WO2009125299A2

WO2009125299A2 - Quick-change fishing lure system and method of using

Info

Publication number: WO2009125299A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/005428
Authority: WO
Inventors: James D. Lewis; William Gary Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-05
Filing date: 2009-03-05
Publication date: 2009-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-05
Also published as: WO2009125299A3

Abstract

This invention relates to an interchangeable fishing lure, particularly dry fly lures, designed for quick change in the field, user customizable components for employing the system, and a method for using the same.

Description

QUICK-CHANGE FISHING LURE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/003,792, filed March 5, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

[0002] Implementations of the present invention relate to fishing lures and a method for using a fishing lure for ease of attaching and changing between fishing lures when fishing.

2. Background and Relevant Art

[0003] A well known and important part of any fishing experience is the effort on the part of the fisherman to employ a suitable bait or lure to increase his or her probability of success. Fishermen regularly seek out guidebooks or the advice of experts or local sportsmen on what lures are yielding good results in any particular region, species or fishing method. Fly fishermen attempt to match their lures to the insects or other creatures common to the areas they are fishing. More expert fly fishermen tie their own flies to more closely approximate the appearance of such creatures. Yet despite all these efforts, the lure selected sometimes seems not to be as attractive to the fish as anticipated or hoped for.

[0004] Therefore, the fisherman will select another from the array of options available to him and substitute a new lure for the first. This routine exercise of removing one lure from the line and attaching another in its place can take considerable time and effort that could otherwise be spent actively fishing. In addition, the exercise of removing a lure often requires cutting the line used to connect the lure, and attaching a new lure to the same line. In its simplest form, the solution is for the fisherman to tie a new lure to the line each time the previous lure is removed. [0005] Tying a hook to a line can be more difficult than tying lines to lines. Snelled hooks have been introduced to eliminate the need for tying the hook to the line. The snell is a length of monofilament permanently tied to the hook. The end of the line opposite the hook is tied with a loop that can be easily tied or clipped to the line. In fishing with a baitcasting, spinning, or spincasting reel and rod, swivels are commonly attached to a line allowing easy changeover between snelled hooks or other lure previously attached to a leader line. [0006] Alternatively, lures have been developed that consist of an integral hook and body, accompanied by a variety of rubber shells that may be superimposed on the body to change its appearance. The interchangeable lure disclosed in US Patent 6,718,683, is of this type. These methods allow variety only within the combinations offered with respect to the particular lure. To obtain additional variety still requires that the lure be removed from the line by cutting and retying the line with a new lure, or uncoupling the leader and replacing with a new leader with a different lure attached.

[0007] However, in flycasting the equipment is somewhat different. The line is generally a larger diameter, and available in floating or weighted, sinking varieties. A fine tapered leader, usually seven feet (7') to nine feet (9') in length is tied to the line. The leader is tapered to reduce its visibility to the fish. In flycasting, the need to cut the leader when changing flies is particularly troublesome, because each time the leader is cut, a portion of the fine tapered end of the leader is removed. The leader can only be cut in this fashion a small number of times before the fine portion of the leader is totally removed and the entire leader must be replaced.

[0008] Alternatively, to avoid replacing the entire leader, a short length of fine line called a tippet may be tied to the leader. However, by tying a tippet to the leader, the fisherman introduces a knot to the line. The knot in the line increases the visibility of the line and thus defeats one of the primary purposes of using a tapered line. In addition, the use of tippets still requires time and effort to tie the ends of the lines, as well as time to tie a lure to the end of the new tippet.

[0009] The inconvenience of exchanging one lure for another is further aggravated by the fact that frequently, the new lure is no more productive than the lure it replaces. Therefore, one may need to change lures repeatedly before finding a lure that is effective for use in the particular location.

[0010] What is needed, therefore, is a convenient way to change over between lures. In flycasting in particular, what is needed is a system that reduces the need for cutting the tapered leader, the need for replacing the leader due to excess trimming of the tapered line, or the use or replacement of tapered line with tippet and the replacement of tippet. What is also needed is a way to temporarily exchange lures and deploy a new lure without cutting the line to change between lures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Implementations of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus configured to address the limitations of the prior art. Namely, implementations of the present invention provide: (1) a system for manufacturing a fishing lure designed for quick changes between lures without tying; (2) a method for completing quick changes of lures manufactured according to the system; (3) lures manufactured according to the disclosed system; and (4) components to enable fishermen to manufacture their own lures according to the disclosed system.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention comprises an armature made of a ductile material formed into an elongated shape having two ends and further having formed thereon a means for retaining a fish hook and a separate means for retaining a fishing line. The armature forms a base upon which all the trappings and decorative elements of a lure maybe added. The means for attaching and retaining the fish hook and fishing line allow the armature to be disengagably assembled with the fish hook and fishing line to form a system for quick-change of the lure.

[0013] When it is desirable to change the lure under the present embodiment of the invention, the armature is disengaged from the hook and fishing line, which hook and line are then reengaged with a second armature decorated and fashioned into an alternative lure. [0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the ductile material is a wire, and the means for attaching the hook comprises a loop, and the means for engaging the line to the armature comprises an eyelet. In the embodiment where the ductile material is a wire, the loop and eyelet may be formed by bending the wire. A type of wire commonly known as piano wire has demonstrated utility in this embodiment of the invention because it has high tensile strength and tends to retain its shape once bent into the proper configuration. Such properties are key to the invention as will be seen hereafter. Nevertheless, any ductile material having similar shape maintaining properties may be substituted for piano wire, particularly where increased size of the components of the quick change lure system makes the use of piano wire restrictive. For example, spring steel may be substituted for armatures of much greater size such as would be used in deep sea fishing. [0015] In one embodiment of the invention the eyelet for retaining the fishing line is positioned at one end, the first end, of the armature. The loop may be positioned any number of places on the armature, provided only that it is positioned sufficient minimal distance from the eyelet to lend stability and directional alignment to the hook and line assembly retained thereby. In one embodiment of the invention the loop to retain the hook is positioned at approximately the midpoint of the armature. In yet another embodiment of the invention the loop is positioned a distance x from the eyelet, where x is equal to one quarter (1/4) of the length of the armature.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention the loop is elongated. An elongated loop opening may be longer in any dimension, but preferably in the horizontal or vertical dimensions. The elongated loop in this embodiment serves a stabilizing function when paired with a hook designed and selected to complement an armature with an elongated loop. [0017] In one embodiment of the invention the eyelets for retaining the hook and line are aligned with one another such that when the hook is engaged it is positioned parallel to the length of the armature. It should be noted that the armature may be curvilinear so as to approximate the curvature of any form or style of hook including those with straight shanks as well as those with curved shanks.

[0018] The armature of the present invention is particularly suited to fly fishing lures, wherein the armature, rather than the hook, forms the foundation to add the decorative elements of the fly. The term fly is used loosely and interchangeably with the term lure because the industry has evolved such that various materials are now applied to mimic many creatures that live in or near a water environment, including but not limited to nymphs, flies, and other insects, tadpoles, frogs and other amphibians, and arachnids. It is a further embodiment of the invention that the armature could form the foundation about which a soft or hard-bodied lure could be manufactured for purposes of spin or reel casting according to the quick-change feature of the present invention. Such lures could be made to mimic worms or fish or other baits typical of other forms of fishing. In another embodiment of the invention, the armature may be made of heavy ductile material such that, when mated with suitable heavy hooks and lines, the resulting quick-change lure could be suitable for use in salt water or deep sea fishing.

[0019] The materials used to form any one of a number of creatures are therefore attached to the armature. The armature may be provided preassembled with the featured lure attached, or the armature may be provided bare or unassembled such that one may prepare a lure of original design with materials provided, or one may even provide their own decorative materials.

[0020] In one embodiment of the armature, the second end terminates with a tip that may be easily grasped or held in a vise by one tying his own fly. In a further embodiment of the invention, the tip of the second end may be bent down in line with the eyelets to provide a further point of contact with a proportionally large hook nested in the armature according to the present invention.

[0021] In one embodiment of the system of the present invention, the armature is paired with a hook that is selected according to size. The eyelet at or nearest the first end of the armature may be optionally bent down to align with the eyelet of the hook. Because there are many variations of hook eyelet configurations, the armature may be made to conform to the same variety of configurations. In one embodiment of the invention the eyelet on the armature is bent down at an angle of between 45 degrees and 135 degrees from the line formed by the armature, such that the corresponding hook eyelet may rest against the armature eyelet when fully engaged according to this embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment where the angle between the armature and eyelet is obtuse, a down-eyelet hook is preferred. In the embodiment where the angle between the armature and the eyelet is acute, an up-eyelet hook is preferred.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the hook is at least as long as the distance between the eyelet of the armature and the loop of the armature. In another embodiment, the hook is as long as the entire armature, and in yet another embodiment, the hook is longer than the armature.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the shank of the hook is rectangular. Preferably, the rectangular shank of the hook is configured so that the shank is sized to pass through an elongated loop of the armature when properly aligned, but prevent rotation of the hook once retained in the loop. In this way, the hook will stay in a relatively constant position relative to the armature, even when struck by a hungry or curious fish. Without this stability, a striking fish could rotationally displace the hook when striking, and possibly reduce its effectiveness.

[0024] It will be appreciated that lures come in many different sizes. Typically the size of the hook to be used is selected to complement the size of the intended lure. Therefore smaller lures are expected to be tied to a smaller hook, whereas larger lures are tied to larger hooks. For lures prepared to be used according to the present invention it is desirable to prepare lures on armatures sized to fit all the various sizes of hooks. However, it is also desirable to provide an embodiment of the present invention that allows temporary or permanent changes between sizes of lures, while maintaining compatibility with a single hook size, or a small selection of hook sizes.

[0025] Accordingly, in one embodiment of a quick-change lure system of the present invention, lures of various sizes may be tied to a single, or select few armature sizes such that the lures of various sizes may be used with a single, or select few hooks, further minimizing the need to change hooks, and thus further extending the life of the line. In addition, where the size of lure is vastly different from the size of the armature, it may be desirable to tie a second hook to the armature to enable use of a disproportionately large lure with a smaller primary hook.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, a second hook may be fastened to the armature. However, in this embodiment, the second hook is fastened directly to the armature and not retained by the eyelets. In one embodiment of the invention with a second hook, the second hook is larger than the armature such that a larger fly may be tied on the armature and second hook combination. In this way, a larger lure may be used with a first hook than would typically be possible to assemble on the armature alone.

[0027] In one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, a plurality of armatures and hooks is provided. In one embodiment the armatures are bare, while in another embodiment the armatures have lures preassembled thereon. In yet another embodiment, armatures are provided with secondary or optionally multiple hooks attached thereto.

[0028] Using one embodiment of the system of the present invention, one can remove a first lure of the present invention from a hook and line and replace it with a second lure of different design, but similar size. In another embodiment, the first lure can be replaced with a second lure of the system of the present invention but of a different size. In yet another embodiment of the system, a first lure can be replaced with a second lure of significantly different proportion by using an armature with a second hook attached thereto. In still another embodiment of the system, a first lure can be replaced with a second lure of any proportion, but with at least a second hook attached to the armature thereof for the sole purpose of introducing a condition wherein the lure has multiple hooks. [0029] Through these various embodiments, one can easily, and quickly changeover from one lure to another. This provides the fisherman great versatility in experimenting with numerous lure designs, sizes and multiple hook configurations, all without the need to cut the fishing line secured to the first and primary hook. [0030] Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations 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 such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] 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:

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a quick-change fishing lure system manufactured according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a quick-change fishing lure of the system manufactured according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an armature of the quick-change system forming the foundation of the fishing lure portion of the system.

[0035] FIG. 4A illustrates a detail view of a hook manufactured according to the present invention, wherein indicator B identifies the plane of a cross-sectional view. [0036] FIG. 4B illustrates the cross-sectional view of the hook manufactured according to one embodiment of the present system.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a lure with a secondary hook attached thereon. [0038] FIG. 6 illustrates the step of engaging the hook to the armature according to the quick-change fishing lure system of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates the step of engaging the line to the armature according to the quick- change fishing lure system of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates the step of seating the hook in the armature according to the quick change fishing lure system of the present invention. [0041] FIG. 9 illustrates the procedure for unseating and disengaging the hook from the armature according to the quick change fishing lure system of the present invention. [0042] It should be noted that the figures are purely schematic and representational only and are not intended to limit the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0043] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a quick-change fishing lure system and method for manufacturing fishing lures capable of being quickly changed without the need of cutting line and retying lures, or the need of uncoupling leader lines. The present invention is particularly well suited to lures used in flycasting, namely dry flies, wet flies, nymphs and the like.

[0044] The preferred embodiment of a system of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an armature 1 , formed from a ductile material, about which is tied a body of a fly, nymph or the like using traditional fly-tying methods to form a lure 2. A hook 3 is slideably engaged with the armature and capable of being further secured by a line 4. The line 4 is threadably engaged with the armature, such that the entire assembly acts as a unitary whole. [0045] The lure 2 as depicted in exploded fashion in FIG. 2, may be comprised of any number of traditional components including a body 5, and optionally small wings 6, large wings 7, a head or eye pieces 8, or other appendages well known in the art of fly tying. [0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the armature 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed of piano wire, having two ends. At one end, the wire terminates in a tip 9, and at the other end the wire is bent to form an eyelet 1 1. The eyelet of the armature is preferably oriented roughly perpendicular to the length of the armature. A loop 10, preferably an elongated loop, is formed between the eyelet and the second end of the armature, preferably between 25% and 75% of distance between the eyelet and the tip, and more preferably at or about the midpoint between the eyelet and the tip. [0047] The tip 9 is intended to serve as a point of gripping the armature with a vise or similar fly-tying equipment while securing the body 5 and any optional appendages (6-8), or other decoration, of the lure to the armature 1. It may also serve as a stabilizer against which the hook 3 may rest when engaged with the armature 1, particularly if the hook 3 is large in proportion to the armature.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment, the elongated wire loop 10 is formed by twisting a portion of the wire armature. The loop 10 is elongated so as to create a slot 10a. The hook 3 will be slidably engagable with the armature by passing through the slot 10a to be retained by the loop 10 of the armature 1. The eyelet 11 is created by bending the wire at the end of the armature 1 in a small loop, and optionally leaving a small tip 12 of the wire overhanging the edge of the loop just created.

[0049] The armature eyelet 11, illustrated in FIG. 3, is optionally suspended from the armature by a slight bend 13 in the wire. This bend serves the purpose of aligning the armature eyelet 11 more directly with the hook eyelet 14 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The armature eyelet may be bent at any angle from the armature, preferably between 45 degrees and 135 degrees from the vector of the armature, and more preferably 45 degrees. The degree of bend may optionally be selected to match with the degree of bend of a complementary hook to be used with the armature. [0050] The tip of the wire 12 extends past the wire at the closure of the loop 11. The tip 12 assists in capturing the line 4 when assembling the quick-change lure according to the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a hook 3 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hook 3 may be of any typical shape and point design comprising generally an eyelet 14, a shank 15, a bend 16, and a point 17. The point 17 may be barbed or barbless. Up-eyelet, straight eyelet and down-eyelet hook designs are suitable, however, down-eyelet hook are preferable for best seating the hook in the armature of the preferred embodiment. [0052] The hook 3 of the present invention may be of any size common to hooks used in fishing. For fly fishing, the hooks range preferably from #18 to #2, and more preferably from #14 to #6.

[0053] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-section of the hook 3 viewed from the plane marked with indicator B in FIG. 4A. An important and novel aspect of the preferred embodiment of the quick-change lure system is a faceted shank 15 such that the cross section is either square or rectangular. It is not essential that the hook bend 16 or point 17 are correspondingly flat, provided the width of such parts of the hook 3 allows the hook to slide through the opening 10a defined by the elongated loop 10 of the armature 1.

[0054] On occasion it may be desirable to use a lure with multiple hooks. This is particularly useful when it is desirable to have a hook on the lure that is a different size than the hook on the line at any given time under the present invention. This may be accomplished with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, by tying a secondary hook 18 to the armature 1. Preferably, the secondary hook 18 is secured to the armature 1 at the time the lure 2 is secured to the armature; however, the secondary hook 18 may also be secured to the completed armature-lure combination after the lure 2 has been tied to the

10 armature 1. For instance, if the hook on the line is a #12, but a #6 hook is desirable, the #6 hook can be tied to the armature and lure, in addition to the #12 hook comprising the primary hook 3 of the present invention.

[0055] The system of the preferred embodiment is assembled according to steps depicted in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8. Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates that to engage the hook 3 with the loop

10, one passes the point 17 of the hook through the slot 10a of the elongated loop 10. FIG. 7 illustrates that to engage the line 4 with the eyelet 11, one passes the line around the side of the armature 1 so that the portion of the line distal to the hook is aligned parallel to the orientation of the eyelet tip 12. The line 4 is then drawn between the armature 1 and the eyelet tip 12. The pressure of the eyelet tip 12 against the armature 1 will require one to apply some force to the line 4 to draw it through the contact point. The effort is rewarded with a light snap as the line 4 passes through the contact point and into the eyelet opening 11. The line 4 is thus engaged with the armature 1 according to the quick-change fishing lure system of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates the step of seating the hook in the armature according to the quick change fishing lure system of the present invention once the line 4 is engaged with the eyelet

11. Specifically, the line 4 is drawn through the eyelet until the hook eyelet 14 is seated firmly adjacent to the armature eyelet 11.

[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates the procedure for unseating and disengaging the hook from the armature according to the quick change fishing lure system of the present invention by reversing the previous steps. Specifically, slack in the line 4 is drawn in the direction of the hook 3, where it is passed behind the tip 12 of the armature eyelet. Again, light force is applied to draw the line 4 past the contact point with a light snap. The hook 3 is then slideably disengaged from the loop 10 by slideably passing the hook 3 in the direction of the armature eyelet 11 until the point 17 has passed through the slot 10a of the elongated loop 10 of the armature. A new lure is then applied by repeating the steps of securing an armature and lure according to the system of the present invention.

[0058] 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.

11

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. An apparatus for implementing a quick-change fishing lure comprising an armature formed from a ductile material comprising a form having a first end and a second end and further comprising: a. A means for retaining a fishing line; and b. A means for retaining a fishing hook.

2. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the fishing line is an eyelet formed in the armature.

3. An article of manufacture according to claim 2 wherein the eyelet is formed at the first end of the armature.

4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein the eyelet is formed by bending the first end of the armature in a small loop, said first end having a tip positioned such that the loop closes perpendicular to the length of the armature, with a point at or near the tip thereof making contact with the armature to form the eyelet.

5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the fishing hook is a loop formed in the armature.

6. An article of manufacture according to claim 5 wherein the loop is elongated.

7. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said means for retaining a fishing line is aligned with said means for retaining a fishing hook.

8. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said second end is bent down in alignment with said means for retaining a fishing hook.

9. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the form of the armature is linear.

10. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the form of the armature is curvilinear.

11. An apparatus for implementing a quick-change fishing lure comprising an armature formed from a ductile material comprising a form having a first end and a second end and further comprising: a. An eyelet for retaining a fishing line formed at the first end of the armature; and b. A loop for retaining a fishing hook formed in the armature between said eyelet and the second end.

12

12. An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein the loop is elongated.

13. An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said eyelet and said loop are aligned.

14. An article of manufacture according to claim 11 wherein said second end is bent down in alignment with said loop.

15. An apparatus of claim 11 wherein the distance between the eyelet and the loop is between 25% and 75% of the length of the armature.

16. An apparatus of claim 11 wherein the distance between the eyelet and the loop is approximately 50% of the length of the armature.

17. An apparatus of claim 11 further comprising at least one fishing hook having an eyelet, a shank, and a point, wherein said fishing hook is selected for compatibility with said armature.

18. An apparatus of claim 17 wherein the shank of said fish hook is rectangular in cross- section.

19. An apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a fishing line secured to the hook, wherein the hook is slidably engaged by the loop and the fishing line is retained by the eyelet.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the length of at least one said hook is between 100% and 300% as long as the distance between the eyelet and the loop.

21. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the length of at least one said hook is between 100% and 200% of the length of the armature.

22. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the length of at least one said hook is between 150% and 225% of the distance between the eyelet and the loop, and wherein said length is between 50% and 150% of the length of the armature.

23. An apparatus according to claim 17 comprising at least two hooks wherein at least the second hook is directly attached to the armature.

24. An apparatus of claim 23 wherein the second hook is selected from a size different than that of the first hook.

25. A method of using a quick-change fishing lure system comprising: a. providing at least a first armature and a second armature, each armature formed from a ductile material and comprising a form suitable for affixing decorative elements thereto to simulate the appearance of a lure,

13 b. each armature having a first end and a second end and further comprising an eyelet for retaining a fishing line formed on the armature and a loop for retaining a fishing hook formed on said armature.

26. A method of claim 25 further comprising providing decorative elements to form the lure on said armature.

27. A method of claim 26 wherein the decorative elements forming the lure are preassembled with said armature.

28. A method of claim 25 further comprising providing at least one fishing hook having an eyelet, a shank, and a point, wherein said fishing hook is selected for compatibility with said armature.

29. A method of claim 28 further comprising providing a fishing line securable to the hook, wherein the hook is disengagably retainable by the loop and the fishing line is disengagably retainable by the eyelet.

30. A method of claim 29 wherein the fishing line and fishing hook are disengaged from said first armature and engaged with said second armature.

14