WO2009018611A1

WO2009018611A1 - A snap fitting assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2009018611A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek Johnston; Andrew Peterson
Original assignee: Johnston, Jennifer
Priority date: 2007-08-05
Filing date: 2008-08-05
Publication date: 2009-02-12
Also published as: AU2008286242A1

Abstract

A snap fitting assembly for attaching a loop or ring to an object, the assembly including an elongate member with a free end, and an attached end secured to the object, the elongate member having an annodated shape with at least two locking portions formed by the member abutting itself.

Description

A SNAP FITTING ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to attachment assemblies and particularly to attachment assemblies which provide both tactile and auditory feedback during the engagement.

Background Art.

Clips and other attachment assemblies are known in the art. One particularly popular art field for clips and attachment assemblies is the field of fishing tackle. Clips and attachment assemblies used in the field of fishing tackle are many and varied. Perhaps the most popular clip has a body member with a loop of wire extending therefrom. The loop is attached at one end to the body and the opposite end is fitted with a gripping means. The body is provided with a retention shoulder and in use, the wire is deformed against its natural resilience to but the retention .shoulder when closed but to be free from the retention shoulder when opened.

One major disadvantage with this type of clip is that a single movement locks and unlocks the clip. Therefore, accidental disengagement of the clip is quite common. Other clips and attachment assemblies are known, many of which include helical arrangements onto which rings are threaded. These require time to manipulate in order to attach and remove items there from. They also suffer from the disadvantaged that a ring may accidentally come free as there is no locking portion merely a threading arrangement. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a snap fitting assembly, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a snap fitting assembly for attaching a loop or ring to an object, the assembly including an elongate member with a free end, and an attached end secured to the object, the elongate member having a generally annodated shape with at least two locking portions formed by the member abutting itself. hi a more particular form, the invention resides in a fishing jig head with a head portion, at least one hook extending rearwardly therefrom, and a snap fitting assembly for attaching a loop or ring to the head portion, the assembly including an elongate member with a free end, and an attached end secured to the head portion, the elongate member having a generally annodated shape with at least two locking portions formed by the member abutting itself. The present invention is normally adapted for attaching a loop or ring to the snap fitting assembly and thereby attached the loop or ring to the object. Normally, the loop or ring may be attached to another object. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the snap fitting assembly is used in association with a fishing jig head and the loop or ring will typically be attached to a swivel device. The snap fit functionality of the present invention preferably provides both tactile and auditory feedback as to the effectiveness of the attachment. The assembly of the present invention is therefore simple to use when both attaching and removing the loop or ring to the assembly. Further, the assembly of the present invention is relatively simple to manufacture involving only a bending machine to form the shape, and then appropriate hardening processes.

The snap fit assembly of the present invention includes an elongate member with a free end and an attached end secured to the object. The elongate member is formed into an annodated shape.

Normally, the elongate member will be wire or similar. Spring wire is particularly preferred. Preferably, the elongate member will be of high rigidity with a small/trace amount of resilience to allow minor deformation. According to the preferred embodiment, the elongate member is bent into the required shape and then hardened.

Any hardening process may be used. According to the most preferred embodiment, all of the bends in the elongate member are in the same plane such that all portions of the assembly are coplanar. Preferably, an upstand portion or shank extends from the attached end of the elongate member to a first switchback portion. The upstand shank is typically straight and will normally extend from the object forwardly at an angle.

The first switchback portion may be arcuate or otherwise. It is particularly preferred that the upstand shank and first switchback portion are substantially triangular in configuration, with a second shank portion extending back towards the upstand shank.

A second switchback portion is provided at a lower end of the second shank portion. The second switchback portion may be arcuate or otherwise. Again, it is particularly preferred that the second shank portion and second switchback portion are substantially triangular in configuration, with a third shank portion extending back towards the second shank portion.

A locking portion is typically provided at the second switchback portion and between the upstand shank and the second switchback portion. A further locking portion is typically provided adjacent the free end of the elongate member.

Preferably, each locking portion is formed by providing an elbow or bend in the elongate member. Each elbow or bend will typically have an outer portion and an inner portion on opposite sides of the elongate member. Normally, the outer portion of the elbow or bend will abut a portion of the elongate member to form a pinch lock between the elbow and the elongate member.

As stated above, each of the switchback portions may be arcuate or more preferably, will typically be provided with a bend or elbow at either end with a straight shank portion therebetween.

It is preferred that the free end is lower in height than the first switchback portion in order to minimise snagging of the assembly. For example, when used in the jig head embodiment, the forward portion of the first switchback portion is taller than the free end.

For convenience, the following nomenclature will be used to describe the particular portions of the assembly: First shank portion - portion extending from the attached end to the first switchback portion.

Second shank portion - portion extending from first switchback portion to second switchback/second locking portion. Third shank portion - portion extending from the second switchback to the first locking portion.

Switchback portion - will typically include a bend at either end of the shank portion, or a single arcuate bend linking respective shank portions. The snap fitting assembly of the present invention is typically used to attach a ring of a predetermined size. Normally, the predetermined size of ring will have an internal diameter which will typically prevent accidental un-clipping of the ring from the assembly. Typically, once the ring is attached properly and located in the first switchback portion, the preferred triangular switchback portions will operate to prevent accidental un-clipping.

Preferably, the resilience of the wire used forms pinch lock portions where the respective elbows abut the shanks of the assembly. These locking portions will typically require deformation in order to allow the loop or ring to pass.

The assembly of the present invention preferably has a triple click action with a ring passing the first locking portion, then the second locking portion and then passing the first locking portion again in order to be secured, preferably in the first switchback portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snap fitting assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a ring attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 prior to attachment of the ring. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with the ring having passed the first locking portion for the first time.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with the ring approaching the second locking portion.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with the ring having passed the second locking portion.

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with the ring having passed the first locking portion for the second time.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the snap fitting assembly illustrated in Figure 1 showing the accidental un-clipping prevention feature.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the snap fitting assembly wherein the object which the snap fitting assembly is attached to is a jig head used in fishing. Figure 9 is a side view of the configuration illustrated in Figure 8.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a first particularly preferred embodiment, a snap fitting assembly 10 is provided.

The snap fitting assembly 10 illustrated generally in Figure 1 can be used for a variety of purposes but will normally be used for attaching a loop or ring 11 to an object. The illustrated assembly 10 includes an elongate member with a free end 12, and an attached end 13 secured to the object, which is not illustrated in Figures 1 - 7. The elongate member has a generally annodated shape with at least two locking portions 14 formed by the member abutting itself. An upstand shank 15 extends from the attached end 13 of the elongate member to a first switchback portion 16.

The upstand shank 15 and first switchback portion 16 of the illustrated embodiment are substantially triangular in configuration, with a second shank portion

17 extending back towards the upstand shank 15. According to the illustrated embodiment, a second switchback portion

18 is provided at a lower end of the second shank portion 17. The second shank portion 17 and second switchback portion 18 are substantially triangular in configuration, with a third shank portion 19 extending back towards the second shank portion 17. For convenience, the following nomenclature will be used to describe the particular portions of the assembly:

First shank portion 15 - portion extending from the attached end 13 to the first switchback portion 16.

Second shank portion 17 - portion extending from first switchback portion 16 to second switchback 18/second locking portion 14B.

Third shank portion 19 - portion extending from the second switchback 18 to the first locking portion 14 A.

Each switchback portion of the illustrated embodiment includes a bend 20 at either end of a linear shank 21.

Each locking portion 14 is formed by providing an elbow or bend in the elongate member. Each elbow has an outer portion and an inner portion on opposite sides of the elongate member and the outer portion of the elbow or bend abuts a portion of the elongate member to form a pinch lock between the elbow and the elongate member.

The resilience of the wire used forms pinch lock portions where the respective elbows abut the shanks of the assembly. These locking portions 14 require deformation in order to allow the loop or ring 11 to pass. The snap fitting assembly of the present invention is typically used to attach a ring of a predetermined size. Normally, the predetermined size of ring will have an internal diameter which will typically prevent accidental un-clipping of the ring from the assembly. Typically, once the ring is attached properly and located in the first switchback portion, the preferred triangular switchback portions will operate to prevent accidental un-clipping as illustrated best in Figure 7.

The assembly of the present invention preferably has a triple click action with a ring 11 passing the first locking portion as illustrated in Figure 3, then the second locking portion as illustrated in Figure 5 and then passing the first locking portion again as illustrated in Figure 6 in order to be secured in the first switchback portion 16.

According to a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a fishing jig head with a snap fitting assembly 10 as discussed above. In this embodiment, the snap fitting assembly has a swivel 22 attached thereto. The jig head of the illustrated embodiment is adapted to mount a soft plastic bodied lure commonly known in the fishing art as a "soft plastic".

The jig head has a weighted head portion 23 and a fishing hook 24 extending rearwardly therefrom. The weighted head portion 23 is substantially conically shaped in order to mimic the shape of a head of a bait fish. The shape of the head portion 23 also allows the jig to be drawn through the water more easily. There is also a second smaller hook 25 located beneath the fishing hook 24 and oriented in the opposite direction. This smaller hook 25 is adapted to retain the soft plastic lure in place. The free end 12 is at a lower level than the first switchback portion in order to minimise snagging of the assembly. For example, when used in the jig head embodiment, the forward portion of the first switchback portion is taller than the free end. The snap fitting assembly of the embodiment is oriented such that the first shank portion 15 extends forwardly. Typically, the swivel will be used to attach a fishing line to the jig and as the line is taken up, the swivel will move to a forward portion of the first switchback. This will orient the lure in the correct orientation during recovery of the line. In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A snap fitting assembly for attaching a loop or ring to an object, the assembly including an elongate member with a free end, and an attached end secured to the object, the elongate member having a generally annodated shape with at least two locking portions formed by the member abutting itself.

2. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the snap fit functionality provides both tactile and auditory feedback as to the effectiveness of the attachment.

3. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the elongate member is wire or similar.

4. A snap fitting assembly according to claim 3 wherein spring wire is use.

5. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is bent into the required shape and then hardened.

6. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein all bends in the elongate member in the same plane such that all portions of the assembly are coplanar.

7. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a first shank portion extends from the attached end of the elongate member.

8. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 7 with a first switchback portion associated with the first shank portion and a second shank portion extending back towards the first shank portion.

9. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 8 with a second switchback portion provided at a lower end of the second shank portion and a third shank portion extending back towards the second shank portion.

10. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the switchback portion is arcuate.

11. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the switchback portion is substantially triangular in configuration, including a bend at either end of a shank portion.

12. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein a locking portion is provided at the second switchback portion and between the first shank portion and the second switchback portion.

13. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein a further locking portion is provided adjacent the free end of the elongate member between the second shank portion and an elbow adjacent the free end.

14. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in either one of claims 12 or 13 wherein each locking portion is formed by providing an elbow in the elongate member.

15. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein each elbow has an outer portion and an inner portion on opposite sides of the elongate member and the outer portion of the elbow abuts a portion of the elongate member to form a pinch lock between the elbow and the elongate member.

16. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the free end is lower in height than another portion of the assembly in order to minimise snagging of the free end.

17. A snap fitting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the assembly has a triple click action with a ring passing a first locking portion, then a second locking portion and then passing a first locking portion again in order to be secured.

18. A fishing jig head with a head portion, at least one hook extending rearwardly therefrom, and a snap fitting assembly for attaching a loop or ring to the head portion, the assembly including an elongate member with a free end, and an attached end secured to the head portion, the elongate member having a generally annodated shape with at least two locking portions formed by the member abutting itself.