Improvements in Mounting Spinning Baits.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1894-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mounting Spinning Baits.
We, WILLIAM HARDY and JOHN JAMES HARDY, of Alnwick, in the County
of Northumberland, trading as Hardy Brothers, Fishing Rod Manufacturers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to improved means for mounting spinning baits; and,
although primarily designed for use with a natural bait, may be employed with an
artificial or imitation bait.
A spinning mount constructed according to our improved method is represented
in the accompanying drawings, whereof Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 a
plan view.
a a¹ are two narrow strips of metal hinged together at b and suitably shaped to
lie close to the sides of the bait. The inner sides of the bars a a¹ are furnished
with pins c which, upon the frame being closed, enter the body of the bait and
assist in holding it securely in position. In order to lock the frame in the closed
position, the outer extremity of one of the bars is bent at right angles and terminates
in a barb or arrow-head d which enters and engages with a notch d¹ formed in the
outer extremity of the other bar, the bent and barbed end passing through the
body of the bait towards the tail. Upon the shoulders of the frame are mounted
two screw-shaped blades e e' which cause the entire apparatus to spin as it is drawn
through the water. To the head of the mount is linked a swivel f, and at the
same point are attached two sets of flying triangles g g'. The triangles which are
opposite the body of the bait are by preference of the special form shewn in Fig. 1,
the straight hooks being intended for insertion in the body of the bait, whilst the
curved hooks lie close outside the skin thereof. The tail triangle which extends
(One of the spans carrying
beyond the bait is loose and of the usual character.
the triangles is omitted from Fig. 2 to avoid confusion.)
We are aware that it has been proposed to employ wire frames carrying screw-
shaped blades and capable of being opened a certain distance and then sprung or
closed upon the bait, the extremities of the wires being turned inwards and pointed
so as to enter the flesh; but a mount of this description is designed for use with a
needle which is passed down the body of the bait in order to impart thereto the
necessary rigidity and without which the bait is not afforded the requisite support.
A wire mount of the spring type is moreover troublesome to apply to the bait ;
and even in conjunction with a central needle, fails to hold the bait so securely
as an internally spiked frame of the kind described with reference to the
accompanying drawings; such a frame extending the greater part of the length of
the bait.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :—
1. The improved method of mounting spinning baits substantially as herein
described and consisting in enclosing the bait between two internally spiked and
externally winged arms of a hinged frame, the said arms extending a sufficient
length of the bait to properly support the same and to render the employment of a
central needle avoidable."

page_text: 2. The improved mount for spinning baits constructed substantially as herein
described and having a hinged frame armed internally with spikes and externally
with screw-shaped wings, means for locking the arms together when closed, and one
or more spans carrying hooks arranged as triangles or otherwise; the hinged
frame being of sufficient length to render the employment of a central needle 5
avoidable.