Abstract: A method of making a water soluble weight, the weight being of the type for attachment to a fishing line, hook or lure by means of a closed loop of thread or string embedded in and extending from the weight, is provided. The weights are formed by filling appropriately shaped cavities in a mold with a mixture consisting essentially of water, soil (preferably a silt-loam mixture or silty clay loam) and sand size stone. The mold rests upon a layer of resilient material (e.g., sponge rubber) which in turn is attached to a rigid layer mounted by resilient means upon a base plate. Openings in the resilient layer overlie recesses in the rigid layer, the openings and recesses being aligned with openings in the bottom of each mold cavity to permit insertion, with the aid of a tool having a notched end, of the thread or string through the mixture in the mold cavity into the underlying recess.

Abstract: A water-soluble weight is disclosed for attachment to a fishing line, hook or lure by means of a closed loop of thread or string embedded in and extending from the weight which is preferably of essentially hemispherical shape. The weights are formed by filling appropriately shaped cavities in a mold with a mixture consisting essentially of water, soil (preferably a silt-clay mixture having a USDA texture of silt loam) and 10-30 mesh stone. The mold rests upon a layer of resilient material (e.g., sponge rubber) which in turn is attached to a rigid layer mounted by resilient means upon a base plate. Openings in the resilient layer overlie recesses in the rigid layer, the openings and recesses being aligned with openings in the bottom of each mold cavity to permit insertion, with the aid of a tool having a notched end, of the thread or string through the mixture in the mold cavity into the underlying recess.

Abstract: A valve having a closure element in the form of a tapered plug normally maintained by gravity on a vertical rod extending loosely into a bore in the plug. Flow of fluid through the valve in excess of a predetermined rate acts on a flow-responsive surface of the plug to move the latter into engagement with a valve seat, thus blocking further flow. The construction is particularly suited to close control of the flow rate at which closure of the valve occurs. The size, shape, weight and position of various elements influences the magnitude of the flow rate required for closure and may be tailored to effect closure repeatedly at a virtually exact desired flow rate. One embodiment includes means for selectively changing the shape of the flow-responsive surface, and thereby the flow rate at which closure occurs.