Abstract:
Fly-tying apparatus include at least a retractable clamp table and a retractable gripping clamp, each configured for handling delicate threads for use in creating fishing lures. In particular, fly-tying materials (e.g., hackle, dubbing, synthetic materials, etc.) can be inserted into a retractable slot in the clamp table, and can be removed from the clamp table using the gripping clamp. The gripping clamp can be used to hold the materials while being processed (e.g., removing a stem from a feather), and for attaching the fly-tying materials to a tying thread. Cylindrical tools are also provided for further processing more fine strands such as synthetic threaded materials, and for adding these with other fly-tying materials (e.g., hackle, dubbing), as appropriate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to Swiss Patent Application No. 2003 0729/03, filed in the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property on Apr. 24, 2003, entitled “MONTAGE DE MOUCHES ARTIFICIELLES POUR LA PECHE” (“ASSEMBLY OF ARTIFICIAL FLIES FOR FISHING”); and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/561,927, filed on Apr. 14, 2004, entitled “FLY TYING DEVICE”. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for tying flies for use in fly-fishing.  
           [0004]    2. Background and Relevant Art  
           [0005]    In tying artificial flies for fly fishing, fly-tiers look for more and more sophisticated mixtures of fly-tying materials in order to effect a certain color, texture, volume, aerodynamic property, and hydrodynamic property in a given fly. As such, fly-tiers often have large quantities of miscellaneous natural and synthetic materials available for creating a wide variety of flies for luring fish. These materials generally include different colored natural or synthetic feathers from different fowl (e.g., roosters, ducks, turkeys, partridge, etc.), as well as similarly-variable dubbing, and related materials (e.g., textile threads).  
           [0006]    Unfortunately, it can be fairly difficult to mix the wide variety of available synthetic and natural materials together to create a desired fly. For example, it is fairly difficult to remove thin feather strands from a feather stem, and then combine the removed feather strands with other fly-tying materials without dropping or misplacing some of the smaller materials. In particular, the other fly-tying materials (e.g., dubbing, fine synthetic threads, etc.) may also be as difficult to grip as the feather strands, particularly when trying to combine the various materials around the fly hook.  
           [0007]    Similarly, different types of materials can be of varying grades of stiffness, thickness (or thinness), fragility, and so forth. As such, mixing these various different materials to make a desired fly can be fairly complicated, and often requires multiple procedures, which are often difficult and time consuming, and sometimes even impossible to perform depending on the material.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, an advantage in the art can be realized with systems, apparatus, and methods that allow various fly-tiers to handle fly-tying materials easily so that the fly-tying materials can be positioned easily around a hook as desired. Ideally, apparatus for handling such materials should be simple to use, and inexpensive.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention solves one or more of the foregoing problems in the art with systems, apparatus, and methods that allow a user to easily grip and handle a wide variety of fly-tying materials.  
           [0010]    In at least one exemplary implementation, a user places one or more fly-tying materials inside a retractable slot of a clamp table. At least a portion of the combined materials is exposed outside of the retractable slot of the clamp table, such that the exposed portions can later be gripped by a gripping clamp. A user then grips the exposed portions of the combined materials with the gripping clamp, and removes the combined materials from the clamp table. Afterward, the user can process the combined materials in the gripping clamp so that the combined materials can be transferred from the gripping clamp to a tying thread. After the user has transferred the processed materials to the tying thread, the user can then wrap the tying thread around a hook, as appropriate, so that the hook resembles a desired fly.  
           [0011]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1A illustrates an overview depiction of an unassembled clamp table without an elastic element in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1B illustrates an assembled clamp table in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1C illustrates an overview depiction of an unassembled gripping clamp in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1D illustrates an assembled gripping clamp in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1E illustrates an alternative exemplary configuration of a clamp table in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1F illustrates yet another alternative exemplary configuration of a clamp table in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an exemplary sequence for transferring fly-tying materials between clamps, and for processing fly-tying materials in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3A-3E illustrate an exemplary sequence for transferring processed fly-tying materials to a tying thread in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4A-4E illustrate an alternative exemplary sequence for adding multiple fly-tying materials to a clamp table using a wooden dowel in accordance with an implementation of the present invention; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate yet another alternative exemplary sequence for adding multiple fly-tying materials to an alternative exemplary embody of a clamp table, and for transferring fly-tying materials between clamps.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    The present invention extends to systems, apparatus, and methods that allow a user to easily grip and handle a wide variety of fly-tying materials. In particular, exemplary implementations of the present invention allow a fly-tier to combine natural and synthetic hackle with natural or synthetic dubbing (and related materials), to create a desired fishing lure.  
         [0024]    By way of explanation, exemplary implementations of the present invention are described herein with some reference to terms that are common in the fly-tying art. For example, the term “hackle” refers to feathers commonly found on the saddle or neck of a fowl. The term “CDC” refers to a type of feather called “Cul de Canard”, and refers to a particular type of feather found on the rear of a water fowl, such as the rear of a duck. CDC is a particularly useful type of feather in fishing lures since its strands are buoyant, resistant to water, and insect-like. The term “dubbing” refers to a type of filler material, somewhat resembling cotton, wool, or animal fur, that can be wound around a fly hook to give the hook a natural body appearance, such as to appear as the thorax of an insect. Dubbing is a fairly broad term that encompasses many types of fibrous stuffing materials.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an assembly sequence for a retractable “clamp table”  100 . As will be understood from this specification and claims, a retractable “clamp table” can be formed in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. At least one common property between different types of clamp tables is that the clamp table should be able to rest on a work surface. This can mean that the clamp table has two or more stable elements (e.g., legs) that are capable of supporting the clamp table on the work surface, or alternatively that the clamp table comprises a substantially flat lower surface (see, e.g., resilient member  103   e , FIG. 1E, which can be used by itself). Exemplary implementations of the “clamp table” will also be understood to comprise generally a substantially (or approximately) planar upper working surface having a retractable gap or slot formed inside, in which fly-tying materials can be positioned.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1A, for example, depicts one exemplary such retractable clamp table  100 , which comprises a pair of first and second elements  108  that are hinged together about a pivot  103 . The elements  108  can be formed to include a generally elongate leg portion that terminates in a gripping portion  109 . In at least one implementation, a roller can be positioned between the gripping portions  109  of both the first and second elements  108  to allow ready insertion of fly-tying materials between the gripping portions  109 . In any case, when a resilient member such as an elastic restraint (e.g., restraint  102 ) is absent from (or tensioned on) the clamp table  100 , a relatively horizontal plane  106  is apparent on top of the clamp table, which makes the clamp table a useful work surface for handling small materials. One will appreciate, however, that there may be many types of restraint means including a spring bias positioned about, or between, the elements  108 .  
         [0027]    In any case, a retractable or resilient gap  104  exists between the first and second elements  108  of the clamp table. (The “retractable gap” is also sometime referred to herein as a “retractable slot”, or an “upper slit”). By contrast, as in FIG. 1B, when the elastic restraint  102  fits around a groove in the clamp table  100 , the elements  108  move a degree about the pivot, and close the gap  104  such that the gripping portions  109  are closed in, or adjacent each other. In at least one implementation of the present invention, the elastic restraint  102  is somewhat loose, such that the elements  108  and gripping portions  109  of the clamp table can be opened and shut with relative ease.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, a similar mechanism can be used with the retractable gripping clamp  110 , as shown in FIG. 1B. In particular, FIG. 1C shows that a retractable gripping clamp  110  comprises a pair of elements  118  hinged about a pivot  113 . FIG. 1D shows that when an elastic restraint (e.g., restraint  112 ) fits around a corresponding groove in the gripping clamp  110 , the gripping clamp  110  shuts to a relaxed, or closed position. One will appreciate, however, that there may be many types of restraint means including a spring bias positioned about, or between, the elements  118 . In at least one implementation of the present invention, the elastic restraint  112  is somewhat loose, such that the elements  118  of the gripping clamp  110  can be opened and shut with relative ease.  
         [0029]    Furthermore, the gripping clamp  110  and clamp table  100  comprise materials and designs that can help with the fly-tying process. For example, the gripping clamp  110  and clamp table  100  are typically shaped differently from each other, such that the gripping clamp  110  is suitable for gripping elongate strands, which extend out of the gap  104  in the clamp table  100 . In particular, FIG. 1D shows that the gripping clamp  110  forms a roughly triangular point when the elastic restraint means are relaxed. By contrast, the clamp table  100  is particularly shaped to rest materials on an upper surface (e.g., plane  106 ) while the elements  108  rest on a separate work surface, such as the fly-tier&#39;s table.  
         [0030]    Furthermore, the clamp table  100  and gripping clamp  110  can comprise translucent or transparent materials (e.g., plastic), which can help the fly-tier identify small or lightly colored materials positioned about, or within, each given clamp  100 , and  110 . Alternatively, the clamp table  100  and gripping clamp  110  can comprise colored materials configured for a similar purpose—identifying small and difficult to see fly-tying materials.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 1E and 1F illustrate alternative implementations of a clamp table as exemplified by clamp table  100  in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In particular, an exemplary clamp table  100   e  can further comprise more simple construction materials such as elements  108   e  fixed together by a slotted (e.g., retractable groove  104   e ) pivoting member  103   e  (also referred to herein as a “resilient member”). In at least one implementation, the slotted pivoting member  103   e  comprises the gripping surfaces  109   e , and is flexible enough that the groove  103   e  can spread sufficiently with relative ease as fly-tying materials are inserted into retractable groove  104   e . In yet another implementation, the slotted pivoting (or resilient) member  103   e  can be used by itself without elements  108   e , particularly when the pivoting (or resilient) member  103   e  comprises a sufficiently flexible material such as foam rubber, or similarly flexible or resilient materials. In still a further implementation, the resilient member  103   e  comprises at least one roller (not shown), positioned inside to aid insertion of fly-tying materials.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1F shows that an exemplary clamp table  104   f  can also comprise a single, flexible material having elements  108   f , gripping surface  109   f , and a retractable slot or groove  104   f  formed therein. Both of the exemplary clamp tables  110   e  and  100   f  can comprise primarily flexible materials such as foam rubber, flexible plastic, and other similarly flexible and/or resilient materials in which a retractable slot or groove (e.g.,  104 ,  104   e ,  104   f ,  104   g , etc.) can be formed. Preferably, the resilient members  103   e ,  103   f , are configured such that fly-tying materials can be selectively maintained between the gripping portions (e.g.,  109   e ,  109   f ), and such that a user can release the fly-tying materials by moving the first and second elements (e.g.,  108   e ,  108   f ) closer together.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an exemplary sequence in accordance with the present invention for processing one or more fly-tying materials (e.g.,  120 ), such as hackle, CDC, etc. With respect to using hackle  120 , for example, a fly-tier places hackle  120  inside a “retractable (or expandable) slot”, via retractable (or expandable) gap  104 , in a clamp table  100 . As shown in FIG. 2A, the fly-tier places the hackle  120  in such a way that the entire hackle stem  124  is at the lowest point in the gap  104 , with the hackle strands  122  extending upward out of gap  104 . Preferably, the fly-tier also ruffles the strands  122  of the hackle  120  in a reverse direction prior to inserting the hackle  120  into gap  104 . As such, strands  122  extend upward out of the clamp table  100  (see FIG. 2B) at 90° relative to the hackle stem  124 . In any case, at least a portion  122  of the hackle  120  is exposed outside of the clamp table&#39;s  100  expandable slot, such that the exposed portions  122  can be gripped by gripping clamp  110 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 2C, a fly-tier then positions the gripping clamp  110  over the exposed portions of strands  122 , and grips the exposed portions with the gripping clamp  110 . The fly-tier then removes the materials (FIG. 2D) from the clamp table  100 , and processes the materials (FIG. 2E). With respect to hackle  120 , for example, “processing” implies at least removing the stem  124  of the hackle  120  from the strands  122 . This can be done by any number of means, including snipping off the strands  122  using simple cutting tools, such as scissors. Alternatively, other means of processing can imply trimming the gripped materials so that they are aligned for subsequent operations.  
         [0035]    In particular, FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate an exemplary sequence for subsequent operations that include applying fly-tying materials, such as hackle  120 , to a tying thread  130 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a fly-tier can split a tying thread  130  so that the tying thread  130  forms a gap  132  at one point, and opposing in-tact portions along the length of the tying thread  130 . The fly-tier then positions the exposed strands  122  within the gap  132 , using the gripping clamp  110  (FIG. 3A), and pulls the tying thread  130  tight so that the strands  122  stay in the gap  132  (FIG. 3B). The fly-tier then tensions the gripping clamp  110  so that the clamp releases the strands  122 . As shown in FIG. 3B, therefore, the strands  122  should extend substantially perpendicular to the tying thread  130 .  
         [0036]    In the attached configuration shown in FIG. 3B, the fly-tier can then twist the tying thread  130  so that the strands  122  begin to extend from the tying thread  130  in a random fashion (FIG. 3C). The strands  122  (or other related materials) can then be rotated about the hook  140  (FIGS. 3D and 3E), so that the materials (e.g., hackle strands  122 , etc.) begin to form a lure body, having outward extending strands  122 .  
         [0037]    One will, of course, appreciate that the invention is not limited to applying only hackle  120  to a lure  140 . In particular, the previously described steps can be repeated with other types of material such as fibrous dubbing, or elongate synthetic fibers and the like. For example, rather than hackle  120 , a user could place a clump of dubbing material (not shown) on the clamp table surface  106 , and wedge the dubbing material into the gap  104  using, for example, a wire (not shown). Upon removing the wire from the gap  104 , exposed portions of the clump of dubbing material can be gripped by the gripping clamp  110 , and then snipped to fit into tying thread  130  gap  132 . Accordingly, the previously described apparatus and steps can be applied to a wide variety of materials.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate yet an additional exemplary embodiment for combining elongate synthetic fibers  126  with hackle  120 , prior to processing the materials (e.g. FIG. 3E). As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, a fly-tier can wrap synthetic fiber  126  about a wrapping cylinder  150 , such as a wooden dowel. After several lengths of synthetic fiber  126  have been wrapped around the cylinder  150  (FIG. 4B), the fly-tier places the cylinder  150  on the upper surface (e.g.,  106 ) of clamp table  100  (FIG. 4C). In this position, the user can then cut across the wrapping cylinder  150 , so that the synthetic fiber  126  lays flat across the top of the clamp table  100 .  
         [0039]    To place the synthetic fiber materials inside the clamp table  100 , the fly-tier can place the hackle  120  stem  124  on top of the synthetic fiber  126  (FIG. 4D), and position both the hackle  120  and synthetic fiber  126  into the gap  104 , via the expandable slot (compare with FIG. 2A). Alternatively, as previously described, the fly-tier can pull a thread (e.g., a small metal wire) through the gap  104  and remove the wire, thus leaving the synthetic fiber inside the clamp table  100  gap  104 . Thus, in at least one implementation, the elastic restraint  102  is loose enough that the fly-tier can simply wedge the combined materials (e.g., hackle  120  and synthetic fiber  126 ) into the gap  104  without separately having to squeeze the clamp elements  108  together with other help. With the combined materials now in the appropriate position, the materials can be gripped by the gripping clamp  110 , and removed (e.g., FIG. 2D), and processed. As with hackle  120 , processing may comprise snipping with scissors, such as by cutting loops in the synthetic fiber  126 , as well as removing any hackle  120  stem  124 , if appropriate (e.g., FIG. 2E).  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate yet another alternative exemplary sequence for processing hackle  120 , this time with dubbing  170 . FIGS. 5A-5D also illustrate the exemplary sequence using yet another alternative exemplary clamp table  100   g , and using an alternative gripping clamp  110   g . In particular, FIG. 5A shows an alternative clamp table  108   g  can comprise two elements  108   g  fixed about an alternative implementation of a resilient member  103   g . As with the preceding figures, the elements  108   g  can comprise any flexible or resilient materials such as plastics, rubber, foam, and so forth. Furthermore, the resilient member  103   g  can comprise any biased element such as a plastic or metal “U-shaped” spring or plate member.  
         [0041]    As further shown in FIG. 5A, a fly-tier can place dubbing  170  against an upper surface of the gripping members  109   g , such that the dubbing  170  is placed above an upper slit  104   g , such as a retractable gap that terminates in a larger recess or gap adjacent the resilient member  103   g . The fly-tier can then take an elongate member, such as thread held by both hands, or take a similarly held hackle  120 , as shown, and place it on top of the dubbing  170 . As shown in FIG. 5B, the fly-tier can then wedge the hackle  120  into the upper slit  104   g  down toward the bottom of the upper slit  104   g  (or the larger gap portion). This wedges both the hackle  120  and the dubbing  170  into the retractable slot.  
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 5C, the portions of both the dubbing  170  and the hackle strands  122  are then exposed. In this position, as shown in FIG. 5D, the fly-tier can then grip the exposed portions of the hackle  120  and dubbing  170  with the gripping clamp  110   g . The fly-tier can also compress the elements  108   g  such that the upper slit  104   g  opens, and allows the fly-tier to remove the fly-tying materials from the clamp table  100   g . With the combined fly-tying materials now in the appropriate position, the materials can be processed (e.g., FIG. 2D). As before, processing may comprise snipping the fly-tying materials with scissors, such as by trimming the dubbing  170 , as well as removing the hackle  120  stem  124  (e.g., FIG. 2E).  
         [0043]    An advantage in the art can also be realized by providing the foregoing apparatus and materials in a fly-tying kit (not shown) for distribution among fly-tiers of a wide range of ability. For example, a fly-tying kit may include only one or more clamp tables  100 , and one or more gripping clamps  110 , and some form of instructional material. In at least one implementation of an exemplary fly-tying kit, clamp tables  100  having various sizes are provided with multiple correspondingly-sized gripping clamps  110 . Similarly, the fly-tying kit may also be packaged with one or more wrapping cylinders  150 . For example, wrapping cylinders  150  of different sizes can be provided to correspond with varyingly-sized clamp tables  100  and gripping clamps  110 .  
         [0044]    Of course, the fly-tying kit can also be packaged with one or more fly-tying materials for less experienced fly-tiers. For example, the fly-tying kit can include at least one of hackle, dubbing, synthetic fibers, tying thread, one or more hooks, and processing materials (e.g., scissors). Furthermore, an exemplary fly-tying kit can be packaged with instructional materials, such as at least one of instructional print media such as an instructional brochure, and instructional optical media such as an instructional CD-ROM, or an instructional DVD. As such, a fly-tying kit can be provided to significantly aid fly-tiers of a wide range of abilities, such that a wide range of fly-tiers can readily make any fly, however complex.  
         [0045]    The present invention, therefore, provides novel apparatus, methods and instructions for gripping, processing, and combining delicate and sturdy materials for use in fly-tying. One will appreciate that a wide variety of materials can be used with the present invention. In particular, depending on the type of fly desired, the materials may or may not include hackle, may or may not include dubbing, or may or may not include related synthetic materials. Moreover, implementations of the present invention are amply suited for a wide variety of fly-tying materials, such as a wide-variety of shapes, colors, textures, and so forth. Thus, there are an almost infinite numbers of combinations possible for combining fly-tying materials to resemble an almost infinite number of flies.  
         [0046]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.