Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fishing lure including a body having a head portion and tail portion, wherein the tail portion includes an opening to receive a fishing line. The lure also includes a hook that is connected to the head portion, wherein tension applied to a fishing line thread through the opening and tied to the hook causes the body to bend and release of the tension applied to the fishing line causes the body to straighten.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/652,844 filed on May 29, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates generally to a fishing lure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible fishing lure that mimics lifelike activity when the fishing line is pulled. Unlike traditional fishing lures, the fishing line passes through the fishing lure in an opening towards the tail of the lure and then attaches to the head of the lure. A tug of the fishing line folds the lure in half, creating more realistic movement within the lure to attract a fish. 
         [0003]    Fishing lures are often attached to the end of a fishing line, along with a fishing hook, to attract fish to bite the fishing hook. A fishing lure may be designed to resemble a fish, thus luring in prey. Many fishing lures may be colorful, shiny, and include the features of a real fish, such as eyes, fins, scales, and a tail. Fishing lures also use movement to attract a fish&#39;s attention, so the fish may approach the lure and eventually bite or make contact with the fishing hook. 
         [0004]    Usually the fishing line is attached to the fishing lure at one end, limiting the influence of the fishing line on the movement of the lure. Fishing lures are normally cast out and reeled in, in a liner fashion; the movement of the lure intending to attract a fish. Once the fishing lure is cast out, a fisherman may pull on the fishing line, and/or reel the line in, and the fishing line pulls the lure towards the fisherman. This creates movement of the lure through the water, similar to a swimming fish. However, since the fisherman must pull the line to create movement in the lure, the lure keeps getting closer and closer to the fisherman, and eventually the fisherman will have reeled the lure in completely and must cast it out again. 
         [0005]    Continuously pulling in and casting out the fishing line can be tedious, and reduces the likelihood of catching a fish, since the lure is ineffective when taken out of the water. Also, a fisherman may have a target location in which the fisherman is trying to attract a fish, such as by a rock or some seaweed where a fish may be hiding. If a fisherman must constantly reel in and cast a lure to the target location, the repetitive casting may scare off a fish or deter a fish from biting the lure. 
         [0006]    Moreover, while the movement of traditional lures through the water may somewhat resemble realistic movement, the lure itself does not move and does not mimic live bait. Because the fishing line interacts with the lure at a single point of connection, the movement of the fishing line merely pulls the body of the lure through the water. Accordingly, the lure itself does not exhibit lifelike movement. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists for a fishing lure that mimics the realistic movement of live bait and does not require continuous reeling in as described and claimed herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present disclosure provides a fishing lure adapted to mimic the realistic movement of live bait. The fishing lure includes a body including a head portion, a central portion, and a tail portion. The tip of the head portion of the body mates with a fishing hook. There is an opening in the body of the lure located between the central portion and the tail portion of the fish, through which a fishing line may pass. The opening is reinforced by a grommet, designed especially for the fishing lure, which may protect the fishing line from fraying or breaking as it passes through the grommet. Pulling of the fishing line pulls the hook towards the grommet, folding or compressing an elastomeric portion of the lure between the hook and grommet as the fishing line pulls through the grommet. Release of the tension on the fishing line enables the fishing line to pass back through the grommet and return the fishing lure to its initial shape. This movement mimics the movement of live bait and propels the fishing lure through the water as described further herein. 
         [0009]    The body of lure may be designed to look like a fish, and may be decorated with the features of a fish. Accordingly, the head portion may include features such as eyes, a mouth, and gills. The central portion of the body may include scales in a variety of bright and attractive colors. The tail portion may be shaped as that of a tail of a fish and may be substantially wider than the head portion and central portion of the body, thus resembling an actual rear fin of a fish. The tail portion of the lure may also be concaved or cupped on one side of the lure to act as a paddle to assist in propelling the lure through the water, much as a fish would naturally, as described further herein. The main purpose of the appearance of the body is that it may mimic a real fish as closely as possible. While it is presently preferred for the fishing lure to resemble a fish, it is contemplated that the fishing lure may otherwise be adapted to resemble any other live bait, such as, worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets, grasshoppers, sea worms, eels, crabs, shrimp, squid, etc. Accordingly, while the primary examples used throughout the disclosure relate to an embodiment in which the fishing lure resembles a fish, it is understood that the teachings provided herein may be applied to a fishing lure that resembles any type of live bait. 
         [0010]    The body of the fishing lure (or portions of the body of the fishing lure) may be composed of a rubber or similar elastic polymeric material that enables the fishing lure to be compressible and/or flexible, to store mechanical energy when compressed or flexed (i.e., act like a spring), and be resilient enough to withstand being in the water for long amounts of time and to withstand the bite of a fish. While flexible, the preferred material retains a “memory” of its shape, which enables the lure to return to its normal, straightened (unloaded) shape when not experiencing a compressive force. Accordingly, when there is no force pulling the fishing line, the lure maintains its initial shape. When the fisherman pulls the line, the lure compresses and/or folds. Thus, when the fisherman tugs or jerks the line to fold the lure, the lure&#39;s “memory” causes the lure to quickly straighten back to its original shape and the release of the stored mechanical energy from the movement of the fishing lure from the compressed state to the uncompressed state causes the lure to propel itself through the water. 
         [0011]    As described above, the opening includes a grommet that allows the line to freely pass back and forth through the opening without fraying or breaking. In the primary example, the grommet includes a female and male portion that are joined together in the opening near the tail portion of the lure. However, it is contemplated that any grommet or similar element may be employed to help minimize friction and prevent wear on the fishing line as it is regularly pulled through the body of the fishing lure as described herein. 
         [0012]    At the opposite end of the fishing lure, the head portion includes, or mates with, a fishing hook. The fishing hook is adapted to resist being pulled from the fishing lure when the user pulls on the fishing line. For example, in one contemplated embodiment, the fishing hook includes a horizontal pin or crossbar perpendicular to the hook&#39;s shank, which helps to prevent the fishing hook from being pulled out of or through the tip of the head portion of the lure. 
         [0013]    The fishing lure improves the efficiency with which fisherman may catch fish. When using the fishing lure, a fisherman may pull on the fishing line, thus pulling the head portion of the lure back towards the tail portion of the lure, essentially folding or compressing the lure. A small tug of the fishing line is all that is needed to fold or compress the lure momentarily. Then, immediately after the compressive force is released, the lure springs back to its initial state, thereby propelling itself in a random direction, mimicking the movement of live bait. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the movement of the fishing lure may twitch and shake in place, resembling the movement of a dying fish, even while generally not moving much from its original location in the water. Contrast that with a traditional lure, which must be constantly pulled closer and closer to the fisherman to create any sense of movement. Using this fishing lure described herein, a fisherman may manipulate the fishing lure to twitch and move about only when the fisherman desires and may otherwise be left in a desired location. Eliminating the need to constantly reel in and cast out the lure maximizes the lure&#39;s time in the water and increases the likelihood attracting a fish to bite the fishing lure. 
         [0014]    The present disclosure provides for a fishing lure comprising a body comprising a head portion and a tail portion, and a hook connected to the head portion, wherein the tail portion includes an opening to receive a fishing line. Tension applied to a fishing line threaded through the opening and tied to the hook causes the body to bend, and release of the tension applied to the fishing line causes the body to straighten. The body may be shaped like a fish. In an example, the body further includes a flexible central portion connecting the head portion to the tail portion. In one example, the body may include a memory-retaining element that enables the body to return to an original shape after bending the body. 
         [0015]    The hook may be removeably connected to the head portion. In addition, the hook may comprise a retaining member configured to prevent the hook from detaching from the body of the lure. In an example, the hook comprises a shank including a crossbar perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank, wherein the crossbar secures the hook to the body. 
         [0016]    The tail portion may include a grommet configured to receive a fishing line. The grommet may include a female portion and male portion, wherein, upon the female portion engaging with the male portion, the grommet is secured to the tail portion. In an example, the female portion engages with the male portion to form an opening including a curved interior surface to receive a fishing line. The tail portion may include a concave shape configured to propel the lure through water. 
         [0017]    The disclosure also provides a fishing lure including a fish-shaped body comprising a head portion, a flexible central portion, and a tail portion. The lure also includes a hook connected to the head portion. A first opening extends from one side of the body to another side of the body to receive a fishing line. The first opening is positioned near an intersection of the central portion and tail portion. The body may also comprise a second opening in the head portion to receive the hook. The hook may include a shank including a crossbar perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank, wherein the crossbar secures the hook to the head portion. 
         [0018]    The fishing lure may also include a grommet engaged with the first opening in the tail portion. The grommet may include a female portion and male portion, wherein, upon the female portion engaging with the male portion, a circumferential channel through the first opening is formed, wherein an interior surface of the channel is curved. An outer surface of the grommet may include at least one securing teeth to secure the grommet to the surface of the body. 
         [0019]    An advantage of the fishing lure is that it may be manipulated to mimic the movements of live bait. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the fishing lure is that a user may create movement within the lure itself simply with a slight pull on the fishing line. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the fishing lure is that it may return to its initial uncompressed form when there is no force pulling the fishing line. 
         [0022]    A further advantage of the fishing lure is that the release of the energy stored by the compression of the elastic portions of the lure may propel the fishing lure in random directions to closely resemble live bait. 
         [0023]    Yet another advantage of the fishing lure is that it may be positioned in a desired general location even while being manipulated by the user to create movement in the fishing lure. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the fishing lure is that it may be designed to appear natural in shape, colors, and movement, and does not need to be constantly manipulated to resemble a real fish. 
         [0025]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of an example of the fishing lure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of the example of the fishing lure shown in  FIG. 1A  in an initial state. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the example of the fishing lure shown in  FIG. 1A  in a compressed state. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a fishing hook. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the fishing hook shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 2C  is a front view of the fishing hook shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 2D  is a top view of the fishing hook shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a cross-section of a grommet. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a female portion of the grommet shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3C  is of a perspective view of a male portion of the grommet shown in  FIG. 3B . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3D  is a top view of the grommet shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an example of a fishing lure  10  according to the teachings provided herein. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the fishing lure  10  includes a body  12  including a head portion  14 , a central portion  16 , and a tail portion  18 . The body  12  further includes a hook  28  located adjacent to or within the head portion  14  and a grommet  24  defining an opening  20  adjacent to or within the tail portion  18 . 
         [0039]    In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , the body  12  of lure  10  is designed to look like a fish. Accordingly, the body  12  may be decorated with the features of a fish. As shown in the example in  FIG. 1A , the head portion  14  includes features such as eyes, a mouth, and gills. The central portion  16  of the body  12  includes scales that may be provided in a variety of bright and attractive colors. The tail portion  18  may be shaped as that of a tail of a fish. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the tail portion  18  may be substantially wider than the head portion  14  and central portion  16  of the body  12 , thus resembling an actual rear fin of a fish. In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , the tail portion  18  of the lure  10  is concave, or cupped, on one side of the lure  10  to act as a paddle to assist in propelling the lure  10  through the water, as described further herein. The main purpose of the appearance of the body  12  is to mimic a real fish as closely as possible. It is contemplated that the body  12  of the lure  10  may be include any other features of a fish, or none at all, as long as it may be attractive and inviting to a fish. It is further recognized that the lure  10  may be otherwise adapted to resemble any form of live bait. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1B  is a top view the lure  10  when the body  12  in its uncompressed form. As shown, a fishing line  26  may pass freely through the grommet  24  in the opening  20  in the lure  10 . The line  26  passes through the opening  20  and extends to the head portion  14  of the body  12  where the line  26  is tied, or otherwise secured, to the hook  28 . 
         [0041]    The body  12  of the lure  10 , particularly the portion between the opening  20  and the hook  28 , may be formed from an elastomeric material that is responsive to tension pulled through the line  26 . As a result, when a user pulls/tugs/yanks on the line  26  the body  12  of the lure  10  folds, or compresses, as shown in  FIG. 1C . Then, when the tension in the line  26  is released, the mechanical energy stored in the body  12  is released, and the body  12  springs back to the shape shown in  FIG. 1B . In springing from the compressed form ( FIG. 1C ) back to the uncompressed form ( FIG. 1B ), the lure  10  propels itself through the water. Accordingly, based on design of the lure  10 , particularly tail portion  18  of the lure  10 , the movement of the lure  10  may be tailored. For example, as described above, the tail portion  18  may be shaped as a functional fin or paddle. 
         [0042]    In a contemplated alternative embodiment of the lure  10 , the body  12  includes a separate flexible memory-retaining, elastic element. This separate memory-retaining element may be especially important when the size of the lure  10 , or the material used, requires assistance to return to the uncompressed form. One example of a memory-retaining element is a nickel titanium wire embedded in the body  12  of the lure  10 . 
         [0043]    In the example shown, it is important for the fishing hook  28  to remain affixed to the head portion  14  of the lure  10 . Of course, it is understood that there may be embodiments of the lure  10  in which the fishing hook  28  is attached to, or adjacent to, the tail portion  18 . Further, there may be still other versions of the lure  10  in which the design of the body  12  is significantly altered (e.g., to mimic another type of live bait). In such cases, the relative position of the fishing hook  28  and the opening  20  should be configured such that the application and release of tension in the fishing line  26  may cause the lure  10  to compress and release as described above. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate one example of a fishing hook  28  that may be used with the lure  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , like most fishing hooks, the fishing hook  28  includes a shank  50 , a bend  52 , an eye  54 , a barb  56 , and a point  60 . In addition, the fishing hook  28  shown includes a crossbar  58  attached to the shank  50 . 
         [0045]    The crossbar  58  functions to secure the hook  28  to the head portion  14  and prevent the fishing hook  28  from detaching from the lure  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the fishing hook  28  may be thread through an opening in the head portion  14  of the lure  10  such that the crossbar  58  prevents the eye  54  from passing all the way through the head portion  14 . 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the head portion contains a gill opening and a mouth opening. When the hook  28  is fed through the gill opening and partially out the mouth opening, the crossbar  58  is positioned such that the barb  56  and point  60  are exposed near the surface of the head portion  14 . For example, the gill opening may be wide enough to allow the crossbar  58  to pass through, however, the mouth opening may be too narrow for the crossbar  58  to pass through. As such, the crossbar  58  prevents the eye  54  of the hook  28  from passing through the mouth opening. 
         [0047]    It is contemplated that the crossbar  58  is just one example of a retaining member that may secure a portion of the hook  28  to or within the lure  10 . For example, the retaining member may be a spherical element. Of course, there are numerous alternative designs for the retaining member, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure provided herein. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the opening  20  is fitted with a grommet  24  to allow the line  26  to freely pass back and forth through the opening  20  without fraying or breaking. Greater details of the grommet  24  are shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D . 
         [0049]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the grommet  24  includes a female portion  32  and male portion  34 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the example of the grommet  24  provided includes a separate female portion  32  and male portion  34  that fit together in a snap-fit connection to provide the opening  20  for the fishing line  26  to pass through the lure  10 . The female portion  32  and the male portion  34  snap together at corresponding coupling sections  36   a  and  36   b , creating a smooth, interior curved wall  38  that guides the fishing line  26  through the opening  20 . The curved wall  38  provides a surface free from protrusions that could snag the fishing line  26  causing it to weaken or break. Accordingly, the fishing line  26  may pass through the grommet  24  without putting any stress of the fishing line  26  or the lure  10 . 
         [0050]    As shown in the example in  FIG. 3A , the outer edge  40  of the grommet  24  has a larger outer diameter  42  than the inner diameter  44 , allowing the grommet  24  to fit over the opening  20  of the lure  10  while preventing the grommet  24  from passing through the opening  20  in the lure  10  itself. Once the male portion  34  is fit into the female portion  32  at the coupling section  36 , the grommet  24  is securely fastened to the lure  10 , and cannot be removed unless the female portion  32  and male portion  34  are disengaged. 
         [0051]    The example shown in  FIG. 3B  illustrates the female portion  32  of the grommet  24 , where the coupling section  36   a  is a circumferential protrusion located along the outer surface of an inner shaft  37 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3C , the male portion  34  of the grommet  24  includes a corresponding coupling section  36   b  shown as a circumferential channel located along the inner surface of inner shaft  37 . The corresponding coupling sections  36   a  and  36   b  snap together to securely lock the female portion  32  and the male portion  34  together. 
         [0052]    As further shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , both the female portion  32  and the male portion  34  include securing means  46  to assist securing the grommet  24  in place on the lure  10 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3C , the securing means  46  are generally cone-shaped, pointed teeth. However, it is contemplated that the securing means  46  may be formed in any manner that assists in securing the grommet  24  to the lure  10 . 
         [0053]    Turning now to  FIG. 3D  shows the assembled version of the grommet  24  and particularly the opening  20  through which the fishing line  26  may pass. In the example shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the grommet  24  is formed from stainless steel for strength and to resist corrosion. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the grommet  24  may be composed of any other appropriate material. 
         [0054]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.