NL1042414B1 - Fishing hook storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

FISHING HOOK STORAGE DEVICE The fishing hook storage device according to the present invention not only prevents the exposure of people to a hook or a lure when the hook or lure is encapsulated by the device, it also provides a very effective solution for preventing entanglement and or damage to the end of the fishing line and to the items attached to it, such as a hook, a lure, a float and a sinker. The storage device according to the invention is characterized especially by the effective fixation of fishing line items, such as for example a sinker, by keeping it embedded in an elastically deformable material while locked up inside the storage device. 1042414

Description

FISHING HOOK STORAGE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of fishing, especially recreational fishing, also called sport fishing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing rods with hooks and lures can harm people when they are out of the water, for example during storage or transportation of fishing gear. People may get injured by a hook or lure of an inadvertent sports fisherman. Of course, this has already been recognized in the past and has resulted in a wide variety of devices for the enclosure of the hook or lure of for example a fishing rod while not in use.

Although enclosing the lure or hook in for example a container eliminates the risk that someone may be hurt by the lure or hook, the solutions according to the prior art, such as for example the lure container disclosed in the US patent 6,023,876 don't prevent a fishing line or a part of it to become entangled. The average sports fisherman prefers to run the risk of being hurt by a hook or lure than to experience entanglement of his fishing line and/or damage to the end of the fishing line with the attached items, such as a sinker and a hook or a lure. Hereinafter, the end of the fishing line with these items will also be referred to as the 'terminal tackle'.

Moreover, the measures that are presented by the prior art as a solution for the problem of securing the end of the fishing line with the items attached to it, are inadequate in engaging the various types and sizes of sinkers that are commonly used. Hence, there is still a need for a device that can both protect people from getting injured by a hook or lure and store the line with the hook or lure and the sinker in such a way that they don't cause an entangled line or get damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fishing hook storage device according to the present invention not only prevents the exposure of people to a hook or a lure when the hook or lure is encapsulated by the device, it also provides a very effective solution for preventing entanglement and or damage to the end of the fishing line and to the items attached to it, such as a hook, a lure, a float and a sinker. The storage device according to the invention is characterized especially by the effective fixation of fishing line items, such as for example a sinker, by keeping it embedded in an elastically deformable material while locked up inside the storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention in the opened condition; FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of another embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with the terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside; FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of yet another embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with the terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside; - FIG. 5(a) is a schematic top view of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with external storage compartments for spare items; - FIG. 5(b) is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the fishing hook storage device shown in FIG. 5(a).

Identical or similar parts have been designated with identical or similar reference numbers in all drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a fishing hook storage device that prevents inadvertent injuries to for example (sports) fishermen and/or bystanders caused by the hook or lure on fishing gear. Thereby, it is important that the risk of entanglement of the line and/or damage of the terminal tackle or its components is eliminated or at least minimized. The fishing hook storage device according to the invention complies with both of the above-mentioned objectives. In addition, the device is user-friendly and comprises embodiments with separate storage compartments for spare fishing items. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with the terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside. In this embodiment the device comprises a substantially cylindrical canister, longitudinally divided in essentially two halves resulting in a first canister portion 1 and a second canister portion 2. In the schematic section shown in FIG. 1 the two canister portions are joined along the joining face 3, whereby the open sides of each canister portion are facing each other. The invention comprises a wide variety of possible structural solutions to connect the two canister portions to each other in at least partially detachable way in the position shown schematically in FIG. 1. Such solutions may include but are certainly not limited to for example a hinge or hinges or a clip or clips. FIG. 1 further shows a terminal tackle comprising a hook, a sinker 6 and a line 7, wherein the hook is attached to a hook anchoring bar 5. The sinker 6 has been moved substantially along the axis of the canister away from the hook until the line portion between the sinker and the hook is stretched. In that position the sinker has been pushed downwards into an embedding cushion 4a extending over a certain part of the length of the first canister portion. The embedding cushion 4a of the first canister portion 1 is made from an elastically deformable material such as for example a foam. The elasticity is required for at least two reasons, whereby the first reason relates to ensuring that the embedding cushion engages the sinker firmly enough and the second reason being that the embedding cushion returns essentially to its undeformed shape after removal of the sinker. By placing the second canister portion 2 on the first canister portion 1 as shown in FIG. 1, i.e. by closing the canister, an embedding cushion 4b of the second canister portion 2 is deformed around at least a part of the top side of the sinker that is not embedded in the embedding cushion 4a in the first canister portion 1. The embedding of the sinker in the embedding cushions of the two canister portions that are joined together prevents any movement of the sinker, thus, keeping the line between the hook and the sinker stretched and preventing the hook from being released from the hook anchoring bar 5. The line on the other side, the left hand side in the drawing FIG. 1, is guided out of the canister through for example a slot in the wall of the canister. In embodiments of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention the user can replace the embedding cushion of one of the canister portions or of both the canister portions by a longer, a shorter, a thicker or a thinner version. In order to prevent axial slippage of the embedded cushion in a canister portion and/or to prevent the cushion from falling out of the canister portion when unloaded the inner wall of a canister portion can comprise small ridges or other anchors to hold the embedding cushion. Such ridges, anchors and the like that are meant to prevent inadvertent movement of an embedding cushion in a canister portion will hereinafter also be referred to as embedding cushion engagement measures. The invention also includes the option of being able to change the position of the hook anchoring bar 5 very easily. In embodiments this is effectuated for example by slots in two opposing sides of the first canister portion, enabling the easy movement of the anchoring bar 5, by lifting it out of the slots in one position and lowering it in the slots in another position along a part of the length of the canister portion. Depending on the number of slots a small or large number of positions can be created for the hook anchoring bar. Any features which enable a stepwise repositioning of the hook anchoring bar 5 along a portion of the length of the hook storage device will hereinafter be referred to as stepwise reposition measures. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention in the opened condition. In this embodiment the two portions 1 and 2 of the canister have a hinged connection on one of the two longitudinal sides. FIG. 2 further shows the embedding cushion 4a in the first canister portion 1 en an embedding cushion in the second canister portion. The embedding cushion in the second canister portion has not been provided with a reference number since it is assumed that the embedding cushion is easy to recognize. In this embodiment the assembly of the two canister portions with their hinging interconnection further comprises a locking clip 8, which of course can be replaced by any other suitable disengageable locking mechanism. The embodiment of the fishing hook storage device shown in FIG. 2 also comprises an attachment clip 9, allowing the canister to be attached detachably to the fishing rod of which the terminal tackle that is stored in the canister forms a part. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of another embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with the terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside. While the bottom part la of the canister shown in FIG. 3 does not differ substantially from that of the embodiment of the canister shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the top portion of the fishing hook storage device does not comprise a canister portion, but an essentially flat lid 2a. In the area of the inner surface of the lid 2a that faces the section of the embedding cushion in the bottom part la, the lid is covered with a relatively thin protective, possibly but not necessarily elastic, layer 10, such as for example rubber. As long as the sinker remains embedded sufficiently in the cushion in the bottom part la of the canister it is sufficient if the lid just holds the sinker in that downwardly pushed position. However, to prevent or reduce the risk of damage to the lid and/or the sinker, the presence of the thin protective layer 10 is beneficial. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal vertical section of yet another embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with the terminal tackle of a fishing line stored inside. Whereas, the embodiments shown in the previous figures did not necessarily have embedding cushion that filled the full height of a canister portion, the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 4 does. Of course, depending on the size and volume of items that have to be embedded in the cushions, the material of the embedding cushion will have to be selected carefully based on its mechanical properties such as for example hardness and elasticity. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is very suitable for smaller or at least flatter items to be fixated sufficiently by the embedding cushions. If more bulky items, meaning items with a large volume, have to be fixated in an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device as shown in FIG. 4 the embedding cushion should be relatively soft, thick and easily deformable to accommodate the volume of such a bulky item. FIG. 5(a) is a schematic top view of an embodiment of the fishing hook storage device according to the invention with externally accessible storage compartments for spare items. In this embodiment the external storage can be used to store, for example, spare hooks and sinkers, or any other items for which it is useful to have one or more spares. FIG. 5(b) is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the fishing hook storage device shown in FIG. 5(a). Of course, external storage compartments of the hook storage device according to the invention can have any other useful shape, size and compartmental division.

Although the invention envisages that the fishing hook storage device can be produced from any material, embodiments of the device comprise injection moulded polymeric parts with a transparency substantially comparable to that of milk glass.

The fishing hook storage device according to the invention can have any length that is considered useful and/or practical. The invention includes embodiments in which the length of and thickness of one or both of the embedding cushions can be selected and changed by the user for example by combining two or more short embedding cushions into one longer embedding cushion.

While the embodiments of the fishing hook storage device shown in the appended drawings all, at least partially, comprise a cylindrical shape, the invention envisages that the device can also for example have a (partially) rectangular shape. Hence, the term canister as used in this description or in the claims shall not be construed to limit the shape of the hook storage device to a cylindrical shape.

As described above, the invention may especially be embodied in the following embodiments, wherein the embodiments are merely numbered for reference reasons. 1. A fishing hook storage device with at least one canister portion, wherein, the device comprises an embedding cushion (4a.4b) comprising an elastically deformable material. 2. The device according to embodiment 1, wherein, the device comprises a hook anchoring bar (5). 3. The device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein, the device comprises embedding cushion engagement measures to prevent or at least complicate inadvertent movement of an embedding cushion. 4. The device according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein, the device comprises stepwise repositioning measures for the engagement of the hook anchoring bar (5). 5. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein, the device comprises one or more externally accessible storage compartments. 6. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein, the device comprises injection moulded polymeric parts with a transparency substantially comparable to that of milk glass. 7. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein, the elastically deformable material comprises a foam.

The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of". The term "and/or" especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after "and/or". For instance, a phrase "item 1 and/or item 2" and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term "comprising" may in an embodiment refer to "consisting of" but may in another embodiment also refer to "containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims (7)

A device for storing a fishing hook consisting of at least one longitudinal section cut through, characterized in that the device comprises an embedding cushion (4a, 4b) comprising an elastically deformable material. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a hook engaging rod (5). Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device comprises embedded cushion engaging means which prevent or at least complicate the unintended displacement of an embedded cushion (4a, 4b). Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the device comprises measures for moving the hook engaging rod (5) stepwise. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises one or more storage compartments accessible from the outside of the device. Device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one plastic part with a transparency which is substantially comparable to the transparency of milk glass. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable material comprises a foamed material.