WO2006016804A1

WO2006016804A1 - A structure configured for attachment to a strand without a knot

Info

Publication number: WO2006016804A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000577
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frederick Dirk Petrus Wolf
Original assignee: Frederick Dirk Petrus Wolf
Priority date: 2004-08-12
Filing date: 2005-08-05
Publication date: 2006-02-16
Also published as: NL1026830C2

Abstract

A structure configured for attachment to a strand without a knot is disclosed. The structure comprising a shank (1). The shank includes a wínding part (2), a hookup part (3) positioned at one side of the winding part, and an open-end restriction part (4) continuing to the opposite side of the winding part (2). The hookup part (3) comprises a first side (6) extending from the shank and positioned opposite to the winding part (2) for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is tightened and a second side (7) extending from the shank and faced to the winding part for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is slackened.

Description

A structure configured for attachment to a strand without a knot

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a structure for attachment to a strand without a knot. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a structure.

Prior art

Nowadays, very strong fishing lines are used, which can catch very well arising forces in the longitudinal direction of the line, but which will break in case of knots with sharp bends.

A structure for attachment to a strand without a knot is known from US4,905,403. The structure is in the form of a fish hook. The structure includes a first end forming a hook, a first strand retaining portion a second strand retaining portion and a shank extending between the first strand-retaining portion and the second strand-retaining portion.

US5, 809,687 discloses another structure for attachment to a strand without a knot, by use of an attachment shank with angled and spaced apart attachment coils.

Summary of the invention

The present invention seeks to provide an improved structure configured for attachment to a strand without a knot.

According to the present invention, the structure comprising a shank, the shank having a winding part, a hookup part positioned at one side of the winding part, and an open-end restriction part continuing to the opposite side of the winding part, wherein the hookup part comprises a first side extending from the shank and positioned opposite to the winding part for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is tightened and a second side extending from the shank and faced to the winding part for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is slackened. By having the hookup part according to the invention a very compact structure for attachment to a strand without a knot is obtained, which structure is suitable to be heavily stressed. In a further embodiment of the invention the hookup part comprises a head, wherein the head has approximately the form of a rivet head. Using the head allows to secure the strand between the shank and a head 17 of the hookup part. If the strand is slackened, the force in the strand lying around the hookup part, will keep the strand between the head 17 and the shank, such that the strand will be hooked around the hookup part 3.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the hookup part is formed by two opposite facing barbs. An advantage of such an hookup part is that the barbs can be made on the shank with known manufacturing methods for making barbs on a shank, for example the shank of a fish hook.

In a further embodiment of the invention the shank between the winding part and the open-end restriction part made an angle of approximately 135 degrees with the winding part. Using said feature allows to have the stand looped around the structure with a radius which is larger than the radius of the shank. This increases the force that can be put on the strand when attached to the structure.

In a further embodiment of the invention the open-end restriction part is composed of a coil, which is oriented perpendicular to the winding part. Using said feature allows decrease the possibility that the strand will be released from the open- end restriction part. Furthermore, this feature ensures that the axis of the shank is parallel to the direction of the strand.

In a further embodiment of the invention a surface of a free end of the coil is parallel to a side of the shank extending to the winding part. Using this feature allows minimize the space of separating the end of the coil and the shank extending to the winding part with respect to a predefined strand thickness. If the space is smaller than the thickness of the strand but sufficient to allow the strand to pass without damage, the possibility that a slackened strand will release from the coil will be negligible.

In a further embodiment of the invention a side of the open-end restriction part is in line with a side of the shank in opposite direction of the hookup part. Usage said features allows to have the direction of the force on the strand in be in line with the axis of the shank. Short description of drawings

The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, using a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment according to the present invention in the form of a fish hook.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the structure according to the present invention in the form of a fish hook.

Fig. 3 a shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of the hookup part.

Fig. 3b shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of the hookup part. Fig. 3 c shows a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the hookup part.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the structure according to the present invention. Fig. 6 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a side perspective view of the structure according to the present invention and a flexible line.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an attachment structure according to the present invention, as incorporated on an example fish hook. The attachment structure might also be incorporated on other objects which need to be attached to a strand or flexible line . The structure is configured for attachment to a strand without a knot. The structure comprises a shank I₅ the shank having a winding part 2, a hookup part 3 and an open-end restriction part 4. In the first embodiment of the attachment structure the structure includes a hook 5. The hookup part 3 is positioned at one side of the winding part 2. The open-end restriction part 4 is continuing to the opposite side of the winding part 2. The length of the winding part is sufficient for wrapping a doubled-over strand multiple times around the shank.

The hookup part comprises a first side 6 and second side 7 extending from the shank. The first side 6 is positioned opposite to the winding part and allows to remain the strand hooked up when the strand is tightened. The second side 7 is faced to the winding part and allows to remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is slackened. The body of the hookup part 3 formed by the first side 6 and second site 7 extends in an exemplary embodiment at least a line thickness from the shank. If the extension of the body is approximately a line thickness, the hookup preferably comprises a head 17. The head 17 of the hookup part 3 could have the form of a rivet head. The head 17 allows to secure the strand looped around the hookup part 3 in place. Especially, when a strand will be attached to the structure or when the strand is slackened extensively by for example pushing the strand through the eyelet of the open- end restriction part 4. A connecting part 8 of the shank between the winding part and the open-end restriction part in an exemplary embodiment made an angle of approximately 135 degrees with respect to the winding part 2. The angle or orientation of the connecting part 8 is such that the curve of the strand is slighter than the curve corresponding to the radius of the shank. The slighter the curve made by the strand, the more force can be put on the connection made by the strand and the attachment structure, without breaking the strand. Furthermore, the angle of the connection part lessens any stress of binding that might occur on the strand.

The open-end restriction part 4 as shown in fig. 1 is composed of a single coil which is oriented at an angle, or generally perpendicular to the winding part 2. The open-end restriction part 4 may comprise a series of coils. In that case the coils are spaced sufficiently apart in order to allow a double-over strand to be wound in between and through the coils. The end coil can be oriented perpendicular to the winding part 2. The perpendicular orientation has the advantage that the strand and winding part will be in line and the stress on the surface of the strand is substantially equal in all directions. A surface of a free end of the coil 9 is substantially parallel to a side of the connection part 8. In an exemplary embodiment the space 10 between the surface of the free end 9 and the side of the connection part 8 is sufficient to allow a double-over strand to pass the space. As a strand can be compressed this would mean that the space 10 is smaller than the uncompressed diameter of the strand. Having the surface of the free end of the coil 9 substantially parallel to the side of the connection part 8, the gap at the upper side of the coil is optimized to pass a double-over strand and to secure the strand in the eyelet of the coil 4. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the structure according to the present invention in the form of a fish hook. In an exemplary embodiment a side 11 of the open-end restriction part 4 is in line with a side of the shank in opposite direction of the hookup part 3. Consequently, the eyelet of the open-end restriction part 4 is above the hookup part 3. The eyelet of the coil 4 should be sufficient to comprise a double- over strand. Furthermore, having the hookup part 3 and the open-end restriction part 4 at one side of the shank 1 and the hook 5 at the opposite side, improves the effectiveness of the hook 5, as the structure does not form an obstacle for catching a fish on the hook. The hookup part 3 and the shank 1 could be joined together by welding or gluing.

Fig 3 a shows a second embodiment of the hookup part 3. In this embodiment the first side 6 is formed by a barb pointing in opposite direction of the winding part 2 and the second side 7 is formed by a barb pointing to the winding part 2. In this way the hookup part can be made with existing machines. Fig. 3b shows a third embodiment of the hookup part 3. The shank is formed such that the hookup part 3 is formed. To make the structure suitable for huge forces, the opening 31 could be closed by welding. Fig. 3 c shows a fourth embodiment of the hookup part 3. In this embodiment the hookup part 3 is formed by mechanical pressure operations. The hookup part could also be formed by extruding such that a extrusion appears on the shank that forms the hookup part. If necessary, the extrusion could be filed or grated to obtain the hookup part from the extrusion. It should be noted that the structure could also be made by injection molding.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the structure according to the present invention. In this embodiment the structure comprises at the end of the shank 11 opposite to the open-end restriction part a coupling element in the form of screw thread 12. The screw thread 12 can be on the other surface of the shank. However, if the shank is hollow, the screw thread can be at the inner surface. By screwing the end of the shaft with the screw thread in a corresponding coupling element a solid screw coupling can be made. Such a coupling can be used tow a car. In this case, a car any other vehicle to be towed, is prepared with a coupling element with a screw thread. When the car has to be towed, the attachment structure according to the invention is screwed in the coupling element of the vehicle. Subsequently the tow-cable is attached to the structure. Fig. 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the structure according to the present invention. In this embodiment the coupling is formed by a bar 13 and hollow shank. The bar 13 is placed in the hollow end of the shank. Subsequently, the bar 13 and shank 1 are fixed together by means of a bolt 14. The bolt could be secured by means of a nut 15. The bar 13 and the hollow end of the shank 1 could also be glued together. It should be clear that any other suitable coupling arrangement could be used to couple the structure of the invention to an object, so as to enable to attach a line via the structure to said object without a knot.

Fig. 6 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the structure according to the present invention in the form of a jig head. The structure according to the invention could also be used to attach a line to a swivel. It should be clear that any object could be provided with the structure according to the present invention so as to enable to attach a line to said object without a knot.

The manner in which a strand 16 is secured to the structure according to the present invention is described with reference to Fig 7. First, the strand 16 is doubled back on itself to form a loop. Subsequently, the loop is hooked up the hook-up part 3. The doubled strand 16 is then wrapped several times around the winding part 2 and pulled through the space between the free end of the coil 9 and the connection part 8. The coil of the open-end restriction part 4 keeps the double strand 16 from unraveling. In this way the structure is attached to a strand without a knot. The structure is very suitable to knotless tying by unskilled persons.

The structure has particular benefit in the field of fishing by providing an improved fishing hook permitting ready coupling to a fishing line. By attaching the fishing line according to the aforementioned method to a fishing hook, the strength of the fishing line is transferred directly to the shank of the hook, without undue bends being formed in the fishing line. The factional engagement of the fishing line with the surface of the winding part 2 prevents line slicing and sharp stresses induced by bends in the line. It has been found that at least four windings around the winding part 3 are sufficient to prevent line slicing. When the line is tightened, first the hookup part 3 will keep the line in place, so as to enable the line to provide an efficient frictional engagement with the winding part. So the forces on the hookup part will not increase with an increase of the force on the line. When the line is slackened, the windings of the doubled line around the winding part 2 will be moved to the hookup part 3. Due to the side 7 of the hookup part 3 extending from the shank and faced to the winding part 2, the loop of the line will be kept in place around the hookup part 3 and will not be released. Consequently, when the line is tightened again, the side 6 of the hookup part 3 will first keep the line in place and subsequently the factional engagement of the line with the shank at the position of the winding part will be established. It has been seen that according to the present invention, simple effective structures are provided for ready and easy attachment to strands, which structures are easy to manufacture and use, and which can be utilized by large segments of the population.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described above by way of exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and variations for the elements described with respect of these embodiments may be made by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. For example, the connection part 8 could be optimize further by determining with algorithms the optimal form of the connection part, such that the smallest radius of the curve of the strand around the winding part 2 and connection part 8 is maximized. This allows to increase the force that can be on the strand and structure configured for attachment to a strand without a knot, without damaging the strand.

Claims

1. Structure configured for attachment to a strand (16) without a knot, the structure comprising a shank (1), the shank having a winding part (2), a hookup part (3) positioned at one side of the winding part, and an open-end restriction part (4) continuing to the opposite side of the winding part, wherein the hookup part (3) comprises a first side (6) extending from the shank and positioned opposite to the winding part (2) for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is tightened and a second side (7) extending from the shank and faced to the winding part for remaining the strand hooked up when the strand is slackened.

2. Structure according to claim 1, wherein the hookup part comprises a head (17).

3. Structure according to claim 1 , wherein the hookup part is formed by two opposite facing barbs.

4. Structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shank between the winding part and the open-end restriction part made an angle of approximately 135 degrees with the winding part.

5. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open-end restriction part (4) is composed of a coil, which is oriented perpendicular to the winding part (2) .

6. Structure according to claim 5, wherein a surface of a free end (9) of the coil is parallel to a side of the shank extending to the winding part.

7. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a side (11) of the open-end restriction part is in line with a side of the shank in opposite direction of the hookup part (3) .

8. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims in the form of a fish hook.

9. Structure according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the shank (1) continues in coupling means (12) in opposite direction of the open-end restriction part (4).

10. Method for manufacturing a structure according to claim 1 , wherein the hookup part is welded or glued on the shaft.