FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fishing lures and more specifically to the attachment of a diving paddle and or pull-point to a hard body lure. More particularly the present invention relates to an interlocking paddle and keel design that improves the strength and precision alignment ability of a fishing lure.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many fishing lures use paddles, made from fiberglass epoxy laminate material or similar rigid material, that are glued into a slot in the fishing lure and then hand tuned to make the lure swim straight. Such hand tuning is often required due to misalignment of the paddle with the lure. Consequently, a need exists to improve the mounting of the paddles to the lures to reduce the misalignment and minimize that amount of hand tuning. . Fishing lures known to the inventor generally use symmetric diving paddles to control the depth at which hard bodied lures, also known as crankbaits, run when retrieved using bait casting equipment. Such lures run in a nose down configuration such that the paddle or blade often encounters the obstruction such as tree limbs before the lure body or the hooks. Typically, the pull point to which the retrieving line is connected is attached along the centerline of the diving paddle. The location of the pull ring has been considered necessary to enable the lure to run true when retrieved. Consequently, manual manipulation of the pull ring without a full understanding of the physics leads to an unstable and erratically retrieved lure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A general object of the invention is to improve the strength and precision alignment ability of a paddle to a fishing lure. To accomplish this, we use a molded keel which is inserted precisely into the lure body to insure that the attached paddle is correctly positioned.

[0004] Another general object of the invention is to prevent fishing lures from hanging up on underwater obstructions such as submerged tree limbs and rocks.

[0005] In one embodiment, a crankbait is equipped with an eccentric paddle that will deflect causing the lure to rotate away from the obstruction.

[0006] In accordance with another embodiment, a crankbait is equipped with an eccentric paddle of an opposite eccentricity to cause deflection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Referring to the drawings which are appended hereto and which form a portion of this disclosure, it may be seen that:

[0008] FIG 1 is an exploded view of a paddle pull-point wire form and molded keel;

[0009] FIG 2 is a side elevation view of a crankbait or other hard body lure showing a slot for receiving the paddle and keel assembly in place.

[00010] FIG 3 is a sectional view of a crankbait or other hard body lure with the paddle and keel assembly in place.

[0001 1] FIG 4 is a plan view of a preferred paddle;

[00012] FIG 5 is a perspective view of the preferred paddle affixed to the keel and inserted into the body.

[00013] FIG 6 is perspective view of one embodiment of the paddle on a crankbait encountering an obstruction; [00014] FIG 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 rotating to avoid snagging on the obstruction. :

[00015] FIG 8 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the paddle and keel ...

[00016] FIG 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the paddle;

[00017] FIG 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG 9;

[00018] FIG 1 1 is a sectional view taken along line 1 1 - 11 of FIG 9.

[00019] FIG 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the paddle and keel;

[00020] FIG 13 is an exploded view of the third embodiment; and

[00021] FIG 14 is a side elevation view of the paddle in the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00022] One or more of the above objects can be achieved, at least in part, by providing an assembly that is insert molded to precisely align the paddle top, pull-point and keel. Referring to FIG 1, note that in this embodiment a paddle 1 1 is provided with a slot 12 through which a wire-form pull-point 13 can be inserted such that a closed eye E is formed by the paddle and pull-point. The paddle is punched with the slot 12 in an appropriate position and with a pair of locking holes 14 which may assume any configuration, i.e. round, square, oblong, slotted. The punched paddle 1 1 and pull -point 13 are inserted into a precision pocket in an inj ection mold. The mold is closed and injected with a plastic that flows through the locking holes 14 and slot 12, then hardens to form a rigid keel 15 locking the pull-point 13 to the paddle 1 1 and the paddle 1 1 to the keel 15. This process precisely aligns the paddle 1 1 , keel 15 and pull -point 13 in the X, Y and Z planes with the resultant assembly ready to be inserted into the lure body 17.

[00023] The pull-point 13 may also be precisely aligned through thermal staking of the pull-point 13 into the paddle 1 1. In thermal staking a metal pull-point 13 is placed in a cored or drilled hole in paddle 1 1 which is slightly smaller than the insert. This hole provides a certain degree of interference and also serves to guide the pull-point wire- form into place. The heat from the thermal tip travels through the pull-point to the interface of the metal and plastic. Heat generated by the thermal tip causes the plastic in the paddle 1 1 to melt, and as the thermal tip advances, the pull-point is imbedded into the paddle. The molten plastic flows into the serrations, lobes, or undercuts of the pull- point, and when the heat terminates, the plastic re-solidifies and the pull-point 13 is securely encapsulated in place in paddle 1 1. Of course the exact configuration of the wire form pull point may vary so long as it extends through the paddle and is imbedded in the

[00024] The paddle 1 1 may be of any shape and any suitable material and the pull- point 13 and cooperative slot 12 may be placed on the centerline of the lure body 17 or on either side thereof as needed to enhance the action of the lure in the water. Referring to FIG 2, a mouth slot 18 is formed in the molded lure body 17 to accept the cross section of the paddle assembly such that the keel 15 and paddle 1 1 mate precisely with the lure body 17. The paddle assembly can be affixed to the lure body 17 by sonic welding or gluing as appropriate. It may be seen in FIG' s 8 to 1 1 , that the paddle and keel may be a unitary molded unit with the pull point 13 embedded therein.

[00025] In a preferred embodiment we utilize an asymmetrical paddle l lor lip on a hard body 17 or crankbait style fishing lure to deflect under water cover easier by placing an off-center pull-point 13 on the paddle 1 1. Referring to the figures for a better understanding of the invention, note that the lures to which the present invention are connected are generally balanced and contain a weight within a lightweight balsa or plastic body 17. Body 17 includes a nose 32 and a tail 33 along with hook hangers and hooks (not shown) suspended below the body 17. A transverse mouth slot 18 is formed in body 17 slightly below nose 32. The inclination of the slot 18 relative to the center horizontal plane of the body 17 varies depending on the depth at which the lure is expected to run when pulled through the water by a fishing line, not shown, connected to a pull point 13 mounted on a paddle 1 1 inserted into slot 18 and secured therein.

[00026] Paddle 1 1 differs from known prior art paddles in that such paddles have been symmetric about their longitudinal axis or about the longitudinal axis of the lure to which they were attached. Consequently, the pull point of prior art lures has typically been along the center line of the paddle or the lure. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the paddle has a pair of asymmetrical lobes or sides. The paddle shape includes a base edge 21 which is inserted into slot 18 and a first lateral edge 22 defining an included angle of more than 90 degrees with base edge 21. First lateral edge 22 thus extends from slot 18 outwardly and forwardly of body 17 below nose 32. A second lateral edge 23 extends from the end of base edge 21 outwardly at a slightly greater angle than first lateral edge 22, thus the first and second lateral edges converge toward base edge 21 but at different rates. A forward edge 24 extends from the forward-most extension of first lateral edge 22 toward the centerline of body 17 forming an obtuse angle with first lateral edge 22 atjunction A. A leading edge 25 joins forward edge 24 and crosses the centerline of body 17 forming a slightly acute angle with forward edge 24 at junction F. A secondary leading edge 26 extends between leading edge 25 and the end of second lateral edge 23 forming an obtuse angle with leading edge 25 at junction C and a slightly acute angle with second lateral edge 23 at junction B . Accordingly first lateral edge 22 forward edge 24 and leading edge 25 define the boundaries of a major lobe 3 1 existing on one side of the centerline of body 17. This maj or lobe 31 defines the forward most extension of paddle 10. Leading edge 25, secondary leading edge 26 and second lateral edge 22 define the outer boundary of the second lobe 32 of paddle 10 existing on the opposite side of the centerline of body 17. Thus leading edge 25 extends transversely of the centerline from the forward most part of the paddle 10 and rearwardly to connect with secondary leading edge 26.

[00027] It should be understood that each edge described herein above may be linear or may be slightly curved and each angle defined by the intersection of the edges is to be considered an included angle but the physical connection of the edges may be rounded or pointed. Likewise, leading edge 25 and secondary leading edge 26 may form a single curved leading edge extending from forward edge 24 at junction F to second lateral edge 22 at junction B.

[00028] Line-eye or pull point 13 is mounted within maj or lobe 3 1 off the centerline of body 17. With the line-eye off the centerline and with maj or lobe 31 extending in front of the lure, if the lure encounters an obstacle it will be when the leading edge 25 and forward edge 24 are below the level of the body 17 such that they encounter the obstacle. As illustrated in FIG.' s 6 and 7, because the line eye is not on the centerline of the lure, if the obstruction is encountered between junction F and junction A, the lure will pivot about the contact point between the lip and the obstruction until the lure is vertical at which time tension on the line will move the lure past the obstruction. If the obstruction is encountered between junction F and junction B, the lure will simply slide around the obstruction and remain free. The various permutations are illustrated in the figures. With respect to Y shaped tree limbs note that it is more likely that the major lobe will encounter one branch of the Y before the minor lobe, thus any pivoting action of the lure well begin before both lobes are engaged.

[00029] Note that the position of the line-eye 13 along the length of paddle 1 1 may be varied to impart different swim characteristics to the lure and the angle of slot 1 8 can be varied to also impart different swim characteristics, however, in most instances the lure will "swim" in a nose down configuration relative to a horizontal plane such that the edge of the paddle will be the first point to encounter an obstruction and the belly hooks 16 will be shielded from the obstruction by the paddle. As the paddle flips, pivots or slides by the obstruction the hooks 16 should also avoid the obstruction.

[00030] In a third embodiment shown in FIG' s 12 to 14, the keel 15 ' is adapted to mate with a paddle 1 1 ' which is undulating or non-planar. In this embodiment the keel is formed with an undulating upper surface 41 which matches the undulation of the paddle I V . As in the preceding embodiments, a punched paddle 1 1 ' and pull-point 13 ' are inserted into a precision pocket in an inj ection mold. The mold is closed and inj ected with a plastic that flows through the locking holes 14 ' and slot 12' , then hardens to form a rigid keel 15 ' locking the pull-point 13 ' to the paddle 1 and the paddle I V to the keel 15 ' , thus precisely aligns the paddle 1 1 ' , keel 15 ' and pull-point 13 " in the X, Y and Z planes with the resultant assembly ready to be inserted into the lure body 17.

[0003 1] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.