Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to hook threaders and more particularly to a hook threader that locates an eye of a hook using both magnetic and mechanical means.

Background of the Invention

Threading a light weight fly fishing hook with a light weight line is difficult and is particularly difficult under poor lighting and to those with impaired vision. Even normally sighted people, under good lighting, will sometimes find it difficult to thread a fishing line through the eye of a conventional fishing hook.

Objects and Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a hook threader having no moving parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hook threader that uses a hook retainer, for example, magnet in combination with a notch in order to temporarily fix an eye of a hook in registry with a line-feeding groove.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hook threader that is carried by a lanyard.

Accordingly, there is provided a body in which is formed a hook eye retaining notch. The notch is formed at a terminus of a line-feeding groove. In preferred embodiments, a rare earth magnet is located below the notch.

In some embodiments, the bottom edge or root of the "V" shaped line- feeding groove is arcuate.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Figure i is a perspective view of a hook threader made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through a hook threader with a hook in position;

Figure 3 is a cross section illustrating a fishing line passing through a hook eye.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Invention

As shown in Figure 1, a hook threader 10 comprises a solid body 11 that in this example has generally parallel sides 12, 13 that are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the device. A major portion 14 of the upper surface is generally parallel with the lower surface 15. A near vertical shelf or "drop-off' 16 of about 2mm extends between the major portion of the upper surface and a smaller, lower, or ramp portion 17 that also defines the upper surface of the device. A "V" shaped groove with a root or bottom that is downward arched, extends along the longitudinal axis beginning at the shelf 16. The groove thus defines a "V" shaped gap in the face of the shelf or drop-off. In preferred embodiments the shelf 16 is inclined slightly away from the ramp 17 and toward the groove (See Figs. 2 and 3). As shown, the width of opening of the line-feeding groove 18 varies in proportion to its depth. The widest part 26 being near the centre of the threader the narrowest end 19 where the groove 18 terminates.

In this example, a specially adapted hook retainer comprises an indent or notch 20 formed in the lower portion, immediately adjacent to the shelf 16 and in alignment with the "V" shaped groove 18. The hook holding notch 20 may include a curved bottom surface that is shaped to accommodate the bend found in a wide variety of hook eyes. The retainer further comprises a rare earth magnet 21 is located directly beneath the notch 20 (and thus below the drop-off). A rare earth magnet is used because it is adapted to attract ordinary steel as well as most stainless steels. Other forms of hook retainer are contemplated.

A through opening 22 is preferably located somewhere through the body so that the device 10 may be held on a lanyard around a user's neck. In

some embodiments the opening traverses the bore in which the magnet is located.

Note that the minor portion 17 of the upper surface is inclined slightly upward from the area of the shelf 16 in the direction of its outside edge 23. As shown in Figure 2 the rare earth magnet 21 may be a cylindrical magnet that is retained at the end of a cylindrical bore 24. The location of the magnet 21 may be retained either by an adhesive, an interference fit or by the cord that passes through the opening 22. The bottom of the bore 24 may be capped with an adhesive label 25 or by other convenient means. Figure 2 also illustrates that the bottom edge or root 26 of the "V" shaped groove 18 is preferably not a straight line. In this example, the groove 18 reaches its maximum depth 26a from the top surface 14 at a point between the rear extent 19 of the groove and the terminus or shelf 16. This arc (of a circle) shape in the root prevents upward buckling of the fishing line when it is being pushed through a hook eye.

Figure 2 also illustrates the location of a hook eye 27 in the notch 20. As illustrated, the hook eye 27 presents its opening to and in registry with the "V" shaped groove 18 with the shank of the hook 28 facing upward. In this way, the hook 29 is both mechanically positioned and stabilised by the notch 2 and magnetically retained by the rare earth magnet 21. As shown, the drop-off or shelf may be inclined toward the groove, to better stabilise the hook. The hook will remain stable in this position and is essentially hands-free. Note that the bottom of the groove, where it exits the shelf 17 is generally co-planar with the shelf surface, creating continuity for the fishing line to travel along as shown in Fig. 3.

As shown in Figure 3, the device 10 is used by first locating the hook 29 in the notch 20 then feeding a fishing line 31 through the groove 18 until it passes through the hooks eye 27. Slight downward pressure on the tip of the line as it passes through the groove will prevent the line from becoming unseated. Once the line passes through the eye 27 and protrudes past the end of the ramp 23 the free end 32 can be pulled through manually.

In some examples, the groove width is about 1.5mm and may have a flat root of about .4mm in width along its entire length. In preferred embodiments the groove root radius is about 5θmm-ioomm, preferably about 50mm. The

shelf height is about 2mm and the magnet is about 4mm in diameter. In this type of embodiment the entire device is about 40mm long, the lower portion of the top surface being abouti2.smm long.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.