Patent Publication Number: US-2005116471-A1

Title: Apparatus for tying fishing line to fishing tackle and methods for use

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. The Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an apparatus used to tie fishing line to fishing tackle, more particularly and without limitation, hooks, lures, spinners, flies, leaders, and swivels are the fishing tackle appropriate for use with the apparatus. The present invention also relates to the methods of using the line-tying apparatus to tie a limited variety of fishing knots.  
      2. Brief Description of the Art  
      A wide variety of knots have been developed and used in sport fishing to secure various forms of fishing tackle to fishing lines. Numerous devices have also been developed to aid a fisherman in tying these knots. Most devices tend to be knot-specific in that they are designed for, or used to form certain, specific knots. Virtually all of these devices can be divided into two categories: devices used to secure the hook, and devices structurally designed to facilitate the tying of the desired knot.  
      Devices used to secure the hook come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One characteristic common to these devices is that the general purpose is to secure or suspend the hook, or fishing tackle, while the fishing line is being manipulated to produce the desired knot. One advantage to these devices is that a safe and convenient position for the hook, maintainable by the fisherman, is provided as the desired knot is tied. The hook is essentially stationary while the fishing line is being manipulated. Another advantage is that these devices tend to be less knot-specific in that they can be used to tie a wider variety of knots. One disadvantage can be illustrated when trying to use these devices. The fishing line can be difficult to manipulate in the manner necessary to tie the desired knot properly, especially if only one hand is available to the fisherman.  
      Other devices have specific structural features designed to guide or facilitate the tying of a specific knot. These devices may have grooves or similar points on the device where the fishing line is guided or temporarily secured while the knot is formed. These devices may also have projections or structures similar to fork tines allowing the fishing line to be wrapped around the projections as the knot is formed. One advantage to devices structurally designed to manipulate the fishing during the tying of a knot is that the fishing line is generally maintained in the desired position during the procedure of tying the knot. One disadvantage to devices using specific structural features is that they can be relatively complex in order to produce the desired knot.  
      Certain devices may provide a combination of these features, containing a portion where the hook, or fishing tackle is suspended, and structural features to facilitate the tying of a certain knot. While the combination may provide advantages related to a seemingly more complete device, these devices tend to be the most complex, which can be a disadvantage relating to cost and ease of use. Also, the hook may be positioned in close proximity to the structural features designed to produce the knot. This can result in painful injuries to the fisherman while attempting to tie the desired knot.  
      Numerous means have been developed to attempt to eliminate the need for any of the devices previously discussed. As will be shown, these means tend to be limited and relatively expensive. They also limit the fisherman to certain configurations of fishing tackle.  
      Certain hooks are composed of separate pieces. The pieces may be assembled and disassembled. While the hook is disassembled, the fishing line may be threaded on and wrapped around certain pieces, then assembled in a manner that secures the hook to the fishing line. In this manner, the hook becomes the device assisting the tying of the knot.  
      Fishing hooks are available with a certain length of fishing line already attached to the fishing hook. The fishing line is approximately six to twelve inches in length. At one end of the fishing line a fishing hook is attached. At the other end, the fishing line is tied into a loop. The loop is present so the hook may be easily attached to a second fishing line having a clip attached at its end.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The current invention is embodied in the structure of the apparatus as well as its designated use. The design and structure of the apparatus is novel, and developed for an intended, specific use. The structure is deceptively simple. The gross structure of the apparatus is a rod with a device for securing the hook, or fishing tackle. This structure is integral to the method of use for the apparatus. The simple structure is what allows the desired knot to be tied quickly, easily and efficiently. While the hook is secured, the apparatus may be manipulated to produce the desired knot.  
      As most devices designed to aid in the development of tying a knot, this apparatus is relatively knot-specific. The current apparatus is designed to aid in the formation of the cinch knot and the improved cinch knot.  
      The apparatus allows a cinch knot or an improved cinch knot to be tied in a drastically reduced amount of time and effort. Generally, a cinch knot requires at least sixty seconds or more to form properly. With the aid of the present apparatus, a cinch knot may be tied in approximately five to twenty seconds, after very limited instruction. Also, persons relatively unfamiliar with fishing or even young children can be taught to use the apparatus effectively and efficiently in a short amount of time.  
      The apparatus also provides a safe procedure for tying the desired knot because the hook is suspended away from the hands while the knot is being formed. The apparatus allows the hook and the fishing line to be manipulated with a minimum of contact by the user. The procedure for using the apparatus is very simple: the hook is secured to one end of the apparatus, a fishing line is threaded through the eye of the hook, the apparatus is twirled an appropriate number of times, and the end of the fishing line is secured within the newly formed knot. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the tackle tying apparatus.  
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the distal end of the apparatus with a cap, which cap has a lanyard aperture.  
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the distal end of the apparatus with a hook remover and a lanyard aperture.  
       FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the distal end of the apparatus with a dowel and an attached cutting device.  
       FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the proximate end of the apparatus showing attachment of the securing device and a cutting blade embedded in the apparatus.  
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the proximate end of the apparatus showing a magnifying glass attached to the proximate end of the apparatus.  
       FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the proximate end of the apparatus showing a magnet as the securing device and a light embedded in the proximate end of the apparatus.  
       FIGS. 4-7  are plan views of the procedure for using the apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      It will be readily understood that the following detailed description of the embodiments of the tackle tying apparatus  10 , and the steps for using the tackle tying apparatus  10 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.  
      The structure of the apparatus  10  is very simple. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  has two primary components: a rod  20  and a securing device  30 .  
      The rod  20  is a cylindrical structure providing the user means to hold and manipulate the apparatus  10  during use. The rod  20  has a proximate end  22  and a distal end  24 . Generally, the rod  20  will have a circular cross-section, however, other forms are possible, such as without limitation, cross-sections that are triangular, square, hexagonal, or octagonal.  
      The rod  20  may be approximately four to eighteen inches in length  26  (approximately ten to forty-five centimeters), and preferably about eight inches in length  26  (about twenty centimeters). The diameter  28  of the rod  20  may be approximately one-quarter of an inch to an inch and a half (approximately five millimeters to four centimeters), and preferably about one-half of an inch (about one centimeter).  
      The rod  20  may be composed of any appropriate material, including without limitation, plastic, molded plastic, wood, stainless steel, rubber, hardened rubber, or fiberglass. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the material used to construct the rod  20  may be any material capable of providing the desired rigidity and strength.  
      The securing device  30  is generally a clamping or pinching structure providing the means necessary to secure the hook or other fishing tackle. The securing device  30  may be any device providing suitable support and having the ability to secure the hook or fishing tackle, including without limitation, an alligator clip, a paper clip, a clothes pin, or even a magnet  35 .  
      As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the securing device  30  may have various dimensions depending on the type of securing device  30  used in a given apparatus  10 . For example and not by way of limitation, an alligator clip may have clamping handles  32  and jaws  34  approximately one-quarter inch to an inch and a half in length (approximately five millimeters to four centimeters), and preferably about one-half inch in length (about one centimeter). If a magnet  35  were used as the securing device  30 , the magnet  35  may be relatively small and still achieve the desired result. A bar magnet  35  may be approximately one-eighth of an inch to an inch in length (approximately three millimeters to two centimeters).  
      The securing device  30  may be composed of any appropriate material, including without limitation, plastic, molded plastic, wood, stainless steel, magnetized steel, rubber, hardened rubber, or fiberglass. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the material used to construct the securing device  30  may be any material capable of providing the desired rigidity and strength, as well as capable of being formed into an appropriate shape.  
      The construction of the apparatus  10  is understandably simple. The securing device  30  is attached to the proximate end  22  of the rod  20  by any suitable means. For example and not by way of limitation, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the proximate end  22  of the rod  20  may have a slit  36  and the securing device  30  may have a tab  38 . The tab  38  may be inserted into the slit  36  and glued in place. As another example, the tab  38  may be a structure where the surface of the tab  38  may lie against the proximate end  22 , thereby allowing the tab  38  to be glued or welded to the proximate end  22  of the rod  20 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a wide variety of means and materials may be utilized to attach the securing device  30  to the proximate end  22  of the rod  20 .  
      The rod may be hollow, thereby providing a storage space  40  within the rod  20 . The distal end  24  of the rod  20  may have a variety of attachments threadedly attached to the distal end  24 . A cap  42  or a hook remover  44  may be threadedly attached to the distal end  24  of the rod  20 .  
      The cap  42  is a cover structure, generally cylindrical, that closes the opening in the distal end  24  of the rod  20  formed by the storage space  40 . The cap  42  is generally the same diameter as the diameter  28  of the rod  20 . The cap  42  may be attached to the distal end  24  by a variety of means. The cap  42  may have a diameter similar to the diameter  28  of the rod  20  allowing the cap  42  to be inserted into the opening in the distal end  24  of the rod  20 , similar to a cork in a wine bottle. This may be described as a removable attachment. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the cap  42  may also have male threads  48 , or inserting threads, that allow the cap  42  to be screwed into or onto the distal end  24  of the rod  20 , which distal end  24  has female threads  46 , or receiving threads, allowing the threaded attachment.  
      The cap  42  may be made of the same material as the rod  20 , or a different material. The dimensions of the cap  42  may vary, but generally the cap  42  will have a diameter similar to the diameter  28  of the rod  20  and a length of approximately one inch (approximately two centimeters).  
      1. Accessories  
      As shown in  FIG. 2B , the cap may also be in the form of a hook remover  44 . The hook remover  44  has a conical head  50  defined by a conical base  52  and a conical apex  54 . The surface of the conical head  50  has longitudinal grooves  56  evenly spaced along the surface of the conical head  50 . The conical head  50  also has a longitudinal slot  58 , or aperture, which slot  58  is a deep groove proceeding from the conical apex  54  to the approximate center of the conical base  52 . The slot  58  is deep enough to allow the shank of a hook being removed to be inserted into the hook remover  44 . The shank of the hook is inserted into the longitudinal slot  58  and the hook remover  44  is pushed downward toward the loop of the hook and twisted. The point of the hook will become seated in one of the longitudinal grooves  56  when the hook is removed.  
      The hook remover  44  may be attached to the distal end  24  by the same variety of means used to attach a cap  42 . The hook remover  44  may have a diameter similar to the diameter  28  of the rod  20  may allow the hook remover  44  to be inserted into the opening in the distal end  24  of the rod  20 , similar to a cork in a wine bottle. This may be described as a removable attachment. The hook remover  44  may also have male threads  48 , or inserting threads, that allow the hook remover  44  to be screwed into or onto the distal end  24  of the rod  20 , which distal end  24  has female threads  46 , or receiving threads, allowing the threaded attachment.  
      The hook remover  44  may be made of the same material as the rod  20 , or a different material. The dimensions of the hook remover  44  may vary, but generally the base of the conical portion of the hook remover  44  may have a diameter of approximately one-half an inch to an inch and a half (approximately one centimeter to four centimeters). The length of the hook remover  44  may be approximately one to three inches (approximately two to eight centimeters).  
      As shown in  FIG. 2C , the cap  42  may be in the form of a dowel  62  attached to the distal end  24  of the rod  20 . The dowel  62  may be attached to the cap  42  using glue or other appropriate means, or otherwise integrated into the structure of the cap  42 . The dowel  62  is a cylinder approximately two to eight inches in length (approximately five to twenty centimeters), and approximately one-quarter of an inch to one inch in diameter (approximately five millimeters to three centimeters). The dowel  62  is usually made of a material relatively softer than the rod  20 . For example but not by way of limitation, the dowel  62  may be made of wood, plastic, or rubber.  
      The cap  42  or the hook remover  44  or the dowel  62  may have a lanyard aperture  60 . The lanyard aperture  60  is an opening or hole in an appropriate place on the cap  42  (as shown in  FIG. 2A ), hook remover  44 , or dowel allowing a lanyard to be threaded through the lanyard aperture  60 . With a lanyard, the apparatus  10  may be suspended or hung somewhere convenient for the user.  
      The lanyard aperture  60  may be attached to the cap  42 , hook remover  44 , or dowel  62  with a lanyard swivel. This will allow any lanyard attached to the cap  42 , hook remover  44 , or dowel  62  to swivel while the apparatus  10  is used to tie the desired knot.  
      Some lanyards include a swivel. The lanyard may be attached to a variety of devices, and the lanyard has a swivel as part of the structure. This type of lanyard may be attached to the apparatus  10  and accomplish the same goal as having an apparatus  10  with a lanyard swivel.  
      The apparatus  10  may include a cutting blade  64 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the cutting blade  64  may be embedded in the rod  20  near the proximate end  22 . The cutting blade  64  may be a razor blade, or other appropriate cutting surface, approximately one-quarter of an inch to one inch in length (approximately five millimeters to three centimeters). The cutting blade  64  may be used to cut fishing line when desired by the user. When embedded, the cutting surface of the cutting blade  64  may be below the surface of the rod  20  to prevent injuries or unintended cuttings. The cutting blade  64  may be embedded in a V-shaped notch in the rod  20 .  
      The cap  42  (or hook remover  44  or dowel  62 ) may have a cutting device  65  attached in a manner allowing the cutting device  65  to be stored in the storage space  40  while the cap  42  is threadedly attached to the rod  20 . When the cap  42  is removed, the cutting device may be used to cut or remove excess fishing line remaining after. the desired knot is tied. As shown in  FIG. 2C , the cutting device  65  may be, for example but not by way of limitation, a small pair of scissors, a small set of nail clippers, or a small pair of nippers.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3B , the apparatus  10  may include a magnifying glass  66  attached to the rod  20  near the proximate end  22 . The magnifying glass  66  may be attached to the rod  20  using glue or other appropriate means. The magnifying glass  66  may have a diameter of approximately one-half of an inch to two inches (approximately one to five centimeters). The magnifying glass  66  may also be designed to rotate, or flip, from a stowed position to an engaged position. The purpose of the magnifying glass  66  is to aid the user in threading a fishing line through the eye of a hook.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3C , the apparatus  10  may also include a light  68  embedded in the proximate end  22  or the rod  20 . The light  68  may be an LED light that is activated by pressure applied by the user on the surface of the rod  20 . The light may also be an LED light that is activated by a button, or toggle switch, on the outer surface of the rod  20 . The dimensions of the light  68 , and the associated working mechanisms such as wiring and a battery, must fit inside the diameter  28  of the rod  20 , and still allow space for the attachment of the securing device  30 .  
      2. Methods of Use  
      The methods of use to be described are intended for the tackle tying apparatus  10  described herein, or any form of the tackle tying apparatus  10 . The following methods require the use of one form of the tackle tying apparatus  10  described herein.  
      The tackle tying apparatus  10  is generally used to tie a fishing line to a hook  70 , however, the tackle tying apparatus  10  may be used to tie fishing line to various forms of fishing tackle, for example and not by way of limitation, lures, spinners, flies, hooks, leaders, and swivels. One important aspect of using the tackle tying apparatus  10  is the ability to position the chosen piece of fishing tackle such that the eye, or loop where the fishing line is going to be threaded, may be positioned proximate the securing device  30 .  
      The tackle tying apparatus  10  may be used to tie a limited number of knots. The tackle tying apparatus  10  may be used to tie a cinch knot or an improved cinch knot.  
      As described previously, the tackle tying apparatus  10  may be used to tie fishing line to a variety of fishing tackle. For example and not by way of limitation, the methods of use will be described using a hook  70 . As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the methods described will not be altered after the fishing tackle has been positioned appropriately.  
      The hook  70  may be described as having a hook curve  72 , a hook shank  74 , and a hook eye  76 . The hook curve  72  is secured by the securing device  30  such that the hook shank  74  points approximately co-linear with the rod  20 . For example and not by way of limitation, using the alligator clip as the securing device  30 , the clamping handles  32  are depressed by the user, thereby opening the jaws  34  of the securing device  30 . The hook curve  72  is secured, or clamped, within the jaws  34  of the securing device  30 . The hook shank  74  is positioned approximately co-linear with the rod  20 .  
      The fishing line  80  may now be tied to the hook  70 . The line end  82  is threaded through the hook eye  76 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a section of fishing line  80 , approximately one to eight inches (approximately two to twenty centimeters) of fishing line  80 , is pulled through the hook eye  76 . The user may now hold the line end  82  near and approximately co-linear to the fishing line  80  that has not been pulled through the hook eye  76 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the user may now twist the tackle tying apparatus  10  approximately two to fifteen complete turns of the apparatus  10 , and preferably about six complete turns of the apparatus  10 . This action will produce at least an initial loop  84  and a final loop  88  in the fishing line  80 . Preferably, one to eight intermediate loops  86  will be produced, although more intermediate loops  86  may be produced at certain times.  
      The user may now thread the line end  82  through the initial loop  84 , and pull the line end  82  to tighten the knot  90  thus formed, as shown in  FIG. 7 . These actions complete the formation of a cinch knot.  
      The user may produce an improved cinch knot with a slight alteration in procedure. In order to produce an improved cinch knot, after the user has threaded the line end  82  through the initial loop  84 , the line end  82  is threaded through the final loop  88 . The user may now pull the line end  82  to tighten the knot thus formed. These actions complete the formation of an improved cinch knot.