AU2694399A

AU2694399A - Fishing tackle

Info

Publication number: AU2694399A
Application number: AU26943/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Garth Wigston
Original assignee: WIGSTON NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Jm Gillies Agencies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-05-06
Filing date: 1999-05-05
Publication date: 1999-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-05
Also published as: AU745346B2

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

S

S. a Invention Title: FISHING TACKLE Applicant: WIGSTON NOMINEES PTY. LTD.

a O t The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 Document9 -2- FISHING TACKLE This invention relates generally to fishing tackle, and in particular to fishing lures. The invention is applicable to a one piece solid or rigid body lure for use with a hand held or fixed fishing rod and line, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the lure in relation to that exemplary application. It should be appreciated, however, that the lure is not limited to that application.

One known form of fishing lure has a solid or rigid body with a rigging hole therethrough for rigging to a fishing line. The lure may be rigged directly to the line by passing that line through the hole, or indirectly by attaching the line to a stainless steel connector passing through the hole in the body. With these rigging arrangements, the point at which the lure is towed (the tow point) by the line during retrieval or trolling is located at or immediately in front of the forward opening of the rigging hole.

The lure may be of varying shape and/or colour to suit individual fishing 15 environments, and enhance fish strike prospects. Some lures have a body provided with one or more portions, such as wings, projecting therefrom to influence the fluid dynamics of the lure during use.

An example of this form of fishing lure is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. This exemplary lure L, in one commercial embodiment known as a TASMANIAN DEVIL, has an elongate body B with a rigging hole H extending axially therethrough. A pair of wings W extend axially along the body B and project from opposite sides thereof. As illustrated, the body B and wings W may be axially curved. The illustrated lure L is rigged with a stainless steel centre C attached to a treble hook T and having an eyelet E for fastening, such as by tying, to a fishing line.

Experimentation has shown that with a weight of about 13.5 grams, and attached to a standard fishing line of for example 0.20 mm in diameter, the exemplary lure will reach a dive depth in water of about 1.2 to 1.5 metres during typical retrieving or trolling use. To achieve a greater depth, as is desirable in some fishing locations and circumstances, it is necessary to use a lead core line, or a downrigger. However, the use of a lead core line has the disadvantage of increased drag through the water, whilst the downrigger has the disadvantages of being cumbersome and costly.

C:\WI NWO RD\KATE\S P EC\IR528679 DOCG -3- It is an object of the present invention to provide a lure of the above form which can achieve greater dive depth without the use of a lead core line or downrigger.

A lure which could dive at an angle (dive attack angle) steeper than current lures would be an advantage. An enhanced erratic swim pattern in the lure could also be advantageous in attracting fish.

According to the present invention there is provided a fishing lure, including: a body having leading and trailing portions, relative to a retrieving or trolling direction of movement during lure use; and a rigging hole in the body for attachment of the lure to a fishing line, the hole extending from an opening at the trailing portion toward the leading portion to an opening on an upper face of the *eo. body, wherein a fishing line or line connector passes through the rigging hole for attachment of the lure to the fishing line.

This invention is described and defined herein with reference to the lure in S. 15 a normal "swimming" orientation, and terms such as "upper" and "lower" should be construed in the light of this orientation. However, it is to be appreciated that other orientations may be equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as those above may be required in the light of those other orientations .:'for a proper and complete understanding of the invention.

Preferably, the upper face opening of the rigging hole is positioned adjacent the leading portion of the body.

Preferably, the body is elongate with a longitudinal axis, and the rigging hole is a passage extending along the longitudinal axis from the opening at the trailing portion to adjacent the upper face opening and then diverts from the longitudinal axis to the upper face opening. The passage preferably extends at an angle upwardly from the longitudinal axis to the upper face opening.

In at least one preferred form of the lure, the rigging hole also extends to an opening at the leading portion. With this arrangement, the upper face opening of the rigging hole is located intermediate the openings at the leading and trailing portions.

In this form of the lure, the rigging passage preferably bifurcates into a pair of passageways. One passageway preferably extends to the upper face opening while the other passageway extends to the opening at the leading portion. The C:\WINWORD\KATE\SPECI\IR528679,

DOC

-4bifurcation preferably occurs adjacent the leading portion of the body, so that the one passageway is angled upwardly and forwardly from a longitudinal axis of the passage and the other passageway extends on the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the upper face opening of the rigging hole is elongate in the retrieving or trolling direction of movement. That opening may taper toward a forward end, relative to the retrieving or trolling direction of movement.

Preferably, the body has a protrusion on the upper face, and the upper face opening of the rigging hole is positioned on that protrusion.

In at least one preferred form, the body is elongate, and the leading and trailing portions are at axially opposed ends of the body. Those leading and trailing ends preferably each have a flat face extending perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the body. The rigging hole openings at the leading and trailing portions are preferably positioned on the leading and trailing end faces, respectively.

15 The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the lure of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the lure is illustrated in that preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that the lure is not limited to the preferred embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional fishing lure rigged with a stainless steel centre and treble hook; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fishing lure, similar to the conventional lure of Fig. 1 but incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fishing lure of Fig. 2 and rigged with a stainless steel centre and treble hook in accordance with the present invention.

Referring initially to Fig. 2 of the drawings there is generally shown a lure 1 having an elongate body 2 with leading and trailing portions 3,4, at axially opposite ends thereof. The body 2 is of a generally cylindrical shape, with a central longitudinal axis X. This cylindrical body 2 has an outer surface providing an upper face 6 and lower face 7.

In this preferred embodiment, the body 2 is curved along its axial extent with a curved longitudinal axis X so as to provide a convex upper face 6 and a C:\WINWOR D\KATE\SPECI\IR528679.DOC concave lower face 7. It will be appreciated, however, that other body shapes may be suitable in individual applications. For example, although the body 2 is generally cylindrical, it may be bulged or waisted at locations along its length.

Moreover, the body 2 could be axially straight with a straight central axis X.

The leading and trailing portions 3, 4 each have flat end faces 8, 9 respectively, which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The lure 1 also includes a rigging hole 10 in the body 2 for attachment of the lure 1 to a fishing line. The rigging hole 10 extends through the body 2 from an opening 11 on the trailing end face 9, to an opening 12 on the upper face 6 near the leading end face 8. As shown, the upper face opening 12 is positioned immediately adjacent the leading end face 8.

SIn this preferred embodiment the rigging hole 10 is a passage 13 extending along the central longitudinal axis X from the trailing end face opening 11, to adjacent the upper face opening 12, and then diverges from that axis X to the 15 upper face opening 12. The passage 13 adjacent the upper face opening 12 has a passageway 14 which is angled upwardly and forwardly from the longitudinal axis X.

The upper face opening 12 is positioned vertically above the central longitudinal axis X. Depending on the cross sectional size and shape of the passageway 14 and the shape of the upper face 6, this angling tends to produce an elongate opening 12 extending along the body 2. As shown in this embodiment, the opening 12 tapers toward a forward end The position of the upper face opening 12 relative to the leading end face 8 can be varied in order to alter the swim characteristics, including the dive attack angle, of the lure 1. In particular, increasing or decreasing the distance of that opening 12 from the leading end face 8, within a predetermined range of distances, can increase or decrease, respectively, the dive depth. In any event, the location of the upper face opening 12 alters the tow point of the lure and, in particular, positions it on top of or above the lure 1. That tow point is also at or behind the leading end face 8.

The body 2 has a rounded protrusion 16 on the upper face 6, and the upper face opening 12 is positioned on the protrusion 16. In this way the opening 12 is generally raised above the outer surface 5 of the body 2. The upper face C:\WINWORD\KATE\SPEC\IR5286 7 9

.DOC

-6opening 12 is smoothed or otherwise shaped about its rim to reduce chaffing or wearing of the line or connector passing therethrough.

The rigging hole 10 also opens onto the leading end face 8. That is achieved by bifurcating the passage 13 adjacent the leading portion 3 into passageway 14 extending to opening 12 on the upper face 6, and passageway 17 extending to an opening 18 on the leading end face 8. With this arrangement the lure 1 can be rigged in a conventional manner (as shown in Fig. 1) of a line or connector passing through the opening in the leading end face, or alternatively in accordance with the present invention (as shown in Fig. 3) by passing the line or connector through the upper face opening 12.

The rigging passage 13 is of any cross sectional shape and size suitable for the intended application of the lure 1. In this embodiment, the hole is of circular cross section, and of a diameter large enough to receive the rigging line or connector therethrough. Thus, for example, where the lure 1 is rigged directly 15 to the line then the hole may be of a quite small diameter. In particular, the passageway 14 may be sufficiently small to neatly receive the line therethrough.

°In this way, the position of the line relative to the upper face 6, and thus the tow point, will remain fixed.

In this preferred embodiment, the lure 1 also has portions 19 projecting therefrom and intended to influence fluid dynamics of the lure during use. Those portions 19 are in the form of a pair of wings 20 projecting from opposite side faces 21 of the body 2. Those wings 20 are formed rigid or integral with the body 2.

In this preferred embodiment of the lure 1, the body 2 has an overall length of about 55 mm, and a weight of about 20 grams.

Tests using this preferred lure rigged as shown in Fig. 3 to an Asso 7 Ib 0.20 mm diameter line, and moving at a relative speed of about 1 metre per second, reveal that the lure will reach a dive depth exceeding 3.3. metres. This contrasts with a dive depth of about 2.2 metres when the same lure is rigged in a conventional manner as shown in Fig. 1.

The following observations have been noted on the lure performance when rigged as shown in Fig. 3: CA\WINWORD\KATE\SPECI\1R528679. DOC -7- The lure turned to "swim" with the upper face uppermost.

The dive attack angle was greatly increased compared with similar conventionally rigged lures.

Normal erratic swim patterns of the lure were enhanced compared with similar conventionally rigged lures.

Finally, it will be appreciated that various modifications and/or additions may be made to the lure without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

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.DO(

Claims

1. A fishing lure, including: a body having leading and trailing portions, relative to a retrieving or trolling direction of movement during lure use; and, a rigging hole in the body for attachment of the lure to a fishing line, the hole extending from an opening at the trailing portion toward the leading portion to an opening on an upper face of the body, wherein a fishing line or line connector passes through the rigging hole for attachment of the lure to the fishing line.

2. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper face opening of the rigging hole is positioned adjacent the leading portion of the body.

3. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the body is elongate with a longitudinal axis, and the rigging hole is a passage extending along the longitudinal axis from the opening at the trailing portion to adjacent the upper face opening and diverts from the longitudinal axis to the upper face opening.

4. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the passage extends at an 15 angle upwardly from the longitudinal axis to the upper face opening.

5. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rigging hole be •also extends to an opening at the leading portion, the upper face opening of the rigging hole being located intermediate the openings at the leading and trailing portions.

6. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rigging passage bifurcates into a pair of passageways, one passageway extending to the upper face opening C. and the other passageway extending to the opening at the leading portion.

7. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the passage bifurcates into the passageways adjacent the leading portion of the body, and the one passageway is angled upwardly and forwardly from a longitudinal axis of the passage and the other passageway extends on the longitudinal axis.

8. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper face opening of the rigging hole is elongate in the retrieving or trolling direction of movement.

9. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper face opening of the rigging hole tapers toward a forward end, relative to the retrieving C:\WINWORD\KATE\SPECI\,R528 6

79.DOC or trolling direction of movement. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body has a protrusion on the upper face, and the upper face opening of the rigging hole is positioned on the protrusion. 11. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is elongate with the leading and trailing portions being at axially opposed ends thereof. 12. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the leading and trailing ends of the body each have a flat face extending perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the body, and the rigging hole opening at the trailing portion is positioned on the trailing end face. 13. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is of a generally cylindrical shape with a curved outer surface, a portion of which constitutes the upper face. 15 14. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 13, wherein the body is curved along its axial extent so that the upper face is convexly curved between the leading and portions thereof. 15. A fishing lure as claimed in any preceding claim, and further including one ~*or more portions projecting from the body and intended to influence fluid dynamics of the lure during use. 16. A fishing lure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the portions include a pair of wings projecting from opposite side faces of the body. 17. A fishing lure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 5 May 1999 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: WIGSTON NOMINEES PTY. LTD. C:\WINWORD\KATE\SPECI\IR5287 9 DOe