Patent Publication Number: US-2021161118-A1

Title: Systems and methods for a fishhook remover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Provisional Application No. 62/484,000 filed on 11 Apr. 2017, which is fully incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for a fishhook remover. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards a fishhook extraction device with a hook holder that is configured to rotate in a plane in parallel to a shaft of the device. 
     Background 
     Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conversion. After fish are caught, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water. However, when fishing, a fish hook can become lodged within organs of the fish or the fish may swallow the fish hook. This creates situations where fishermen are unable to safely remove the hook from the fish&#39;s organs through the gullet lining without injuring or killing the fish. Specifically, removing a hook from the fish&#39;s organ can be a difficult task due to the confined space within the stomach, gullet, and/or other organs. 
     Conventional devices to remove hooks from fish utilize forceps, pliers, and tongs with clamping jaws that grip the hook. This allows the fisherman to manipulate the hook. However, conventional devices and tools to remove hooks do not allow the fish hook to be rotated to reverse the direction of the barb within the confined space. 
     Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for removing a fish hook from within a fish that includes a hook holder that is configured to rotate in a plane in parallel to a shaft of the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a device configured to reverse the direction of a fish hook, artificial fly, or any other article up to two hundred degrees deep within a fish&#39;s or other animals gullet. This may allow the hook to be extracted without a barb of the hook re-engaging itself into the fish&#39;s tissue, as well as without the fisherman inserting their hand into the fish&#39;s mouth. 
     Embodiments may include a tubular housing, an extending bar, a removal tool, and trigger. 
     The tubular housing may extend from a proximal end of the device towards the distal end of the device, and be configured to house the extending bar and provide a coupling point for the removal tool. 
     The extending bar may be mounted inside the tubular housing, and extend from the trigger to the removal tool. A distal end of the extending bar may include a rack that is configured to interface with a pinion within the removal tool. The rack may be configured to move in a first direction responsive to the trigger being pressed, and move in a second direction responsive to releasing the trigger. 
     A removal tool may be mounted on a distal end of the tubular housing. The removal tool may include a pinion, shaft, and hook holder. The hook holder may be configured to rotate in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the rack and in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular housing. 
     In embodiments, the pinion may be configured to interface with the rack, and convert linear force received by the rack into rotational force. Responsive to the pinion rotating, the hook holder may simultaneously rotate. 
     The shaft may be configured to couple the pinion with the hook holder, and transfer the rotational force of the pinion to the hook holder, wherein a central axis of the shaft extends through a slot. Responsive to the pinion rotating, the shaft and hook holder may correspondingly rotate, wherein the hook holder may rotate up to two hundred degrees. Embodiments may allow for up to two hundred degrees rotation to allow the removal of both “J” hooks and “Circle” hooks. Because circle hooks are sharply curved back in a circular shape, they require more than 180 degrees rotation to reverse the barb. 
     In use, a distal end of the device may be first inserted into the stomach of a fish, wherein a fish hook shank may be inserted into the hook holder via the slot within the hook holder. Responsive to pressing the trigger, the extending bar may move rearward. As the extending bar moves rearward, a rack engages with the teeth of the pinion. The linear motion applied to the rack causes the pinion to rotationally move relative to the linear motion of the rack. This linear movement rotates the pinion and the hook holder by one hundred eighty degrees, and up to two hundred degrees. Due to the fish hook being inserted into the hook holder, the fish hook is reversed and dislodged from the stomach lining of the fish. The device can then be pulled outward so the hook can be removed from the stomach of the fish without the barb re-engaging the fish&#39;s tissue. 
     These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a cross sectional view of an extraction device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of a removal tool, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an extraction device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a front view of an extraction device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a method for removing a fish hook without reengaging the barb of the hook, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a cross sectional view of an extraction device  100 , according to an embodiment. Extraction device  100  may be utilized to remove an article, such as a fish hook, that is internally and/or externally positioned within an animal, such as a fish. Extraction device  100  may include housing  110 , extending bar  120 , rack  125 , pinion  130 , shaft  140 , removal tool  150 , handle  205 , trigger  210 , pivot pin  220 , and torsion springs  230 . 
     Housing  110  may be a hollow tubular device that extends from a proximal end or handle of extraction device  100  to a distal end of extraction device  100 . The inner diameter across the hollow tubular interior of housing  110  may be a first length. Housing  110  may be configured to extend along a linear axis in a first plane. Housing  110  may be comprised of a rigid material, such as stainless steel. 
     Extending bar  120  may be a conduit, tube, cylinder, etc. that is configured to extend through housing  110 . Extending bar  120  may be configured to move along a linear axis defined by a longitudinal axis of housing  110 . In embodiments, extending bar  120  may move towards a distal end of housing  110  responsive to a trigger being pressed, and extending bar  120  may move towards a proximal end of housing  110  responsive to the trigger being pressed. A first part of extending bar  120  may be linear bar with a first end being coupled with the trigger of extraction device  100 . A second part of extending bar  120  may form rack  125 . 
     Rack  125  may be a linear bar that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the first part of extending bar  120 . Rack  125  may include a first set of teeth, projections, grooves, indentions, etc. that are configured to interface with pinion  130 . Responsive to the first part of extending bar  120  moving along a first linear axis, rack  125  may move along a second linear axis, wherein the second linear axis may be offset from the first linear axis. 
     Removal tool  150  may be a device configured to be coupled with a second end of tubular housing  110 . Removal tool  150  may have an end with a smaller diameter than that of housing  110 , such that the end may be inserted into housing  110 . Removal tool  150  may include a pinion and shaft (as discussed in  FIG. 2 ), wherein responsive to extending bar  120  moving in the linear axis the pinion may correspondingly rotate. This may cause the shaft and hook holder  152  to rotate. 
     Hook holder  152  may be a substantially cylindrical body that is configured to receive a shank or part of a fish hook or artificial fly. When hook holder  152  receives a fish hook or an artificial fly, a body of hook holder  152  may protect fish hook, the artificial fly, and/or the fish during removal. Hook holder  152  may have a slit, channel, etc. that extends from a first end  154  of hook holder  152  to a second end  156  of hook holder  152 , wherein part of the fish hook may be inserted into a body of hook holder  152  through the slit. In embodiments, hook holder  152  may be configured to be positioned in a plane that is offset from the longitudinal axis of housing  110 . Responsive to the shaft being rotated, hook holder  152  may rotate in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of shaft  140  and in a plane that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of housing  110 . Responsive to hook holder  152  receiving a fish hook, a trigger on extraction device  100  may be pressed, which may rotate hook holder  152  and the corresponding fish hook one hundred eighty degrees, and up to two hundred degrees. This may correspondingly rotate the fish hook, rotating the fish hook at a midpoint of the fish hook, such that the fish hook does not reengage with the fish. In implementations, hook holder  152  may be configured to rotate up to two hundred degrees, such that in a first mode first end  154  may face away from a user and second end  156  may face towards the user. When hook holder  152  is rotated, hook holder  152  may rotate in a direction perpendicular to the shaft and in a plane parallel and offset from that of the longitudinal axis of extending bar, such that first end  154  faces towards the user and second end  156  faces away from the user. 
     Handle  205  may be positioned on a proximal end of extraction device  100 , and may be configured to be secured in the palm of a user. 
     Trigger  210  may be a device that initiates rotating sequences associated with extraction device  100  responsive to trigger  210  being pulled or release. Responsive to depressing trigger  210 , extending bar  120  may move in a first direction. Responsive to releasing trigger  210 , extending bar  120  may move in a second direction. 
     Torsion springs  230  may apply force to trigger  210  in a cocked or engaged position. A first torsion spring  230  may be configured to apply force in a first direction, and a second torsion spring  230  may be configured to apply force in a second direction, wherein the first direction is associated with the cocked position and the second direction is associated with the engaged position. When the trigger  210  is in the engaged position, the second torsion spring may apply force against trigger  210  to return trigger  210  to the cocked position. This may automatically reset hook holder  152  when pressure is not being applied to trigger  210 . In embodiments, responsive to fully pressing trigger  210 , rack  125  may be configured to linearly move a distance that corresponds with a two hundred degree rotation in a first direction. Responsive to no longer pressing trigger  210 , rack  125  may be configured to automatically linearly move in a second direction a distance that corresponds with an up to two hundred degrees rotation in a second direction. This may be utilized to automatically reset extraction device  100 . 
     Pivot pin  220  may be configured to mechanically couple extending bar  120  with trigger  210 . Responsive to trigger  210  being depressed, pivot pin  220  may move extending bar  120  in a first linear direction, which may be towards a proximal end of extraction device  100 . Responsive to trigger  210  no longer being pressed, pivot pin  220  may move extending bar  120  in a second linear direction, which may be towards a distal end of extraction device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of removal tool  150 , according to an embodiment. Certain elements depicted in  FIG. 2  are described above, and for the sake of brevity another description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , hook holder  152  may be substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein hook holder  152  includes slot  260 . Slot  260  may extend through the curved surface of hook holder  152  from first end  154  to second end  156 , which may allow a fisherman to insert a fishing line into a body of hook holder  152 . In embodiments, a central axis of shaft  140  may extend through slot  260  on the curved surface of the hook holder, wherein the central axis of shaft  140  is perpendicular to an axis between first end  154  and second end  156 . Once the fishing line is encompassed within hook holder  152 , hook holder  152  may slide down the fishing line and engage the fly or hook inside of the fish&#39;s stomach. Hook holder  152  may then be rotated up to two hundred degrees to be removed. 
     As further depicted in  FIG. 2 , shaft  140  may be configured to be inserted into an orifice within pinon  130 . This may allow shaft  140  to rotate responsive to pinion  130  rotating. 
     Removal tool  150  may include a body  240  with a first opening  242 , second opening  244 , third opening  246 , and panel  250 . 
     First opening  242  may be a first geometric shape positioned on a front sidewall of removal tool  150 , and be configured to receive rack  125 . First opening  242  may allow rack to slide in and out of removal tool  150  in a linear direction. 
     Second opening  244  may be positioned on a left sidewall of removal tool  150 , and third opening  246  may be positioned on a right sidewall of removal tool  150 . Second opening  244  and third opening  246  may be configured to allow shaft  140  to extend through removal tool  150  to be temporarily coupled to pinion  130 . In implementations, shaft  140  may be positioned at a midpoint between first end  154  and second  156 , and extend through second opening  244  to position hook holder  152  on a left side of removal tool  150 , and extend through third opening to position hook holder  152  on a right side of removal tool  150 . Based on the positioning of hook holder  152 , right and left handed users may use extraction device  100 . 
     Panel  250  may be removably coupled to a lower sidewall of removal tool  150 . Responsive to removing panel  250 , shaft  140  may be decoupled from pinion  130 . This may allow shaft  140  to be repositioned through second or third opening  244 ,  246 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side view of extraction device  100 , according to an embodiment. Certain elements depicted in  FIG. 3  are described above, and for the sake of brevity another description of these elements is omitted. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a front view of extraction device  100 , according to an embodiment. Certain elements depicted in  FIG. 4  are described above, and for the sake of brevity another description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the longitudinal axis of hook holder  152  may be offset from housing  110 , such that hook holder  152  may rotate in a plane that is offset from that of housing  110 . Hook holder  152  may be offset from housing  110  based on the length of shaft  140 . However, it may be desirable to position the rotational axis of hook holder  152  proximate to housing  110 . This may limit the surface area of extraction device  100  obstructing organs within a fish. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a method  500  for removing a fish hook without reengaging the barb of the hook, according to an embodiment. The operations of method  500  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method  500  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  500  are illustrated in  FIG. 5  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
     At operation  510 , a fishing line or shank may be inserted into a hook holder via a slot extending through the hook holder. Utilizing the fishing line, the hook holder may be guided to the end of the shank of a hook, which may be positioned within a fish. By positioning the hook holder around the shank, the fish may be protected from the shank. 
     At operation  520 , a trigger on the extraction device may be pressed. 
     At operation  530 , responsive to the trigger being pressed, an extending bar may move in a first linear direction, which may be towards the trigger. 
     At operation  540 , when the extending bar is moving in the first linear direction, a rack with a first set of teeth positioned on an end of the extending bar may engage with a second set of teeth positioned on a pinion. 
     At operation  550 , while the first set of teeth engages with the second set of teeth, the pinion may convert the linear movement of the extending bar into rotational movement. This rotational movement may rotate the pinion and a shaft extending through the pinion. 
     At operation  560 , responsive to the shaft rotating, the hook holder positioned on the end of the shaft may simultaneously rotate. Based on the sizing and length of the rack with respect to the pinion, the shaft may be configured to rotate hook holder up to two hundred degrees. 
     At operation  570 , while the hook holder is rotated, and maintained in the rotated position by holding down the trigger, the removal tool and hook may be safely removed from the interior of the fish. In embodiments, responsive to no longer pressing the trigger, the rack may move in a second linear direction, rotating the hook holder two hundred degrees in an opposite direction to reset the extraction device. 
     Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.