Abstract:
The present invention provides a fishing toy comprising a bait head resembling a fishing lure attached to a sponge resembling an aquatic animal. The sponge is initially compressed and rolled such that it fits inside a dissolving gel capsule or paper pouch encapsulation. During play, the entire bait unit is submerged into water. Once exposed to water, the capsule dissolves, releasing the captive animal-shaped sponge. The increase of weight and drag on the line simulates a live fishing experience.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13,850,326 filed Mar. 26, 2013 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13,708,962 filed Dec. 8, 2012. Both applications are hereby fully incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a fishing toy that simulates a real fishing experience. More particularly, the invention relates to a fishing toy that includes a reusable plastic head for connection to a standard fishing line, a fish-shaped sponge body attached to the head and a printed paper wrapper encapsulating the sponge body. When deployed into water, the paper wrapper dissolves and the sponge body absorbs the water which exponentially increases the weight, and therefore the resistance, of the toy within the water. This increased weight and resistance creates a realistic feel as the user reels in their catch. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fishing toys are well known in the art, however, such toys are not intended to simulate a realistic fishing experience. Many such toys include fish, often manufactured from plastic, that are used as casting baits to train new anglers how to cast fishing line. 
         [0004]    Other fishing toys might use a magnet on a fishing line to “catch” a magnet on a plastic fish. One such example of a fishing toy comprises motor driven fish that simulates a swimming fish. A magnetic bait is provided on fishing line and a mated magnet is provided on the toy fish. The toy fish can mechanically swims in the water with the lower jaw slowly opens and closes. When a magnetic bait attracts and attaches to the magnet on the fish a bite triggering mechanism is actuated and the fish tail and the lower jaw swing more violently so as to create a live effect similar to the effect experienced when catching a real fish. However, the aforementioned toy does not provide a realistic baiting experience simulating the process of attaching a lure to the distal end of a line. Additionally, the success of the aforementioned toy is subject to the physical interaction of the magnetic bait with magnetic trigger mechanism, the chance of which decreases as the area of play increases. This limits such a toy from being used with success in a large body of water such as a pool, lake, or river. Moreover, these types of toys are very expensive to manufacture, are prone to failure during use and are difficult to operate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a fishing toy that is simple to use, extremely fun for the user, and provides realistic fishing simulation in any aqueous environment. It can be used indoors or outside and is safe for use by very young and inexperienced anglers. 
         [0006]    The inventive fishing toy includes a bait head resembling a fishing lure that further includes a loop for attaching a fishing line and a clasp for attaching the head to a compressed sponge that is configured to resemble an aquatic animal when deployed. The sponge is initially compressed and rolled such that it fits inside a dissolving capsule. The compressed sponge is attached to the bait head by means of a clasp mechanism that interfaces with a hole in the sponge. A ring on the bait head allows attachment to a hook or line. During play, the entire bait unit is submerged into water. In one configuration, the bait head provides lateral channels that channel fluid entry into the interior of the capsule. Additionally, the capsule may have perforations that aid fluid entry. Once exposed to water, the capsule itself dissolves, releasing the captive animal-shaped sponge. The sponge is retained on the bait head via the clasp mechanism. The increase of weight and drag on the line simulates a live fishing experience as the angler reels in the fish. Thereby, as the fishing toy is introduced to water the animal shape is generated from the growth of the bait unit into the uncompressed sponge. 
         [0007]    A second embodiment of the invention replaces the capsule described above with a water soluble paper pouch encapsulation. Water soluble paper can be printed on, and dissolves rapidly in water. The compressed sponge is attached to the bait head by means of the clasp mechanism that interfaces with a hole in the sponge. Once exposed to water, the water soluble paper dissolves rapidly, preferably between 3 and 10 seconds, releasing the captive animal-shaped sponge. The increase of weight and drag on the line simulates a live fishing experience. Thereby, as the fishing toy is introduced to water the animal shape is generated from the growth of the bait unit into the uncompressed sponge. 
         [0008]    After the initial use of the toy, the user can use the sponge animal as a plug for casting practice. The bait head portion of the toy can also be reused by fastening replacement encapsulated sponge animals thereto. 
         [0009]    The sponge animal can be configured in any shape, however, it is preferred that the animal represent a variety of fresh water and salt water animals to provide the user with a variety of fishing experiences. It is also understood that the fishing toy can be presented in any size so that it can be mated to a variety of fishing equipment. While the toy is intended for novice anglers, it is readily adaptable to full sized fishing equipment. The capsule containing the sponge animal can be decorated with the image of the sponge animal or any other decoration. 
         [0010]    The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an perspective view of a first embodiment of a fishing toy according to the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of the fishing toy shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view showing the transformation of the fishing toy shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fishing toy according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an partial exploded view of the fishing toy shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing the transformation of the fishing toy shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , a first embodiment of a fishing toy according to the present invention includes a bait head  131 , a sponge animal  151 , a capsule body  141  and a fastening mechanism or hook  122  for connection to a fishing line  111 . One end of the bait head  131  terminates in an eyelet  132  allowing for attachment to hook  122 . Hook  122  provides an eyelet  121  allowing for attachment to line  111 , the distal end of which may be attached to a conventional fishing pole or rod. The opposite end of bait head  131  includes a first fastening mechanism  134  which provides a direct physical interface with a second fastening mechanism  143  on the capsule body  141 . Bait head  131  may be of any diameter such that it interfaces with capsule body  141 . 
         [0018]    Bait head  131  also includes a fastening device  135  that allows attachment of the sponge animal  151 . The fastening device  135  can be any mechanical connector suitable for fastening and securement of the sponge animal  151 , such as a loop, a spike, a threaded spike or hook. Sponge animal  151  may be of any size such that it allows for successful attachment to bait head  131 . Sponge animal  151  is initially compressed such that the entirety of its volume fits into the interior volume of capsule body  141 . Sponge animal  151  shall be of a size such that it in no way interferes with the successful attachment of first fastening mechanism  134  on bait head  131  with the second fastening mechanism  143  on capsule body  141 . 
         [0019]    When the entire assembly is submerged in water, at least one channel  133  on bait head  131  and at least one perforation  142  on capsule body  141  provide a means for water to enter capsule body  141 . The at least one channel  133  on the bait head  131  may forcibly direct water into the capsule body  141  as the toy is pulled through the water. In this embodiment, the capsule body  141  will be made from a material for which water acts as a dissolving agent, resulting in the total decomposition of capsule body  141  in an aqueous environment. Capsules made from dissolving materials such as gelatin are well known and find a wide array of uses, such as in the pharmaceutical industry. It is understood that the capsule body of the instant invention can be manufactured from any material that is substantially solid when dry and which dissolves when subjected to liquid. As the capsule material dissolves, the sponge animal  151  is released. The expansion of the sponge animal  151  as the capsule  141  dissolves aids in the capsule  141  being shed from the bait head  131 . 
         [0020]    Thus, introduction to water results in the dissolution of capsule body  141 , thereby releasing sponge animal  151  from its compressed state as represented in  FIG. 3 . Sponge animal  151  will be composed of a material that absorbs water and in doing so expands to its uncompressed state. This sudden increase in the surface area presented by sponge animal  151  will increase drag and provide realistic weight at the end of line  111 , simulating a real fishing experience and providing toy user with the opportunity to collect sponge animal  151 . The sponge animal  151  can be configured in any shape, however, it is preferred that the animal represent a variety of fresh water and salt water animals to provide the user with a variety of fishing experiences. It is also understood that the fishing toy can be presented in any size so that it can be mated to a variety of fishing equipment. 
         [0021]    Referring generally now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the preferred embodiment of a fishing toy according to the present invention includes a bait head  231 , a sponge animal  251 , a water soluble paper pouch encapsulation  241 , a first fastening mechanism or hook  222  for connection to a standard fishing line  211 . One end of the bait head  231  includes a connector  232  allowing for attachment to hook  222 . The connector  232  can be a loop or clip integral the bait head  231  such as those commonly found on artificial fishing lures, 
         [0022]    Alternatively, the connector  232  can be presented as a magnetic connector with a metal stud formed a ferrous metal encapsulated in a material that does not corrode in water, such as a thermoplastic or thermal set polymer. Any magnetically attractive material may be employed to achieve the aspect of the metal stud. In this iteration, the connector  222  is a magnetic member which provides a magnetic means of attachment to the metal stud  232  of the bait head  231 . The opposite end of bait head  231  includes a second connector  234  which provides a direct physical interface with a fastening region  243  of the paper pouch encapsulation  241 . Bait head  231  may be of any diameter such that it interfaces with paper pouch encapsulation  241 . Any combination of adhesives or mechanical engagement may be used to join the paper pouch encapsulation  241  to the bait head  231 . 
         [0023]    Sponge animal  251  may be of any size such that it allows for successful attachment to bait head  231 . Sponge animal  251  is initially compressed such that the entirety of its volume fits into the interior volume of paper pouch encapsulation  241 . 
         [0024]    Sponge animal  251  shall be of a size such that it in no way interferes with the successful attachment of fastening mechanism  234  on bait head  231  with fastening mechanism  243  on paper pouch encapsulation  241 . 
         [0025]    When the entire assembly is submerged in water, at least one channel  233  on bait head  231  provides a means for water to enter the paper pouch encapsulation  241 . Paper pouch encapsulation  241  will be composed of a material for which water acts as a dissolving agent, resulting in rapid and total decomposition of paper pouch encapsulation  241  when subjected to an aqueous environment. Thus, introduction to such an environment results in the dissolution of paper pouch encapsulation  241 , thereby releasing sponge animal  251  from its compressed state. Sponge animal  251  will be composed of a material that rapidly absorbs water and in doing so expands to its uncompressed state. This sudden increase in the surface area presented by sponge animal  251  will increase drag and provide realistic weight at the end of line  211 , simulating a real fishing experience and providing toy user with the opportunity to collect sponge animal  251 . 
         [0026]    Water soluble papers are known and used in numerous applications, although never for fishing toys. The solubility of paper can be regulated during the manufacturing process such that the paper degrades over a predetermined time when subjected to a target liquid. For the instant application, water soluble paper that degrades over a relatively short period of time is preferred, and such paper degradation rate can easily be controlled. It is preferred that the paper pouch encapsulation  251  be manufactured from a paper that is substantially degraded in water over a period of time from between one and 120 seconds. More preferable is a paper that substantially degrades in water over a period of time from between approximately one second and approximately 30 seconds. 
         [0027]    Through the above description, it should now become readily apparent how and why the present invention can achieve the object it contemplates. It is also to be understood that the above disclosed embodiment is illustrative but not limited.