Abstract:
Bead or weight holding tweezers which are engageable with beads and beads or weights and is formed from either metallic or polymeric material and includes a pair of substantially parallel legs that extend from a proximal joint end. One of the legs of the bead or weight tweezers is formed with an inwardly directed concave member which has a friction bearing surface that, together with a substantially flat surface of the other leg, will fixedly engage to a bead or weight. Furthermore, the tweezers are fitted with a locking slide that when moved in the distal direction, flexes said legs together and holds the bead or fishing weight between said concave portions. Thereby facilitating the ability to successfully slide the bead or weight onto a desired position on the hook.

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/156,395 filed on May 28, 2002. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention pertains generally to bead or weight holding tools. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a specifically configured pair of tweezers that function to effectively assist one in threading and holding a fishing bead or weight or other similar items, to thread over a hook, fishing line or other accessory.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The use of fishermans&#39; pliers, tweezers or fishing tools for the purposes of holding, tying, and retaining one member (e.g. bead or small weight) relative to another body (e.g. a fishing hook) has been widely practiced for some time. Exemplary of early devices which were designed and intended for use as fishing tools is U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,698 which was issued to Harding on Oct. 29, 1996, for an invention entitled “Multipurpose Fishing Tool”. Another example of fishing pliers is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,012 which issued to Lael on May 4, 1993 for an invention entitled “Fisherman&#39;s Pliers”. Still another example of a fishing pliers is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,318 which issued to Bigej on Jan. 10, 1989 for an invention entitled “Fisherman&#39;s Pliers”. Lastly, another example of a fishing pliers is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,954 which issued to Trozera on Mar. 23, 1999 for an invention entitled “Locking Tweezers for Tying Fly-Fishing Hooks”. Each of these examples are typical of the types of fishing tools or pliers which rely on an inherent ability of the tools or pliers to reconfigure itself for complete engagement of the distal tip with a particular item.  
         [0004]     In many applications it is desirable that fishermens&#39; pliers or tweezers provide a stable fastening means against which a structure, such as a bead head or fishing weight, that can be positioned and held stationary. To accomplish this, however, it is necessary for the operator of the fishing tool to maintain hand or finger pressure on the handle end of the pliers or tweezers to maintain engagement of the distal gripping means with the bead head or small weight. While the pliers or tweezers are engaged with the bead head, the tweezers, in the present invention, are used to facilitate threading the bead head over the fishing hook shaft and position it in a predetermined location for tying.  
         [0005]     In addition to the functional considerations mentioned above, it is also of practical importance that the tweezers be easily engaged with and disengaged from the particular bead head or weight with which it cooperates. The preferred method for maintaining engagement, of course, would, be a one-step locking operation wherein the legs of the tweezers are flexed towards each other, forcing the distal holding means to engage a bead head or weight.  
         [0006]     Likewise, the preferred method for disengagement would be effectively another one-step operation. The present invention incorporates a sliding locking mechanism which flexes the legs towards each other when moved to its distal direction and unflexes the legs when the moved to its proximal position.  
         [0007]     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide lockable tweezers for holding a bead head or other weight means to facilitate the threading, holding and securing of the bead head or small weight over a fishing hook or fishing line.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism which can be slid distally or proximately along the pair of legs in a one-step operation.  
         [0009]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lockable tweezers for holding and securing fishing beads or weights that is relatively easy to manufacture, simple to operation and comparatively cost effective.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     A lockable tweezer for holding fishing beads or weights comprising a pair of flexible legs which extend generally parallel to each other that are joined at their proximal (upper) ends. Each leg has an inwardly directed receiving member formed at the distal ends opposite the proximal (upper) end. Further, the legs are flexed such that the holding members are do not engage each other, forming a gap between, in its open, relaxed state. As intended for the present invention, in order to engage the holding members with the fishing bead or weight, the object is positioned within the gap and between the holding members of the tweezers. A locking slide is moved from its proximal position to its distal position, causing the legs of the tweezers to flex and move towards each other, closing the gap. As a result of moving the slide to its distal locking position, the holding members encase a portion and become firmly engaged with the bead head or weight. As intended for the present invention, the engagement of the tweezers with the bead head or weight is accomplished in a lockable, one-step, operation. The particular structure of the tweezers makes this possible.  
         [0011]     At their respective ends, opposite the proximal ends, each leg of the tweezers is formed with an inwardly directed holding member. Specifically, each holding member is formed by a concave depression that is generally designed to match the spherical dimensions of the bead head or weight.  
         [0012]     In the operation of the bead or weight holding tweezers of the present invention, the bead head or weight is located and positioned with a gap between the holding members with the hole or gap of the weight positioned to receive the shaft of the fishing line not obscured by the tweezers legs. While holding the bead head or weight between the holding members, the locking member is moved from its proximal position to its distal position, causing the flexible legs to move towards each self and close the gap. At this locked position, the bead head or small weight is engaged with the receiving members.  
         [0013]     Once the bead head or small weight is firmly engaged, the hook receiving hold is aligned with the shaft of the hook and, using the tweezers, slid up the shaft and around the hooks bend to a final predetermined position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bead or weight holding tweezers of the present invention engaging a bead or weight with the locking slide in the distal position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention as seen in  FIG. 1  with the locking slide in the proximal position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention as seen in  FIG. 1  with the locking slide in the distal position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view taken at 90 degrees rotation from  FIGS. 2 and 3  of the bead or weight holding tweezers demonstrating the gap and relaxed configuration of the tweezers.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial view of distal end of the bead or weight holding tweezers&#39; legs demonstrating one configuration of the holding and securing means in the located in the distal sections of the parallel legs.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a partial view of the distal end of another embodiment of the weight holding tweezers demonstrating one configuration of the holding and securing means located in the distal sections of the parallel legs.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial view of the distal end of another embodiment of the weight holding tweezers demonstrating the holding and securing means located in a distal section of only one parallel leg.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial view of the distal end of the weight holding tweezers showing the bead or weight engaged and secured by the holding means on the legs. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , the bead or weight holding tweezers of the present invention are shown and designated  10 . Specifically, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the bead or weight holding tweezers  10  have been engaged with bead or weight  12  by holding members  24   a  and  24   b.  Locking member  32  is in its distal position  34  and is forcing the legs of the tweezers towards each other. The tweezers will facilitate threading beads or weights over a typical fishing hook  17 .  
         [0024]     The purpose for engaging the bead or weight holding tweezers  10  with the fishing item, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is to facilitated holding and maintaining the bead or weight  12  in a desired position relative to the fishing hook or fishing line.  
         [0025]     The specific details of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10  will be further appreciated by reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . There it will be seen that the legs  22   a  and  22   b  of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10  are formed from a metallic material when intended for substantial long-term use or of a polymeric material when they are to be discarded after minimal use. For purposes of the present invention, the metallic material that is to be used for the legs  22   a  and  22   b  can be made of any material which has sufficient strength and flexibility to perform the functions required for operation of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10 . Preferably the legs are comprised of a spring steel or similar polymer, enabling then to be flexed together to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , and then released to spread apart and form a gap  27  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The resistance to flexing is of course determined not only by the gauge and physical characteristics of the material used, but also by the width of each leg  31 . When a polymeric material is employed for the legs, again, any polymeric material that has sufficient strength and flexibility to perform the functions required for operation of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10 .  
         [0026]     Legs  22   a  and  22   b  are joined together at their upper proximal end  30 , as by forming them integrally from a single piece of metal. Either formed as an integral portion or as individual structures, a pair of holding members  24   a  and  24   b  are positioned on the inner surface of each leg  22   a  and  22   b  near the distal end.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is another side view of the bead weight holding tweezers  10 . Shown in this view is a side view of one leg  22   a  or  22   b  with tapered sides  36   a  and  36   b.  The locking slide  32  is shown in its distal position  34  that forces the legs to move towards each other, reducing the gap to engage the bead or weight.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is 90 degree rotated side view of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10 . Shown in this view is a side view of one leg  22   a  or  22   b  with joined proximal section  30 . The locking slide  32  is shown in its proximal position that allows the legs to relax and form gap  27 .  
         [0029]     Shown, perhaps, best in  FIG. 4 , Legs  22   a  and  22   b  are also configured to include arcuate camming portions  28   a  and  28   b.  Engaged over the legs and arcuate camming portions is a locking slide  32  with a rectangular opening designed to receive legs  22   a  and  22   b.  Locking slide  32  can be fabricated from either a preferred polymeric or an alternate metallic material. The polymeric or metallic material that is to be used for locking slide  32  can be made of any material that has sufficient strength and a low coefficient of friction to perform the functions required for operation of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10 . For purposes of disclosure here, upper end  30  will sometimes be referred to as being at the proximal end and the separated ends near holding members  24   a  and  24   b  referred to as being at the distal end of the weight holding tweezers  10 . Closure and locking of the gap between the legs is facilitated by moving slide  32  from its unbiased proximal position to its distal locking position  34 . It is equally important, however, that the legs  22   a  and  22   b  be able to return to the relaxed, unstressed configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . This ability to return to the unstressed relaxed configuration is facilitated by the resilience of the legs  22   a  and  22   b.  Therefore, moving the locking slide  32  to its proximal position allows the legs to spread apart and assume their normal, open position as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  demonstrates a first embodiment of the present invention whereby the distal holding member  42  is formed by physically dislodging a portion of the distal end of each leg ( 22   a,    22   b ) in a specific configuration that results in a general concave dimple on each inwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the thickness  50  of the legs is generally constant from the tip of the leg, through the deflected area, and just proximal to the deflected area. When using some specific metallic elements to fabricate the legs, the dislodging process will result in some work hardening of the dislodged area. The manufacturing techniques for dislodging the distal end of the leg that results in the concave configuration is art already known.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  demonstrates another embodiment of the present invention whereby the distal holding members  44  are fabricated by removing a portion of the distal end of the pair of legs ( 22   a,    22   b ) that results in a concave dimple on each inwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the thickness  50  of the legs is not constant from the tip of the leg, through the concave deflected area, and just proximal to the deflected area. Rather, the thickness  50  of the legs is substantial enough to allow the removal of material without sacrificing overall strength. Material is removed from the distal end of the leg to form a concave shape on each of the inwardly facing surfaced of the legs. The manufacturing techniques for removing material from the distal end of the leg that results in the concave configuration is art already known.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a partial view of the distal end of another embodiment of the weight holding tweezers demonstrating the holding and securing means  24   a  located in a distal section of one parallel leg and a substantially flat surface  25  located in a distal section of the other parallel leg. The thickness  50  of the leg having the holding and securing means  24   a  can be either 1) constant from the tip of the leg, through the deflected area, and just proximal to the deflected area whereby a dislodging process creates the holding and securing means or 2) the thickness  50  of the legs is not constant but rather the legs is substantial enough to allow the removal of material to form the concave shape on one leg without sacrificing overall strength.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  demonstrates the present invention with the distal holding means  24  securing a typical fishing bead or weight. These beads or weights are generally composed of brass, tungsten, stainless steel, copper, or other suitable metallic or polymeric materials. The beads or weights are generally spherical with nominal diameter. As shown, the concave shape of the tweezer&#39;s distal leg is designed to generally engage the outside surface of the spherical bead or fishing weight.  
         [0034]     Exact values for the dimensions for the many of structures described in this specification are unimportant. What matters for some are their relative values. The relative dimension between the gap  27  of the weight holding tweezers  10  and the diameter of the bead or fishing weight  12  are important in that the gap  27  should be larger enough to easily receive the bead or fishing weight  12  but not be so wide as to make it difficult to maintain the position of the bead or weight within the gap when the legs are flexed towards each other. In addition, the length of rectangular opening of lockable slide  32  must be dimensioned to closely fit the width  48  of the tweezers  10 . Furthermore, the width of rectangular opening of lockable slide  32  must be dimensioned to closely ride over arcuate camming surface  28   a  and  28   b  to force the legs  22   a  and  22   b  towards each other resulting in a final configuration were the holding members  24   a  and substantially flat surface  25  are firmly engaged.  
       OPERATION  
       [0035]     In the operation of the bead or weight holding tweezers  10  of the present invention, the bead or fishing weight  12  is first positioned within the aperture or gap  27  between holding means  24   a  and substantially flat section  25  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . The locking slide  32  is then advanced towards the distal position  34  forcing the legs  22   a  and  22   b  towards each other and firmly engaging bead or fishing weight  12  between the holding means.  
         [0036]     The tweezers now can be guided such that the bead or weight can be threaded over a particular fishing hook or piece of fishing line. Once bead or fishing weight  12  is positioned, the locking slide  32  is retracted towards it proximal stopped position, allowing the legs  22   a  and  22   b  to relax and release engagement with the bead or fishing weight  12 .  
         [0037]     While the particular bead or weight holding tweezers as herein shown and disclosed in detail are fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.