US3803750A

US3803750A - Holder for trotline fishhooks

Info

Publication number: US3803750A
Application number: US00328545A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Nunley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-01
Filing date: 1973-02-01
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

A holder for trotline fishhooks in the form of an elongated case with a rib on the bottom thereof midway between the opposite sides as a support for a row of fishhooks on the line. The shanks of the hooks extend through a slot in the bottom of the case at one side of the rib. A cover closes the top of the case, seated on shoulders at the sides, and has a pin member to overlap the row of hooks to prevent them from being displaced lengthwise of the rib when the cover is closed.

Description

U ited States Patent 191- Nunley v f 111' 3,803,750 v [4 1' Apr. 1 ,1974

[ HOLDER FOR TROTLINE FISHHOOKS [76] Inventor: Dan Nunley, 4285 Bonham, Odessa,

Tex. 79760 22 Filed: Feb. 1, 1973 21 Appl. No; 328,545

[52] US. Cl 43/545 A [51] Int. Cl .5 A0lk 97/06 [58] Field of Search 43/545 R, 54.5 A, 57.5 R, 43/57.5 A

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,512,295' 5/1970 La Barge 43/575 R 2,242,509 5/19 1 Coalson 43 545 A 1,997,243 '4/1935 gVanderhider et aL. 4/1953 Stevens et a1 43/545 A Primdry Examiner-Rbbert Peshock Assistant Examiner-4. A. Oliff Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bums, Doane, Swecker &

Mathis [57 ABSTRACT A holder for trotline fishhooks in the form of an elongated case with a rib on the bottom thereof midway betweenthe opposite sides as a support for a row of fishhooks on the line. The shanks of the hooks extend through a slot, in thebottom of the case at one side of the rib. A cover closes the top of the case, seated on shoulders at the sides, and has a pin member-tooverlap the row of hooks to prevent them from being displaced lengthwise of the rib when the coveris closed.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures- FIGS PATENTEB APR 16 I976 HOLDER FOR TROTLINE FISHHOOKS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in Holders for Trotline Fishhooks.

A trotline has the fishhooks spaced along the length of the line, with the shanks of the hooks secured to the line. These may be either single hooks or multiple hooks. In transporting the trotline, it is important to prevent tangling of the line and to keep the hooks separated and ready for use.

Holders have been proposed heretofore but these have been complex of structure, have not securely retained the hooks, or have'not accommodated either single or multiple hooks, or have been generally ineffective.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of trotline holders, while overcoming the ob-- jections to holders proposed heretofore for the purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide for threading the hooks into and out of the holder at an end thereof and for securely retaining the hooks against accidental displacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder which will accommodate hooks of different types, single or multiple hooks, and yet will prevent tangling thereof or of the line to which they areattached.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by an elongated case having a slot in the bottom thereof extending inwardly from one end of the case. A rib is secured on the bottom of the case at one side of the slot to receive the hooks thereon and with the shanks of the hooks extending through the slot in side-by-side relation spaced along the length of the slot. A cover is hinged at the opposite end of the case and closes over the hooks to retain them in place on the rib. A head member carried by the cover extends in overlapping relation with the hooks at the open end of the slot to prevent the hooks from being displaced unintentionally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough on the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section therethrough on the line 33 in FIG. 2;-

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder with the trotline wrapped therearound; and

FIG. 5 is a detail-plan view of the case. open and showing a different form of fishhook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE A trotline is formed of a long length of line T from which leaders L extend at spaced intervals therealong and are attached at one end to the line T. The opposite ends of the respective leaders L carry hooks H or H, to be used in a conventional method of fishing with such a trotline. The hooks may be single, as indicated at H (FIG. 3), or triple, as indicated at H (FIG. 5).

The holder for the hooks comprises an elongated case capable of receiving and confining the hooks on the trotline for carrying these when not in use. The case may be made of any suitable material fabricated to the desired size and shape. In this embodiment it is shown as a form of wood.

The case has a bottom 1, with opposite sides 2 upstanding from opposite edges of the bottom I. The case has a longitudinal recess or chamber 3 therein between the upstanding sides for receiving the hooks.

A rib 4 is mounted on the bottom 1 of the case midway between the opposite sides 2 and of the recess or chamber 3. The height of the rib 4 is less than the height of the recess to allow space for the hooks to extend over the rib. The width of the rib 4 in cross section isappreciably less than the width of the recess 3 to accommodate one or more prongs of the hooks on one or both opposite sides thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

The bottom 1 of the case has a slot 5 therein beside the rib 4 and extending through the bottom and along the length of the case from one end toward the opposite end. As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 3 is open at the one end of the case for threading of the hooks over the exposed end of the rib 4, the shanks of the hooks extending downward through the slot 5. The hooks are thus inserted and removed at the end of the case.

The upstanding sides 2 have facing shoulders 6 extending along the length thereof throughout the length of the case and located in a plane at the top of the recess. A cover 7 fits between the upper edge portions of r the sides 2, and is seated at opposite edges upon the shoulders 6. One end of the cover 7 is connected by a hinge 8 (FIG. 4) with an end of the case, to permit the cover to be raised and lowered, as illustrated in dotted lines and in full lines in FIG/2. Thehinge8 preferably includes a torsion spring 9 tending to move the cover to a closed position over the hooks.

It will be noted that the cover is hinged at the opposite end of the case from the open end of the recess and slot. The coveris held by the shoulders 6 spaced above the hooks on the rib 4. The free end of thecover has a safety catch or stop in the form of a depending abutment 10, such as the head of a screw or nail, extending downward thereform in closed position in overlapping relation with the hooks. This safety catch prevents the hooks from sliding through the open end of the case accidentally.

If the case be made of multiple pieces of wood or other material, these may be secured together in rigid relation by suitable fastenings, such as screws 11 (FIG. 3);

By locating the rib 4 midway of the recess 3 between the sides 2, the case can accommodate either single hooks I-I engaged over the rib 4 (FIG. 3), or multiple hooks I-I' (FIG. 5). The latter have one hook each extending over the rib 4 while the other two hooks will fit in the recess at a side of the rib.

' I The case is light in weight, inexpensive to construct and is effective to hold the fishhooks, either single or multiple hooks. Not only are the hooks confined in the case for carrying, but this prevents tangling of the line. The line T can be wrapped around the case (FIG. 4) for carrying purposes. 7

The holder is easy to use. The hooks snap in and out easily, sliding on the rib 4, with the shanks sliding into and out of the open slot. Then pulling on the line causes the hooks to snap tightly into place. When all hooks are secure, the box may be turned a few times to wind up the line, and then stored.

scribed in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim: 7

l. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one or more curved barbed ends, said holder comprising an elongated case having a bottom with a pair of laterally spaced sides upstanding and attached to the bottom and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated rib forming a hook holder secured to the bottom and upstanding therefrom approximately midway between the upstanding sides, the bottom having a longitudinally extending slot therein extending to one longitudinal end of the case for slidably receiving the shanks of the fishhooks therethrough and with the curved barbed ends engaging over the hook holder rib, and a lid mounted on the case between the upstanding side walls for closing movement thereover, said lid in closed position being spaced from the adjacent edge of the rib a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the curved barbed end to hold the-fishhooks in a row along the rib, the mounting of the lid providing for raising of the lid outof the case to expose the row of tishooks therein.

2. A holder for trotline fishhooks according to claim I, wherein the opposite faces of the rib are spaced from the adjacentupstanding sides to receive curved barbed end portions therebetween.

3. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, including means hinging the lid at one-end to the case, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.

4. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, including means carried by the lid in closed position and depending therefrom into the path of the row of 'fishhooks on the rib for preventing longitudinal disand attached to the bottom at opposite edge portions hooks therethrough lengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbed end of each hook engaging over the hook holder rib, a lid hingedly mounted at one end on the case in position for closing over the barbed ends of the fishhooks on the holder rib and defining a space between said lid and said elongated rib which is substantially the thickness of said curved barbed ends of said fishhooks, means on said lid which extends between said lid and said rib for retaining said fishhooks in space, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.

7. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including shoulders in the laterally spaced sides in positions for engagement by the lid to hold the lid elevated above the fishhooks.

8. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including means carried by the lid and extending downwardly therefrom in closed position in overlapping relation with the curved barbed ends of the fishhooks to retain said fishhooks against lengthwise displacement through the slot.

9. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including a spring connected with the lid and yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the' fishhooks.

10. A holder, for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one or' more curved barbed ends thereon, said holder comprising an elongated wooden case having a wooden bottom, a pair of laterally spaced wooden sides attached tothe bottom at opposite longitudinal edges thereof and extending lengthwise of the case, each of said pair of laterally spaced wooden sides having a shoulder, an elongated wooden rib forming a hookholder and mounted on the bottom generally midway between the sides and extending lengthwise in the case, a longitudinally extending slot provided in the bottom positioned at one lateral edge of the hookholder rib and open at one longitudinal end of the case for slidingly receiving the shanks of fishhooks therein lengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbed end engaging over the hookholder rib, a spring biased hinge mounted on a second lateral edge of the holder, a wooden lid one end of which is attached to said spring biased hinge and which is received between said pair of laterally spaced sides and spaced above said elongated rib by said shoulders on said pair of laterally spaced sides, said spring biased hinge resiliently urging said lid toward a closed position, a second end of said lid being provided with means extending downwardly and overlapping a space defined between said lid in said closed position and said elongated rib whereby fishhooks are retained therein against lengthwise displacement through the open end of said longitudinally extending slot.

Claims

1. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one or more curved barbed ends, said holder comprising an elongated case having a bottom with a pair of laterally spaced sides upstanding and attached to the bottom and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated rib forming a hook holder secured to the bottom and upstanding therefrom approXimately midway between the upstanding sides, the bottom having a longitudinally extending slot therein extending to one longitudinal end of the case for slidably receiving the shanks of the fishhooks therethrough and with the curved barbed ends engaging over the hook holder rib, and a lid mounted on the case between the upstanding side walls for closing movement thereover, said lid in closed position being spaced from the adjacent edge of the rib a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the curved barbed end to hold the fishhooks in a row along the rib, the mounting of the lid providing for raising of the lid out of the case to expose the row of fishooks therein.

2. A holder for trotline fishhooks according to claim 1, wherein the opposite faces of the rib are spaced from the adjacent upstanding sides to receive curved barbed end portions therebetween.

3. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, including means hinging the lid at one end to the case, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.

4. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, including means carried by the lid in closed position and depending therefrom into the path of the row of fishhooks on the rib for preventing longitudinal displacement thereof through the open end of the slot while the lid is closed.

5. A holder for trotline fishhooks according to claim 3, including means carried by the lid in closed position and extending into overlapping relation with the fishhooks on the holder rib for preventing displacement thereof through the open end of the slot.

6. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one or more curved barbed ends thereon, said holder comprising an elongated case having a bottom and a pair of laterally spaced sides upstanding from and attached to the bottom at opposite edge portions thereof and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated rib forming a hook holder and mounted on the bottom midway between the upstanding sides and extending lengthwise in the case, the bottom having a longitudinally extending slot therein at one lateral edge of the hook holder rib and open at one longitudinal end of the case for slidingly receiving the shanks of the fishhooks therethrough lengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbed end of each hook engaging over the hook holder rib, a lid hingedly mounted at one end on the case in position for closing over the barbed ends of the fishhooks on the holder rib and defining a space between said lid and said elongated rib which is substantially the thickness of said curved barbed ends of said fishhooks, means on said lid which extends between said lid and said rib for retaining said fishhooks in space, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.

9. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including a spring connected with the lid and yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over the fishhooks.

10. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one or more curved barbed ends thereon, said holder comprising an elongated wooden case having a wooden bottom, a pair of laterally spaced wooden sides attached to the bottom at opposite longitudinal edges thereof and extending lengthwise of the case, each of said pair of laterally spaced wooden sides having a shoulder, an elongated wooden rib forming a hookholder and mounted on the bottom generally midway between the sides and extenDing lengthwise in the case, a longitudinally extending slot provided in the bottom positioned at one lateral edge of the hookholder rib and open at one longitudinal end of the case for slidingly receiving the shanks of fishhooks therein lengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbed end engaging over the hookholder rib, a spring biased hinge mounted on a second lateral edge of the holder, a wooden lid one end of which is attached to said spring biased hinge and which is received between said pair of laterally spaced sides and spaced above said elongated rib by said shoulders on said pair of laterally spaced sides, said spring biased hinge resiliently urging said lid toward a closed position, a second end of said lid being provided with means extending downwardly and overlapping a space defined between said lid in said closed position and said elongated rib whereby fishhooks are retained therein against lengthwise displacement through the open end of said longitudinally extending slot.