Abstract:
An improved fishing weight is provided that includes non-leaded filler material packed within a rubberized hollow body, and an end cap for sealing the non-leaded filler material within said hollow body. A plug grommet may also be used to include an eyelet to attach the fishing weight to the fishing line. The improved lead-free fishing weight is environmentally friendly and safer for anglers to use. The improved fishing weight permits substantially better casting and resistance to snagging on submerged branches, etc.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to fishing and more particularly, to a substantially safe and environmentally friendly fishing weight.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Fishing weights are used to help cast, drift, anchor, sink and troll and present all kinds of baits and lures. Fishing weights help keep the bait or lure down in the water and help swing it away from the angler. The shape and design of the fishing weight depend on the type of fishing to be done. The general wisdom about fishing weights is to use as little weight as one possibly can. Otherwise, fish may be discouraged from striking because of the resistance that fishing weights give lines and lures. In addition, too heavy weights may cause the angler to miss strikes from the fish. Fishing weights may also be categorized as sinkers (weights affixed to the fishing line). Sinkers are frequently lost when snagged on rocks, fallen trees, or other submerged hazards. They are also sometimes simply dropped or spilled while handling and not recovered.  
         [0003]     Traditional fishing weights have been made from solid lead. When lead fishing weights or sinkers are lost through broken line or these other means, mammals and birds can inadvertently eat them. Water birds like loons and swans often swallow lead when they scoop up pebbles from the bottom of a lake or river to help grind their food. Eagles ingest lead by eating fish which have themselves swallowed sinkers. Unfortunately, lead is a toxic metal that, in sufficient quantities, has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. For example, a bird with lead poisoning will suffer loss of balance, gasping, tremors and an impaired ability to fly. The weakened bird is more vulnerable to predators, or it may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for its young. The bird often becomes emaciated and often dies within a short time after eating the leaded fishing weight.  
         [0004]     An angler is also adversely affected by the handling of leaded fishing weights and his or her tackle box containing such leaded tackle. As a result, the sale and use of certain leaded fishing weights has been banned in various places and replaced by “non-toxic fishing weights” made from non-poisonous materials such as bismuth, iron, copper, steel, tin, tungsten, alloys of these metals, and metal/plastic or metal/ceramic combinations or the like. Unfortunately, even fishing weights made of these materials have been known to injure anglers and those people and animals around him or her and to cause damage to boats and other property when being cast or the like because of their weight and hardness.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, there has been a need for a novel fishing weight which is of simplified construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and substantially safe and easy to use. There is an additional need for a novel fishing weight which is substantially nontoxic and environmentally friendly to help safeguard wildlife and human health. There is a further need for a novel fishing weight that is easier to tie to a fishing line and permits farther and accurate casting. There is a still further need for a novel fishing weight that helps release and rebound from snag and other conditions. There is a still additional need for a novel fishing weight that has a long life without substantial rusting. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fishing weight comprises, generally, a resilient hollow body, non-leaded filler material packed to capacity within the resilient hollow body, and means to attach the resilient hollow body to a fishing line.  
         [0007]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the fishing weight comprises, generally, a substantially resilient hollow body having an open bottom for receiving the non-leaded filler material, an end cap mountable in the open bottom of the body for retaining the filler material in the body, and a fastening member for affixing the fishing weight to a fishing line.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the fishing weight comprises, generally, a substantially resilient hollow body having an open bottom for receiving filler material, an end cap mountable in the open bottom of the body for retaining the filler material in the body, and an aperture in the top of the body adapted to receive a closure member.  
         [0009]     The method of constructing the fishing weight is also provided.  
         [0010]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fishing weight embodying the invention, illustrating a fishing line tied to a fastening member of the fishing weight;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the fishing weight of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a hollow body having a neck in which the fastening member is secured, the interior of the body containing filler material retained therein by an end cap mounted in an open bottom of the body;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective assembly view of the fishing weight of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating placing filler material through the open bottom of the body before mounting the end cap therein to retain the filler material inside the body;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of a fishing weight, illustrating a plug grommet in an aperture defined in the top of the hollow body, the plug grommet including the fastening member; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an assembly view of the insertion of the plug grommet in the aperture of the fishing weight of  FIG. 4 , illustrating the use of an exemplary T-handle tool to latch onto the fastening member to pull a top portion of the plug grommet from the inside of the hollow body through the aperture defined in the top of the hollow body. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with an improved fishing weight, generally designated in the accompanying drawings by the reference number  10 . The fishing weight  10  comprises, generally, a substantially resilient hollow body  12  having an open bottom for receiving filler material  14 , an end cap  16  mountable in the open bottom of the body for retaining the filler material in the body, and a fastening member  18  for affixing the fishing weight  10  to a fishing line  20 . The body  12  may further have an aperture  22  at the top thereof for receiving a plug grommet  24 .  
         [0018]     In accordance with the present invention, and as illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment in  FIGS. 1-5 , the body  12  may be substantially cylindrical defining a hollow interior and having a dome shaped top portion and the open bottom. In a first embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the dome-shaped top portion may extend upwardly to define a neck  26  into which the fastening member  18  is secured. The inside surface of the body  12  near the open bottom may include a channel  28  for mounting of the end cap  16  as hereinafter described.  
         [0019]     The body  12  may be molded from natural and synthetic rubber (compounds) and elastomers. In a preferred form, the hollow body may be molded from Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) available from, for example R &amp; S Processing Company, Inc. in Paramount, Calif. or the like. Other suitable natural and synthetic rubber (compounds) and elastomers for molding the body may include ethylene propylene diene (EPDM), polychloroprene (CR), butyl rubber, and polyisoprene (IR), crossblends or the like. It is to be appreciated that other natural and synthetic rubber (compounds) and elastomers may be used within the confines of the invention to produce a molded body that has at least “good” tear resistance, moisture resistance, abrasion resistance, and UV resistance as defined in ASTM standards. The hardness of the hollow body may be between about 55 to about 70 durometers (Shore A), preferably about 65 durometers with the minimum elongation of about 200% and a minimum tensile strength (psi) of about 1200 psi.  
         [0020]     The elastomeric or rubber compound may be reinforced with a nylon mesh fabric, fiberglass fabric, or the like (not shown) to improve tear strength of the body. The fabric may be sandwiched in with the elastomeric or rubber compound during the molding process. Suitable nylon mesh fabric is available from 21 st  Century Textiles, Los Angeles, Calif. Use of the reinforcing nylon mesh fabric may be particularly helpful for the larger size fishing weights (e.g. 10-50 pound weights).  
         [0021]     The hollow body may be manufactured by known molding techniques such as injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, dip molding and the like. Compression molding is the preferred molding technique.  
         [0022]     The filler material  14  may include non-toxic steel shot or other non-toxic shot or punching material (e.g. steel punchings). Suitable steel shot is available from Kelco Sales &amp; Engineering Co., Norwalk, Calif. The preferred size ranges from about 0.65 mm to about 1.0 mm, the preferred size being about 0.85 mm and spherically-shaped. The smaller size permits packing the body interior with steel shot substantially to capacity to substantially eliminate air pockets which may cause problems with the functioning of the fishing weight. The smaller size also pours easily and dissipates in the water if separated from the body.  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate fishing weights substantially filled to capacity with the filler material.  
         [0023]     The fishing weight  10  may be available in a variety of sizes and weights, the larger fishing weights used for example in commercial fishing. The table below sets forth the exemplary wall thickness for a variety of the fishing weights.  
                                                     Fishing Weight           (total weight)   Wall thickness (in.)                                    1   ounce-1 pound   .075           1.5   pounds-3 pounds   .120           5   pounds   .150           10   pounds   .200           20   pounds   .250           30   pounds   .300           40   pounds   .400           50   pounds   .500                      
 
         [0024]     The end cap or plug  16  comprises substantially thin, flat and circular top and bottom portions  30  and  32  with an annular flange  34  therebetween. The bottom portion  32  of the end cap  16  may have a slightly smaller diameter and thickness than the top portion  30  for close fitting in the open bottom of the body with the bottom portion substantially flush with the bottom of the body as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . This arrangement enables the fishing weight  10  to stand substantially level and upright on a surface making it easier to tie the fishing line to the weight. The annular flange  34  of the end cap may be received into the channel  28  on the inside surface of the body in a tongue and groove arrangement. The end cap  16  may be molded from the same material as the body. The end cap  16  may be affixed into the open bottom of the hollow body by the use of adhesive or other known water resistant rubber adhesive or sealant. A suitable adhesive named Scotch Grip™ rubber and gasket adhesive (2141 and 1300) is available from 3M Corporation (St Paul, Minn.). The adhesive is brushed onto the end cap to provide a strong bond between the end cap and the body. The thickness of the end cap may be as follows:  
                                                           1 oz.-1 lb.   .250   inches           1.5 lbs.-3 lbs   .300   inches           5 lbs.-50 lbs.   .350-.625   inches                      
 
 It is to be appreciated that the thickness of the end cap may vary within the confines of the invention. 
 
         [0025]     In another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the body  12  may further define the opening or aperture  22  at the dome-shaped top of the body for receiving the plug grommet  24 . The plug grommet may be used in the fishing weight to add strength to the weight. For this reason, the plug grommet may be used more often on the heavier and larger weights (i.e. greater than 1.0 pounds) than on the smaller weights. The diameter of the aperture  22  may increase to accommodate increasingly larger plug grommets. The plug grommet may be of solid, unitary one-piece construction and comprises a plano-convex upper portion  36  and a lower flange portion  38  with a groove  40  therebetween. The flange diameter is larger than the diameter of the aperture  22 , preferably about twice the size of the aperture.  
         [0026]     To position the plug grommet within the aperture, a T-handle tool  42  or the like may be provided for latching onto the fastening member  18  or eyelet and pulling the upper portion  36  of the plug grommet  24  through the aperture  22  until the groove  40  is secured around the wall of the body. An exemplary suitable tool is available from Bondhus Corporation, Monticello, Minn. 55362 (Balldriver® T-Handle Singles—2 mm with a straight hex tip, part no. 13252). The tip may be curved to define a hook to more easily latch onto the eyelet. When positioned, the plug grommet  24  extends into the body  12  through the aperture  22  with the flange  38  inside the body and abutting against the inside top surface of the body and the flat side of the upper portion  36  of the plug grommet extending outside of the body abutting against the outside top surface of the body. The plug grommet  24  may be comprised of the same material from which the body is molded and the groove thickness sized to closely fit into the aperture and fit around the top wall of the body. The groove width and groove diameter correspond respectively to the thickness of the material into which the plug grommet is inserted (i.e. the thickness of the body walls) and groove diameter is the inside diameter of the groove. The plug grommet  24  may be affixed in the aperture  22  by use of the same adhesive or the like used to affix the end cap.  
         [0027]     The fastening member  18  may include a small metal eye or the like that enables the fishing weight to be tied to the fishing line  20 . In a preferred form, the eye is substantially oblong-shaped and comprised of a non-toxic metal such as galvanized steel wire which is substantially non-toxic and rust-resistant. The diameter of the wire may increase as the fishing weight gets larger and heavier. For example, a 0.060 diameter wire may be used with smaller weights of one to 12 ounces and a 0.080 diameter wire may be used with 1-3 pound fishing weights. Suitable galvanized steel wire is available at most supply companies and hardware stores. A bottom portion of the fastening member  18  may be molded in place in the neck  26  of the body ( FIGS. 1-3 ) or in the upper portion  36  of the plug grommet ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to form a mechanical bond with the body or plug grommet respectively, with a top portion protruding outwardly therefrom to affix the fishing line  20 .  
         [0028]     The method of constructing the fishing weight  10  is also provided. The method comprises the steps of:  
         [0029]     Providing a resilient hollow body with an opening for receiving filler material;  
         [0030]     Pouring the filler material through the opening and packing the filler material into the resilient hollow body until substantially full; and  
         [0031]     Sealing the opening of the resilient hollow body with a closure member.  
         [0032]     Although filling the body with filler material through the open bottom has been described and shown, it is to be appreciated that the body may be filled through the aperture if the bottom of the body is closed by the end cap or if the body is of a unitary construction without an open bottom. In addition, although construction of the fishing weight has been described, it is to be appreciated that the fishing weight may be preconstructed.  
         [0033]     From the foregoing, it is to be appreciated that the improved fishing weight of the present invention is substantially safe and easy to use for better casting and release and rebound from snag and other conditions, environmentally friendly, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and construct.  
         [0034]     Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.