Abstract:
A gripper to hold a fish upright during hook removal has a pliers-like body. This body includes a first member having an outer handle portion joined to an upper jaw portion and a second member having an inner handle portion joined to a lower jaw portion. The lower jaw portion is pivotally carried in an opening between sidewalls of the upper jaw portion. Bottom edges of outer segments of the upper jaw portion sidewalls have tooth-like abrasions. These abrasions mate with like abrasions on a top wall of a swivel element pivotally attached to the lower jaw portion. When the handle portions of the gripper are squeezed togther so that the jaw and swivel element abrasions compressively engage a lower jaw of a fish, downward movement of the swivel element is inhibited by a locking action between complementarily formed offsets on a bottom surface of the swivel element top wall and on the lower jaw portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a pliers-like gripping device and more particularly to a gripper specifically adapted for a fisherman to hold a fish upright by its lower jaw using one hand so that the hook on which the fish was caught can be removed by the fisherman using his other hand. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Pliers, tongs, and other like devices for hand gripping have been known and in use for many years. Most all such devices include pivotally joined handle-jaw members having respective jaw portions adapted to compressively hold particular objects. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,750,817 discloses a pair of tongs particularly adapted to hold an end of a piece of wire. These tongs include a pivotal gripping plate. This plate is pivotally carried by a pin disposed in an arcuate-shaped slot formed in an outer end of an upper jaw member of the tongs. A bottom edge of the plate is V-shaped to fit in a complimentary formed V-shaped groove formed in an outer end of the lower jaw. Assuming a wire end does not fully seat when placed in this groove, the bottom edge of the gripping plate rotates to adjust to this non aligned position of wire. 
   A second example of a gripping device adapted for a specific purpose is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,123. In this case, the gripping device is a fishhook extractor formed with a pair of elongated jaws members. An inner surface of each member includes a semicircular groove that mate to define a passageway to hold a shank portion of a fishhook. An inner end portion of this passageway then arched sideways to exit from a side of the extractor jaw members. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,842,997 presents an example of a pair of pliers adapted to compressively hold a head of a nail-like fastener. These pliers have jaws formed respectively with lateral and longitudinal intersecting grooves and recesses. When the jaws of the pliers mate, a cross-shaped space is formed to hold a head and connecting shank portion of the fastener. 
   A further pair of pliers having pivotal jaws that are particularly useful for gripping nuts or bolts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,291. In this case, pivotally joined upper and lower arms of the pliers have respective spaced apart sidewalls defining inwardly facing concave-shaped seating spaces. On an inner edge of each sidewall is a protrusion formed with a rectangular-shaped slot. Disposed in each seating space is a jaw member where the jaw member is secured by a pivot pin having ends carried in the sidewall protrusion slots. Seemingly, the jaw members rotate to effect optimum seating against a nut or bolt compressively held by work engagement surfaces of the jaw members. 
   Different from the gripping devices discussed above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,130 discloses a pair of locking pliers having a fixed upper jaw member joined to an upper handle having spaced apart sidewalls. This upper jaw member is formed with an inward facing, shallow V-shaped, serrated engaging surface. A lower jaw member of the pliers includes a base portion pivotally carried between spaced part sidewalls of a lower handle and pivotally carried between the sidewalls of the upper handle. Pivotally attached to an outer end of the lower jaw member is an engaging member having spaced apart sidewalls defining a space for disposition of the lower jaw member outer end. An inner end of the engaging member is forced away from the lower jaw member outer end by a spring carried by in a recess in the lower jaw member outer end. 
   Still further gripping devices are set out in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,822,915 and 5,921,016. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A gripper of this invention that is particularly adapted to hold a fish upright during hook removal has a pliers-like body. This body includes a first member having an outer handle portion joined to an upper jaw portion having an inverted L-like shape. Spaced apart sidewalls of the upper jaw portion extend upward and then outward with outer ends of these sidewalls being connected by a top wall. 
   Disposed in an open space between the sidewalls of the upper jaw portion is a second member having an inner handle portion joined to a lower jaw portion. The first and second members are connected by a pivot pin. 
   Bottom edges of outer ends of the upper jaw portion sidewalls have tooth-like abrasions that align with further tooth-like abrasions on a top surface of a top wall of a swivel element. This swivel element is loosely held by a pivot pin carried by the lower jaw portion. When the abrasive surfaces of the upper jaw portion and the swivel element align upon engagement, downward movement of the swivel element is inhibited by an interference fit between complementarily formed offsets in a bottom surface of the swivel top wall and in a peripheral flange extending about the lower jaw portion. 
   For use, the fisherman first inserts his non dominant hand through a loop-shaped strap attached to the inner handle portion of the gripper to prevent loss of the gripper were the gripper to dislodge from the fisherman&#39;s hand. Then, as a hooked fish is reeled in to a position where the fisherman can reach the fish, the fisherman opens the gripper jaw portions so that the upper jaw portion may be inserted into the fish mouth and the swivel element be positioned against an outer side of the fish&#39;s lower jaw. Next, the fisherman squeezes the gripper handle portions to compressive hold the fish by its lower jaw in an upright position. As now held, the fisherman may set aside his rod and reel and secure another tool with his now free other hand to disengage the hook. With the hook removed the fish may be released or placed on a stringer. 
   The gripper of this invention provides several advantages over previously known gripping devices. To appreciate these advantages some understanding of the complexities of sport fishing is required. 
   First, every effort should be made to minimize injury to a fish during hook removal. For example, merely holding a fish by its gills can produce life threatening injury to a fish&#39;s respiratory system. An injured fish may not survive when released; a severely injured fish most likely will not survive. Further, where a fish is stringered for later consumption, freshness is enhanced by minimizing an injury that could shorten the fish&#39;s life. 
   A second point for recognition is that securing a fish before and during hook removal is not an easy task. Hooked fish most often continue to struggle. Therefore, ideal placement of the gripper&#39;s jaws is not always possible, particularly where the gripper typically is held by the fisherman&#39;s non dominant hand. Also, hook removal is easier when the fish is securely held. Additionally, after initial placement any inadvertent reclasping of the gripper can result in loss of or injury to the fish. Lastly, during ice fishing the gripper typically is held by a gloved hand. 
   In spite of recognition the above noted obvious points, it would appear that theretofore there has been no gripping device particularly adapted for a fisherman to gain initial control of a fish and then securely hold that fish in an injury resistant manner as a fishing hook is being disengaged from the fish&#39;s digestive system. As discussed above, during the initial control phase of a hook removal procedure, the fisherman may have difficulty fully inserting the upper jaw portion of the gripper into the fish&#39;s mouth. If less than full insertion were to occur, the two spaced apart abrasive edges of the gripper upper jaw portion only do limited damage to the fish&#39;s lower jaw teeth when the gripper jaw portions are squeezed together. Also, these abrasive edges of the gripper upper jaw portion are spaced sufficiently apart and the swivel element is sufficiently wide to neutralize twisting action of a fish that continues to struggle. 
   Upon upper jaw portion insertion, the swivel element of the gripper is positioned outside and against the lower jaw of the fish. During gripper jaw compression, the swivel element produces only limited abrasion. Note first that the swivel element has a substantial contact area to absorb the compressive force of the gripper upper jaw located inside the fish&#39;s mouth. Additionally, distribution of this compressive force is promoted by the loose pivot connection between the lower jaw portion and the swivel element. This loose pivot connection optimizes the area of seating of the gripper swivel element against the fish&#39;s lower jaw. Lastly, once the swivel element is in place, downward vertical movement of the swivel element is inhibited by the interference fits between the lower jaw portion and swivel element offsets. This interference fit inhibits swivel element movement even if the compressive force on the gripper were inadvertently relaxed as may occur if the fisherman&#39;s non dominant hand tires or slips from being wet. While compressed, any swivel element movement could result in still further injury to the fish&#39;s jaw. Note further that because the handle portions of the gripper align, the gripper is equally useable by right or left-handed fishermen. With the fish securely held in an injury resistant manner by the gripper, hook removal may proceed in a manner that produces minimal injury to the fish. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view a fish jaw gripper of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a side of a first member of the gripper of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view of an end of the first member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a side of a second member of the gripper of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view of one end of the second member of  FIG. 4   
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of an opposite end of the second member of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a side of a swivel element of the gripper of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an end of the swivel element of the element of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the swivel element of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a connection between a lower jaw portion of the second member and the swivel element of the gripper as seen generally along the line  10 — 10  in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A gripper of the invention is shown generally in  FIG. 1  and designated  10 . This gripper  10  is particularly adapted for use by a fisherman to hold a fish while the fisherman extracts a hook from the fish&#39;s mouth. The gripper  10  has a pliers-like body  12  comprising a first member  14  and a second member  16 . Pivotally attached to a lower jaw portion  18  of the second member  16  is a swivel element  20 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first member  14  includes an outer handle portion  22  connected to an upper jaw portion  24 . The outer handle portion  22  is defined by a peripheral flange  26  that extends about a central web  28 . The flange  26  and web  28  then extend upward and join to form an upper end  30 . This upper end  30  of the outer handle portion  22  then integrally connects with a lower end  32  of the upper jaw portion  24 . 
   The upper jaw portion  24  includes spaced apart sidewalls  34  having inverted L-like shapes. Each sidewall  34  is divided respectively into a lower leg segment  36  and a connecting upper leg segment  38 . Between these sidewalls  34  is an open space  40 . In the lower leg segments  36  of the sidewalls  34  is a set of aligned openings  42 . Outer ends  44  of the sidewall upper leg segments  38  are radiused. A top wall  46  then connects top edges  48  and the radiused outer ends  44  of the sidewall upper leg segments  38 . A bottom edge  50  of each sidewall upper leg segment  38  is formed with abrasions  51 , for example a set of tooth serrations  52 . A first outer serration  52   a  of each set of tooth serrations  52  is located inward from an outer lower edge  54  of the top wall  46 . Note that the sidewall upper segment bottom edges  50  and the top wall  46  taper slightly outward. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 4–6 , the second member  16  also an inverted L-like shape and is defined by an inner handle portion  58  integrally connected with the lower jaw portion  18 . Extending about a central web  60  of the inner handle portion  58  is a wide segment  62  of a peripheral flange  64 . This wide segment  62  of the flange  64  then connects with a narrow flange segment  66  that extends about the web  60  of the lower jaw portion  18 . Lower sections  68  of the handle and jaw portion flange segments  62 ,  66  are formed having an arcuate shape. An outer end  70  of the lower jaw peripheral flange narrow segment  66  is upturned and connects with a first flat part  72  of an upper section  74  of the lower jaw flange segment  66 . An inner end  76  of the flange first flat part  72  then connects with a flange enlarged part  78  having, as shown, a reverse Z-like shape that defines an offset  80 . Extending through the enlarged part  78  is an opening  82 . A second flat part  84  of the flange upper section  74 , located below the first flat part  72 , then connects the flange enlarged part  78  to an upward extending flange radiused part  85 . Inward from this flange radiused part  85  in the web  60  is a boss  86  that projects outward from each side of the web  60 . End surfaces  88  of the boss  86  align with side edges  90  of the lower jaw portion peripheral flange narrow segment  66 . The boss  86  then is formed with an opening  92 . 
   The swivel element  20 , shown in detail in  FIGS. 7–9 , has a shed-like body  96 . This body  96  is defined by spaced apart sidewalls  98  having respective arcuate-shaped lower edges  100  and a set of aligned openings  102 . The sidewalls  98  are connected by a top wall  104 . An inner end  106  of the top wall  104  is offset from inner ends  108  of the sidewalls  98  to form a space  110 . A top surface  112  of the swivel element top wall  104  is formed with abrasions  51 , for example with further set of tooth serrations  114  like the tooth serrations  52 . These teeth  114  connect with a flat outer end part  116 . A bottom surface  118  of the swivel element top wall  104  includes a downward extending offset  120  having, as shown, a reverse Z-like shape. A flat outer part  124  of the top wall bottom surface  118  connects with an outer end of the offset  120  while an angularly positioned flat inner part  126  connects with an inner end of the offset  120 . 
   For assembly, the lower jaw portion  18  of the gripper second member  16  is inserted through the open space  40  defined by the sidewalls  34  of the first member upper jaw portion  24 . This open space  40  is sufficiently wide to accommodate the lower and upper sections  68 ,  74  of the lower jaw flange narrow segment  66 . With the opening  92  in the lower jaw portion boss  86  aligned the openings  42  in the upper jaw portion sidewalls  34 , a first pin  130  is pressed through these openings  42 ,  92 . Ends of the pin  130  then are riveted to form a first pivot connection  132  between the gripper first and second members  14 ,  16 . Note that as assembled, the handle portions  22 ,  58  align providing equal usability by the right or left hand of a fisherman. 
   Next, the swivel element  20  is attached to the lower jaw portion  18  by inserting a second pivot pin  134  through the openings  102  in the swivel element sidewalls  98  and the opening  82  in the lower jaw flange enlarged part  78 . In this case, the space between the swivel element sidewalls  98  is sufficiently wide to accommodate the upper section  74  of the narrow segment  66  of the peripheral flange  64  of the second member  16 . Note that the diameter of the lower jaw portion enlarged part opening  82  is somewhat greater that the diameter of the pin  134 . When ends of this second pivot pin  134  are riveted flat, a loose pivot connection  136  is formed. 
   Before use of the gripper  10 , it is recommended that a fisherman insert his hand (typically non dominant) through a strap  138  looped through a hole  140  in a lower end of the web  60  of the second member inner handle portion  58 . Then, assuming the fisherman has a fish ready for hook removal, the fisherman opens the jaw portions  18 ,  24  of the gripper  10  by finger contact with the gripper handle portions  22 ,  58 . Outward opening movement of the handle portions  22 ,  58  is limited by contact of the lower section  68  of the lower jaw portion peripheral flange narrow segment  66  with an inner edge  142  of a bottom wall  144  of the upper jaw portion open space  40 . With the jaw portions  18 ,  24  open, the outer radiused ends  44  of the upper jaw portion  24  may be inserted into the fish&#39;s mouth. 
   As noted earlier, full cooperation by the fish for this insertion cannot always be expected. Therefore, when the jaw portions  18 ,  24  of the gripper  10  are brought together by the fisherman squeezing the gripper handle portions  22 ,  58 , the two sets of upper jaw tooth serrations  52  may inadvertently strike the fish&#39;s lower jaw teeth. Because the upper jaw portion tooth serrations  52  are spaced apart, at worst only two of the fish&#39;s lower jaw teeth are crushed. 
   Also, as the jaw portions  18 ,  24  converge, the top wall  104  of the swivel element  20  may not be positioned parallel to the bottom edges  50  of the upper jaw portion sidewalls  34 . Note that the rotational arc of the swivel element  20  is proximately 25 degrees. As seen in  FIG. 10 , clockwise rotation of the swivel element  20  is limited by contact between the flat outer part  124  of the swivel element top wall bottom surface  118  and the first flat part  72  of the lower jaw portion flange upper section  74 . 
   Counterclockwise movement of the swivel element  20  is limited by contact between the flat inner part  126  of the swivel element top wall bottom surface  118  and the lower jaw portion flange second flat part  84 . Where the swivel element  20  is rotated fully counterclockwise, a selective portion of the lower jaw flange second flat part  84  locates in the space  110  of the swivel element  20 . As fully rotated counterclockwise, a front edge  146  of the swivel element  20  engages the bottom edges  50  of the upper jaw portion sidewalls  34  at a point in front of the upper jaw outer most tooth serration  52   a . Thus, the swivel element  20  is free to swing, clockwise or counterclockwise, to a position where the swivel element tooth serrations  114  substantially align with an outside of the fish&#39;s lower jaw. 
   As the swivel element tooth serrations  114  engage the skin of the fish lower jaw, the loose pivot connection  136  between the swivel element  20  and the lower jaw portion  18  promotes full seating of the tooth serrations  114  against the fish&#39;s jaw skin. Full seating insures that the compressive forces applied by gripper tooth serrations  52 ,  114  are dispersed over the largest possible area and thereby lessens the probability of injury to the fish&#39;s lower jaw. 
   With the fish fully secured by the gripper  10 , the fisherman now uses his non dominant hand hold the fish in an upright position so that the fish&#39;s mouth opens upward. As the gripper jaw portions  18 ,  24  are now vertically positioned, the swivel element offset  120  interlocks with the lower jaw portion offset  80 , see  FIG. 10 . This interlocking is promoted by engagement of the swivel element flat outer part  124  with the lower jaw portion flange first flat part  72 . As engaged, downward movement of the swivel element  20  is inhibited even if there were some relaxing of the fisherman&#39;s gripping force. Some relaxation must be expected from use of the fisherman&#39;s non dominant hand to hold the fish. Since downward swivel element movement is inhibited, minimal shear induced stresses are applied to the fish&#39;s jaw by the gripper&#39;s tooth serrations  52 ,  114 . 
   While an embodiment, uses, and advantages of this invention have been shown and discussed, it should be understood that this invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and these modifications and changes may result in further uses and advantages.