Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a fishing lure containing a body with a hook secured to the body. The body contains two openings to secure two crimped sleeves into the opening. Two elongated arms are inserted and secured into the sleeves and extend outwardly and backwardly from the lure body. Spinning elements are attached to the distal ends of the elongated arms. A wire shank extends from the lure body to which a spinning element is attached to the distal end of the wire shank. The present invention is manufactured using a novel method comprising insertion of liquefied lure body material into the mold cavities of a mold forming piece, which contains impressions for the lure body, hooks, and sleeves. The mold forming piece is then spun in a centrifuge device.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a fishing lure and method of manufacturing of the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a fishing lure having elongated arms extending from the body of the fishing lure for attachment of spinning elements. 
   2. Summary of the Prior Art 
   Fishing lures with blades and other spinning elements attached are common in the art. These types of lures come in all different shapes, sizes, and configurations. Many such configurations disclose fishing lures with a hook extending from the tail-end of the body of the lure and a shank extending from the nose of the fishing lure with one or more spinning elements attached to the shank. 
   It is less common in the art to find fishing lures with spinning elements attached to arms extending from the sides of the body of the lure. However, such lures exist in the art. Examples of these types of lures include the following: U.S. Registration No. 1,923,840 and U.S. Registration No. 2,125,030 to Ozburn; U.S. Registration No. 3,996,688 to Hardwicke; U.S. Registration No. 4,884,358 to Grove; U.S. Registration No. 5,930,941 to Hayes; and U.S. Registration No. Des. 418,898 to Luckey. 
   The Ozburn patents disclose a lure with a body shaped like an insect, frog, or the like. A crossbar with eyelets at each end passes through the body of the lure such that the eyelets extend from each side of the body of the lure. A swinging lever with arms forming a W shape is mounted to the lure such that the arms pass through the eyelets on either side of the body of the lure. The arms extend backwards with swiveling blades attached to the arm&#39;s ends. 
   One embodiment of the Hardwicke patent reveals an angled wire that extends from the top of the lure with the swiveling blade attached at its distal end. The wire is imbedded in the body, which has a skirt attached to a sleeve that slips over the nose of the lure. 
   The Grove patent reveals a trio of spinners attached to wires extending from the body of the lure creating the appearance of a school of fish. One spinner is attached to an angled wire, which extends from the nose of the lure. Two other equal and opposite spinners are attached to wires that extend perpendicularly from the sides of the body at an upward angle. 
   The Hayes patent reveals a jig type lure. The lure body has deflectable arms, which extend from the sides of the lure body. The arms are stainless steel wire sufficiently stiff so they do not deflect when pulled through water, but also sufficiently flexible when engaged by the mouth of a fish. The wire ends are encapsulated within the lure body. 
   The Luckey design patent discloses a lure body with wires that extend from the sides of the lure body in a perpendicular manner. Additional wires are attached to each of the perpendicular wires at one end and swiveling blades are attached at the other end. 
   A patent to Miles, U.S. Registration No. 4,133,135, discloses a lure containing a body, skirt, a main wire extending from the nose of the body, two additional wires attached to the main wire at one end, and swiveling blades attached to the main wire at the other end. 
   A patent to Gentry, U.S. Registration No. 4,901,470, discloses a lure body having a skirt and bill that extends from the nose of the lure body. A cable wire with an attached spinner blade extends into the lure body through the head of the wire and an opening in the bill. The end of the cable wire is imbedded in the lure body. The cable wire is surrounded by a spring, which is partially imbedded in the lure body. 
   The present invention is different than the prior art. First, the prior art patents reveal rigid arms. The present invention describes both rigid and flexible wire arms and the advantages of the flexibility. Second, the wire arms of the prior art patents are imbedded within the lure body when the body of the lure is formed. In the present invention, the wire arms are attached by inserting them into tubular sleeves extending from the lure body. The lure body is formed first and the wire arms are attached afterwards. This invention is an improvement over prior art lures because it allows for the attachment of arms to the lure after the lure body has been formed and thereby allows for the selection of arms with different lengths and rigidity. 
   This invention also allows for a more efficient method of manufacture because the wire arms are inserted after the lure bodies are formed. The wire arms do not take up space in the mold forming piece during the forming process. Thus, more lure bodies can be formed with one mold forming piece. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fishing lure containing elongated arms extending from sleeves secured into an openings on the lure body. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fishing lure with crimped sleeves to secure the elongated arms within the sleeve. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide arms that can be varied in length depending on the effect desired and can have spinners attached to attract fish. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fishing lure with flexible elongated arms that bend when pulled through the water. The flexibility of the arms allows the lure to brush the bottom surface of a body of water without grabbing plants and debris. The flexibility also provides additional movement on the lure to attract fish. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fishing lure with elongated arms extending from the lure body outwardly and backwardly. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of manufacturing the present invention using a mold forming piece. The mold forming piece contains impressions for the lure bodies, hooks, and shanks. Because the wire arms are added after the lures are created, space is not required for the lure arms in the mold forming pieces between each lure body impression. Therefore, more impressions can fit into one mold forming piece than current fishing lure manufacturing methods. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of manufacturing the present invention using a mold forming piece containing impressions for sleeves for insertion of elongated arms, which will extend from the lure body when formed. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fishing lure that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. 
   In satisfaction of these and related objectives, Applicant&#39;s present invention provides a fishing lure containing a body with a hook secured to the body. In the preferred embodiment, two sleeves are imbedded and extend from opposite sides of the body. Two elongated arms are inserted and secured within the sleeves and extend outwardly and backwardly from the lure body. Spinning elements are attached to the distal ends of the elongated arms. A wire shank extends from the lure body to which a spinning element is attached to the distal end of the wire shank. The preferred embodiment is manufactured using a novel method comprising insertion of liquefied lure body material into the mold cavities of a mold forming piece. While the mold forming piece is spun in a centrifuge device, sleeves, hooks and shanks are inserted into impressions in the mold cavities prior to pouring the liquefied lure body material. The liquefied material is allowed to cool and harden, thereby leaving the sleeves, hooks and shanks imbedded in and extending from the lure body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment along line  3 A— 3 A in the direction of the arrows in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment along line  3 B— 3 B in the direction of the arrows in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment along line  3 C— 3 C in the direction of the arrows in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mold forming piece used to manufacture the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the lower portion of the mold forming piece used to manufacture the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the upper portion of the mold forming piece used to manufacture the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross section view of a mold cavity along lines  7 — 7  in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial top view of the lower portion of the mold forming piece used to manufacture the preferred embodiment depicting a mold impression of the lure body with hook and shank in place. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the fishing lure  10  incorporates a body  12  having a head portion  14  and a tail portion  16 . A lip  17  extends from and around the circumference of the tail portion  16 . An elongated fin  18  protrudes from the top surface of the fishing lure and extends between the tail portion  16  and the head portion  14 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the fishing lure  10  is in the shape of a small bait fish with an eye  19  painted on or otherwise attached to the body. However, it is anticipated that the body  12  may resemble other shapes such as insects or frogs, which may be attractive to fish. In addition, it is preferred that the body be formed of cast lead. However, other acceptable materials may be substituted. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a shank  20  is embedded in and extends from the nose  22  of the body  12  of the fishing lure  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shank  20  is bent to form a upper horizontal portion  24 , a looped portion  26 , a vertical portion  28 , and a lower horizontal portion  30 . The upper horizontal portion  24  extends from the nose  22  in a direction aligned with the body  12  of the fishing lure  10 . The looped portion  26  is a small U-shaped curvature of the shank  20  which loops 180 degrees underneath the upper horizontal portion  24  in the same vertical plane. The vertical portion  28  extends downwardly from the lower end of the looped portion  26 . The lower horizontal portion  30  extends from the lower end of the vertical portion  28  in a direction parallel to the upper horizontal portion  24  and inwardly generally toward the body  12 . Although, in the preferred embodiment, the shank  20  is bent as described herein, it is anticipated that numerous configurations and shapes of the shank are acceptable. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a propeller blade  32 , commonly known in the art as a buzzbait blade, is rotatably mounted on the lower horizontal portion  30  of the shank  20 . The propeller blade is positioned between a spacer  33  axially mounted to the lower horizontal portion  30  and end cap  34  axially mounted to the horizontal portion  30  toward its distal end  36 . The distal end  36  is bent slightly to prevent the end cap  34  from sliding off the lower horizontal portion  30 . Although the propeller blade  32  is utilized in the preferred embodiment, it is anticipated that other types of blades, such as spinnerbait blades, could be connected to or mounted on the shank  20 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hook  40  extends from the rearward tip  42  of the tail portion  16  of the body  12 . A skirt  44  with a plurality of streamers  46  is attached to the tail portion  16  and positioned such that the streamers  46  will trail behind the fishing lure  10  and hide the hook  40  as the fishing lure  10  is pulled through water. In the preferred embodiment, the skirt  44  is attached to the tail portion  16  between the lip  17  and the head portion  14  with a rubber band  48 . However, it is anticipated that other methods of attachment such as clipping or gluing are acceptable. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 A– 3 C, rearwardly angled opposing connector sleeves  50   a  and  50   b  are embedded in and extend from the opposing sides of the head portion  14  of the body  12 . Arms  52   a  and  52   b  are inserted into the connector sleeves  50   a  and  50   b  which are crimped around the arms  52   a  and  52   b  and thereby connecting and securing the arms  52   a  and  52   b  to the body  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the arms  52   a  and  52   b  are flexible surflon multistrand nylon coated steel leader wire. However, it is anticipated that other flexible material such as nylon monofilament or an inflexible material such as single strand fixed wire could be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , spinner blades  54   a  and  54   b  are swivelly attached to the looped distal ends  56   a  and  56   b  of the arms  52   a  and  52   b  preferably with swivels  55   a  and  55   b . Collars  58   a  and  58   b  are positioned around the looped distal ends  56   a  and  56   b  of the arms  52   a  and  52   b . Collars  58   a  and  58   b  are flattened and pressed against the looped distal ends  56   a  and  56   b  to hold them in place. The collars  58   a  and  58   b  are positioned to leave the outermost portion of the looped distal ends  56   a  and  56   b  exposed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , in a preferred process for manufacturing the fishing lure  10  described herein, a plurality of fishing lures are cast in a silicone mold forming piece  60  in a manner common in the industry. The mold forming piece  60  is divided into a lower portion  61  and an upper portion  62 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a plurality of individual lower mold impressions  64  in the shape of the right half of the fishing lure  10  are formed into the top surface  65  of the lower portion  61  of the mold forming piece  60 . The lower mold impressions  64  comprise lower lure body impressions  71 , lower hook impressions  70 , and lower shank impressions  72 ; which are positioned to correspond to the positions of the hook  40 , body  12 , and shank  20  of the fishing lure  10  as shown and described herein (See  FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a plurality of individual upper mold impressions  66  in the shape of the left half of the fishing lure  10  (See  FIG. 1 ) are formed into the bottom surface  67  of the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60 . The upper mold impressions  66  comprise upper lure body impressions  85 , upper hook impressions  74 , and upper shank impressions  75 ; which are positioned to correspond to the positions of the hook  40 , body  12 , and shank  20  on the fishing lure  10  as shown and described herein (See  FIG. 1 ). 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60  is placed on top of the lower portion  61 , the plurality of lower mold impressions  64  mate with the corresponding plurality of upper mold impressions  66  forming a plurality of mold cavities  63  in the shape of the fishing lure  10 .  FIG. 7  shows only a cross section of a single mold cavity  63 . However, it can be appreciated that a plurality of identical mold cavities  63  are formed. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5–8 , each of the lower mold impressions  64  and upper mold impressions  66  have respective sleeve impressions  68   a  and  68   b  that correspond to the positions of the connector sleeves  50   a  and  50   b  on the fishing lure  10  (See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , prior to placing the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60  on the lower portion  61 , connector sleeves  50   a  and  50   b  are inserted into and extend out of the sleeve impressions  68   a  and  68   b . ( FIG. 8  shows only the lower mold impression and, consequently, connector sleeve  50   b  and sleeve impression  68   b  corresponding to the upper mold impression are not shown.) At the same time, a plurality of hooks  40  and shanks  20  are placed in respective lower hook impressions  70  and lower shank impressions  72 . When the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60  is then placed on top of the lower portion  61 , the hooks  40  and shanks  20  press into respective upper hook impressions  74  and upper shank impressions  75 . The hooks  40 , shanks  20 , and connector sleeves  50  are held in position in this manner during the preferred manufacturing process.  FIG. 8  depicts only one of a plurality of lower mold impressions  64 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  8 , first and second protrusions  76   a  and  76   b  and third and fourth protrusions  77   a  and  77   b  extend from the top surface  65  of the lower portion  61  of the mold forming piece  60 . First and second protrusions  76   a  and  76   b  are positioned at each side of each lower hook impression  70  and third and fourth protrusions  77   a  and  77   b  are positioned at each side of the lower shank impression  72 . The first and second protrusions  76   a  and  76   b  and third and fourth protrusions  77   a  and  77   b  serve to align and further secure the plurality of hooks  40  and shanks  20  when they are placed in the respective hook impressions  70  and shank impressions  72 . Corresponding first and second recesses  78  and  79  are formed in the bottom surface  67  of the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60 . The first and second recesses  78  and  79  are positioned to accept the first and second protrusions  76   a  and  76   b  and third and fourth protrusions  77   a  and  77   b , respectively, when the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60  is placed on top of the lower portion  61 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4–8 , once the hooks  40 , shanks  20 , and connector sleeves  50   a ,  50   b  are placed into the mold forming piece  60 , the upper portion  62  of the mold forming piece  60  is then placed on top of the lower portion  61 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The mold forming piece  60  is then placed in a centrifugal device (not shown) and spun about its axis  80 . A plurality of round headed screws  86  are screwed into and protrude from the bottom surface  67  of the upper portions  62  of the mold forming piece  60  (See  FIG. 6 ). A plurality of corresponding screw head cavities  88  are position in the surface  65  of the lower portion  61  of the mold forming piece  60  to receive and mate with the round headed screws  86 . The mating of the round headed screws  86  and the screw head cavities  88  allow the upper portion  62  and the lower portion  61  of the mold forming piece  60  to remain in the same position relative to each other during the spinning process. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 4–8 , while the mold forming piece  60  is spinning, molten lead (not shown) is poured through a circular opening  81  centered in the upper portion  62  into a circular cavity  82  formed in the upper portion  62  and lower portion  61 . As the molten lead (not shown) is poured into the circular cavity  82 , it is slung into the plurality of mold cavities  63  through a plurality of channels  84  that extend from the circular cavity  82  to each mold cavity  63 . After the mold cavities  63  are filled, the spinning is stopped and the lead is allowed to cool and harden within the mold cavity  63 . Once hardened, the lead bodies  12  are removed from the mold cavities  63  with the hooks  40 , shanks  20 , and connector sleeves  50  imbedded in and extending from the body  12  of the fishing lure  10  in the manner described herein (See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3A–3C , arm  52   a  is then inserted into connector sleeve  50   a . Sleeve  50   a  is then crimped and pressed into the arm  52   a  thereby holding it in place.  FIGS. 3A–3C  depict the cross-section of only one side of the head portion of the lure body  12  and thus depict one arm  50   a  and connector sleeve  52   a . However, it can be appreciated that each fishing lure  10  has an identical and opposing arm  50   b  and connector sleeve  52   b , which are connected in the identical manner. 
   Finally, the skirt  44 , swivels  55   a  and  55   b , spinner blades  54   a  and  54   b , and propeller blade  32  are attached in the manner described herein. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0