Detailed Description
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a fishing lure 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, fig. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate perspective, top, and bottom views, respectively, of the fishing lure 10. The fishing lure 10 includes a body 12 shaped like a crawfish, a flexible material 14 (shown in fig. 3), a wire material 16 (shown in fig. 3), a connection point 18 (shown in fig. 3), and a passage 20 through the body 12. The body 12 comprises a plurality of interconnected body segments 21, wherein a subset of the latter body segments 21 constitutes the tail 34 of the body 12. The flexible material 14 is interconnected between the body segments 21 of the tail portion 34 to facilitate relative movement between the body segments 21 of the tail portion 34. The relative motion between the body segments 21 of the tail 34 resembles the downward motion of the crayfish tail. In one embodiment, the downward motion comprises a curling motion. The wire material 16 resists downward movement of the body section 21 of the tail portion 34. The connection point 18 is on the lower portion 36 of the tail 34 and the channel 20 is configured to receive a fishing line 38.
The channel 20 and the connection point 18 are relatively positioned and arranged such that pulling a fishing line 38 up through the channel 20 and connected to the connection point 18 causes relative movement of the body section 21 of the tail 34 in a downward motion (as indicated by arrow B in figure 6). The wire material 16 is used to return the body sections 21 of the tail 34 to their original position prior to pulling the fishing line up. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 9, the body segment 21 of the tail 34 is generally configured to assume a straight or slightly curved orientation when in the original position. When the lure 10 is submerged in water, the action of pulling up on the fishing line 38 and the resulting tail 34 causes the lure 10 to move in a rearward direction (as indicated by arrow C in figures 9-12).
In one embodiment, the body segment 21 is generally made of a rigid material. In one embodiment, the body section 21 is made of plastic. In one embodiment, the plastic used to form the body section 21 may comprise a buoyant plastic. For example, such a buoyant plastic may comprise microbubbles and resin in a 1: 1 volume ratio. In another embodiment, the plastic used to form body segment 21 may comprise a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic material (e.g., as provided by SABIC Innovative plastics)Material). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the body section 21 is made of wood. In yet another embodiment, the body section 21 is generally made of a semi-rigid material or a flexible material.
In one embodiment, the body segments 21 may include a subset of the posterior body segments 21 comprising the head portion 22, the mid portion 23, and the tail portion 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the subset of the posterior body segments 21 that make up the tail 34 may include 5 body segments 24-32, as just one example shown in fig. 1-3. However, the number of body segments 21 that make up the tail 34 may vary significantly.
In one embodiment, the body segment 21 having the passage 20 therein is referred to as a mid-section 23. In one embodiment, the head portion 22 and the intermediate portion 23 are formed together as a unitary structure. In another embodiment, the head portion 22 and the intermediate portion 23 are formed from separate body segments. As shown in fig. 4, the head portion 22 may include a top head portion 22A and a bottom head portion 22B, and the middle portion 23 may include a top middle portion 23A and a bottom middle portion 23B. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the top head portion 22A and the top middle portion 23A may form one integral top body portion 25.
Each body segment constituting the tail 34 comprises an opposing body segment. For example, as shown in fig. 4 and 9, the body segments 24-32 that make up the tail 34 include top body segments 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A, 32A and bottom body segments 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B, 32B, respectively. In one embodiment, the top body segments 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A, and 32A may generally comprise a semi-circular cross-sectional shape (when the fishing lure 10 is taken in cross-section along or parallel to the 8-8 axis in fig. 2). For example, as shown in fig. 8, the top body section 28A may generally comprise a semi-circular cross-sectional shape when the cross-section of the fishing lure 10 is taken along the 8-8 axis in fig. 2.
In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the bottom body segments 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B, and 32B generally comprise a triangular cross-sectional shape when the cross-section of the fishing lure 10 is taken along axis 7-7 in fig. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the bottom body sections 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B, and 32B resemble the swim feet of crayfish (i.e., short appendages for swimming).
In one embodiment, the body segment 32B of the fishing lure 10 is weighted. Body section 32B may be made of a metallic material. In one embodiment, body segment 32B is made of a brass material. In one embodiment, body segment 32B weighs 2 grams.
In one embodiment, the body segments 22B and 23B of the fishing lure 10 are weighted. Body sections 22B and 23B are made of a metallic material. In one embodiment, body section 22B is made of a lead material and body section 23B is made of a brass material. In one embodiment, body segments 22B and 23B weigh 8.5 grams and 2.5 grams, respectively.
The weighted body segments 22B and 23B disposed on the front of the lure 10 and the weighted body segment 32B disposed on the rear of the lure 10 are constructed and arranged to form a slightly curved orientation of the lure 10 when the tension in the fishing line 38 is released (i.e., not pulling through the water fishing line 38), as shown in fig. 4 and 9.
In one embodiment, the hook 40 is mounted to the head 22. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, the hook 40 is a double hook (e.g., a circularly curved snail hook or a split hook). In another embodiment, the hook 40 may comprise a single hook or a triple hook (or triple hook). The hook 40 can be installed on the fishing lure 10 by sliding the hook 40 into a groove or channel (not shown) formed in the head 22 and gluing them in place (e.g., with an adhesive). In another embodiment, the hook 40 is molded into the body segment 21 of the fishing lure 10. In one embodiment, the hook 40 is made from 4/0 American Wire Gauge (AWG) wire.
The fishing lure 10 may include a pair of tongs 50. In one embodiment, the pliers 50 may be mounted to the fishing lure 10 by gluing the pliers 50 in place (e.g., with an adhesive). In another embodiment, the fishing lure 10 may include a groove (not shown) configured to receive a (helical) wire portion 49 (e.g., made of stainless steel material). In one embodiment, the stainless steel wire used to form the helical wire portion 49 has a diameter of 0.021 inches. In one embodiment, the helical wire portion 49 is shaped to penetrate into the jaws 50 and hold them firmly in place. In one embodiment, the helical wire portion 49 allows the pincers 50 to rock or move as the lure 10 moves in a rearward direction in the water.
In one embodiment, the pliers 50 are made of a soft plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the jaws 50 on each side of the head 22 resemble the jaws of a crayfish. The location and number of the pincers 50 on the fishing lure 10 may vary significantly.
The fishing lure 10 may include a plurality of legs 46. The legs 46 may be mounted to the fishing lure 10 by sliding the legs 46 into slots 48 formed in the body segment 21 and gluing them in place (e.g., with an adhesive). In one embodiment, the legs 46 are made of a rubber material or an elastomeric material. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, the fishing lure 10 has 8 legs 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the legs 46 of the head 22, two on each side, and the middle portion 23, two on each side, resemble the walking legs of crayfish. The location and number of legs 46 on the lure 10 can vary significantly.
In one embodiment, the pincers 50 and the legs 46 are configured and arranged to move (or rock) as the lure 10 moves in the rearward direction C in the water (as shown in fig. 9-12).
The head 22 of the fishing lure 10 includes an eye 54 formed on an outer surface 56 thereof, one on each side of the head 22.
The fishing lure 10 may include a tail fin 52. In one embodiment, top body section 32A and bottom body section 32B sandwich at least a portion of tail fin 52 therebetween. The process of mounting tail fin 52 to top body section 32A and bottom body section 32B will be discussed in detail below. In one embodiment, tail fin 52 is made of a semi-rigid plastic. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid plastic tail fin 52 has a thickness of 0.012 inches.
An attachment mechanism is provided, such as for tying the fishing line 38 to the line ring 44. In one embodiment, the fishing line 38 is secured directly to the line ring 44. In another embodiment, fishing line 38 is coupled to fishing line loop 44 with a connector. In one embodiment, the fishing line ring 44 may be made of stainless steel material. In one embodiment, the stainless steel wire used to form the fishing line loop 44 has a diameter of 0.021 inches.
The lure 10 includes a passage 20 therethrough to allow a fishing line 38 to slidably pass through the passage 20 to connect with the connection point 18 (or the disposed line loop 44) on the lower portion 36 of the tail portion 34. In one embodiment, the passage 20 comprises a generally cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the channel 20 includes a lower portion 60 and an upper portion 62. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of the lower portion 60 is greater than the diameter of the upper portion 62. In one embodiment, lower portion 60 has a diameter of 0.625 inches and upper portion 62 has a diameter of 0.203 inches. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower portion 60 has a height of 0.16 inches, while the upper portion 62 has a height of 0.235 inches.
In one embodiment, the flexible material 14 is formed from a polyester material. In another embodiment, the flexible material 14 is made of a nylon material. In one embodiment, the flexible material 14 is in the form of a nylon band. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible material 14 may comprise fabric strands, such as polyester or nylon strands.
In one embodiment, the wire material 16 is formed from a nickel (Ni) titanium (Ti) material alloy. Nickel (Ni) titanium (Ti) material alloys are commonly referred to as Nitinol. Nitinol is generally known to exhibit shape memory and superelastic (or pseudoelastic) properties. These characteristics allow the wire material 16 to return to its original (original) shape after the load applied to the wire material 16 is removed (e.g., due to the upward pulling of the fishing line 38). In the original shape, the wire material 16 allows the body section of the tail 34 to be generally in a straight or slightly curved orientation, as shown in fig. 4 and 9. In one embodiment, the Nitinol wire used to form the wire material 16 has a diameter of 0.012 inches.
The method of manufacturing the fishing lure 10 is described below. This method of manufacture begins with the flexible material 14 of the desired length and width. In one embodiment, the flexible material 14 is cut to a desired length and width. For example, the length of the flexible material 14 may be at least equal to or slightly greater than the length of the tail portion 34 of the fishing lure 10. In such embodiments, wrapping is performed along an edge (e.g., cut edge) of the flexible material 14 to prevent tearing and abrasion of the flexible material 14 when the flexible material 14 is cut to a desired length and width.
The next step in the method of making the fishing lure 10 is to adhere the wire material 16 to the flexible material 14. In one embodiment, the wire material 16 is taken to be the same length or at least substantially the same length as the flexible material 14 and is adhered to the lower surface 65 (as shown in the inset of FIG. 5 and in FIG. 8) of the flexible material 14. In one embodiment, the wire material 16 may include a pair of wire material portions 16A and 16B, one on each side (i.e., right and left sides), adhered to the lower surface 65 of the flexible material 14.
The next step in the method of making the fishing lure 10 is to engage the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B with one another. First, the hook 40 is received in a groove or channel formed in the inner surface of the bottom head 22B. Similarly, the helical wire portion 49 is received in a groove or channel formed in the inner surface of the bottom head 22B. Once the hook 40 and the helical wire portion 49 are received in their respective grooves or channels, the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B are brought into proximity with one another, glued together (e.g., with an adhesive), thereby holding (clipping) the hook 40 and the helical wire portion 49 in place. Additionally, slots 48 are formed and aligned on the inner surfaces of the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B such that when the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B are adhered to one another, the slots 48 are configured and arranged to receive the legs 46 (i.e., the four front legs 46) therein.
In one embodiment, when the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B are brought into proximity and adhered together (e.g., with an adhesive), the component 51 (as shown in fig. 13 and 14) is placed between the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B, thereby sandwiching the component 51 therebetween. The component 51 can be usedThe material is prepared. In one embodiment, the member 51 allows the hook 40 to be held in place while the hook 40 is sandwiched between the integral top body portion 25 and the bottom head portion 22B. In another embodiment, the fishing lure 10 may not include components51. In such an embodiment, the hooks 40 are first molded into the integral top body portion 25 (when the integral top body portion 25 is formed by, for example, injection molding), and then the integral top body portion 25 and the bottom head portion 22B (along with the hooks 40) are adhered to each other (e.g., with an adhesive).
The next step in the method of making the fishing lure 10 is to engage the integral top body portion 25 (along with the bottom head portion 22B) with the bottom intermediate portion 23B and to a portion of the flexible material 14. The integral top body portion 25 (along with the bottom head portion 22B) and the bottom middle portion 23B are brought close to each other. As the integral top body portion 25 (with the bottom head portion 22B) and the bottom intermediate portion 23B approach one another, the integral top body portion 25 (with the bottom head portion 22B) and the bottom intermediate portion 23B sandwich a portion of the flexible material 14 (with the wire material 16 adhered thereto) therebetween such that at least a portion of the integral top body portion 25 and at least a portion of the bottom intermediate portion 23B are adhered to opposite sides of the portion of the flexible material 14. The integral top body portion 25 (along with the bottom head portion 22B) and the bottom central portion 23B are adhered to each other and to the portion of the flexible material 14 with an adhesive. The slots 48 are formed and aligned on the inner surfaces of the integral top body portion 25 and bottom center portion 22B such that when the integral top body portion 25 and bottom center portion 22B are adhered to one another, the slots 48 are constructed and arranged to receive the legs 46 (i.e., the four rear legs 46) therein. Further, when the integral top body portion 25 (along with the bottom head portion 22B) and the bottom intermediate portion 23B are adhered to one another, the upper and lower portions 62, 60 (as shown in FIG. 7) of the channel 20 are aligned with one another to form the channel 20.
The next step in the method of making the fishing lure 10 is to join the top and bottom body sections of the tail portion 34 to the flexible material 14 (with the wire material 16 adhered thereto) from opposite sides. The top body segments 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A and the bottom body segments 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B are adhesively bonded from opposite sides to the flexible material 14 (with the wire material 16 bonded thereto).
The top body segment 32A and the bottom body segment 32B are brought into proximity with each other. As the top body section 32A and the bottom body section 32B approach one another, the top body section 32A and the bottom body section 32B sandwich a portion of the flexible material 14 (with the wire material 16 adhered thereto) and a portion of the tail fin 52 therebetween such that at least a portion of the top body section 32A and at least a portion of the bottom body section 32B are adhered to opposite sides of the portion of the flexible material 14 and the portion of the tail fin 52. The top body section 32A and the bottom body section 32B are adhered to each other and to the portion of the flexible material 14 and to the portion of the tail fin 52 with an adhesive.
The next step in the method of manufacturing the fishing lure 10 is to color the fishing lure 10. In one embodiment, the paint is applied to the fishing lure 10 using a spray gun technique. For example, paint is applied to the fishing lure 10 using a spray gun (not shown). In one embodiment, the holographic pattern of the fish is transferred to and adhered to the surface of the body section 21 using a hot stamping technique. In one embodiment, a hot stamping technique is applied prior to applying the paint to the body section 21. The pigment or combination of pigments used in the painting process enables the fishing lure 10 to resemble crawfish and help attract target species of fish (e.g., catfish, micropterus salmoides, pikes, and north american pikes).
The next step in the method of manufacturing the fishing lure 10 is to install the pliers 50 and the legs 46 onto the fishing lure 10.
Legs 46 are typically inserted into slots 48 and glued into slots 48 with an adhesive. In one embodiment, a slot 48 is formed between the integral top body portion 25 and bottom head portion 22B to accommodate the four front legs 46. In one embodiment, slots 48 are formed between the integral top body portion 25 and the bottom midsection 23B to accommodate the four rear legs 46. In another embodiment, legs 46 are attached to outer surface 67 of body segment 21 with an adhesive. In one embodiment, legs 46 are attached to the side surfaces of body segment 21 with an adhesive. It should be understood that the location of the legs 46 is not limited to the above-described locations, but may be attached at other locations on the body segment 21.
The jaws 50 are typically threaded with a helical wire (not shown) to hold them firmly in place.
Fig. 4-6 illustrate the relative movement of the body segment 21 of the tail 34 in a downward motion. In one embodiment, the downward motion comprises a curling motion. Specifically, fig. 4 illustrates the lure 10 in its original position (prior to pulling up the fishing line 38). In the home position, the body segment 21 of the tail 34 is generally configured to assume a straight (or slightly curved) orientation, as shown in fig. 4. As previously noted, weighted body segments 22B, 23B and 32B are constructed and arranged to give the lure a slightly curved orientation. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the body segment 21 of the tail 34 is configured to be generally straight in orientation when in the original position.
As shown in figure 5, pulling the fishing line 38 upward (in the direction of arrow A) causes relative movement of the body section 21 of the tail 34 in the direction of arrow B. That is, as the fishing line 38 passing through the channel 20 and connected to the connection point 18 is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow a), first the body section 32 of the tail portion 34 (with the connection point 18) and the flexible material 14 (and tail fin 52) between the body sections 32 are pulled along with the fishing line 38. Since the body segments 24-32 of the tail 34 are interconnected by the same flexible material 14, pulling the flexible material 14 (between the body segments 32) causes the body segments 24-30 of the tail 34 to move along with it (in the direction of arrow B).
As best seen in the inset in fig. 5, the wire material 16 is attached to the flexible material 14 on a lower surface 65 of the flexible material 14. The wire material 16 resists the downward curling action of the body section 21 of the tail 34. In one embodiment, pulling the fishing line 38 upward (in the direction of arrow a) causes the body section 21 of the tail 34 to move relative to one another against the bias of the wire material 16 in a downward curling action. As will be apparent from the discussion in connection with figures 9-12, the wire material 16 serves to return the body sections 24-32 to their original positions (as shown in figures 4 and 9) when the tension in the fishing line 38 is released (i.e., the fishing line 38 is not pulled through water).
As the fishing line 38 is pulled further up in the direction of arrow a, further (relative) movement of the body section 21 of the tail 34 is caused. This further movement of the body segments 24-32 of the tail portion 34 continues until the tail portion 34 of the lure 10 is in a curled or rolled position, as shown in figure 6. In the rolled or curled position, the tail portion 34 of the lure 10 is fully curled or rolled under the body of the lure 10. In the rolled or curled position, tail fin 52 engages a lower surface 74 of body segment 22B, which lower surface 74 acts as a stop to prevent any further movement of the body segment of tail 34. The relative motion of the body segments 21 of the tail 34 resembles the downward motion of the crayfish tail.
The operation of the fishing lure 10 will now be described in detail with reference to figures 9-12. The fishing line 38 of the fishing lure 10 is typically connected to a fishing rod and reel (not shown). The fishing lure 10 is then placed in a body of water where the target species of fish (e.g., catfish, micropterus salmoides, dog fish, and north american dog fish) may be located. The lure 10 may be proficiently moved within the body of water to attract the target species and encourage the target species to bite into the lure 10.
Figure 9 illustrates the lure 10 in its home position (prior to pulling the fishing line 38). As noted above, the body segment 21 of the tail 34 is generally configured to assume a straight orientation or a slightly curved orientation when in the original position.
Pulling fishing line 38 upward in the direction of arrow a (through channel 20 and to connection point 18) causes body segments 32 of tail 34 and flexible material 14 (and tail fin 52) between body segments 32 to be pulled along with fishing line 38. Since the body segments 24-32 of the tail 34 are interconnected by the same flexible material 14, pulling the flexible material 14 (between the body segments 32) causes the body segments 24-30 of the tail 34 to move in the direction of arrow B.
As noted above, the wire material 16 attached to the flexible material 14 on the lower surface 65 of the flexible material 14 resists downward movement of the body section 21 of the tail 34. When the tension in fishing line 38 is released (i.e., no fishing line 38 is pulled through water), wire material 16 then acts to return body segments 24-32 to their original positions.
The orientation and position of the channel 20 and the connection point 18 are such that pulling the fishing line 38 upwards and the resulting tail 34 will move the lure in a rearward direction (as indicated by arrow C) when the lure 10 is submerged in water. Pulling and releasing the fishing line 38 causes the tail 34 to move rapidly back and forth (i.e., the position shown in figures 10 and 11 and the position shown in figure 9). That is, pulling and releasing the fishing line 38 causes the tail 34 to move from the position shown in fig. 9 to the position shown in fig. 10 and 11 and from the position shown in fig. 10 and 11 to the position shown in fig. 12. As shown in fig. 9-12, the resulting action of the tail portion 34 (i.e., caused by pulling and releasing the fishing line 38) causes the tail portion 34 and tail fin 52 to act as a paddle to move the fishing lure 10 in the rearward direction C. In one embodiment, the tail fin 52 acts as a paddle to push water to move the fishing lure in the rearward direction C.
In addition, the rapid back and forth movement of the tail 34 (caused by pulling and releasing the fishing line 38) causes the jaws 50 and legs 46 of the lure 10 to move (or rock) as the lure 10 moves backwards in the water in direction C. This action of the tail 34, the pincers 50 and the legs 46 of the lure 10 simulates an actual crayfish swimming backward (i.e., in the backward direction C) in the water to draw the attention of the target species.
Figures 13-14 illustrate the segmentation and sizing of various portions of an exemplary fishing lure according to one embodiment of the present invention. The segmentation and sizing of the various portions of the exemplary fishing lure shown in fig. 13-14 are exemplary only and are in no way limiting. The various portions of the exemplary fishing lure shown in fig. 13-14 are drawn to scale according to one embodiment, although other proportions and shapes may be used in other embodiments. The dimensions of the various portions of the exemplary fishing lure shown in fig. 13-14 are measured in inches, unless otherwise indicated. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the various portions of the exemplary fishing lure as shown in fig. 13-14 are up to 10% in and out as illustrated.
In one embodiment, the length of the fishing lure, as measured from the end of the hook 40 to the end of the tail fin 52, is typically 3-4 inches. In one embodiment, the fishing lure 10 generally weighs between 21 and 28 grams. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment of the crawfish-like fishing lure 10 shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. It is also within the scope of the invention to have a fishing lure having the shape of a shrimp or other crustacean-like shape with any or all of the features of the invention. For example, a flexible tail constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may be applied to any other fishing lure, such as a fishing lure having the shape of a crustacean.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.