TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application concerns all kinds of hooks and/or gaffs for fishing and/or for hunting and/or for catching fish, each comprising a detachable barb. It also includes different types of the lures and designs of the barbs, both detachable and fixed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The so-called "catch and release" fishing is becoming increasingly popular around the world and not only in the United States and Australia, where a relatively high propotion of recreational fishing is just of this kind. However, there have traditionally been some limitations to this type of fishing. When removing regular hooks, the barbs will most probably damage the fish's mouth, and thus ruin the fish's ability to eat and survive. This contradicts the purpose of the "catch and release" fishing, where the point is not to harm the fish and not to disturb its normal life. This has led some anglers and fishermen to choose grinding down the barb on the hook, and subsequently reducing their own ability to catch fish. Such grinded hooks are, however, not as harmless as many seem to believe. In using these hooks, the angler loses the ability to inspect any damage to the fish, if the fish escapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fish-hook or gaff with a detachable barb can help in a wide range of situations, where the hook is stuck. For instance, one won't have to damage the fish when removing the hook. There will be no damage to clothings and/or lines, if the hook gets tangled up or stuck in it. In addition, one can keep the hooks and barbs separately to avoid such tangles. When it comes to larger fish, a fishing hook comprising a detachable barb will significantly ease the removal of a big hook from a big fish. One can simply press the hook all the way through the skin, detach the barb, drag the hook back through the mouth of the fish and finally attach the barb to the hook again for further fishing. In the same way, it can also be argued that a fish-hook with a detachable barb is a significant advantage, if the angler should be unfortunate enough to catch himself/herself or his/her fishing partner. Normally one would have to drag the hook through the skin and cut it off with pliers or tongs. Now one can simply detach the barb off and drag the hook back through the wound. Another advantage that a hook with a detachable barb has, is that one can change the barb at will or when desired. One can have a number of different designed barbs and/or lures to attach or fix onto the shank. One can, for example, fix on a fly or a rubber lure. One can have a version with more than one barbs, a so-called double hook. A triple hook should also be possible, likewise e.g. a trident hook. Snatch hooks or grappling hooks, and more commonly known hooks as alligator hooks, can benefit greatly from a detachable barb. Moreover, one can have a small LEO (light or bulb) and a battery attached to the barb. The battery can be integrated in the barb. The LED can flash regularly (i.e. the LED can be turned on and off with a predetermined sequence). Additionally, the predetermined flashing sequence of the LED can be regulated or tuned. This will be suitable especially for deep water fishing. The illustrations attached show two different solutions of the hooks with detachable barbs, as well as suggestions for different types of designed barbs and/or lures.

The main features of this invention are given in the independent claim or claims. Additional features of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

The present invention teaches a hook being adapted for at least one of: fishing, catching fish and hunting. The hook comprises a shank and a barb. The barb is adapted to be attachable and detachable to the shank of the hook when needed or desired. The barb can be fitted with internal threads, and the shank can be fitted with cooperating external threads for screwing the barb to the shank of the hook. Alternatively, the barb can be fitted with external threads, and the shank can be fitted with cooperating internal threads for screwing the barb to the shank of the hook. The barb and the shank can be fitted with a suitable fastening mechanism. When attached to each other, the purpose is that it should be difficult to take the barb apart from the shank of the hook by just pulling very hard. However, by twisting or turning round the barb with respect to the shank, it should be easy to detach or take them apart from each other. The fastening mechanism can be at least one of: at least two male pins and respectively at least two cooperating female receptors; linchpins; split pins; clips; R-clips; and any combination thereof.

The barb, when attached to the shank, can have a bigger diameter that the diameter of the shank, particularly in the connection area, thus the barb can be thicker than the shank. Alternatively, the outer surface of the barb, when attached to the shank, can be in line with or flush with the outer surface of the shank, particularly in the connection area, thus the barb can be in line with or flush with the shank.

Furthermore, the barb of the hook can be a multiple barb. The barb can be equipped with a fly. The barb can be equipped with a LED and a battery. The barb can be equipped with a lure. The lure can serve as a bait. The lure can be made of rubber or other suitable for the purpose material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example(s), with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1-3 show a first embodiment of a hook with a shank and a detachable barb according to the invention.

Fig.4 illustrates a second embodiment of a hook with a shank and a detachable barb according to the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a hook with a shank and a detachable barb according to the invention.

Fig. 6-9 show different designs of barbs and/or lures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a hook 1 with a shank 2 according to the invention, and how the hook 1 looks with the barb 3 attached to the shank 2. This is how it will look like in normal state. Here, the shank 2 of the hook 1 can have threads 4 thereon. Thus, the barb 3 may lie outside the shank 2, and can therefore be marginally thicker than the shank 2 (see for example fig.3). Fig. 2 shows the same hook 1 with the barb 3 detached from the shank 2 of the hook 1.

Fig. 3 shows, in close-up, the same hook 1, and how the shank 2 is threaded on the outside (i.e. has external threads 4). Thus the barb 3 can have internal threads 5. Fig.4 shows, in close-up, a second embodiment of a hook 1 with a shank 2 according to the invention. Here, some of the metal on the shank 2 of the hook 1 can be milled or sizzled in order to get shank threads 4 that fit into the drilled, internal threads 5 of the barb 3, so that the outer surface of the shank 2 will be in line with or flush with the outer surface of the barb 3, after the attachment. Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a hook 1 with a shank 2 according to the invention, where the shank 2 can have internal threads 4, and the barb 3 can have threads 5 on the outside (i.e. external threads 5). Here, the outer surface of the shank 2 can be made to be in line with or flush with the outer surface of the barb 3, after the attachment.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a multiple barbed 3a hook 1 (double, triple, etc.). Here, the barb 3a can have internal threads 5.

Fig. 7 shows a barb 3b equipped with a fly 5. Here, the barb 3b can have external or outside threads 5.

Fig. 8 shows a barb 3c equipped with a small container 7 with a small battery (not shown) and a surface-mounted LED light 8 that can flash or glow as desired, in order to allure fish. Here, the barb 3c can have external or outside threads 5. Alternatively, the battery (not shown) can be integrated within the barb itself.

Fig. 9 shows a barb 3d with a rubber lure 9 as a bait. Here, the barb 3d can have external or outside threads 5. In the application, the term "hook" and "fish-hook" is intended to comprise all kinds of hooks and/or gaffs being adapted for fishing and/or catching fish.

Another methods for secure attachment of the detachable barb to the shank can be possible. For example, instead of threads on the barb and the shank of the hook for thus screwing the barb to the shank, one can use bayonet mounting, where at least two male pins of one of: the barb and the shank, can cooperate with at least two female receptors of the other one of: the barb and the shank, by pushing and twisting. Dogs and/or latches arranged to or onto the barb and/or the shank can abo be used. Linchpins and/or split pins and/or other clips (e.g. R-clips) and/or the like can abo be possible. Other suitable means / devices for mechanical attachment and/or fastening mechanisms can be possible, wherein, when attached to each other, it will be difficult to take the barb apart from the shank of the hook by just pulling hard, and wherein, e.g. by twisting or turning round the barb with respect to the shank, it will be easy to detach and/or take them apart from each other. Additional modifications, alterations and adaptations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed and stated in the following patent claims.