Abstract: An apparatus for use in catching fish having a container with a threaded opening at one end, a closure having opposed first and second ends both of which are internally threaded to be threadably receivable on the container opening, the closure having an intermediate wall between the two threaded ends, an elongated rod member extending from the closure member wall, a fishing line having a fishhook at one end, the other end being attached to the closure member and the line being windable upon the elongated rod member so that when the line is wound on the rod member, the rod member can be inserted and contained within the container, but when used for fishing the rod member extends externally of the container and the line having a fishhook thereon is unwound so that the container provides flotation for the line and hook.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fishing reel foot fixing device for fixing a reel foot on a fishing rod. According to the present invention, a removable spacer is arranged between the moving hood and the handle of the reel foot mounting portion to fill a step-like gap produced between them. Therefore, any size of step-like gap produced between the moving hood and the handle when another reel having a shorter or longer reel foot is used can be eliminated only by replacing the spacer. Even if replacement of the reel leads to a change in the reel foot length, the spacer used so far can be replaced with another one of an appropriate size.

Abstract: A plug-type artificial fishing lure contains a mechamism within the body which operates as a leader dispensing and retrieving means. The mechanism is disposed in a cavity of the body, and includes a rotatable axle with a spool mounted thereon. The axle includes a ratchet means, and a trigger means releasably engages the ratchet thereby controlling rotation of the axle. The leader is dispensed by unwinding from the spool, and retrieved by rotating the axle and spool by a wind-up means, such as a spring, in a direction opposite the dispensing direction.

Abstract: A fishing line loading device comprises a frame and a movable axle pin by which a fishing line supply spool may be mounted. A tension and guide plate is attached to the frame and, being spring-loaded, it automatically applies the proper tension to the circumferential edges of the spool. Also, being grooved, it eliminates horizontal movement of any size of supply spool. The frame may be mounted on a fishing rod near the reel, thereby holding the supply spool centered on the rod for line transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a tunnel-way for mice along a vertical surface including a first entrance way into a tunnel chamber having a flared open wall portion, the inner wall of which makes contact with a vertical surface. The walls forming a tunneling entrance into the tunnel-way. The tunnel-way is positioned intermediate the first and second entrance portions into the tunnel, so that a mouse would encounter the flared entrances to the tunnel-way and move into the tunnel from either direction. The tunnel further comprises material along its interior surface to make contact with the pelt of the mouse, as it moves therethrough. The interior material is provided with a toxic dust introduced into the tunnel which adheres to the material and is deposited onto the mouse as it moves therethrough. To introduce dust, a first open end of the tunnel is secured with a stopper, and dust shaken into the tunnel.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder and signal assembly having a rod holder device attached to a mounting member for upwardly supporting the rod holder. A pivotal signal tube is mounted on the rod holder and presents either a flag signal or a light source signal for indicating the bite of a fish on the fish line releasably strung relative to the holder signal.

Abstract: A two-piece belt-attached fishing rod holder comprising a flap upper portion to serve as a belt-attaching means and receptacle through which to thread the lower rod support flap. The areas of the upper portion and lower rod support flap that intersect on the rear side of the upper portion contain Velcro or any hook and barb fastener strips which are used as a means to secure the two pieces together while affording the full range of adjustability contained within.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprised of essentially lead-free, die cast zinc or zinc alloy, which composition provides an overall balance of physical properties allowing particular sinking actions to be designed into the lure to more accurately simulate natural actions of bait fish; the die cast zinc having a density of from about 0.22 to about 0.26 lbs/in.sup.3, and having enhanced surface porposity relative to poured zinc.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for attaching a flexible covering element such as a piece of carpeting or a mat to its support characterized in that, to prevent loosening, the device comprises tooth-shaped protuberances under a collar such that the teeth are inclined so as to slide in the tightening direction on the upper face of the piece to which the collar is applied and which becomes anchored in the surface when loosening occurs.

Abstract: A streamlined housing contains an omnidirectional circular light source, an airflow channel with a flow restriction located just below the light source, and a motor driven fan with the fan blade located just below the restricted flow section of the airflow channel. The light source may be selectively directed by a movable reflecting screen. The fan motor and light source may be powered by a 12-volt D.C. source. The airflow channel is shaped to funnel airflow around the light source through the flow restricted area at high velocity, throwing the insects into a base container with deadly force. The base container has a large exhaust port and forms a part of the airflow channel. The airflow channel also acts to funnel and disperse the light from the light source so that the ground below the light source, as well as all directions above the level of the light source, are illuminated.

Abstract: A blind with vertical slats has a horizontal rail for a row of trolleys which carry connectors for the upper end portions of slats and further constitute or form part of holders for the upper portion of a curtain. This ensures that the gaps between neighboring slats are bridged by the curtain when the slats are oriented in such a way that they permit light to pass between them. In addition, the curtain can be used to prevent penetration of any light, or excessive amounts of light, into or from a room when the slats are detached from their trolleys for the purpose of inspection, cleaning or replacement. The marginal portion of the curtain can carry or constitute a strip of velvety material which can strongly adhere to the barbs of one or more strips of "VELCRO" (trademark) or a like material which reliably secures the curtain to the connectors for the upper end portions of the slats.

Abstract: A cooling device is provided for aerated water recycled to live wells for fish. A separate ice chest is provided with a cooling coil through which water from a separate live well may be circulated to be cooled and then aerated when the cooled water is returned to the live well. The life of fish in the live well is prolonged by the combined cooling and aeration. A protective baffle supports the cooling coil against a wall of the ice chest to secure the coil from a central part of the ice chest which may be used for a storage area to cool beverage cans and the like. The protective baffle is designed to provide circulation of ice water to the coil while blocking off the coil from the central storage area.

Abstract: An animal trap (10) including a spring (16) with first and second arm members (18, 20) extending from the spring (16) to outward ends (22, 26) such that the outward ends (22, 26) are biased apart by the spring (16). A loop portion (24) is positioned on the outward end (22) of the first arm member (18) and substantially encircles the outward end (26) of the second arm member (20). A jaw portion (28) on the second arm member (20) is positioned to be biased toward a side (30) of the loop portion (24) which is opposite the first arm member (18). A trigger member (32) is movably carried on the first arm member (18) and includes a paddle portion (38) and a detent portion (36). The paddle portion (38) is positionable in substantially axial alignment with the loop portion (24) when the detent portion (36) is holding the outward end (26) of the second arm member (20) in a set position relatively adjacent the outward end (22) of the first arm member (18).

Abstract: A mouse trap having a flexible handle made of a thin strip of plastic material and normally extending in upright relation from one end of the trap so as not to impede access to the trigger of the trap by a mouse nor movement of the trapping bail between its latched and sprung positions. The handle is sufficiently flexible to permit handling and transport of the trap by grasping an upper end of the handle with the base and trapped mouse suspended in depending relation from the lower end of the handle. The handle also is bendable into closely overlapping relation to the top side of the trap to permit compact containment of the trap in conventional packaging.

Abstract: A hinge for mounting a door to a door frame through upper and lower assemblies, with each assembly including a door frame plate and a door plate disposable in engagement with each other to define a common pivot axis extending through both assemblies. The door frame plate of the upper assembly is provided with a hole engageable by an axle carried on the top surface of the corresponding door plate. The door plate of the second assembly includes a downwardly extending flange engageable within a blind hole formed in the corresponding door frame plate, with the bottom of the hole having a convex protrusion for stabilizing the door in an open position.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure (10) embodying the concepts of the present invention is adaptable for use with a fish hook (11, 26 or 30) and comprises a body (12) having a forward, head portion (13) and at least one trailing appendage portion (14). The body (12) exhibits supple flexibility, at least when immersed in water, and a plurality of relatively long fibers (15) extend outwardly from the head portion (13). To facilitate use of the lure (10) the head portion (13) is adapted to be penetrated by the point (18,28 or 31 and 32) of a fish hook (11, 26 or 30). The body (12) is preferably planar to at least one surface (16), and the relatively long fibers (15) extend outwardly from that surface (16). Ideally, the body (12) is natural sheepskin, and the relatively long fibers (15) are the natural wool fibers presented from the sheepskin. Moreover, the body (12) may be chemically treated in order to assure that the sheepskin will exhibit supple flexibility, even upon re-immersion in water after having been dried.

Abstract: An elastomeric cap fitted to a circular valve handle of a fluid shut-off valve comprises a polygonal solid ring structure having an open center and containing a plurality of radially directed sockets molded in the ring structure. The sockets are adapted to engage circumferentially spaced peripheral lobes of the circular valve handle.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes an open-ended sleeve connectable to a valve stem by a screw inserted and removed through the open end. A removable cap has four cross openings which align with four cross openings in the sleeve. Two cross members are placed in the cross openings and interfitted inside the sleeve. In one embodiment, the internal connection is provided in part by a hole in one of the cross members. In a preferred embodiment, the cross members have contacting surfaces for engaging the sleeve and the cap. The handle assembly is adjustable for use with a variety of sleeves.

Abstract: A floating bait bucket of durable construction with a catamaran external hull which is perforated to allow for the flow of water therethrough. To the catamaran section is secured an intermediate element having secured thereto an upper outer element. Between the last two elements is a foamed in place layer of closed cell polyurethane foam which serves not only to provide a positive floatation mechanism but also to insulate a refreshment container which is formed in the upper element.

Abstract: There is described a semi-automatic fishing apparatus for retaining a baited fishing rod in an inclined, flexed configuration wherein it may be automatically released to an unflexed position in response to tensioning of the fishing line, as for example, by acceptance of the bait by a fish, so as to set the hook in the fish. The apparatus features an elongated inclined base member to which the fishing rod handle is secured at an acute angle to one end and to which the tip of the fishing rod is retained at the opposite other end below the plane of the base member in the flexed configuration through the agency of a latching device. The latching device is tripped directly by the downward movement of the line which line simply overlies the tripping mechanism without the need for complicated threading of the line through the tripping mechanism as in prior art devices.