Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02858048 2014-07-30
LEECH CLAMP
Cross-Reference to Related Application(s)
[001] None.
Field of the Invention
[002] This invention relates generally to sporting equipment. More
specifically it relates
to fishing tackle that facilitates the baiting of a hook. The invention thus
relates to devices,
systems and methods adapted for use with live bait, namely leeches.
Background of the Invention
[003] One of the most popular outdoor sports is fishing. While fishing,
many fishermen
prefer to use live bait. A variety of live baits are utilized, depending on
the circumstances, and
the fish desired.
[004] Sometimes they use crickets or nightcrawlers and sometimes they use
baitfish.
Although nightcrawlers are not difficult to catch, crickets and baitfish are
notorious for the
difficulties that they impose on fishermen. Specifically leeches, minnows,
chubs, suckers and
other baitfish pose the most problems. Similar problems may also be
encountered in pet shops
when trying to only catch one.
[005] The same is true while attempting to bait a hook with live bait ¨
they move and
are thus difficult to isolate and catch. Further, many anglers would prefer
not to have to use his
or her hands to catch the live bait for a variety of reasons. Thus, there is a
need in the art for an
improved means of applying live bait to hooks.
Brief Summary of the Invention
[006] Discussed herein are various apparatus, systems and methods relating
to the
application of live bait to a fishing hook by way of a clamp.
[007] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and
improved leech
clamp. Another object of the invention is to provide a leech clamp that is
economical to produce.
[008] A further object of the invention is to provide a leech clamp that
does not rust.
Another object of the invention is to provide a leech clamp that does not
require the connection
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of a net to a frame or handle. Yet another object of the invention is to
provide a leech clamp that
provides the user with a quick means of catching the leech and baiting the
hook.
[009] In Example 1, a bait clamp, comprises an elongate body, which further
comprises
a first end, a second end, and a plurality of elongate segments, and a
grasper, which further
comprises a first contoured grasping portion further comprising at least one
tine, and a second
contoured grasping portion further comprising at least one tine, wherein the
grasper is fixedly
attached to the first end of the body and in operational communication with
the plurality of
elongate segments so as to be configured to be capable accepting bait and
further wherein the
tines are configured to grasp bait.
[010] In Example 2, the bait clamp according to Example 1 is provided,
wherein the
clamp is configured to be capable of open and closed positions.
[011] In Example 3, the bait clamp according to Example 2 is provided,
wherein the
plurality of tines further comprise at least one male tine and at least one
female tine.
[012] In Example 4, the bait clamp according to Example 3 is provided,
wherein the
plurality of elongate segments are adapted so as to urge the grasper into the
closed position.
[013] In Example 5, the bait clamp according to Example 4 is provided,
wherein the
plurality of elongate segments further comprise at least one fastener.
[014] In Example 6, the bait clamp according to Example 5 is provided,
wherein the
plurality of elongate segments further comprise a scissor configuration.
[015] In Example 7, the bait clamp according to Example 6, wherein the at
least one
male tine is configured to pass through at least one female tine when being
urged between the
open and closed positions.
[016] In Example 8, the bait clamp according to Example 5, wherein the
grasper is
configured to grasp bait without killing the bait.
[017] In Example 9, a bait clamping system is provided, comprising an
elongate body,
further comprising a plurality of fixedly attached elongate segments, the body
further comprising
first and second ends, and a grasper, further comprising a plurality of tines
comprising at least
one contoured portion, wherein the grasper is fixedly attached to the first
body end and in
operational communication with the plurality of elongate segments so as to be
capable of
grasping live bait between the tines.
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[018] In Example 10, the bait clamping system according to Example 9,
wherein the
clamp is configured to be capable of open and closed positions.
[019] In Example 11, the bait clamping system according to Example 10,
wherein the
plurality of elongate segments are adapted to urge the grasper into the closed
position.
[020] In Example 12, the bait clamping system according to Example 11,
wherein the
plurality of tines further comprise at least one male tine and at least one
female tine.
[021] In Example 13, the bait clamp according to Example 11, wherein at
least one male
tine is configured to pass through at least one female tine when being urged
between the open
and closed positions.
[022] In Example 14, the bait clamping system according to Example 13,
wherein the
plurality of tines further comprise an opening adapted to accommodate a hook.
[023] In Example 15, the bait clamping system according to Example 14,
wherein the
grasper is configured to grasp bait without killing the bait when urged into
the closed position.
[024] In Example 16, a method of baiting a hook is provided, comprising
providing a
bait clamp, the clamp comprising an elongate body, further comprising a
plurality of fixedly
attached elongate segments, the body further comprising first and second ends,
and a grasper in
operational communication with the elongate segments, the grasper further
comprising a
plurality of tines, the tines each comprising at least one contoured portion
and an opening
adapted to accommodate a hook, and baiting a hook, comprising the steps of
grasping live bait
between the tines of the grasper, and hooking the grasped bait, wherein the
clamp is configured
to be capable of open and closed positions so as to grasp live bait.
[025] In Example 17, the bait clamping system according to Example 16,
wherein the
plurality of elongate segments are adapted to urge the grasper into the closed
position.
[026] In Example 18, the bait clamping system according to Example 17,
wherein the
plurality of tines further comprise at least one male tine and at least one
female tine.
[027] In Example 19, the bait clamp according to Example 18, wherein at
least one male
tine is configured to pass through at least one female tine when being urged
between the open
and closed positions.
[028] In Example 20, the bait clamping system according to Example 19,
wherein the
grasper is configured to grasp bait without killing the bait when urged into
the closed position.
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[029] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of
the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description,
which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will
be realized, the
invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without
departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention, Accordingly, the drawings and
detailed description are
to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[030] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the clamp.
[031] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the grasper, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[032] FIG. 3 is a side view of the clamp in a user's hand, according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
[033] FIG. 4 is a rotated, perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 3.
[034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clamp in use
with live bait.
[035] FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the clamp on a leech,
according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[036] FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the clamp being used to hook
live bait,
showing a close-up view of the grasper according to one embodiment.
[037] FIG. 8 is a close-up, perspective view of the grasper following the
application of
the bait to a hook, according to a further exemplary embodiment.
Detailed Description
[038] Exemplary embodiments of the invention may relate specifically to
apparatus,
systems or methods. For brevity in this description, these embodiments may be
variously
referred to as the "leech clamp," "clamp," or "clamping system," none of which
are intended to
limit the scope of the invention to a single modality.
[039] In general terms, the disclosed clamp is used for catching leeches
and other live
bait and preparing the bait for, and applying the bait to a hook or other
fishing means. Certain
embodiments address the catching and application of leeches, though other bait
may also be
utilized, such as nightcrawlers, minnows, and the like.
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[0401 Turning to the Figures in detail, FIGS. 1-8 depict various
embodiments of the
leech clamp 10. As is shown in FIG. 1, exemplary embodiments of the clamp 10
comprise a
generally elongate body 12 having a first, or distal end 14 and a second, or
proximal second end
16 end. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first end 14 further
comprises a grasper 18,
which is further discussed in relation to FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,
the body 12
further comprises a plurality of elongate segments 20, 22, the function of
which are discussed in
detail in relation to FIGS. 3-5, In certain embodiments, such as the one
depicted in FIG. 1, the
elongate segments 20, 22 are placed in a scissor configuration, such that they
overlap at the distal
end 14. In exemplary embodiments, the clamp 10 is comprised of metal, such as
steel. In certain
embodiments, the clamp is die cast, In certain other embodiments, the clamp is
comprised of
plastic, such as molded plastic. Further embodiments are comprised of one or
more of: spring
steel, half- or quarter-hard steel, stainless steel, alloys, plastics and/or
polymers.
[0411 An exemplary embodiment of the grasper 18 is depicted in detail in
FIG. 2. As
depicted, the grasper is in the "open" position (as opposed to the "closed"
position of FIG. 1). In
this open position, the grasper 18 is adapted, or configured, to be capable of
accepting a leech
within the plurality of tines 24, 26, 28, 30, which are set out on the first
and second contoured
grasping portions (in this embodiment, the first grasping portion is comprised
of the male tines
24, 26 and the second is comprised of the female tines 28, 30). As is depicted
in FIG. 2, these
tines may be generally rectangular, flat and male 24, 26 or female 28, 30. The
female tines 28,
30 further comprise openings 34, 36 so as to allow passage of the male tines
24, 26 through the
female tine openings 34, 36, as is shown, for example, in FIG. 2. In certain
exemplary
embodiments, the distal ends 28A, 30A of the female tines are rounded, so as
reduce sharp
corners and to prevent unnecessary injury to the subject live bait. In further
embodiments, the
user may use the distal ends as a means of scraping leeches which are stuck to
the container wall
or floor, so as to loosen the bait for ease of grabbing, as leeches for
example tend to utilize their
suckers to cling to such surfaces.
[042] The embodiment of FIG. 2 further features an contoured offset region
32 at the
base of the grasper 18, which is configured to contoured offset the proximal
ends of the generally
rectangular tines 24, 26 to extend through the openings 34, 36 of the female
tines 28, 30 while
the grasper 18 is in the closed position (as can be seen at reference letter A
in FIG. 3) and to
introduce a contour to the inner portion of the grasper 18, as discussed
further in relation to FIG.
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6. As discussed elsewhere herein (particularly in relation to FIG. 7), in
exemplary embodiments
of the leech clamp, the female tines are configured so as to present a central
slot, or opening 54
through which a hook may be easily passed. Other configurations are possible.
[043] As is depicted in FIGS. 3-4, in certain exemplary embodiments, the
clamp body
12 further comprises a plurality of elongate segments 20, 22, which are
configured to operate in a
scissor, or "tongs" fashion so as to effectuate operation of the grasper 18
from a "closed" to an
"open" position, as would be known to one of skill in the art. In certain
embodiments, the
grasper 18, and correspondingly the plurality of elongate segments 20, 22,
contain certain
structural tension which urges them into the "closed" position, only to be
moved into the "open"
position when pressure is applied by the user I to either side of the body 12,
and therefore the
plurality of elongate segments 20, 22, as is depicted elsewhere herein.
[044] By way of example, and as depicted in FIG. 3, this operation may be
performed
by way of the user's thumb 2 and forefinger 3. As depicted in FIG. 3, in
certain embodiments
the elongate segments 20, 22 further comprise protruding regions 20A, 22A,
which both
facilitate the use of the clamp and provide spring functionality, thereby
urging the grasper into
the "closed" position. In exemplary embodiments, the spring functionality is
adjusted so as to
grasp, but not rupture or otherwise kill the live bait when the user ceases to
apply pressure to the
elongate segments. One of skill in the art would understand the means by which
the elongate
segments can be configured, both as to shape and materials, as well as the
means of adjusting the
pressure.
[045] FIG.4 depicts the operation of the clamp according to an exemplary
embodiment,
wherein the user's thumb 2 and forefinger 3 are used to urge the elongate
segments 20, 22 and
correspondingly the tines 24, 26, 28, 30 of the grasper 18 so as to move the
clamp into the
"open" position. FIG. 4 also clearly depicts that in certain embodiments, a
plurality of fasteners
38 which can serve to couple, or fixedly attach, the elongate segments 20, 22
and provide spring
operation, wherein coupled with the tension of the elongate segments they
serve to urge the
clamp into the closed position. In exemplary embodiments, rivets can be
utilized. In further
embodiments, a spring may be used to accomplish this urging. In yet further
embodiments, other
well-established fastening methods can be utilized, such as welding, spot
welding, bolts, screws,
glues, and the like.
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[046] As depicted in FIG. 4, in certain embodiments the elongate segments
20, 22 are
generally planar and contoured offset from one another, each comprising an
obtuse angle
configured to allow for the grasping movement by way of a scissor-like
movement, so as to
accommodate the movement between the open to closed positions. Further, in
such
embodiments, the orientation of the individual tines may be maintained by the
alignment of the
elongate segments relative to one another at the grasper, as is depicted best
in FIG. 4. In this
configuration, the elongate segments 20, 22 are placed flush with one another
horizontally.
Other configurations are possible.
[0471 As is shown in FIGS. 5-6, in certain embodiments, once the clamp 10
has been set
in the "open" position (designated here by the reference arrow "A"), the user
may use the clamp
to grasp live bait, such as leeches 50, In these configurations, the user's
grip on the elongate
segments 20, 22 may then be relaxed, and the grasper 18 will be
correspondingly urged back into
the "closed" position around a leech or other live bait 50, as is shown best
in FIG, 6.
[048] Leeches are generally oval-shaped, as are many other live baits.
Accordingly,
certain embodiments of the tines may also feature a curved, or otherwise
contoured
configuration, so as to be configured to extend around the body of a leech (or
other bait), as is
depicted further in relation to FIG. 6. In these exemplary embodiments, the
tines 28, 30 are
configured to surround the live bait and curve to the contour of its body and
hold it for the
maximal surface area. As such, in these embodiments, the contoured grasper 18
is able to cradle
the leech or other bait 50.
[049] FIGS. 7-8 depict the application of the leech 50 to a hook 52, which
is sometimes
called "baiting." As shown in FIG. 7, in certain exemplary embodiments, the
female tines 28,
30 are arranged so as to leave an opening 54 which runs, for example,
longitudinally along the
grasper 18. In these embodiments, the grasper is thereby configured for the
easy passage of the
hook 52 through the leech 50 while it is being held by the grasper 18 in the
closed position.
Other configurations are of course possible. As is shown in FIG. 8, after the
leech 50 or other
live bait has been baited to the hook 52, the user may once again apply
pressure to the elongate
segments 20, 22, thereby moving the grasper l 8 into the "open" position and
removing the hook
52 and leech for use in fishing.
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[050] Although
the present invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be
made in form and
detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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