WO2002035926A1

WO2002035926A1 - Hook tying and safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2002035926A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross William Bain
Original assignee: Ross William Bain
Priority date: 2000-11-06
Filing date: 2001-11-07
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: AU2002223266A1; AUPR122600A0

Abstract

A device (10) for facilitating ease of knot tying for securing a fishing line (40) to a fishing hook and also for promoting safety in the handling and storage of fishing tackle. The device (10) has a lidded enclosure within which the head of a fish hook can be secured with the eye (31) on the end of the fish hook shank protruding out. Opposed to the protruding hook shank is a shaft (22) by which the enclosure and the hook can be rotated to assist in the formation of a bloodknot to secure the fishing line (40) to the fish hook. A swivel (34) and ring (38) are attached to the shaft (22) to apply tension through the enclosure to the fish hook and fishing line (31) to clench the knot. When the enclosure is closed with a hook inside, the hook can be transported and stored without danger from an exposed sharp point or barb.

Description

Hook Tying and Safety Device

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of angling or fishing, and in particular

relates to devices and methods for securing a fishing line or the like to a hook and for

providing safe handling of the hook during the securing operation and during other handling

thereof.

Background of the Invention The clinch or bloodknot is considered the strongest knot for securing a fishing

line to a small to medium sized fishing hook. Bloodknots are very strong and relatively easy to tie. The most difficult part of the tying operation involves the formation of about four to six

twists of fishing line before the end of the line is passed through the first twist. The knot is

then pulled tight to bind it against the hook eye, and any excess line is trimmed from the end.

The knot tying operation can, however, require dexterous fingers, particularly where small

hooks and thin fishing lines are used, and stab injuries from the point or barbs of the fish hook

whilst manipulating the hook in the formation of the knot are not uncommon.

Once the fishing line has been formed into the knot structure, generally the knot

must be pulled tight to ensure the line and hook are securely fastened together. This can

usually be achieved by applying tension between the hook and the length of fishing line.

However, holding the fish hook with fingers whilst tightening the knot presents another danger of injury from the point and/or barbs, which is particularly the case under ordinary fishing

conditions when slippery fingers make the hook difficult to grasp securely.

A fishing hook can also be hazardous whilst it is affixed to the end of a fishing

line, such as during transportation and storage of fishing rods and reels. Whilst the sharpened

fish hook is exposed during transportation and H e like there is always a danger that the point

and/or barb can stab and injure a person or become entangled with clothing, upholstery or the

like. Such incidents are most likely to occur with children. Accidents of this kind can even

happen whilst the hook is connected to an eye of the fishing rod with the line taut as is normal

when the hook is not in use, since the sharp point of the hook is still exposed in those

circumstances.

Summary of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention enable the hazards of handling a fishing hook whilst tying line thereto and other handling of the fishing equipment to be reduced, and

also facilitate relatively easy formation of a knot in the fishing line so as to secure the line to

the hook for use.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for use

with a fishing hook, comprising an enclosure including a base portion and a closure portion

which is moveable relative to the base portion between an open position in which a fish

hook can be inserted and removed from the enclosure and a closed position in which a fish

hook received in the enclosure is secured therein with an eye portion of the fish hook protruding from a first end of the enclosure, the device further comprising a shaft extending

from a second end of the enclosure opposed to said first end, the shaft enabling rotation of

the enclosure together with the fish hook secured therein.

The device preferably includes a tension applying coupling attached to the end

of the shaft. The tension applying coupling preferably includes a ring suitable to fit around a

finger end and attached to the end of the shaft by way of a swivel coupler, wherein tension can

be applied to the end of the enclosure shaft through use of a finger in the ring. Preferably the

enclosure is able to be rotated by rolling the shaft between thumb and a finger whilst tension is

applied through use of another finger of the same hand.

In the preferred construction of the device, the base portion, closure portion and

shaft are formed as a single unit by molded plastics material. The closure portion, for example,

may be in the form of a lid that is hingedly attached to the base portion by means of a flexible

web.

In one form of the invention the base portion includes at least one upstanding

lug for tr-msferring tension applied through the shaft to the fish hook and thence to a fishing

line looped through the fish hook eye. A plurality of upstanding lugs may be included for use

with different sized fish hooks. The closure portion includes a plurality of locating portions

that interfit with the upstanding lugs of the base portion when the closure portion is in the closed position. The enclosure is constructed with at least one feature, such as a notch formed

in a peripheral wall of the base portion or closure portion, adapted to hold in location the shank of a fish hook when secured in the enclosure.

In one specific form of the invention, the device includes a gripping portion

coupled to the end of the shaft and rotatable with respect to the base portion of the enclosure.

There is a rotatably resilient coupling between the base portion and the gripping portion

whereby rotation of the base portion relative to the gripping portion winds the spring or the

like.

The present invention also encompasses a method of forming a clinch or bloodknot onto a fishing hook or the like, comprising looping a fishing line through the eye of

a fishing hook secured in a device as essentially as described above, rotating the enclosure so

as to form twists in the fishing line loop, and securing the knot by inserting the fishing line end

through the twisted loop and clenching by applying tension between the fishing line and the

device.

The invention further contemplates a method of manufacturing a fish hook

tying and safety device, comprising molding an enclosure essentially as described above, and

attaching thereto a tension applying coupling also as outlined above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention and various implementations thereof are described in greater

detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, shown in an open configuration;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of the first embodiment shown in a closed

configuration;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the device in operation during a knot tying

operation;

Figure 4 is a more detailed plan view of an enclosure of the first embodiment device

in the open configuration;

Figure 5 is a more detailed underside view of the enclosure in the open

configuration;

Figure 6 is an end view of the enclosure of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through A-A of the enclosure of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is another end view of the enclosure of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through B-B of the enclosure of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with a second

embodiment of the invention, shown in an open configuration;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the device of the second embodiment shown in a closed

configuration;

Figure 12 is a side view of the device of the second embodiment shown in the closed

configuration; and

Figure 13 is a partial view of the device with a modification.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A hook tying and safety device 10, constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in plan view in Figures 1 and 2 in an open

configuration and a closed configuration, respectively. The device 10 comprises an

enclosure portion 12 having a base 14 attached to a lid 16 by way of a hinge portion 18. The

base 14 of the enclosure portion 12 has a generally cylindrical shaft 22 projecting from one

end thereof, and the hinge portion 18 connecting the lid to the base lies to one side of the

base with respect to the projecting shaft 22. From the shaft, the enclosure 12 has a bulbous

shape sufficiently large so that the hooked portion of a fish hook 30 may be enclosed

between the base and lid, when closed, with the shank and eye 31 of the hook projecting out

from the enclosure at the opposite end from the base shaft 22. Thus, for most commonly used, relatively small, fishing hooks the bulbous portion of the device enclosure may be

about the size of a bottle cap or the like. It will be readily apparent from the detailed

description which follows, however, that the enclosure may alternatively be constructed

larger or smaller to suit different sizes of fishing hooks.

The enclosure portion 12 of the device is shown in greater detail in various

views in Figures 4 to 9. As shown in this embodiment, the base 14 has a generally flat top

surface from which extend a plurality of lugs 26. The lid 16 has a inner surface which, when

the enclosure is in its closed position, has a facing relationship with the top of the base 14.

The inner surface of the lid is constructed with sleeves extending therefrom in

complementary positions to the lugs of the base, such that when the enclosure is closed the

sleeves on the lid engage the lugs on the base. This can serve to latch the lid onto the base in

the closed configuration, wherein the lid can be hinged open from the base using a tab

portion 19 formed on the opposite side of the lid from the hinge 18. Alternatively the lid may be spring loaded to secure bulky fly-fishing hooks, for example, which may otherwise

prevent the lid from being snapped shut completely.

The base and/or lid of the enclosure also has a peripheral wall 20 which

forms a cavity within the enclosure when in the closed configuration. The peripheral wall 20

has at least one opening 24 therein, positioned at the opposite end of the enclosure from the

base shaft 22, to allow the fish hook shank to project through. The enclosure 12 is designed

to enable a fish hook 30 to be placed on the base with the hooked portion thereof extending

around one of the lugs 26 whilst the hook shank projects out from the end of the enclosure

through one of the openings 24 in the peripheral wall. With the fish hook 30 placed in such

an arrangement, the lid 16 may be hingedly closed and latched onto the base 14, containing

the hook head with its sharp point and barb(s) within the enclosure cavity and substantially

preventing the hook from movement with respect to the enclosure. This arrangement is

illustrated in Figure 1 with the lid open and in Figure 2 with the lid closed.

In order to enable the enclosure 12 of the device 10 to accommodate various

different sizes of fish hooks, a plurality of lugs 26 and corresponding sleeves 28 may be

provided, spaced at various distances from the wall opening(s) 24. For example, a small fish

hook could be hooked around the lug closest to the opening 24, whereas a larger hook might

be placed around a lug further from the opening. This enables a range of different hook

sizes to be secured by the enclosure whilst still enabling the hook shank and eye to project

from the end thereof. It is desirable for the hook eye 31 to be substantially aligned with the

axis of the base projection while the hook is secured by the enclosure, and for that reason several openings 24 in the end of the enclosure may be provided, accommodating a range of

different hook sizes or lengths. In other words, by having a range of wall openings 24, the

shank of the fish hook of any given size may be placed in the most appropriate opening to

allow the eye of the hook to most closely align with the axis of the base shaft 22.

In a preferred form of the hook tying and safety device 10, the enclosure

portion 12 is fabricated as a single unit by injection molding of a plastics material, such as

high-density polypropylene or the like. In that case, the hinge 18 connecting the lid to the

base may be constructed from a flexible web of plastic between the base and lid. Although such a fabrication method is preferred in view of the low costs involved, those skilled in the

art will recognize that the functions required of the device enclosure portion can also be

accomplished where the enclosure is made in more than one piece and/or from different

materials, such as metal. Transparent or glow-in-the-dark plastics materials may be useful in some applications, such as for fishing in darkness, h that regard, the device may be

constructed to include a small battery powered light, for example of the type sometimes

included in car keys.

At the projecting end of the base shaft 22 the enclosure 12 is coupled to one

end of a swivel 34 by way of a connector 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the

base shaft 22 is formed with opposed indentations within which the ends of the connector,

formed from a length of wire or the like, can be secured. The other end of the swivel 34 is

coupled to a spring clip 36 which is also coupled to a ring 38. The purpose of the swivel 34

is to allow rotation of the enclosure 12 of the device with respect to the clip 36 and ring 38, as described in greater detail hereinbelow. The clip 36 and ring 38 may also be formed from

metal, such as bent wire or the like, and can in fact be formed as a unit, as illustrated by the

ring-clip 37 shown in Figure 13. It should be borne in mind, when considering the selection

of appropriate materials with which to construct the hook tying and safety device, that the

device will often find use in salt water environments, and thus metal materials or coatings

which are resistant to salt water corrosion and rust are preferred.

It will be readily apparent that, when a fish hook 30 has been located around

one of the lugs 26 with the lid of the device closed and the shank extending from an opening

24, the dangerous point and barb of the hook are enclosed within the enclosure 12, so that

the hook is safe for transport and storage. If the hook 30 is already attached to the end of a

fishing line on a fishing rod, for example, the line may be wound in until the bulbous end of

the device 10 meets the end eye of the fishing rod. Alternatively, the clip 36, or ring 38, may

be attached to an eye or some other part of the rod before the line is wound tight. While the

fish hook is contained within the device 10, the dangerous sharp portions thereof are not exposed, and with the clip or ring of the device attached to the rod and the line tensioned the

entire tackle is secure.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, a preferred procedure for safely tying a

fishing line to a fish hook using the device 10 is described below. First the fish hook 30 is

secured in the enclosure 12, with the shank extending through an opening 24 and the eye 31

projecting from the end of the device substantially aligned with the axis of the base shaft 22.

Then, the ring 38 of the device is slipped over the end of the second or third finger whilst the shaft 22 is grasped between the thumb and index finger. Whilst holding the device 10

with fish hook 30 in this manner, the end of a fishing line 40 can be threaded through the

fish hook eye 31.

A short length of fishing line 40 is drawn through the hook eye 31, and both

portions of the line extending from the eye are held between the fingers of the other hand

(not shown). The enclosure 12 of the device holding the fish hook can then be rotated by

rolling the base shaft 22 between the grasping finger and thumb, thereby forming a number

of twists of the fishing line held by the other hand. The ring 38 of the device which is looped around the second or tliird finger enables good control of the enclosure rotation, and

the swivel 34 allows the enclosure to freely rotate with respect to the ring 38. A clinch or

bloodknot can then be formed by threading the free end of the fishing line between line

portions at the first twist (i.e. closest to the hook eye), and drawing the knot tight. The ring

38 around the finger of one hand allows tension to be applied to one end of the device, while

the end of the fishing line is pulled with the other hand until the fishing line 40 binds upon

itself, fixing the knot and securing the fishing line to the hook. The interfitting lugs and

sleeves on the enclosure base and lid provide a strong formation with which to apply

tensional force to the end of the fish hook.

The entire knotting operation is accomplished without any danger from an

exposed hook barb or the like, and even with slippery equipment and fingers, the knot can be

easily and safely pulled taut using the ring 38. Of course it is not required that the ring 38 be

looped over a finger in order to form a knot, and alternatively the ring or spring clip 36 may be secured to a belt loop, for example, or any other suitable item. For instance, the clip or

ring might be used to attached the device 10 to a set of keys which are then held in the hand

during the twisting and tightening operations.

\

Advantageously, the hook tying and safety device 10 may be provided with a

small cutting blade or blades for trimming the fishing line end following the knot formation.

Such a cutting device formed from pressed sheet metal is illustrated at 15 in Figure 5

affixed to the back of the base 14 with adhesive or the like. Additionally, the base 14 of the

enclosure portion can be formed with another lidded cavity, on the underside thereof for

example, which may be used for storing small items such as hooks, sinkers or the like.

Once the line has been tied to the hook and it is desired to ready the hook for

use, the fishing hook 30 can be removed from the device 10 by pushing up on the tab 19 to

flip the lid open, allowing removal of the hook from the cavity within the enclosure 12. The

hook tying and safety device 10 can be left secured to fishing rod, belt loop, key set or the

like for convenient use when next required for tying line to a hook or concealing a hook

therewithin.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present

invention is to be understood to be illustrative only, and those of ordinary skill in the art will

recognize from the described functions of the preferred embodiment that numerous

variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of 'the invention. For

example, shape of the components of the device 10 and in particular the enclosure 12 are not of particular importance, as long as the enclosure is able to hold a fishing hook while

concealing the point and barb and exposing the eye in a position generally aligned with the

axis of rotation of the device. Although the embodiments described herein have hinged

coupling between the base and lid of the enclosure, other forms of lid closure are also

possible, such as a sliding lid or swiveling lid. As mentioned; however, the embodiment

described above is advantageous in that it can be manufactured very inexpensively.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12.

Figures 10 and 11 are plan views of another hook tying and safety device 50 shown in open

and closed configurations respectively. Figure 12 is a side view of the device 50.

The device 50 is shaped to appear like a small fish for visual appeal. The

enclosure 52 is formed in the shape of the fish body and head, with the opening 54 for the

hook shank corresponding to the fish mouth. The structure of the enclosure is generally the

same as previously described, apart from the shape. The base of the enclosure 52 is coupled

to a tail portion 56 by way of a rotatable shaft 58. A spring clip 60 and/or ring (not shown)

may be attached to the tail if desired. A rotational spring 62 is provided around the shaft 58,

having one end secured in relation to the enclosure base 52 and the other secured to the tail portion 56.

In operation, the enclosure 52 of the device 50 is rotated in relation to the tail

portion 56 against the bias of spring 62. The fishing line can then be threaded through the

fish hook eye with the hook held in the enclosure 52. Whilst holding the tail portion 56 in one hand and the fishing line in the other, the enclosure 52 of the device 50 can be released

which allows the spring 62 to rotate the enclosure and hook relative to the tail and fishing

line ends to thereby form the fishing line twists required to form a bloodknot. Tension can

be applied to set the knot by pulling from the spring clip 60, or by pulling on the tail portion

56 which is well shaped to draw upon with the fingers. Other means of rotation of the

enclosure relative to the tail portion may alternatively be utilised, such as a screw-threaded

coupling or small electric motor, as will be readily apparent from the foregoing description.

Although the salient features, functions and arrangements of an implementation of the present invention have been presented hereinabove, the description is

not exhaustive, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications and additions can be made to what has been described without departing from the spirit and

scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word

"comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the

inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A device for use with a fishing hook, comprising an enclosure including a base portion and a closure portion which is moveable relative to the base portion between an open position in which a fish hook can be inserted and removed from the enclosure and a closed position in which a fish hook received in the enclosure is secured therein with an eye portion of the fish hook protruding from a first end of the enclosure, the device further comprising a shaft extending from a second end of the enclosure opposed to said first end, the shaft enabling rotation of the enclosure together with the fish hook secured therein.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tension applying coupling is attached to the end of the shaft.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension applying coupling has a fixable portion that is free to rotate with respect to the enclosure.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tension applying coupling includes a clip attached to the end of the shaft by way of a swivel coupler.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tension applying coupling includes a ring suitable to fit around a finger end attached to the end of the shaft by way of a swivel coupler.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tension applying coupling includes a ring suitable to fit around a finger end and a clip attached to the end of the shaft by way of a swivel

coupler.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the tension applying coupling is adapted

to allow tension to be applied to the end of the enclosure shaft through use of a finger in the

ring.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is able to be rotated by rolling

the shaft between thumb and finger.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the enclosure is able to be rotated by rolling

the shaft between thumb and a finger whilst tension is applied through use of another fmger of

the same hand.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft is formed unitarily with the base portion of the enclosure.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 10, wherein the closure portion is formed unitarily

with the base portion of the enclosure.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base portion, closure portion and shaft are

formed as a single unit by molded plastics material.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the closure portion is in the form of a lid that is hingedly attached to the base portion by means of a flexible web.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base portion includes at least one upstanding lug for transferring tension applied through the shaft to the fish hook and thence to a fishing line looped through the fish hook eye.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base portion includes a plurality of upstanding lugs for use with different sized fish hooks.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the closure portion includes a plurality of locating portions that interfit with the upstanding lugs of the base portion when the closure portion is in the closed position.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the closure portion is hingedly coupled to the base portion of the enclosure.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the closure portion is unitarily formed with the base portion of the enclosure.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the enclosure is constructed with at least one feature adapted to hold in location the shank of a fish hook when secured in the enclosure.

20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one fish hook shank holding

feature comprises at least one notch formed in a peripheral wall of the base portion or closure

portion.

22. A device as claimed in claim 1, including a gripping portion coupled to the end of the

shaft and rotatable with respect to the base portion of the enclosure.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22, including a spring coupled between the base portion

and the gripping portion whereby rotation of the base portion relative to the gripping portion

winds the spring.

24. A method of forming a clinch or bloodknot onto a fishing hook or the like, comprising

looping a fishing line through the eye of a fishing hook secured in a device as claimed in any

one of the preceding claims, rotating the enclosure so as to form twists in the fishing line loop,

and securing the knot by inserting the fishing line end through the twisted loop and clenching

by applying tension between the fishing line and the device.

25. A method of manufacturing a fish hook tying and safety device, comprising molding an

enclosure as defined in any one of claims 12 to 20, and attaching thereto a tension applying

coupling as defined in any one of claims 2 to 7.