Adjustable Direction Or Buoyancy Control Patents (Class 43/42.22)
  • Patent number: 7627979
    Abstract: A soft bait fish lure includes an elongated body having a head and a rear along a longitudinal axis. The body tapers laterally to a reduced tail portion toward the rear, then flares laterally into an enlarged tail at the rear. Optionally, the reduced tail portion is flexible in a lateral direction. The enlarged tail may have a tapered top and tapered bottom, each formed from two intersecting faces, such that the enlarged tail forms a substantial diamond-shape in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Optionally, each of the faces includes a contour terminating in an edge proximate said rear such that fluid flowing over said enlarged tail forms a vortex at each said face. Optionally, the rear forms a distal surface including a lateral indentation at the intersection of the tapered top and tapered bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Huddleston Deluxe, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel M. Huddleston
  • Patent number: 7596901
    Abstract: A drogue attachment consisting of two symmetrical shaped arms is affixed to one end of a shaft, that end of the shaft being attached to a fishing line. The other end of the shaft is tied to a leader, which is in turn tied to a baited or lure-equipped fish hook device. When the fish hook device is pulled through the water by a fish, water opens the shaped arms; when pulled in the other direction by the angler, the arms fold in against the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Joe Johnson
  • Patent number: 7562489
    Abstract: A fishing lure assembly utilizing a shaft less electric generator which does not require exterior moving components such as a propeller, shaft and bearing to activate the generator, The lure assembly is made up of two segments with a receiver for a weight, a chromed paper insert and a shaft less generator within the nose segment, and a reservoir for holding scent material in the tail segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Randal Scott Turner
  • Publication number: 20090126255
    Abstract: A system for fishing using one of a plurality of rates of fall. Each of the rates of fall provides a different depth for delay between a cast and retrieval. The system includes a plurality of swim bait fishing lures. Each of the swim bait fishing lures includes an elongated body having a head and a rear along a longitudinal axis, a reduced tail portion flexible in a lateral direction and tapered laterally toward the rear, and an enlarged tail flaring from the reduced tail portion. The enlarged tail can have a tapered top and a tapered bottom, each formed from two intersecting faces. Each of the faces is characterized by a contour extending from the reduced tail portion on each of the faces to cause a vortex within a vicinity of each of the faces from a flowing fluid. Each of the swim bait fishing lure includes a weighted insert proximate the head. The system provides the plurality of rates of fall characterized by the respective weighted insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: HUDDLESTON DELUXE INC.
    Inventor: SAMUEL M. HUDDLESTON
  • Patent number: 7497045
    Abstract: A weighting material for use with fishing tackle includes a gel base material and a distributed tungsten filler material suspended in the gel base material. The weighting material can be applied to a fishing tackle article to provide weighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ross Crowe, Jarren B. Mills
  • Patent number: 7380366
    Abstract: A trolling device comprising an elongated body, an adjustable planar guide fin, and an adjustable rudder. The guide fin and rudder are adjusted to optimize trolling performance on either the port or starboard side of a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Bill Windsor Barrow
  • Publication number: 20080083153
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic fishing device includes a plate that changes attitude as the plate passes through a body of water. A plate positioning controller is pivotally mounted to the plate and is indexable relative to the plate by direct application of manual force so as to assume a plurality of predetermined adjustment positions. The adjustment positions establish different paths of travel of the plate as the plate passes through a body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Randolph K. Ford
  • Patent number: 7316095
    Abstract: An adjustable depth fishing lure has a lure body with forward and tail sections. A diving lip is pivotably attached to the forward section of the body by dual arm members. The diving lip is configured to be adjustably positioned at a plurality of angles in relation to the lure body by a control element located within the forward section. The control element has a plurality of slots into which the diving lip can be set. A push tab extends from the element. A spring is positioned between a front wall of the forward section and the control element. The spring applies a compressive force against the control element, which biases the element against the diving lip to maintain it in one of the plurality of slots. When the control element's tab is pushed, the element travels inward into the forward section, which releases the pressure on the diving lip, allowing it to be repositioned into another of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Robert E. Petner, Daniel Romano
  • Patent number: 7310906
    Abstract: A fishing lure having a rattling assembly for attracting fish, wherein the sound of the rattling assembly is adjustable. The rattling assembly includes a rattle member and a rod member positioned inside a cavity defined in the body of the fishing lure. The rod member traverses the exterior surface of the fishing lure into the cavity, such that the position of the rod member will determine the ability of the rattling member to travel within the cavity to strike the walls of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: EBSCO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Woller, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7028430
    Abstract: The variable weight diamond jig fishing lure has a jig body with an elongated diamond shape, having a greater length than width, with eyes formed into the opposing longitudinal ends for attachment to a fishing line and a fishhook, respectively. The jig body is formed from two symmetrical plates having their central portions stamped, molded, or otherwise formed outward to form a central chamber or cavity for receiving a weight or ballast. Slots are formed in the plates between the cavity and the eye. A lock plate having an eye defined in one end and a lock tab attached by a tang depending from the opposite end are inserted through the slots and rotated to lock opposing ends of the jig body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: William Gironda
  • Patent number: 6948274
    Abstract: A fishing lure includes a body with first and second opposed sides, a first member rotatably carried by the body and having first and second end portions disposed adjacent the respective sides of the body, a fin carried by each of the terminal end portions of the first member, and a second member rotatably carried by the body. A mechanism interacts with the first member and the second member, whereby rotation of the second member urges corresponding rotation of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Scott M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6931784
    Abstract: An improved means for adjusting the angle of attack, the angle of the plane of the diving lip to the longitudinal axis of a lure, of a diving lip on a fishing lure, having a body with a longitudinal axis, comprised of a retention spring, a pivot pin, and a series of grooves in the face of the lure into which the diving lip seats, so that the angle of attack of the diving lip can be readily changed by pulling the diving lip out of a groove, by compressing the retention spring, moving to another groove and releasing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Martin A. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6904712
    Abstract: The variable weight diamond jig fishing lure has a jig body with an elongated diamond shape, having a greater length than width, with eyes formed into the opposing longitudinal ends for attachment to a fishing line and a fishhook, respectively. The jig body is formed from two symmetrical plates having their central portions stamped, molded, or otherwise formed outward to form a central chamber or cavity for receiving a weight or ballast. Slots are formed in the plates between the cavity and the eye. A lock plate having an eye defined in one end and a lock tab attached by a tang depending from the opposite end are inserted through the slots and rotated to lock opposing ends of the jig body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: William Gironda
  • Patent number: 6836997
    Abstract: A floating fishing lure having the capability to adjust the buoyancy of the fish lure with a high degree of precision, such that the fish lure has fore and aft chamber sections connected and held together by an attaching means. Disposed on each fore and aft chamber sections are a plurality of buoyancy windows, one set of which will coincidentally overlie the other set of buoyancy windows as the fore chamber section is rotationally moved in regard to the aft chamber section. By changing the rotational placement of the two sections, valve aperture openings are produced that regulate the air to water ratio within the fish lure, thereby controlling its buoyancy. Additional fish attractors, hooks and illuminators can be added to the fishing lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: John F. Cramsey
  • Patent number: 6820366
    Abstract: A fishing lure that is automatically adjustable in order to maintain the lure at an optimum depth in a body of water. The lure has a central processing unit, a sender/receiver, and a depth varying mechanism. In response to signals from the sender/receiver, the central processing unit sends signals to control the depth varying mechanism in order to maintain the lure at a constant distance either the bottom or the surface of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen Patrick McDermott
  • Patent number: 6807766
    Abstract: A fishing lure or decoy is provided, the lure having a casement for receiving an electronic insert. The insert is operated by a microcontroller programmed to implement at least one sequence of operation implemented by at least one of a LED light emitter, a vibration-producing device and an audio transducer. An electrical power supply in the insert provides power to the devices and microcontroller, and a pair of externally exposed contacts switches the microcontroller ON when bridged by water containing electrolytes, as would be found in a fishing area. This also produces an electrical field around the lure, this electrical field also serving to simulate living food creatures to entice fish to bite the lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Charles B. Hughes, Emory D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6804910
    Abstract: An adjustable-depth crankbait fishing lure for use in catching fish at user-selectable depths. The crankbait fishing lure is made of a buoyant yet hard body having the shape and general appearance of a bait fish. Attached to the body are at least one fish hook and a means to attach the body to a fishing line. Pivotable lateral fins are located at each side of the body and are user adjustable for either water surface operation or operation at varying depths. A means is provided, substantially enclosed within the body, for allowing both the user to select the desired fin pitch corresponding to a specific water depth, and in some embodiments, for automatically returning the fins to the original pitch setting if the pitch setting is disturbed due to underwater snags or fish strikes. In addition, the fishing lure is designed so that the means for changing the fin pitch is protected against inadvertent changes due to fish strikes, snags, or other underwater menaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Scott M. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20040020102
    Abstract: A floating fishing lure having the capability to adjust the buoyancy of the fish lure with a high degree of precision, such that the fish lure has fore and aft chamber sections connected and held together by an attaching means. Disposed on each fore and aft chamber sections are a plurality of buoyancy windows, one set of which will coincidentally overlie the other set of buoyancy windows as the fore chamber section is rotationally moved in regard to the aft chamber section. By changing the rotational placement of the two sections, valve aperture openings are produced that regulate the air to water ratio within the fish lure, thereby controlling its buoyancy. Additional fish attractors, hooks and illuminators can be added to the fishing lure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: John F. Cramsey
  • Publication number: 20040006909
    Abstract: A fishing lure having a lure body to which diving bills of various configurations may be affixed. The lure body includes a forwardly and sidewardly open slot into which a complementary configured portion of a diving bill may be inserted sideways, the slot and bill having locking configurations preventing the bill from separating from the lure body in response to forces tending to pull the bill forwardly from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Larry Essad
  • Patent number: 6662487
    Abstract: Artificial fishing lure which has a flexible resilient core (10) surrounded by an elongated flexible body (12). One or more hooks (18) are installed in the core (10) substantially perpendicular to core (10) by way of apertures (24a) and (24b). The core (10) provides longevity to the lure for small and large lures when cast from rod and reel or trolled. Large of heavy lures of this design can be cast with great distances. Grooves (14) in the elongated flexible body (12) and core (10) create a predetermined or erratic motion during retrieval through the water. This action can simulate that of any type of prey including a wounded prey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Jerome Frank Perrone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6658784
    Abstract: A fishing lure capable of numerous operations to attract fish including a keel with a base platform at one end and an upper body at the other end. Forward fins are mounted on the upper body and a plurality of openings for tow points are provided. A tail rudder which can be rotated to provide various movements of the fishing lure is also mounted on the upper body. A bait line hook is mounted on the base platform to hold a fishing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Mastropaolo
  • Publication number: 20030172578
    Abstract: A fishing lure includes a body with a head, a central portion, a tail, a dorsal side, and a ventral side. The body has a centerline defined from the head to the tail and between the dorsal and ventral sides. The body has a center of gravity located between the centerline and the dorsal side. The fishing lure may include a harness for attaching the body to a line with a hook. The body may include a channel formed therethrough from the head to the central portion at an angle in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. The channel may be configured for receiving a harness for attaching the body to a line with a hook. The harness may have a through hole extending between the ends for slidably receiving line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen C. Harner
  • Patent number: 6609326
    Abstract: A fishing lure with a movable weight system is provided to allow the angler to change the center of gravity of the lure depending upon whether the angler is casting or retrieving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Normark Corporation
    Inventors: Raimo Salonen, Harri Leppala, Juha Siirtola
  • Publication number: 20030110678
    Abstract: A fishing lure comprises a lure body having means for attachment to a fishing line at its front end, one or more fish hooks, and one or more weights mounted along the lower surface of the lure body. The weights are retained along the lower surface of the lure body by a releasable weight mounting means, preferably in the form of a resilient wire, having a fixed end and a movable end which is releasably secured to the lure body. The weights are movable along the mounting means to shift the center of gravity of the lure body toward the front end or the rear end, and release of the movable end of the mounting means from the lure body permits the addition or removal of weights, thereby permitting adjustment of the weight of the lure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard Yong-Set
  • Publication number: 20030093939
    Abstract: A fishing lure with a movable weight system is provided to allow the angler to change the center of gravity of the lure depending upon whether the angler is casting or retrieving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Raimo Salonen, Harri Leppala, Juha Siirtola
  • Patent number: 6536365
    Abstract: A flexible nose assembly for an underwater vehicle provides increased energy-absorbing capabilities and facilitates recovery and handling of the vehicle. The flexible nose assembly includes a flexible nose cap, at least one retrieval device, and at least one cable that is strong in tension, yet weak in compression which is coupled between the retrieval device and the UUV body. The flexible nose cap has a gap formed therein allowing the communication of environmental water into the region between the vehicle body and the nose cap. Optionally, the retrieval device may be recessed into the flexible nose assembly, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and overall vehicle length. Energy-absorbing ballast can be positioned within the nose cap in order to further enhance survivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Duane M. Horton
  • Patent number: 6510646
    Abstract: A fishing lure is described containing a cast of a natural bait encased in a castable transparent material designed in hydrodynamically correct shapes and to operate at different depths by utilizing an adjustable buoyancy device. A cast of a natural bait being the embodiment of a natural bait in the form of a castable material taken from the cast of a natural bait and then painted, to which an adjustable buoyancy device is incorporated by containment within the lure or attachment to the lure of a sealed air chamber wherein the adjustable portion consists of a cylinder which is threaded on the inside to accommodate a set screw/gasket seal combination. Rotation of the set screw varies the lure's buoyancy by compressing the air in the air chamber thus varying the fluid displacement volume of the lure and also changing the center of gravity of the lure. Alternatively, the cast can be of a part of the natural bait or a section or surface texture of the bait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: George Kechriotis
  • Patent number: 6430867
    Abstract: A directionally controllable fishing lure enables an angler to cast the lure to a desired area, with the lure traveling an arcuate path to the left or right upon retrieval. The direction of turn is determined by the angler, depending upon the rigging of the lure. The present lure has an elongate body with angularly truncated faces at each end thereof. The two faces are angled in opposite directions to one another, and the lure body is ballasted so that the two faces are always angled to one side when the lure is floating in the water, rather than facing upwardly or downwardly. The angularly truncated ends produce an asymmetrical hydrodynamic reaction as the lure is drawn through the water, causing the lure to turn in one direction or the other. If the angler attaches the fishing leader or line to the first end, the lure will travel in an arcuate path to the angler's right (or to the left, when considered in the direction of travel of the lure).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Jon C. Johnston, Thomas J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20020050090
    Abstract: A rising crank bait lure includes a body, a forward sloping lip, at least one hook, and a line loop. The body preferably has the shape of a minnow, but could be shaped as any other fish. The body may be either a single piece or a multiple piece design. The forward sloping lip may be attached to a front of the body, to a top of the body at substantially a front thereof, or to a bottom of the body at substantially a front thereof. The extended end of the lip is preferably rounded to decrease drag. The line loop extends from a front of the body for attachment of a fishing line. At least one hook is attached to a bottom of the body. The body is preferably painted to resemble a fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: David G. Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20020043016
    Abstract: A fishing lure is described containing a cast of a natural bait encased in a castable transparent material designed in hydrodynamically correct shapes and to operate at different depths by utilizing an adjustable buoyancy device. A cast of a natural bait being the embodiment of a natural bait in the form of a castable material taken from the cast of a natural bait and then painted, to which an adjustable buoyancy device is incorporated by containment within the lure or attachment to the lure of a sealed air chamber wherein the adjustable portion consists of a cylinder which is threaded on the inside to accommodate a set screw/gasket seal combination. Rotation of the set screw varies the lure's buoyancy by compressing the air in the air chamber thus varying the fluid displacement volume of the lure and also changing the center of gravity of the lure. Alternatively, the cast can be of a part of the natural bait or a section or surface texture of the bait.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: George Kechriotis
  • Patent number: 6226917
    Abstract: A fishing lure having a wire frame forming a receptacle which releasably receives and holds an elongated insert. The wire frame includes a first end and a second end. In one embodiment, the lure also includes an end cap having a cavity for releasably receiving the first end of the frame. A portion of the first end extends through the line cap. The lure also includes a hook end cap having a cavity for receiving the second end of the frame. The hood end cap includes an aperture. A portion of the second end of the wire frame extends through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Outdoor Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Sylla, Randy A. Larson
  • Patent number: 6173522
    Abstract: A fishing lure provides a lateral surface run during retrieval by utilizing a generally upright front surface (A) extending across an integral body which floats or is generally of substantially neutral buoyancy. A weight (B) is carried by the lure body to adjust the balance and path traversed during retrieval and to maintain a generally upright side wall (D) in position for attachment of a line to a connector (C) located in an elongated tunnel (E) intermediate upper and lower edges of the tunnel. The method contemplates utilizing an upright front surface (A) tapering across the lure body for providing lateral direction during retrieval, together with the step of fixing a connector to an upright side from about ¼ to about ⅓ of the length of the body from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: James A. Couch