c 
                 connector chamber 
               
               
                   
                 24d 
                 splines or gripping members (female end) 
               
               
                   
                 24e 
                 splines or gripping members (male end) 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 rigid wire shaft 
               
               
                   
                 26a 
                 rigid wire shaft first end eye or loop 
               
               
                   
                 26b 
                 rigid wire shaft second end eye or loop 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 tubular retainer 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 circular holes 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 leader line 
               
               
                   
                 32a 
                 leading end (leader line) 
               
               
                   
                 32b 
                 trailing end (leader line) 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 split ring (connector) 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 tapered tubular retainer 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 fishing hook 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The essence of the casting spinner lure is related to a connector with internal or female and external or male threaded elements or ends which are mated together or a screw-like connector to improve exchangeability of different forms of bait or artificial baits. A retainer to support the leader line and fishing hook or artificial bait while casting and retrieving. Thus, preventing the leader line and fishing hook from becoming tangled with the lure itself The screw-like connector, leader line and retainer provide a wobbly movement to the overall lure when in use.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The casting spinner lure  10  has a longitudinal axis along which a flexible elongated wire shaft  12  runs, forming an eye or loop  12   a  at the first end and another at the second end  12   b.  Knots  14  secure the loops. The metal or plastic screw-like connector  24  is affixed above the second end eye  12   b  through an aperture. Disposed on the connector  24  is an internal or female threaded end  24   a  and a male or external threaded end  24   b,  which are mated together for attaching leader line  32 , fishing hook  38 , or artificial bait (not shown). A plastic or rubber tubular retainer  28  is contiguous to the connector  24  and has a predetermined length, and opposite leading and trailing ends. It is preferred that the retainer  28  has a cylindrical and uniform inside diameter of 4 mm along its length of  2  cm. The retainer  28  as an axial bore between the ends of a diameter enabling the retainer  28  to be slid partially onto, approximately  3  mm, and then off the connector  24  in response to application of bodily pulling force on the retainer  28 . Circular holes  30  are disposed on the retainer  28  for the placement of fish attracting scent. The retainer  28  surrounds the leading end (leader line)  32   a,  of approximately  18  mm, of the leader line  32  total length of approximately 5 cm. The hook  38  or artificial bait, such as an artificial fly pattern (not shown) is attached to the trailing end (leader line)  32   b  by a typical fishing knot such as an improved clinch knot (not shown). The lure  10  includes a conventional rotatable spinner blade  18 , which is attached to the wire shaft  12  by a conventional clevis  16 . Below the spinner blade  18 , a generally round bead  20  which is movable along the flexible wire shaft  12 , and a body or weight  22  is provided. The body or weight  22  is for casting and keeping the lure  10  submerged in water while in use. Each of the clevis  16 , bead  20  and weight  22  have an aperture through which the flexible wire  12  projects. The spinner blade  18  spins about the longitudinal axis of the wire as it is pulled through the water.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the screw-like connector is depicted. The screw-like connector  24  has generally a cylinder shape that includes a female or internal threaded connector end  24   a  and a male or external threaded connector end  24   b  and their opposite end being oblate. The connector  24  with a length 1 cm has two apertures through which the flexible wire shaft  12  and the rigid wire shaft  26  projects. The female threaded connector end  24   a  is oriented pivotably above the flexible wire shaft second end eye  12   b  and is secured by knot (not shown). This enables the connector  24  to rotate and wobble. Along with the retainer  28  and connector  24 , helps to provide the casting spinner lure with a nutate or wobbly motion when the casting spinner lure is pulled through the water and prevents the connector  24  from breaking off when a fish strikes the hook  38  or artificial bait. Since both female and male connector ends  24   a  and  24   b  are threaded they are attached or connected together by exerting a twisting motion. There are circumferentially spaced splines or raised gripping members  24   d  and  24   e  disposed on the male and female connector ends  24   a  and  24   b.  This enables an individual to grip the connector ends, especially when they are wet, to ensure the connector  24  is tightly fastened and to hold the retainer  28  in place. The connector  24  has a longitudinal axis along which the rigid connector wire shaft  26  runs through the aperture of the male threaded connector end  24   b  forming an eye or loop  26   a  at the first end an another at the second end  26   b.  Knots secure the loops (not shown). The leading end (leader line)  32   a  is attached to the second end eye  26   b.    
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the screw-like connector is depicted. The screw-like connector  24  has a generally a cylinder shape that includes a female threaded connector end  24   a  and a male threaded connector end  24   b.  The connector  24  has two apertures where the flexible wire shaft  12  and the leading end (leader line)  32   a  of the leader line  32  projects. The leading end  32   a  is affixed to a split ring (connector)  34 , which is disposed inside the connector chamber  24   c  of the male connector end  24   b.  The female threaded connector end  24   a  is oriented pivotably on the flexible wire shaft  12 . Circular splines  24   d  and  24   e  or raised gripping members are disposed on the male and female connector ends  24   a  and  24   b.  Affixed to the trailing end (leader line)  32   b  is the hook  38 . The retainer  28  slides partially onto the male threaded connector end  24   b.    
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention without the screw-like connector is depicted. It includes a flexible wire shaft  12  oriented along the longitudinal axis of the lure  10 , forming an eye or loop  12   a  at the first end and another at the second end  12   b.  Affixed to the eye  12   b  is a spilt ring (connector)  34 . Attached to the spilt ring  34  is leading end (leader line)  32   a.  Attached to the trailing end (leader line)  32   b  is the hook  38 . A plastic or rubber tapered tubular retainer  36  slides over the leader line  32 , spilt ring  34  and eye  12   b.  The retainer  36  with a plurality of circular holes  30 , where fish attracting scent can be placed, substantially supports the leader line  32  attached to the spilt ring  34  and engages the spilt ring  34  and fishing lure with frictional force sufficient to press against the spilt ring  34  and fishing lure as to hold or to lock the spilt ring  34  in position. This then prevents the spilt ring  34  from a swinging or twisting motion when casting the lure and along with the retainer  36  supporting the leader line  32  minimizes the attached hook  38  or artificial bait (not shown) from becoming tangled with the fishing lure or fishing line (not shown). The retainer  36  has a predetermined length, opposite leading and trailing ends, and an axial bore between the ends of a diameter enabling the retainer  36  to be slid onto and off the leader line  32 , spilt ring  34  and fishing lure in response to application of bodily pulling force on the retainer  36 . A conventional spinner blade  18  is affixed to the wire shaft  12  by a clevis  16  and is atop a round bead  20  and a weight  22 . It can also be appreciated that a connecting member to the flexible wire shaft  12  and the leading end (leader line)  32   a  can be conventional fishing connectors, commonly know as, link(s), snaps(s), snap-swivel(s), or swivel(s) (all not shown) or a typical snap-like connector (not shown) that would have a first end and a second end similar to the screw-like connector.  
      While the tubular retainer  28  shown in  FIG. 1  is preferred, it is to be understood that other retainer designs, such as the tapered tubular retainer  36  shown in  FIG. 4  are contemplated, provided they support the leader line, fishing hook or artificial bait to minimize the tangling with the fishing lure or line while casting and retrieving.  
      While the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples given in the true spirit and scope of the invention.