WO2009152266A2

WO2009152266A2 - Fishing lure

Info

Publication number: WO2009152266A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/046943
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Plunkett
Original assignee: James Plunkett
Priority date: 2008-06-10
Filing date: 2009-06-10
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: WO2009152266A3

Abstract

One embodiment of a fishing lure comprising a fishing lure body portion, and a plate located substantially within the fishing lure body portion, the plate extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion having an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line, the slanted line extending downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

Description

FISHING LURE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/060,164, filed June 10, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to fishing lures and more particularly to spinner fishing lures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The prior art fishing lures includes crank bait or jerk bait lures. Such lures are often used in a manner wherein the lure is typically cast and then reeled in. The result is a lure which is pulled through the water mimicking live bait. Additional characteristics are imposed on the lure by means of the various body styles and additional components secured to the lure. The prior art includes lures for casting as well as trolling. The prior art further includes lures for use in fresh water and salt water.

[0003] While not necessarily limited to any particular game, the prior art lures include designs directed specifically to catching Muskie, as well as bass.

[0004] As used in this specification, fishing lures include any object generally intended to be attached to the end of a fishing line and designed to resemble or move like an item of fish prey.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a fishing lure comprising a fishing lure body portion, and a plate located substantially within the fishing lure body portion, the plate extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion having an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line. The slanted line extends downwardly and forward in relationship to a longitudinal axis.

[0006] The present invention further provides a fishing lure having a fishing lure body portion. The fishing lure body portion extending generally longitudinally and having a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion includes an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line. The slanted line extends downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

[0007] The present invention also provides a fishing lure having a plate extending generally longitudinally. The plate includes a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion includes an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line. The slanted line extends downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

[0008] The present invention further provides a fishing lure having a plate extending generally longitudinally and having a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion having an edge, the edge having a longitudinally extending slot, wherein the longitudinally extending slot is aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line. The slanted line extends downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure. A slidable fastener extends through the slot and includes an opening or other attachment point for securing a swivel or other means for attaching a fishing line to the slidable fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of three embodiments of a fishing lure, wherein a first embodiment is shown at the lower portion and a second embodiment is shown in the middle, and finally a third embodiment is shown in the upper portion of the figure.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 is a close up view of the forward portion of the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 is a close up bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 is a side view of the third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 is a top view of the third embodiment.

[0017] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a side view of three embodiments of a fishing lure 10, 12, 14, wherein a first embodiment is shown at the lower portion and a second embodiment 12 is shown in the middle, and finally a third embodiment 10 is shown in the upper portion of the figure. The first embodiment 14 shows a fishing lure 14 having a plate 16 secured between a first body portion 18 and a second body portion 20. As will be described in greater detail, the plate 16 is adaptable for connecting various lure equipment. A tab 22 extends away from the rear portion 24 of the plate 16 and outward from the body portion 18, 20. The tab includes an opening 26 for securing equipment to the lure. For example, a spinner blade may be coupled to the tab. The spinner blade may include a swivel and split ring for coupling to the tab. The spinner blade is known to produce a humming vibration as the lure is dragged through the water. The vibration attracts the attention of fish. Various types of spinner blades are available, such as the Colorado blade and the Indiana blade. Alternatively, a MISTER TWISTER tail, or similar rubber grub, may be connected to the rear portion.

[0019] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment. The metal plate is more clearly shown to include the forward portion 28 (as viewed to the left in Figure 2) and a rear portion 24 (as viewed to the right in Figure 2). The tab and opening are shown at the rear portion. A beveled edge 30 is shown at the forward portion of the plate. The beveled edge includes a plurality of connectors or openings 32. In this embodiment, five openings are shown. It can be seen that the beveled edge extends in a forward and downwardly direction. The plate also shows three through holes 34 spread out across the length of the plate. The through holes may be included for securing the plate to the two body portions. In particular, a fastener (not shown) may be used to secure the first and second body portions. For example, one or more screw loaded toggles may be used as the fastener. Alternatively, a snap fitted fastener extending from the first and second body portions may be used to secure the plate and body portions together. A bolt and nut arrangement may also be used. At least one of the body portions may include a nut shaped opening so as to retain the nut in place. It will be appreciated that other fastener types may be used. One advantage of the design allows ready replacement of the body portion, so as to change the look and action of the lure. For example, the material and graphical design may be different for various body portions. Thus, with a single plate, the user may readily change the lure. Further, it will be appreciated that the body portions may be changed without disconnecting the line from the lure.

[0020] The arrangement of the beveled edge provides the ability to adjust the action of the lure. In particular, the lead line or tin lead may be secured to any one of the plurality of connectors along the beveled edge. Use of the lowest connector will result in the lure running "nose-up" and closer to the surface of the lake or body of water, e.g., shallow run. The lower connector provides a jerk bait position. Alternatively, in the event that the line is coupled to the highest connector, the lure will have a tendency to run "nose-down" and thus closer to the bottom of the lake or body of water, e.g., deep run. Connection of the lead to any one of the other connectors will result in an action somewhere between the other two extremes.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment. The beveled edge and five connector openings are shown extending from the body portion at the forward portion of the plate. The tail connector is also shown.

[0022] The flexibility of the subject lure is further exploited in that the body portions may be removed and the plate may be used alone. For example, the plate may be used for trolling. In addition, scented tabs and equipment may be coupled to the plate. It will be appreciated that a wide range of equipment may be coupled to the lure via the connectors on the plate.

[0023] The second embodiment such as shown in Figure 4 provides the beveled edge recessed 40 from the body portion 18, 20. In this way, the beveled edge is less likely to be snagged or tangled in weeds or with other lines. Two threaded fasteners 42 are shown connecting the body portions to the plate. A blade spinner 44 is shown coupled at the rearward portion 24 of the plate. Two hooks 46 are shown extending from the bottom portion of the plate. The hooks are coupled to connectors 22 (similar to the tab) located at the lower portion of the plate via a split ring and swivel 48. The hooks are spaced apart a distance sufficient to prevent the hooks from coming into contact. Thus the hooks are unable to tangle and other wise interfere with the free rotating and pivoting action of the hooks.

[0024] Figure 5 shows a close up of the forward portion of the second embodiment 12. It can be seen that the two body portions are spaced apart at the beveled edge. In this way, the beveled edge may be recessed 40. Yet, the connectors are still accessible. As noted above, the recessed feature 40 discourages the beveled edge from tangling with weeds or fishing lines, and the like.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the second embodiment. The swivels, split rings and hooks are more easily visible.

[0026] Figure 7 shows a side view of a third embodiment 10. Figure 8 shows a top view of the third embodiment. Figure 9 shows a bottom view. The third embodiment shows that the body may be made of a plastic and may be transparent. Alternatively, the plastic body includes a dye pigment or is otherwise provided with color and graphics. The body portion may include ribs (not shown) extending along the outer surface of the body portion for additional strength. The body portion may include pockets or air or captured bubbles to provide greater floatation characteristics. The body portions may be made of a high impact plastic, such as ABS. A skeleton feature may also be provided to add rigidity to the bait. The body portion may include air chambers which hold items which rattle or generate noise during use to attract game. The size of the air chamber is based on the lure and the desired buoyancy. [0027] A further embodiment of the present invention contemplates a one-piece body portion instead of the first and second body portions. The one-piece body portion includes a slit extending along a bottom of the body. The slit is sized so as to receive the plate. The one-piece body portion may be molded or otherwise formed. The slit allows an efficient means of assembling the plate to the one-piece body portion during manufacturing assembly or even by the end-user. The plate may be held in position by any suitable means of securing such as described above. For example, the one-piece body portion and plate may include one or more openings which are respectively aligned with the plate inserted in the body portion. A threaded fastener may then be extended through a first side of the one-piece body portion and plate and secured at the other side of the body by a mating threaded fastener. Alternatively, the plate may be press fitted into the one-piece body portion. Preferably, the means of securing will allow the user to conveniently change out the one-piece body portion in the field with another one-piece body portion. In this way, different styles of body portions may be used based on the user's preference. Even still, the plate may be used by the end-user without any body portion. As in the other embodiments, the body portion may be made of metal or other material. Preferably, the plate is lightweight.

[0028] A further embodiment of the present invention contemplates replacing the beveled edge with five connector openings with another arrangement. For example, the beveled edge may include a longitudinally slot extending approximately the same length which the five connector openings span in the other embodiment. A short cylindrical sleeve is provided. The sleeve is adapted to be received by the slot and slide along the length of the slot. A fastener extends through the sleeve and may secure the sleeve in any position along the length of the slot. For example, the fastener may include a threaded screw which extends through the sleeve and receives a threaded nut. The head of the screw and the nut and tighten to clamp down on the edges of the slot to secure the sleeve in place. A tab is also provided. The tab may be oval in shape having two ends. Each end includes an opening. One opening of the tab receives the sleeve and is welded or otherwise secured to the sleeve. The other opening of the tab receives the swivel or otherwise is connected to the fishing line. [0029] Still a further embodiment contemplates splitting the beveled edge from the plate. Essentially, a cut is made through the plurality of openings so as to form the plate having a plurality of half openings extending along the newly formed edge. The original edge is now separate from the plate and resembles a flange having matching or corresponding half openings. Of course, it will be appreciated that the flange and plate may be manufactured as separate components, rather than literally splitting or cutting the flange from a unitary component. One end, perhaps the lower end, of the flange is pivotally coupled to the plate. A rivet is but one example of a fastener or other mechanism for coupling the flange in a pivoting manner to the plate. Thus, the flange may pivot about the rivet or similar mechanism between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the flange and plate form the original plurality of openings. The other end of the flange includes a fastener to secure the flange to the plate in a closed position. It will be appreciated that with the flange in an open position, a line or leader may be positioned in one of the half openings, and the flange may be closed upon the line or leader, and the fastener may secure the flange in the closed position to similarly secure the line or leader in the selected opening. The line or leader may include a ring like attachment, or other structure providing a similar function, for positioning within one of the plurality of openings.

[0030] Other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, the body portion may include a head portion which is either removable or not. The plate may extend out and back from the head portion. Other optional interchangeable body portions may be provided for attachment to the plate behind the head portion.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fishing lure comprising: a fishing lure body portion; and

a plate located substantially within the fishing lure body portion, the plate extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion having an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line, the slanted line extending downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

2. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein said forward portion of the plate includes a beveled edge, the beveled edge including a plurality of openings which form the slanted line of connectors.

3. The fishing lure of claim 2 wherein said beveled edge includes five openings.

4. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a bottom portion, the bottom portion includes at least one connector.

5. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the connectors at the bottom portion are openings.

6. The fishing lure of claim 5 further comprising fishing hooks coupled to one or more openings at the bottom portion.

7. The fishing lure of claim 6 further comprising a swivel for coupling the hook to the opening at the bottom portion, wherein the hook is capable of rotating 360 degrees to avoid tangling of the fishing lure with fishing line.

8. The fishing lure of claim 7 wherein said hooks coupled to the bottom portion are spaced apart a distance to avoid the hooks from tangling.

9. The fishing lure of claim 8 wherein said rear portion of the plate includes at least one connector.

10. The fishing lure of claim 9 further comprising a fishing hook coupled to the connector at the rear portion.

11. The fishing lure of claim 9 further comprising a spinner blade coupled to the connector at the rear portion.

12. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein a fishing leader is coupled to one of the connectors at the forward portion, whereby the location of the fishing leader dictates the action of the fishing lure.

13. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the edge of the forward portion extends beyond the body portion.

14. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the edge of the forward portion is recessed below a profile of the body portion, whereby the fishing lure is less likely to be tangled with weeds and other obstacles.

15. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a first and second body portion.

16. The fishing lure of claim 15 wherein the body portions are secured together with the plate there between.

17. The fishing lure of claim 16, wherein the plate includes at least one through hole for securing with the assembled body portions.

18. The fishing lure of claim 16 further comprising fasteners for coupling the body portions together with the plate locked between the body portions.

19. The fishing lure of claim 17 wherein the fastener includes a snap fit arrangement.

20. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes ribs extending along the outer surface of the body portion for additional strength.

21. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the body portion is made of high impact plastic, such as ABS.

22. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the body portion is molded as a single component, with the plate located within the body portion.

23. A fishing lure comprising:

a fishing lure body portion, the fishing lure body portion extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion having an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line, the slanted line extending downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

24. A fishing lure comprising:

a plate extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion having an edge, the edge having a plurality of connectors, wherein the plurality of connectors are aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line, the slanted line extending downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure.

25. A fishing lure comprising:

a plate extending generally longitudinally having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion having an edge, the edge having a longitudinally extending slot, wherein the longitudinally extending slot is aligned in a manner which defines a slanted line, the slanted line extending downwardly and forward in a relationship to a longitudinal axis of the lure, a slidable fastener extends through the slot and includes an opening or other attachment point for securing a swivel or other means for attaching a fishing line to the slidable fastener.