CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/390,710 filed on July 20, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are directed to equipment for creating fishing tackle, and specifically to a fly-tying vise system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Fly fishing uses lures that seek to imitate diverse types of insects and insect larvae that fish normally eat. The species of fish sought as well as the environment, e.g., geographic location, lake, stream, river, ocean, time of day, etc., are factors that may inform an angler’s choice of which lures to employ. Over time, lures may become damaged or worn, and need to be replaced. Shops that specialize in fly fishing lures as well as individual anglers may tie their own lures using a variety of varied materials.

[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted being prior art by inclusion in this section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fly-tying vise of the present disclosure;

[0007] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fly-tying vise of the present disclosure; [0008] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example base that can accept a fly-tying vise, such as the vise of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, according to various embodiments;

[0009] Fig. 4 is a cross-section view of the base of Fig. 3 illustrating the track configuration, according to various embodiments;

[0010] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a leg sleeve for a fly-tying vise, according to various embodiments;

[0011] Fig. 5B is a perspective view of a neck sleeve for a fly-tying vise, according to various embodiments;

[0012] Fig. 5C is a perspective view of a head sleeve for a fly-tying vise, according to various embodiments;

[0013] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bobbin cradle of the present disclosure;

[0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an example system of the present disclosure showing a fly-tying vise and a bobbin cradle in position within an example base; and

[0015] Fig. 8 is a cut-away perspective view of the internal components of the vise of Fig. 1, according to various embodiments.

Detailed Description

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0017] Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying description. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that like elements disclosed below are indicated by like reference numbers in the drawings.

[0018] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

[0019] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

[0020] The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.

[0021] Creating, or tying flies for fishing is usually accomplished with the aid of a vise. The vise holds a bare hook, which forms the base of the fly. Various decorations are added to the hook to mimic the appearance of an insect, such as a fly. The choice of decorations depends on the type of insect being mimicked. Once appropriate materials are selected, the materials are typically adhered to the hook shank, and may be wrapped with a thread depending upon the particular fly being created. Wrapping the cord around the hook shank, which is typically held stationary in the vise jaws, requires the user to repeatedly loop the string around the shank in a circular motion. This motion can be tiresome if multiple flies are made in a single session, and further can make creating a neat and compact wrap challenging.

[0022] Furthermore, where multiple flies are being created, keeping the raw materials at hand can also be challenging, along with a number of different specialized tools that may be employed in the creation of a fly.

[0023] Disclosed embodiments seek to solve these deficiencies by providing a fly-tying vise system. A vise is provided in embodiments that can be angled and is configured such that the vise jaws can be selectively fixed or rotated. When allowed to rotate, a user can spin the vise jaws to a create a wrap, rather than the user looping the string around the jaws. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the vise can be secured to a base in a variety of distinct positions. The base may further be equipped with a plurality of distinct types of receptacles to hold various raw materials and tools.

[0024] The system of the present disclosure provides the first on-axis vise that holds shanks and hooks with perfect access for spinning techniques to be utilized. The vise of the present disclosure utilizes sleeves to customize look and match tool sets with materials like exotic woods, carbon fiber, hemp, and custom resins. The vise of the present disclosure features an articulated head and tool-less design for the user. Two sealed bearings are in the head assembly for effortless spinning and the handle is heavy for increased centrifugal force. Prior ait vises that are not balanced in the manner or presented on an axis will cause loose thread wraps and take much more time to assemble while leading to the user experiencing hand fatigue. The vise of the present disclosure is akin to utilizing a machine to produce quick and accurate flies and lures.

[0025] Figs. 1 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of a fly-tying vise 100 of the present disclosure that may be used with the disclosed system. Vise 100 includes as set of jaws 102, which are adjusted by a tightener 103 and held in place by a holder 104. The tightener 103 is attached internally via axles 105a and 105b to a grip 106. When the grip 106 is released, spinning the grip 106 will cause the jaws 102 held by the tightener 103 to rotate in conjunction with the grip 106. The jaws 102, tightener 103, holder 104, and grip 106 (collectively, a head assembly H) are secured to one end of a shank 110, with the other end of shank 110 secured into a foot assembly 112. The foot assembly 112 may be configured to be received by a base 300, as will be discussed below with respect to Fig. 3. Shank 110 may include a hinge or elbow joint 108, which allows the head assembly H to be tilted up or down relative to the axis of the shank 110, depending on the user’s needs. As shown in Fig. 8, the elbow joint 108 is broken up into an upper elbow joint 108a and a lower elbow joint 108b. Also as shown in Fig. 8, the axles 105a and 105b are secured within a head sleeve 120 with the assistance of two bearings 121a and 121b.

[0026] Fig. 1 also shows a leg sleeve 116 that covers a leg stem rod 115, a neck sleeve

118 that covers a neck stem rod 117, and a head sleeve 120 that covers a head connection piece 119. In embodiments of the present disclosure wherein shank 110 does not contain a hinge or elbow joint 108 , it is contemplated that the leg sleeve 116 and neck sleeve 118 could be combined into one singular shank sleeve. Fig. 5A shows a leg sleeve 116 prior to the leg sleeve 1 16 being placed onto the leg stem rod 115 with leg sleeve 1 16 containing an aperture A at each end thereof so that the leg sleeve 116 can be easily slid into place over the leg stem rod 115. Fig. 5B shows a neck sleeve 118 prior to the neck sleeve 118 being placed onto the neck stem rod 117 with neck sleeve 118 containing an aperture A at each end thereof so that the leg sleeve 116 can be easily slid into place over the neck stem rod 117. Fig. 5C shows a head sleeve 120 prior to the head sleeve 120 being placed over the head connection piece

119 and prior to the head connection piece 119 being secured to the top of shank 110 with head sleeve 120 containing a shank aperture SA that receives the shank 110 and two axel apertures AA that receive head connection piece 119. The axles 105a and 105b will ultimately be secured into place within the head connection piece. Sleeves 116, 118, and 120 can be freely swapped out on the vise 100 of the present disclosure in order to allow for a user to customize the look and match tool sets with materials like exotic woods, carbon fiber, hemp, and custom resins.

[0027] Grip 106 may be unlocked using any suitable mechanism. In some embodiments, tightener 103 or holder 104 may be attached to a mechanism that can either lock grip 106 from rotating, or free it. Alternatively, grip 106 may be configured with a set screw or knob to facilitate its locking and unlocking or may itself act on an internal mechanism that locks or unlocks the grip by holding the holder 104 and/or tightener 103 fixed while simultaneously rotating the grip 106. Grip 106 may be configured with a size and/or weight that allows it to be spun by a user’s hand, including allowing a user to impart a rotation to the grip 106 which it then maintains by momentum without requiring continuous user action. In this way, a user can flick or roll the grip 106 and allow it to continue spinning by inertia while the user guides the filament or line being wrapped onto a hook held in the jaws 102. In one or more embodiments, the jaws 102 are made from aluminum whereas prior art jaws have typically been made from hardened steel. It has been discovered that the use of aluminum in the jaws 102 will lead to less damage being done on anything being held by the jaws 102, such as a fishing hook.

[0028] Hinge 108 may be secured by a set screw or grub screw S to allow the head assembly H to be tilted to a desired angle, and then secured at that angle. Foot assembly 112 may include a foot screw 114 that screws into or out of foot assembly 112. The foot screw 114 may be sized so that it cannot rotate or can only par tially rotate when placed into a track on base 300, so that rotating the vise 100 can cause it to be secured or released from the base 300 (discussed below).

[0029] Fig. 2 illustrates yet another embodiment of a fly-tying vise 200 of the present disclosure. Vise 200 includes components common with fly-tying vise 100, including jaws 202, a tightener 203, a holder 204, and a grip 206 that all collectively comprise a head assembly H. As with vise 100, the head assembly H of fly-tying vise 200 is secured to a shank 210 at one end, and a foot assembly 212 at the opposite end of shank 210, into which a foot screw 214 inserts. The shank 210 may include an elbow joint 208 which is secured by a set screw or grub screw S to allow the head assembly H to be titled to a desired angle, and then secured at that angle. The operation of the various features of vise 200 are comparable to the operation of vise 100.

[0030] Fig. 2 also shows a leg sleeve 216, a neck sleeve 218, and a head sleeve 220. In embodiments of the present disclosure wherein shank 210 does not contain a hinge or elbow joint 208, it is contemplated that the leg sleeve 216 and neck sleeve 218 could be combined into one singular shank sleeve.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the components of the head assembly H and the foot assembly 112 or 212 of vise 100 or 200 may be manufactured from a resin material, plastic, or metal, such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel; wherein the shaft 110 or 210 can be made from wood, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. In one or more embodiments, the shaft 110 or 210 and the head assembly H arc made from a metal such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.

[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates a base 300 that can accept a fly-tying vise, such as vise 100 or vise 200. Base 300 includes a substrate 301, into which tracks 302 and 304 may be inserted. Although a base 300 with two tracks 302 and 304 are shown, it is also contemplated that a base 300 of the present disclosure could contain just one singular track. In one or more embodiments, substrate 301 also includes recesses 306a to 3O6d, first apertures 308a to 3O8e, and second apertures 310a to 310e, which may be used to retain or store various tools and/or raw materials. In some embodiments, one or more of recesses 306a to 306d, first apertures 308a to 308e, and/or second apertures 310a to 3 lOe, may be equipped with magnets (not shown) to help retain various tools, hooks, etc. The magnets may be embedded within substrate 301, and so may not be visible. Furthermore, various areas of substrate 301 may also be equipped or embedded with magnets.

[0033] Substrate 301 may be manufactured from wood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. Tracks 302 and 304 may be constructed from resin, metal, or another suitable material, and configured with a T-shaped slot 402, as can be seen in Fig. 4. Tracks 302 and 304 further may be fabricated separately from substrate 301, into which a channel may be formed or routed to accept the separately fabricated tracks 302 and 304. Alternatively, tracks 302 and/or 304 may be fabricated or otherwise formed directly into substrate 301. Although tracks 302 and 304 are separately numbered, they may be formed as a single piece, or multiple pieces.

[0034] Tracks 302 and 304, in the embodiment depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, are disposed at right angles and converge at a circular well 404 in a corner, as can be seen in Fig. 4. Well 404 is wider than and lacks the T-shaped slot 402, so that it may accept the foot screw 114 or 214 of vise 100 or 200, respectively, allowing the vise 100 or 200 to be inserted and slid into either track 302 or 304. The foot screw 114 or 214, as can be seen above in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, has a square or rectangular profile. The foot screw 114, 214 is accordingly sized to fit within the width of T-shaped slot 402 such that the screw is limited in its rotation within the slot 402. With such a shape, the vise 100 or 200 can be rotated about its shank 110 or 210 and cause the screw 114 or 214 to retract into its respective foot assembly 112 or 212. As the screw 114 or 214 retracts, it will clamp the top of the T-shaped slot 214 between the bottom of the foot assembly 112 or 212 and the top of the screw 114 or 214, thereby locking the vise 100 or 200 into position. Conversely, loosening the vise 100 or 200 by rotating the shank in an opposite direction allows the vise 100 or 200 to be slid along slot 214 and repositioned at an arbitrary location on either track 302 or 304. In some embodiments, the head assembly H and shank 110, 210, of vise 100 or 200 may be rotatable relative to its foot assembly 112 or 212, respectively, allowing the head assembly H to be positioned at any desired angle regardless of where along track 302 or 304 the vise is positioned.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, it is contemplated that the system, in addition to the vise 100 or 200 and the base 300, will also include a bobbin cradle 400 as shown in Fig. 6. Bobbin cradle 400 includes a stem 402, with a head assembly 404, and a foot assembly 406. In one or more embodiments, the head assembly 404 includes an attachment surface 405, such as a grommet, and the foot assembly 406 includes a foot screw 407. The attachment surface 405 is utilized to assist in securing line in place when creating a fly. The foot screw 407 is accordingly sized to fit within the width of T-shaped slot 402 of base 300 such that the screw 407 is limited in its rotation within the slot 402. Bobbin cradle 400 also utilizes a leg sleeve 408 that covers stem 402 in a comparable manner to the leg sleeve 116. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a system of the present invention wherein a vise 100 and a bobbin cradle 400 are placed within tracks 302/304 of a base 300.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed embodiments of the disclosed device and associated methods without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of the embodiments disclosed above provided that the modifications and variations come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents.