Abstract:
A snag resistant fish hook system. The system ( 11 ) having hooks ( 105 A,  105 B), an elastic band ( 110 ), a connector portion ( 115 ) having an eyelet ( 115 A), and a post ( 125 ). Each hook has a tab ( 116 ), an eyelet ( 118 ), and a notch ( 117 ). The post fits into the eyelets and secures the hooks and the connector portion together, with at least one of the hooks being rotatable on the post. The elastic band fits around the hooks and into the notches and holds the hooks in a first, retracted, snag-resistant position wherein the tabs contact each other. Upon the application of sufficient force, such as a fish biting a lure in which the fish hook system is employed, the tabs will slip past each other and the elastic band will urge the hooks into a second, deployed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/944,702, filed Feb. 26, 2014, entitled “Expandable Snag Resistant Fish Hook System,” the entire disclosure and contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     When a person is fishing, an exposed fish hook getting snagged in cover or structure is often an irritating problem. To avoid this problem, snagless fish hook designs have been invented, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,056,397, 2,124,263, 2,445,601, 3,331,151, 3,727,340, 4,384,426, 4,433,502, 5,577,340, and 8,826,585, and in U.S. Patent Publications US2004/0134118A1 and US2013/0047492A1. Conventional hook systems, however, whether of the exposed design or a snag proof design, often create drag or an undesired/unnatural motion of the lure. Some designs also tend to hinder a solid hook set or desired hook penetration. Further, some designs are expensive to manufacture, are difficult to assemble and/or operate, and/or are highly susceptible to malfunctioning due to clogging of the fish hook release mechanism. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A hook system has a pair of hooks and a retention and release mechanism. In a first position, at least a portion of the bends of the hooks overlap each other and, in a second position the bends do not overlap each other and the tips of the hooks point outwardly. The retention and release mechanism releasably holds the hooks in the first position. When a sufficient force is applied, such as from a fish biting a lure using the hook system, the force overcomes the retention and release mechanism and allows the hooks to move to the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a containment body with an exemplary fish hook system having a first embodiment of a retainer and release mechanism with the hooks being shown in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 2  is a section detail view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  of the containment body with the exemplary fish hook system having a first embodiment of a retainer and release mechanism with the hooks being shown in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism of the exemplary fish hook system of  FIG. 1  with the hooks being retracted. 
         FIG. 4  is another illustration of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism of the exemplary fish hook system of  FIG. 1  with the hooks being retracted. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view illustration of an exemplary sleeve used in the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism of the exemplary of the fish hook system. 
         FIG. 6  is another illustration of the containment body of  FIG. 1  with the exemplary fish hook system with the hooks being deployed. 
         FIG. 7  is a section detail view along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 6  of the containment body of  FIG. 1  with the exemplary fish hook system with the hooks being deployed. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism with the hooks being deployed. 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism with the hooks being deployed. 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  are illustrations of a second embodiment of a retention and release mechanism and the operation thereof. 
         FIGS. 11A-11D  are illustrations of a third embodiment of a retention and release mechanism and the operation thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a containment body  10  with an exemplary fish hook system  11  having a first embodiment of a retainer and release mechanism  20  with the hooks  12  being shown in a retracted position. A containment body  10  may be, but is not limited to, a lure.  FIG. 2  is a section detail view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  of the containment body  10  with the exemplary fish hook system  11  having a first embodiment of a retainer and release mechanism  20  with the hooks  12  being shown in the retracted position. For convenience of discussion herein, the exemplary containment body  10  may sometimes be referred to the body or as the lure without narrowing or limiting the scope. There are preferably at least two slots  13  (slot  13 A, slot  13 B) and an opening  15  which join together in a cavity  17  in the body  10 . The hook system  11  may be inserted into the cavity  17  via one of the slots  13 A,  13 B. An attachment component  18 , such but not limited to monofilament line, braided line, wire, swivel, is preferably attached to a hook eyelet  14  of the hook system  11 . 
     The retention and release mechanism  20  holds the hooks  12  in the retracted position until triggered, at which time the hooks  12  move to the deployed position. The hooks  12 , when held in the refracted position, generally point in the direction of each other. Each hook  12  preferably has a barbed hook tip or end  16 . The retention and release mechanism  20  is generally in the form of a sleeve  21  having a larger opening  22  through which the hooks  12  extend and a smaller opening  24  through which the eyelet  14  extends. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism  20  of the exemplary fish hook system  11  of  FIG. 1  with the hooks  12  being retracted. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hook  12  has a shank  19 , a bend  27 , and a point or tip  16 , which may be a barbed tip.  FIG. 4  is another illustration of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism  20  of the exemplary fish hook system  11  of  FIG. 1  with the hooks  12  being retracted.  FIG. 4  also shows a larger opening  22  and the hooks  12  being in the end channels  30  (retracted position). The hook is curled at the eyelet  14  so as to form as spring  23  which tends to force the shanks (shafts)  19  toward each other, that is, toward the deployed position. The “retracted position” or “deployed position” is determined with respect to the ends of the hooks  12 , such as the pointed tips  16 , and not with respect to the shanks  19  of the hooks  12 . 
       FIG. 5  is an end view illustration of an exemplary sleeve  21  used in the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism  20  of the exemplary of the fish hook system  11 . In this embodiment there is the central channel or opening  28  in the middle of the sleeve  21 , with an end channel  30  at each end of the sleeve  21 . Between the central channel  28  and each end channel  30  there are extensions  26  of the sleeve  21  which form a constricted throat areas  25 . Initially, the hooks  12  are held in the retracted position by the extensions  26  and constricted throat areas  25 , as shown by the positions of the shanks  19 A,  19 B of the hooks  12 . The resistance provided by the constricted throat areas  25  and extensions  26  is greater than the outward force provided by the spring  23 . When pressure is exerted on the hooks  12 , such as by the mouth of a fish (not shown) closing on the lure  10 , the additional pressure will overcome the resistance of the constricted throat areas  25  and the extensions  26 . This forces the shanks  19  inward to the deployed position, as shown by the positions of the shanks  19 C,  19 D. Attempts by the fish to return the hooks  12  to the retracted position are thwarted by the constricted throat areas  25 . A human, however, would have no trouble exerting enough pressure to force the shanks  19  of the hooks  12  back past the constricted throat areas  25  and into the retracted position. 
       FIG. 6  is another illustration of the containment body  10  of  FIG. 1  with the exemplary fish hook system  11  with the hooks  12  being deployed.  FIG. 7  is a section detail view along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 6  of the containment body  10  of  FIG. 1  with the exemplary fish hook system  11  with the hooks  2  being deployed. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism  20  with the hooks  12  being deployed.  FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the first embodiment of the retainer and release mechanism  20  with the hooks  12  being deployed. 
     The hooks  12  are attached at the hook eyelets  14  in a closed inverted position by one of the attachment components listed above. The modified containment body  10  fits over the sleeve/spring retention device  20 . At the closed position the sleeve/spring retention device  20  employs adequate locking resistance to keep the hooks  12  in the snag proof position until adequate resistance is applied through a strike from a fish or hook set by the angler. When adequate resistance is applied, the sleeve/spring retention device  20  allows the hooks  12  to deploy into the fully expanded position. The sleeve/spring retention device  20  then locks the hooks  12  into the fully expanded position allowing for maximum hook set capability and greatly minimizing the potential for failed hook sets while increasing success ratios exponentially. 
       FIGS. 10A-10D  are illustrations of a second embodiment of a retention and release mechanism  100  and the operation thereof. This embodiment has hooks  105  ( 105 A,  105 B), an elastic band  110 , a connector portion  115 , an optional sleeve or skirt  120 , and a post  125 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the components  105 ,  110 , and  115  individually, and also assembled with the sleeve or skirt  120  and post  125 . The post  125  fits into a hole (eyelet)  118  of a hook  105  and the hole  115 A of the connector  115  to joins the hooks  105 A,  105 B and connector  115  together. The hooks  105 A,  105 B and the connector  115  may rotate about the post  125 . The post  125  may be, for example, flared on each end after installation so prevent the hooks  105 A,  105 B and connector  115  from sliding off the post  125 . Each hook  105  has a finger (tab, extension)  116  which angles slightly to one side. The finger  116  from one hook  105 A then rests against the finger  116  from the other hook  105 B. The band  110  sits in a notch (indentation)  117  in each hook  105  and tends to urge the hooks  105 A,  105 B toward each other but the fingers  116  hold the hooks  105 A,  105 B initially in the refracted position. When a fish bites the lure  10  the fingers  116  slip past each other, thus allowing the band  110  to urge the hooks  105 A,  105 B toward each other, that is, toward the deployed position.  FIG. 10B  shows the fingers  116  initially resting against each other,  FIG. 10C  shows the fingers  116  slipping past each other (the hooks  105 A,  105 B are in the process of being deployed), and  FIG. 10D  shows the hooks  105 A,  105 B in the deployed position. The hooks  105 A,  105 B can then be set by the user to the retracted position by simply squeezing the hooks  105 A,  105 B together until the fingers  116  re-engage. 
     The sleeve  120  is optional. For example, the sleeve  120  might not be used if the mechanism is inside of a lure  10 . The connector portion  115  may be a knotless connector, such as is described in U.S. Patent Publication US2013/0133240A1 by Karl Beitzel for “Line Connector Apparatus And Method”, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. A knotless connector is preferred, but is not a requirement. Other types of connectors can also be used, such as, but not limited to, two eyelets, two eyelets joined by a shank, two eyelets joined by a leader, etc. Connector  115 ′ illustrates two eyelets joined by a shank. 
       FIGS. 11A-11D  are illustrations of a third embodiment of a retention and release mechanism  200  and the operation thereof. This embodiment has hooks  205  ( 205 A,  205 B), a coil spring  210 , and a post  225 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  show the components  205  and  210  individually, and also assembled with the post  225 . A hook  205  has a slot  216 , a boss  217 A, a hole (or an indent)  217 B which matches the boss  217 A of the other hook  205 , and a hole  218  for the post  225 . 
     The coil spring  210  is preferably two partial rings or coils  210 A,  210 B, connected together by extension arms  210 C, with a latch  210 D. A perspective view showing the two partial rings  210 A,  210 B, and an end view of the coil spring  210  are shown. The hooks  205 A,  205 B are placed next to each other, preferably but not necessarily in the deployed position of  FIG. 11D , and one coil of the coil spring  210  is inserted through the slots  216 . The coil  210  tends to urge the hooks  205 A,  205 B to the deployed position. The boss  217 A of one hook  205  engages the hole  217 B of the other hook  205  when the hooks  205 A,  205 B are in the deployed position and helps to maintain the hooks  205 A,  205 B in the deployed position. The hooks  205 A,  205 B are set into the retracted position by the user by simply squeezing the hooks  205 A,  205 B together until the bosses  217 A slide toward and then slightly past each other. The hooks  205 A,  205 B are then held in the refracted position of  FIG. 11A  by the force needed to spread the hooks  205 A,  205 B away from each other (into and out of the page as seen by the viewer) so that the bosses  217 A can slide past each other. 
     When a fish bites the lure  10  the force of the bite causes the bosses  217 A to slip past each other, thus allowing the coil  210  to urge the hooks  205 A,  205 B toward each other, that is, toward the deployed position.  FIG. 11B  shows the bosses  217 A initially resting against each other,  FIG. 11C  shows the bosses  217 A slipping past each other (the hooks  205 A,  205 B are in the process of being deployed), and  FIG. 11D  shows the hooks  205 A,  205 B in the deployed position with a boss  217 A of one hook  205  being in the hole  217 B of the other hook. The hooks  205 A,  205 B can then be set by the user to the retracted position by simply squeezing the hooks  205 A,  205 B together until the fingers  116  re-engage. 
     A sleeve or skirt, not shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D , but shown as  120  in  FIGS. 10B-10D , is optional. The connector may be a knotless connector  115  or another type of connector, such as  115 ′. 
     Preferably, but not necessarily, the hooks  12 ,  105 ,  205  are laser cut for sharpness and smoothness of operation. 
     An attachment component  18 , such as but not limited to monofilament line, braided line, wire, swivel, etc., is preferably attached to the connector  115 ,  115 ′. 
     A fish strike or hook set will overcome the resistance of the retention and release mechanism  20 ,  100 ,  200 . This causes the hooks  12 ,  105 ,  205  to deploy into the deployed position and to be held or locked in that position. This increases or maximizes hook set effectiveness. 
     The attachment component  18  may be selected according to the conditions of use, such as the species of fish being sought, or the type of water (pond, stream, gulf) being fished. The size of the hooks  12 ,  105 ,  205  may be selected according to the species of fish being sought, including mouth size, and weight. 
     The system  11  and retention and release mechanisms  20 ,  100 ,  200  may also be used for purposes other than fishing. Possible scenarios include: the medical field for retrieval of stints or other internal medical devices, search and rescue missions for hooking sunken items, rock climbing and repelling for hooking and ropes scenarios, dry wall hook or hanging scenarios for decoration or home repair, and/or any other use where it is desirable to place a hook into a desired location while minimizing the likelihood that the hook will catch on an object before reaching the desired position. It will be appreciated that, in some such purposes, it may be desirable that the hooks  12 ,  105 ,  205  do not have sharp points, edges, tips, or barbs. 
     Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for implementing a snag resistant fish hook system, particularly retention and release mechanisms, have been disclosed herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to the systems, components, and operations, it is to be understood that the concepts disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the specific systems, components, or operations described herein. Rather, the specific systems, components, and operations are disclosed as example forms. Thus, the subject matter described herein is provided by way of illustration for the purposes of teaching, suggesting, and describing, and not limiting or restricting. Combinations and alternatives to the illustrated embodiments are contemplated, described herein, and set forth in the claims. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without strictly following the embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the scope of the following claims.