WO2017007341A1

WO2017007341A1 - Improvements relating to pliers

Info

Publication number: WO2017007341A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2016/050112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Kurz
Original assignee: Peter Kurz
Priority date: 2015-07-08
Filing date: 2016-07-06
Publication date: 2017-01-12

Abstract

Pliers have a myriad of uses and are typically required where fingers are not fine enough or not strong enough to carry out a particular function. The removal of soft bait lures from a fish hook or a jig head is a typical example. In this situation fingers are often not fine enough or strong enough, and as a result fingers are often injured when they slip and become snagged on the barb of a fish hook or jig head. The present invention provides a set of pliers that are configured to pry into the joint between the soft bait lure and the jig head and to apply pressure to remove the soft bait lure without risk of injury to the fingers. The pliers have an innovative design allowing a pivoting connection to be made between the opposing handles without the need for any additional parts or tooling. The design also allows an integral spring to be manufactured as part of one or both of the handles.

Description

Improvements relating to pliers

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pair of pliers, and in particular, but not exclusively to reverse action pliers for removing soft bait from bait hooks or jig heads and pliers for uses in medical procedures.

BACKGROUND

The removal of soft baits from soft bait fish hooks or jig heads can be difficult. Modern jig heads include barbed or ridged collars that are configured to hold a soft bait lure onto the head end of a fishing hook or jig head. The barb or ridges grip the soft bait firmly and prevent it from being pulled off the hook by strong currents or by the fish or weeds etc.

However, when it comes time to remove the soft bait lures from the jig heads it can be very difficult to do so. And compounding the problem is the fact that if your fingers slip, there is a good chance of catching your fingers on the exposed sharp end at the tail of the hook. The jig heads themselves are often quite small and are difficult to hold, and the soft baits can be slippery especially when wet, and the person's fingers can be covered with slippery fluids after handling fish, and the combination of these factors often leads to accidents and injuries when removing soft baits from fishing hooks.

Those involved in fishing often carry various tools to help extract hooks from fish and/or to remove bait from hooks. However the tools presently available are not ideally suitable for removing soft baits from modern hooks or jig heads. A range of hooks or jig heads are used when fishing, for example different sized hooks, or hooks of differing weights, and similarly the size and shape of the soft bait lures varies also. It is difficult to find a tool that will work effectively in removing soft baits from a range hook sizes. The process of removing a soft bait lure from the collar of a modern jig head requires a very close match between the size of the tool and the collar of the jig head, so that the tool can fit snugly about the collar of the jig head. This close matching is important to enable the tool to exert sufficient pressure adjacent to the relatively strong grip that exists between the collar of the jig head and the throat of the soft lure.

In addition, fishing tools that have relatively smooth handles can be relatively difficult to hold on to, and to keep a hold of, when your hands are wet or slippery.

Corrosion is also a major factor with tools used in fishing environments. The tools will inevitably become wet, and are exposed to water, often salt water, and are carried around with other fishing gear. As a result, any tools that include metal components will corrode and may become less effective or difficult to use.

The manufacture of pliers can also be a relatively expensive process. The components need to be manufactured accurately, and there are often a number of components involved, for example the handles, the pivot pin and a spring. The manufacture of the individual components and the assembly required to put them all together can be relatively time consuming.

Useful pliers often include a spring to make them easier to use, for example a spring to open or close the pliers, so that the user only has to squeeze the handles together to use them. While these springs are helpful, they often add to the manufacturing complexity, they are generally made from spring steel and are prone to corrosion. And worst of all, the springs often fall off leaving the pliers difficult to use.

Pliers for use in medical procedures are typically throw-away items. The pivoting connection between the levers adds to the manufacturing steps and therefore costs. And if a spring action is required further parts and assembly are required. What is needed is a design for a pair of pliers that allows mass production and where the parts count for each set of pliers is reduced.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

OBJECT

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bait removal tool which will at least go some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Soft bait removal feature

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a pair of bait removal pliers, comprising a first lever and a second lever, the first lever and the second lever each having a handle section at one end and a jaw at an opposing end, the first and the second levers being connected by a pivoting connection; the pliers being configured to provide a reverse plier action, and wherein the jaw end of each lever includes a substantially vee shaped notch, the vee shaped notch in one of the jaws being larger than the vee shaped notch in the other jaw.

Preferably the jaws of the pliers are substantially wedge shaped. Preferably a thin end of each wedge shaped jaw is at the end of each lever.

Preferably the vee shaped notches extend from the thin end of each of the wedge shaped jaws.

Preferably a centreline of each of the vee shaped notches is aligned when the jaws are closed. Preferably the width of the vee shaped notch on one of the jaws is between a half and one and a half millimetres wider than the vee shaped notch on the other jaw at each coinciding point along the length of each vee shaped notch.

Preferably the thickness of the thin end of each wedge shaped jaw is less than half a millimetre thick.

Preferably the apex of each vee shaped notch is rounded.

Preferably the pliers further include a spring configured to bias the jaws of the pliers toward a closed configuration.

Preferably the spring is formed as a part of one of the levers. Preferably the handle section of one of the levers includes a plurality of finger recesses configured to engage with the fingers of a person using the pliers.

Preferably the first lever and the second lever each have a pivot connection section which is situated between the handle section of each lever and the jaw section of each lever, and the pivot connection section of each lever includes a complimentary keyed feature. Preferably the complimentary keyed feature of each lever is configured in such a manner that the pivoting connection between the levers can only be made when the complimentary keyed features of each lever are aligned correctly to allow the keyed features to engage, and then the levers are rotated about the keyed pivotal connection to a configuration in which the pliers are useable. Preferably each of the handle sections includes an outer surface that is pressed when the pliers are used, and the pivotal connection between the levers can only be made when the outer surface of each lever is at least partly facing the outer surface of the other lever.

Preferably the pliers are configured in such a manner that after making the pivotal connection between the levers, it is necessary to rotate the handle sections about the pivotal connection and past one another to configure the pliers in such a manner that the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections faces away from the other handle section. Preferably the pliers are useable when the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections face away from the other handle section.

Preferably it is necessary to flex each of the lever handles relative to the pivotal connection to allow the handle sections to rotate past one another Preferably one of the levers is a male lever and the other lever is a female lever, and the pivot connection section of the male lever includes a short pin extending from the body of the lever, and the pin is capped with an elongate retention member the length of which is aligned with a diameter of the short pin and the length of which is greater than the diameter of the short pin. Preferably the female lever includes a first bore configured to receive the pin of the male lever, and the bore includes a slot though which the elongate retention member of the male lever can pass when aligned with the slot.

Preferably the female lever includes a second and larger diameter bore within which the elongate member is able to rotate. Preferably the keyed connection between the levers prevents them from separating when the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another.

Preferably the levers of the pair of pliers are made from a plastics material.

Preferably the pliers include a keyed pivotal connection between the levers substantially as specified herein.

Assembly feature

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a pair of pliers comprising a pair of levers pivotally connected together, each lever having a pivot connection section which is situated between a handle section of each lever and a jaw section of each lever, wherein the pivot connection section of each lever includes a complimentary keyed feature, and the complimentary keyed feature of each lever is configured in such a manner that the pivotal connection between the levers can only be made when the complimentary keyed features of each lever are aligned correctly to allow the keyed features to engage, and then the levers are rotated about the keyed pivotal connection to a configuration in which the pliers are useable.

Preferably each of the handle sections includes an outer surface that is pressed when the pliers are used, and the pivotal connection between the levers can only be made when the outer surface of each lever is at least partly facing the outer surface of the other lever.

Preferably the pliers are configured in such a manner that after making the pivotal connection between the levers, it is necessary to rotate the handle sections about the pivotal connection and past one another to configure the pliers in such a manner that the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections faces away from the other handle section.

Preferably the pliers are useable when the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections face away from the other handle section.

Preferably it is necessary to flex each of the lever handles relative to the pivotal connection to allow the handle sections to rotate past one another

Preferably one of the levers is a male lever and the other lever is a female lever, and the pivot connection section of the male lever includes a short pin extending from the body of the lever, and the pin is capped with an elongate retention member the length of which is aligned with a diameter of the short pin and the length of which is greater than the diameter of the short pin.

Preferably the female lever includes a first bore configured to receive the pin of the male lever, and the bore includes a slot though which the elongate retention member of the male lever can pass when aligned with the slot.

Preferably the female lever includes a second and larger diameter bore within which the elongate member is able to rotate.

Preferably the keyed connection between the levers prevents them from separating when the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another. Preferably the pair of pliers is a reverse acting pair of pliers.

Preferably the pair of pliers are made from a plastics material.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of assembling a pair of pliers substantially as specified herein, including the steps of; aligning the levers of the pliers in such a manner that the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face toward one another, fitting a keyed male member of one of the levers into and through a complimentary female feature of the other lever, and rotating the levers relative to one another about the pivotal connection between the two until the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another.

Preferably the method involves flexing the handles to allow them to move past one another.

Preferably the keyed connection between the levers prevents them from separating when the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another.

Spring feature

In a fourth aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a pair of pliers comprising a pair of levers which are pivotally connected and wherein at least one of the levers includes a spring feature made of the same material as, and made integrally with, the body of the said at least one lever.

Preferably the spring feature includes a flat spring.

More preferably, the spring feature includes a flat spring having a corrugated section. Preferably the flat spring is cantilevered from the lever that it is an integral part of. Preferably the corrugated section is adjacent to the point at which the spring is connected to the body of the lever that includes the integral spring feature.

Preferably the free end of the leaf spring engages with, and slides within, a slot in the other lever. Preferably the leaf spring includes a section having a single curve.

Preferably the spring feature extends from a location on the body of its associated lever that is proximal to a pivot of the pair of pliers, and contacts the other lever at a location distal to the pivot.

Preferably the plastics material is an acetal based plastics material. The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth. DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first side of a pair of pliers according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a second side of the pliers,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a first lever of the pliers,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second lever of the pliers, and

FIGURE 5 is an expanded perspective view of a jaw section of the pliers. With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a pair of pliers (1 1) according to the present invention will now be described. In this example, the pair of pliers (1 1) is configured for use in removing soft bait from a jig head.

The bait removal pliers (1 1) have a first lever (13) and a second lever (15). The first lever (13) and the second lever (15) each have a handle section, (17) and (19) respectively, at one end, and they each have a jaw, (21) and (23) respectively, at an opposing end.

The first and the second levers (13) and (15) are connected by a pivoting connection (25).

In this example, the pliers (1 1) are configured to provide a reverse plier action. The reverse plier action is used to wedge between the soft bait on a jig head, and the weighted head of the jig head, and to prise the two apart when removing the soft bait. This focussed and controlled pressure is very helpful in removing the soft bait and helps to minimise the frequent problem of finger slippages that end up impaled on the barbed end of the fish hook of the jig heads.

The jaw ends (21) and (23) of both of the levers (13) and (15) include a substantially vee shaped notch (27) and (29) respectively. It can be seen in the drawings that the vee shaped notch (27) in the first jaw (21) is larger than the vee shaped notch (29) in the second jaw (23).

It can also be observed in the drawings that the jaws (21) and (23) of the pliers (1 1) are substantially wedge shaped, that is, wedge shaped when the pliers are viewed from either side. The thin end (21a) and (23a) of each wedge shaped jaw is at the end of each lever (13 and (15). The jaws of the pliers (1 1) shown have a wedge angle of less than ten degrees. This thin wedge shaping of the nose of the pliers allows the jaws of the pliers to be pried between the soft bait and the jig head as noted above.

The vee shaped notches (27) and (29) extend from the thin ends (21 a) and (23a) of each of the wedge shaped jaws (21) and (23). The centrelines (27a) and (29a) of each of the vee shaped notches (27) and (29) are aligned when the jaws are closed (21) and (23).

It can be seen in Figure 5 that the width of the first vee shaped notch (27) is between a half and one and a half millimetres wider than the second vee shaped notch (29), at each coinciding point along the length of each vee shaped notch (27) and (29). This configuration allows the second notch (29) to be engaged within a narrow section of the shank of a jig head, while allowing the first notch (27) to move freely along the length of the shank, and over any barbs in the shank, while pushing the soft bait off the shank of the jig head.

The thickness of the thin ends (21a) and (23a) of each wedge shaped jaw (21) and (23) is less than half a millimetre thick. The apex (31) of each vee shaped notch (27) and (29) is rounded to be similar to the diameter of the shank of the jig heads.

The levers (13) and (15) of the pair of pliers (1 1) are made from a plastics material, for example an acetal based plastics material. The handle section of the second lever (15) includes a plurality of finger recesses (33) configured to engage with the fingers of a person using the pliers (1 1).

As well as the design of the jaws, and the usefulness as a bait removal tool, the pliers (1 1) also include a clever assembly feature. The pivoting connection (25) between the first lever (13) and the second lever (15) is situated between the handle section (17) and (19) of each lever and the jaw section (21) and (23) of each lever.

The pivot connection section of each lever (13) and (15) includes a complimentary keyed feature. The complimentary keyed feature of each lever (13) and (15) is configured in such a manner that the pivotal connection between the levers can only be made when the complimentary keyed features of each lever are aligned correctly to allow the keyed features to engage. And then the levers (13) and (15) are rotated about the keyed pivotal connection (25) to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which the pliers are useable.

Each of the handle sections (17) and (19) includes an outer surface (17a) and (19a) that is pressed when the pliers are used. The pivotal connection (25) between the levers (13) and (15) can only be made when the outer surface of the first lever (17a) is at least partly facing the outer surface of the second lever (19a).

The pliers (1 1) are configured in such a manner that after making the pivotal connection (25) between the levers (13) and (15), it is necessary to rotate the handle sections (17) and (19) about the pivotal connection (25) and past one another to place the pliers (11) in a useful configuration in which the outer surface of the first handle (17a) faces away from the outer surface of the second handle (19a).

Due to the width of each of the handles (17) and (19) it is necessary to flex each of the lever handles sideways relative to the pivotal connection (25) to allow the handles (17) and (19) to rotate past one another

In this example, the first lever (13) is a male lever and the second lever (15) is a female lever. The pivot connection section of the first lever (13) includes a short round pin (35) which extends from the body of the lever (13). The pin (35) is capped with an elongate retention member (37). The length of the elongate retention member (37) is aligned with a diameter of the short pin (35), and the length of the elongate retention member (37) is greater than the diameter of the short pin (35).

The second lever (15) includes a first bore (39) which is sized and configured to receive the pin (35), and to allow the pin to rotate within the bore. The first bore (39) includes an elongate slot (41). The elongate slot (41) extends beyond the diameter of the first bore (39) and the length and the width of the elongate slot is similar to that of the elongate member (37). The elongate retention member (37) can pass through the elongate slot (41) when aligned with the slot (41).

The second lever also includes a second diameter bore (43). The second bore (43) is adjacent to, and is concentric with, the first bore (39). The second bore (43) has a larger diameter than the first bore (39), the diameter of the second bore (43) being similar to the length of the retention member (37). The configuration of the first and the second bores (39) and (43) is such that the pin (35) is able to rotate within the first bore (39), and the retention member (37) is able to rotate within the within the second bore (43) when the retention member (37) has been pushed right through the first bore (39). This produces the pivotal connection (25) that allows the first lever (13) to rotate about the pivotal connection (25) relative to the second lever (15).

The ends of the retention member (37) are curved, having a radius of curvature similar to that of the second bore (43). The ends of the retention member (37) bear against the second bore (43) and thereby add to the bearing surface area and overall length of the pivotal connection between the levers (13) and (15) and help to minimise the free-play in the pivotal connection. This helps the pliers (1 1) to work in a positive manner in which the jaws (21) and (23) remain substantially aligned even when under load. The keyed connection between the levers (13) and (15) prevents them from separating when the outer surfaces (17a) and (19a) of the handle sections substantially face away from one another. The retention member (37) holds the two levers (13) and (15) together. The reason for this is that the retention member (37) cannot be aligned with the elongate slot (41) without flexing and forcing the handles (17) and (19) past one another, and rotating the handles relative to each other until the outer surfaces (17a) and (19a) of the handle sections substantially face toward one another.

In this example, the length of the elongate retention member (37) is substantially at right angles to the length of the first lever (13), and the length of the elongate slot (41) is substantially aligned with the length of the second lever (15). The method of assembling the pliers (1 1) can be described as follows; align the levers of the pliers in such a manner that the outer surfaces (17a) and (19a) of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face toward one another, align and fit a keyed male member (35) and (37) of the first lever (13) into and through a complimentary female feature (39), (41) and (43) of the second lever

(15), and rotating the levers (13) and (15) relative to one another about the pivotal connection between the two until the outer surfaces (17a) and (19a) of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another. The method involves flexing the handles (17) and (19) to allow them to move past one another. The pliers (1 1) further include a spring feature (45) configured to bias the jaws (21) and (23) of the pliers (1 1) toward a closed configuration. The spring (45) is formed as a part of one of the levers.

In the drawings it can be seen that the pliers (1 1) comprise a pair of levers (13) and (15) which are pivotally connected, and the first lever (13) includes an integral spring feature. The first lever (13) is a molded item and the spring feature is molded as a part of the first lever (13) and is made of the same material as the body of the first lever (13).

In this example, the spring (45) is in the form of a flat spring. The flat spring (45) includes a corrugated section (47) having five relatively tight curves, and a gently curved section (49) having a single gentle curve. The flat spring (45) is cantilevered from the inside of the handle section (17) of the first lever (13).

The corrugated section (47) is adjacent to the point at which the spring (45) is connected o the body of the first lever (13). The free end (51) of the flat spring (45) engages with, and slides within, a slot (53) on the inner surface of the handle section (19) of the second lever (15).

The spring (45) extends from a location on the body of the first lever (13) that is proximal to a pivoting connection (25), and the spring (45) contacts the second lever (15) at a location distal to the pivoting connection (25).

When the pliers are assembled for use, the single gentle curve of the spring (45) curves toward the slot (53) in the second handle (19). The handles (17) and (19) are both curved, and both present concave inner surfaces toward one another.

When the handles (17) and (19) are squeezed toward one another, the corrugated section accommodates the majority of the flexing in the spring (45), and the gently curved section is largely straightened out. The flexed flat spring (45) fits neatly within the space between the two handles (17) and (19) even when the handles are squeezed until their ends contact one another. The spring (45) is configured such that when the spring (45) is fully flexed, it fits neatly within the space between the concave inner surfaces of both of the handles (17) and (19). VARIATIONS

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The example described herein is that of a pair of soft bait removal pliers. However, it is envisaged that many of the design features, and the same method of construction could be used in a range of other pliers, or clamps, scissors or other scissor action tools, especially where simplicity of manufacture and assembly are an advantage, for example disposable tools that are used in the medical field.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a pair of pliers that can be used to safely remove soft baits from modern jig heads with minimal risk of slippage and getting fingers snagged on the hooks of the jig heads. In addition, the invention provides a new method of manufacturing pliers which are low cost and quick and easy to assemble.

The use of an integral spring that is made from plastics materials also provides a robust spring, ease of assembly, high reliability and excellent corrosion resistance.

The pliers are particularly useful for use in marine environments, and it is envisaged that variations of the pliers will have a range of other uses for example in the medical field.

Claims

1. A pair of bait removal pliers, comprising a first lever and a second lever, the first lever and the second lever each having a handle section at one end and a jaw at an opposing end, the first and the second levers being connected by a pivoting connection; the pliers being configured to provide a reverse plier action, and wherein the jaw end of each lever includes a substantially vee shaped notch, the vee shaped notch in one of the jaws being larger than the vee shaped notch in the other jaw.

2. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jaws of the pliers are substantially wedge shaped.

3. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 2, wherein a thin end of each wedge shaped jaw is at the end of each lever.

4. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vee shaped notches extend from the thin end of each of the wedge shaped jaws.

5. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a centreline of each of the vee shaped notches is aligned when the jaws are closed.

6. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width of the vee shaped notch on one of the jaws is between a half and one and a half millimetres wider than the vee shaped notch on the other jaw at each coinciding point along the length of each vee shaped notch.

7. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the thickness of the thin end of each wedge shaped jaw is less than half a millimetre thick.

8. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apex of each vee shaped notch is rounded.

9. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pliers further include a spring configured to bias the jaws of the pliers toward a closed configuration.

10. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spring is formed as a part of one of the levers.

11. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the handle section of one of the levers includes a plurality of finger recesses configured to engage with the fingers of a person using the pliers.

12. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1, wherein the first lever and the second lever each have a pivot connection section which is situated between the handle section of each lever and the jaw section of each lever, and the pivot connection section of each lever includes a complimentary keyed feature.

13. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 12, wherein the complimentary keyed feature of each lever is configured in such a manner that the pivoting connection between the levers can only be made when the complimentary keyed features of each lever are aligned correctly to allow the keyed features to engage, and then the levers are rotated about the keyed pivotal connection to a configuration in which the pliers are useable.

14. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein each of the handle sections includes an outer surface that is pressed when the pliers are used, and the pivoting connection between the levers can only be made when the outer surface of each lever is at least partly facing the outer surface of the other lever.

15. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pliers are configured in such a manner that after making the pivoting connection between the levers, it is necessary to rotate the handle sections about the pivoting connection and past one another to configure the pliers in such a manner that the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections faces away from the other handle section.

16. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the pliers are useable when the outer surfaces of each of the handle sections face away from the other handle section.

17. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein one of the levers is a male lever and the other lever is a female lever, and the pivot connection section of the male lever includes a short pin extending from the body of the lever, and the pin is capped with an elongate retention member the length of which is aligned with a diameter of the short pin and the length of which is greater than the diameter of the short pin.

18. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in claim 17, wherein the female lever includes a first bore configured to receive the pin of the male lever, and the bore includes a slot though which the elongate retention member of the male lever can pass when aligned with the slot.

19. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the keyed pivotal connection between the levers prevents them from separating when the outer surfaces of the handle sections of each of the levers substantially face away from one another.

20. A pair of bait removal pliers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the levers of the pair of pliers are made from a plastics material.