Abstract: A fishing rod is provided which has a hollow rod body. The rod body is made from laminations of a plurality of plies of fiber-reinforced resin wherein the majority of the fibers are aligned with the axis of the rod and wherein each ply of fiber-reinforced resin contains randomly aligned chopped fibers interconnecting the parallel fibers to distribute the load and maximize the crush and hoop strength of the rod segment.

Abstract: A fishing rod handle assembly wherein the rim of a molded foregrip engages the foot of a fishing reel to secure it to the rod handle. The rim is reinforced by inserting a reinforcing ring into a slot and securing it with a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A coupling for fluidly connecting flexible tubing includes a rigid connector and an elastic retaining sleeve. The rigid connector has a main portion and a first and preferably second male end portions projecting therefrom with a fluid passage disposed within the male end portions and the main portion for fluid communication with the flexible tubing. The elastic sleeve member has a connector gripping section that circumferentially grips the main portion of the connector and a first and preferably second section for gripping the flexible tubing. The first and second sections are initially in a retracted position, folded-back over the connector gripping section and are movable to a second tubing-engaging position to grip the tubing. Preferably, handles are attached to the first and second gripping sections of the sleeve proximate their ends so that the sleeve may be gripped manually to facilitate movement of the first and second sections from the retracted position to the tubing-engaging position.

Abstract: A portable hand-held apparatus for sharpening fish hooks and stripping lines from a fish spool. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet port, an exit port and an aperture through which a sharpening mechanism extends. A motor mechanism is mounted within the housing operatively connected to a roller mechanism and the sharpening mechanism. The roller mechanism is aligned with the inlet and exit ports and is arranged to engage the free end of a line, guided through the housing inlet port. The roller mechanism transports the line through the housing and out the exit port, stripping the line off the spool. A sharpening mechanism rotatably projects through the housing aperture to engage a fish hook barb or other object.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-purpose device for use by fishermen. A first lever arm includes a handle, a primary jaw element and a secondary jaw element. A second lever arm includes a handle and a primary jaw element. The second lever arm is pivotally connected to the first lever arm so that the primary jaw elements form a pair of primary jaws for gripping, crimping or cutting. A jaw member includes a flange and a secondary jaw element. The jaw member is pivotally connected to the first lever arm in proximity to the secondary jaw element so that the secondary jaw elements form a pair of secondary jaws for gripping hooks embedded in the gullet of a fish. A connecting link is pivotally connected between the second lever arm and the jaw member, so that the primary and secondary jaws simultaneously open and close in response to pivotal movement of the handles relative to each other.

Abstract: A bone marrow needle has a cannula (12) connected to a cannula handle portion (18) extending equal distances from the axis of the cannula bore. A stylet (14) is slidably positioned into the cannula with its stylet handle (16) matingly receiving the proximal projections (18.4, 18.5) of the cannula handle portion into recess (16.6), thus preventing relative rotational movement of the cannula and stylus during use. Proximal projections (18.4, 18.5) define a space therebetween for a syringe connector (12.3) that enables aspiration through the cannula after insertion into the bone.

Abstract: A bait casting rod and handle and a method for manufacturing a bait casting handle, wherein the handle includes a grip or butt portion milled in one pass from a block of EVA material having a rod blank butt receiving lumen extending substantially the full length of the handle.

Abstract: A body implantable intravascular lead with a first layer of plastic defining a tube having a precision lumen therein and at least one electrical conductor wrapped helically along the length of one or more plastic layers. The conductors are substantially parallel along the axis at each end for ease of connection to electrodes and the helical wrap of the conductors may vary throughout the length to form a first length having a first flexibility and a second length having a greater flexibility incapable of sustaining the same axial mechanical loading. The conductive wires are overlaid with one or more layers of plastic separately insulating the wires from each other.

Abstract: An artificial fish habitat consisting of individual strands of a buoyant, water impervious material, such as foamed polyethylene or polypropylene, secured to a zinc anchor weight for installation on the bed of a body of water.

Abstract: A resilient ferrule cover for joining tapered tubular sections of a fishing rod wherein the ferrule cover is slid over a male ferrule portion with one end of the ferrule cover abutting a female ferrule while covering an exposed portion of the male ferrule and the other end of the ferrule cover abuts a chamfered transition between the male ferrule and its supporting rod segment. After the ferrule is repeatedly assembled, wear of the parts increases, and the ferrule cover, since it is flexible, rides up over the portion of the rod to which the male ferrule is attached, assuring a continued firm ferrule junction while covering the exposed ferrule portion.

Abstract: A thermocouple cable reinforced with high strength, low creep fatigue resistant aramid fibers. The aramid fibers are pultruded over a central core of thermocouple wires. A water impervious, abrasion resistant, strippable cover is extruded over the fibers and wires to hold them firmly in place.

Abstract: A tubular float for use in a water ski tow device. The float has a hollow shaft pulley in one end thereof and a slot in the other end thereof. A hitch rope is attached to the transom of the boat at locations displaced from the central axis of the boat. The hitch rope is roved through the pulley. A tow rope is inserted through the slot and passed along the tubular body of the float through the hollow shaft of the pulley back along the hollow body of the float through the slot from an opposite direction and then tied or spliced to the main length of the tow rope to form a tow structure not susceptible to failure in the event of structural damage to the float.