Abstract:
An application for a fish dehooker with a line latch includes a shaft with a handle at its first end. A partial loop is affixed at a distal end of the shaft and has an open section. A spring-loaded gate is pivotally affixed to the partial loop thereby covering the open section. The spring-loaded gate opens inward within the partial loop when pressed by a fishing line and closes after the fishing line passes, holding the fishing line within the partial loop.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of fishing and more particularly to a method and apparatus for removing a fish hook from a fish. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many circumstances where a fisherman catches a fish and returns it to the wild. One circumstance is “catch and release,” in that the fish is caught purely for the sport of catching the fish and there is never any intention of keeping the fish. Another is when a fish is caught and it is not legal to keep such as in deep sea fishing when the fish is to short or there is a ban on that species of fish. 
         [0003]    Often the fish hook is removed (dehooked) using a pair of pliers. This method requires the fish to be lifted out of the water and held while the pliers are used to pry the hook out of the fish&#39;s mouth. This method puts extra stress on the fish and often tears more tissue than need be to remove the hook. 
         [0004]    Many dehooking devices are known in the industry. For example, a fish dehooking device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,853 to Swindle. This fish dehooker has a handle, an elongated rod and a hooked or looping end. The idea is to loop the hook or looping end around the fishing line and follow it down to the fish&#39;s mouth or throat the apply pressure on the handle/shaft while pulling on the fishing line. Although this device works under some conditions, it is often very difficult to keep the line in the hooked or looped end while fighting the fish, wind and waves. 
         [0005]    Another such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,002 to Dick. The described dehooker is similar to that in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,853 with the addition of a slidable bite sleeve over the elongated rod. Even with this additional feature, it is still very difficult to keep the line in the hooked or looped end while fighting the fish, wind and waves. 
         [0006]    Again, a fish dehooker is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,547 to Felts. This dehooker is similar to the above devices but has a narrow slot through which the fishing line is passed before following the fishing line to the hook for removal. Likewise, it is difficult to keep the line in the hooked or looped end while fighting the fish, wind and waves. 
         [0007]    What is needed is fish dehooker that positively locks onto the fishing line while following the fishing line down to the hook for removal of the hook. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, a fish dehooker with a line latch is disclosed including a shaft with a handle at its first end. A partial loop is affixed at a distal end of the shaft and has an open section. A spring-loaded gate is pivotally affixed to the partial loop thereby covering the open section. The spring-loaded gate opens inward within the partial loop when pressed by a fishing line and closes after the fishing line passes, holding the fishing line within the partial loop. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of dehooking marine wildlife is disclosed including providing a fish caught on a hook, the hook being attached to a fishing line. A fish dehooker is provided and includes a shaft with a handle at its first end. A partial loop is mounted at a distal end of the shaft and has an open section. A spring-loaded gate is pivotally affixed to the partial loop thereby covering the open section. The spring-loaded gate opens inward within the partial loop when pressed by the fishing line and closes holding the fishing line within the partial loop. The method continues with applying pressure to the fishing line by the spring-loaded gate, thereby opening the spring loaded gate; the fishing line entering the partial loop. Next, the gate is closed behind the fishing line thereby capturing the fishing line within the partial loop and then the dehooker is held by the handle and the partial loop is guided down the line to the site of the hook. The fish is dislodged by thrusting on the handle while holding the fishing line. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a fish dehooker with a line latch is disclosed including a shaft with a handle affixed at its first end. A partial loop is situated at a distal end of the shaft and has an open section. A device is provided for sealing the partial loop, and is pivotally affixed to the partial loop. The device opens in an inward direction within the partial loop in response to pressure of a fishing line and closes after the fishing line is within the partial loop and the pressure abates. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a continuation of the first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates another continuation of the first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fish hook dehooker  8  includes a handle  30  and, at one end, an elongated shaft  32  for holding the fish hook dehooker  8  and extending into the fish&#39;s mouth/throat where the hook is lodged. At the other end of the shaft  32  is a partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  is the section of the fish hook dehooker  8  that engages with the fish to assist in dislodging the fishhook. The partial loop  10  has an open portion equipped with a gate or latch  12 . The gate or latch  12  is hinged at one end to the partial loop  10  with a hinge pin  16 , as known in the industry. The other end of the gate or latch  12  is held against the partial loop  10  by the force of the spring  18 . In this embodiment, the spring  18  is a torsion spring. In other embodiments, other types of springs are included such as leaf springs as known in the art of carabineers. In some embodiments, the gate or latch  12  is flat (see  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments the gate or latch  12  is curved (not shown). In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the latch has a detent  14  to assist in positioning the fishing line during the process of capturing the line within the partial loop  10 . In operation, the gate/latch  12  is pushed against the fishing line until the gate/latch  12  opens, at which time the fishing line passes into the partial loop  10 . The gate/latch  12  closes after the fishing line enters the partial loop  10 ; holding the fishing line within the partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  end of the fish hook dehooker  8  is run down the fishing line to the fishing hook for assisting with the dehooking of the hook. 
         [0022]    Although the handle  30  is shown as a T-shaped handle, any shape and/or size is anticipated without veering from the present invention. For example, a bicycle-type handle grip on the end of the shaft  30  functions perfectly without veering from the present invention. 
         [0023]    Although the partial loop  10  is shown as a partial circle, any shape and/or size is anticipated without veering from the present invention. For example, an oval shape or an irregular shape functions without veering from the present invention. 
         [0024]    Although the shaft  32  is shown as a straight shaft, any shape of shaft is anticipated including a shaft with a bend. Likewise, the cross-sectional shape of the shaft  32  is shown as circular whereas any cross-sectional shape is anticipated including square, rectangle, octagon, pentagon, etc. 
         [0025]    The handle  30 , shaft  32 , partial loop  10  and gate/latch  12  are preferably made from a sturdy, stiff material such as steel, stainless steel, hard plastic and the like. In some embodiments, the handle  30  is coated or covered (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) with a softer material to improve comfort. 
         [0026]    Although this description uses a fish as an example, any type of wildlife is a candidate for dehooking using the present invention including, but not limited to, fish, stingray, marine mammals, reptiles and birds. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  a front and top perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fish hook dehooker  8  includes a handle  30  and, at one end, an elongated shaft  32  for holding the fish hook dehooker  8  and extending into the fish&#39;s mouth/throat where the hook is lodged. At the other end of the shaft  32  is a partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  is the section of the fish hook dehooker  8  that engages with the fish to assist in dislodging the fishhook. The partial loop  10  has an open portion equipped with a gate or latch  12 . The gate or latch  12  is hinged at one end to the partial loop  10  with a hinge pin  16 , as known in the industry. The other end of the gate or latch  12  is held against the partial loop  10  by the force of the spring  18 . In this embodiment, the spring  18  is a torsion spring. In other embodiments, other types of springs are included such as leaf springs as known in the art of carabineers. In some embodiments, the gate or latch  12  is flat (see  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments the gate or latch  12  is curved (not shown). The latch has a detent  14  to assist in positioning the fishing line during the process of capturing the line within the partial loop  10 . In operation, the gate/latch  12  is pushed against the fishing line until the gate/latch  12  opens, at which time the fishing line passes into the partial loop  10 . The gate/latch  12  closes after the fishing line enters the partial loop  10 ; holding the fishing line within the partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  end of the fish hook dehooker  8  is run down the fishing line to the fishing hook for assisting with the dehooking of the hook. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fish hook dehooker includes a handle  30  and, at one end, an elongated shaft  32  for holding the fish hook dehooker and extending into the fish&#39;s mouth/throat where the hook is lodged. At the other end of the shaft  32  is a partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  is the section of the fish hook dehooker that engages with the fish to assist in dislodging the fishhook. The partial loop  10  has an open portion equipped with a gate or latch  20 . The gate or latch  20  is hinged at one end to the partial loop  10  with a hinge pin  16 , as known in the industry. The other end of the gate or latch  20  is held against the partial loop  10  by the force of the spring  18 . In this embodiment, the spring  18  is a torsion spring. In other embodiments, other types of springs are included such as leaf springs as known in the art of carabineers. In this embodiment, the gate or latch  20  is flat. In other embodiments the gate or latch is curved (not shown). In operation, the gate/latch  20  is pushed against the fishing line until the gate/latch  20  opens, at which time the fishing line passes into the partial loop  10 . The gate/latch  20  closes after the fishing line enters the partial loop  10 ; holding the fishing line within the partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  end of the fish hook dehooker  8  is run down the fishing line to the fishing hook for assisting with the dehooking of the hook. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8  a first perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use is shown. A fish  40  has a fishing hook  42  lodge in its mouth/throat. The operation begins with the gate/latch  12  being pushed against the fishing line  44  until the gate/latch  12  opens, at which time the fishing line  44  passes into the partial loop  10  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The gate/latch  12  closes after the fishing line  44  enters the partial loop  10 ; holding the fishing line  44  within the partial loop  10 . The partial loop  10  end of the fish hook dehooker  8  is run down the fishing line  44  as shown in  FIG. 7  until it reaches the fishing hook. To dehook the fish, the partial loop  10  is pushed against the flesh of the fish around where the hook is caught and the fishing line  44  is pulled, removing the fishhook  42  as in  FIG. 8 . In some instances, the fish dehooker is thrusted toward the fish to dislodge the hook. 
         [0030]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0031]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.