SQUID LURE FOR FISHING

Abstract

A squid lure having a body, the body comprising a rigid head and one or more flexible tentacles attached to the head; the head having a ventral side and a dorsal side with a tow point attached to the ventral side and a hook adapter attached to the dorsal side; the head having a weight located in the dorsal portion; wherein the head and the tentacles are shaped so that, when the lure is pulled through water, the body vibrates. The head and tentacles may be integrally formed.

Claims

1. A squid lure having a body, the body comprising a rigid head and one or more flexible tentacles attached to the head; the head having a ventral side and a dorsal side with a tow point attached to the dorsal side and a hook adapter attached to the ventral side; the head having a weight located in a ventral portion; wherein the head and the tentacles are shaped so that, when the lure is pulled through water, the body vibrates.

2. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the weight is located towards a front of the head and/or the weight is primarily located in the ventral portion.

3. (canceled)

4. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the head has a generally oval cross-section along a substantial portion of a length of the head and wherein the portion of the head having the generally oval cross section comprises a flat dorsal region having little or no lateral curvature.

5. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the head comprises a mantle portion and a mid-portion with the mid-portion located between the mantle and the one or more tentacles.

6. The squid lure according to claim 5 wherein the mid-portion comprises two eye cavities, the eye cavities describing a concave shape and located on opposite sides of the mid-portion.

7. The squid lure according to claim 1 having a head length (B) and a maximum head thickness (C), wherein the tow point is located at a tow point distance (A) from a tip of the head and wherein a ratio of the tow point distance (A) to the head length (B) is between 0.55 and 0.25.

8. The squid lure according to claim 7 wherein the head has a maximum height (D) and wherein a ratio of the maximum head thickness (C) to the maximum head height (D) is between 0.35 and 0.55.

9. The squid lure according to claim 8 wherein an eye thickness of the head is a cross-sectional distance measured between respective lowest points of the concave eye cavities and wherein a ratio of the eye thickness (F) to the maximum head thickness (C) is between 0.85 and 1.

10. The squid lure according to claim 7 where the lure has an overall length (H) measured from a tip of the head to a tip of a longest tentacle when extended in a direction along a length of the lure and wherein a ratio of the head length (B) to the overall length (H) is between 0.4 and 0.6.

11. The squid lure according to claim 7, wherein the one or more tentacles define a tentacle shoulder wherein the body has a tentacle shoulder thickness (E) at the tentacle shoulder, and wherein a ratio of the maximum head thickness (C) to the shoulder thickness (E) is 1.1 to 1.4.

12. The squid tentacle according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tentacles comprises at least one longer tentacle and at least one shorter tentacle, the at least one longer tentacle having a longer tentacle distance (G) and the at least one short tentacle having a shorter tentacle distance.

13. The squid tentacle according to claim 1 having a head length (B) and a maximum head thickness (C), wherein the tow point is located at a tow point distance (A) from a tip of the head and wherein a ratio of the tow point distance (A) to the head length (B) is between 0.55 and 0.25, wherein a ratio of the head length added to the shorter tentacle distance (J) to the head length (B) is between 0.55 and 0.75.

14. The squid tentacle according to claim 4 having a head length (B) and a maximum head thickness (C), wherein the tow point is located at a tow point distance (A) from a tip of the head and wherein a ratio of the tow point distance (A) to the head length (B) is between 0.55 and 0.25, wherein the flat dorsal region has a maximum thickness (I) and wherein a ratio of the maximum thickness of the flat dorsal region (I) to the maximum head thickness (C) may be is between 0.55 and 0.7.

15. The squid tentacle according to claim 14, when dependent on claim 8, wherein a ratio of the maximum thickness of the flat dorsal region (I) to the maximum head height (D) is between 0.23 to 0.35.

16. The squid tentacle according to claim 7 wherein the hook adapter is located a distance from the tip of the head and wherein the distance from the tip of the head to the hook adaptor measured along a length of the lure is less than the tow point distance (A).

17. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the head and tentacles are formed from as an integral whole encapsulating the weight.

18. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the head does not extend substantially beyond a point where the tentacles meet the head.

19. The squid lure according to claim 1 wherein the head comprises a recess surrounded by tentacles at the point where the tentacles meet the head, each tentacle has a corresponding width and a sum of all of the widths of the tentacles and a width of the recess is substantially equal to a width of the head at the point where the head meets the tentacles.

20. A method of manufacturing a squid lure according to claim 1 comprising the step of moulding the head and tentacles as an integral whole to encapsulate the weight.

21. The method according to claim 20 comprising moulding the head and tentacles as an integral whole from a flexible plastic material.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments are herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of a squid lure for fishing according to an embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the line Ax-Ax of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a top view of the lure of FIG. 1; and

[0034] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the lure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a lure for fishing 10 according to an embodiment. The lure 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is representative of embodiments of the invention since the simulated swimming motion may be achieved with lures of different sizes, scaled accordingly. Therefore, the dimensions of the lure are discussed below in relative terms, and some specific dimensions are set out by way of example. However, it is to be realised that many variations are possible, within the constraints discussed above, and below.

[0036] The lure 10 is formed with a head 12 attached to tentacles 14. As illustrated, there are two longer tentacles 14A and four shorter tentacles 14B. It is to be realised that in further embodiments, all the tentacles may have the same length, and the number of tentacles of each type may vary.

[0037] The head 12 includes a mantle 16 attached to a mid-portion 18. The tentacles 14 are attached to the mid-portion 18. Two eye cavities 20A and 20B are formed on opposite sides of the mid portion 18. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, each eye cavity 20A, 20B is formed by a concave void in the sides of the mid-portion 18.

[0038] The head 12 has a tip 24 which designates a front of the lure 10. A centre line (CL) is shown in FIG. 1 joining the tip, mid-way through the mid-portion and mid-way through the longer tentacle 14A (which is situated on the middle of the lateral side of the lure 10 visible in FIG. 1). The centre line (CL) divides the lure into a dorsal side 26 and a ventral side 28.

[0039] A weight 22 is provided embed in the mantle 16. The weight is situated primarily in the ventral side 28. In this embodiment, the majority of the weight is located in the dorsal side. Furthermore, the weight is located toward the tip, and away from the mid-portion 18. In this embodiment, the weight is constructed from lead, but any relatively dense material may be used instead.

[0040] The dorsal side 26 has a flat upper surface (with reference to the orientation of FIG. 1), the flat dorsal region 30. The flat dorsal region is shown in FIG. 3, but as illustrated in FIG. 1, the flat dorsal region 30 is flat laterally, but not longitudinally. In the longitudinal direction of the lure 10, the flat dorsal region 30 follows the longitudinal curvature of the head 12.

[0041] As illustrated in the Figures, the head has a generally oval cross-section along a length of the head. The flat dorsal region 30 does provide a truncated oval to the cross-section where that cross-section is taken at a position corresponding to the flat dorsal region 30. For example, FIG. 2, being a cross section of FIG. 1, illustrates the slightly truncated oval of the head formed by the flat dorsal region 30.

[0042] A tow point in the form an eyelet 32 is provided on the dorsal side, 26, located on the flat dorsal region 30. A hook adaptor, also in the form of an eyelet 34 is provided on the ventral side 28. A further hook adapter, tentacle eyelet 36, is provided at a rear of the mid-portion 18. Although the hook and tow adaptors are here provided as eyelets, many other forms of attachment are possible instead of, or in addition to, eyelets.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear of the mid-portion 18, at the point where the tentacles 14 meet the head 12, is provided with a recess 60 surrounded by the tentacles 14. In this embodiment, the recess 60 is flat, but it may, in other embodiments, be slightly concave or convex. However, the head 12 does not extend substantially past the point where the tentacles meet the head (where dimensions B and G meet in FIG. 1).

[0044] In this embodiment, the eyelets 32, 34 and 36 are formed from wire 50 which runs through the head 12.

[0045] The following dimensions are indicated in the accompanying Figures. In certain embodiments, these dimensions exclude the hook and tow adaptors such as eyelets 32, 34 and 36. Where the tentacles are included in the dimensions, the tentacles are arranged as illustrated-orientated substantially along the length of the lure 10 and at rest (i.e. without any artificial bend induced into the material comprising the tentacles). Furthermore, all dimensions are measured in a linear manner, either along the length of the lure 10 (i.e. parallel to the centre line CL) or in a direction perpendicular thereto. Unless otherwise indicated, dimensions to not take the curvature of the lure into account. [0046] (A) Tow point distance. This is the distance from the tip 24 to the foremost attachment point of the eyelet 32 to the dorsal side 30. [0047] (B) Head length. The distance from the tip 24 to the back of the mid-portion 18. [0048] (C) Maximum head thickness. The maximum thickness of the head 12 measured from side to side (FIG. 3). [0049] (D) Maximum head height. The maximum height of the head measured from the top of the dorsal side 26 to the bottom of the ventral side 28 (FIG. 1). The length, thickness and height are measured in directions orthogonal to one another. [0050] (E) Tentacle shoulder thickness. The thickness of the lure measured at the tentacle shoulder. [0051] (F) Eye thickness. The thickness of the mid-portion measured between the deepest points of the concave cavities forming the eyes 20A and 20B. [0052] (G) Longer tentacle distance. The length of the longer tentacles 14A. [0053] (H) Overall length. The length of the lure 10 from the tip 24 to the end of the long tentacle 14A. [0054] (I) A maximum thickness of the flat dorsal region 30. [0055] (J) Combination of the head length (B) and the length of the shorter tentacle 14B.

[0056] In certain embodiments it has been found that the following ranges for these ratios of the aforementioned dimensions may provide a pronounced vibration:

TABLE-US-00001 A:B.sup. 0.55 to 0.25 C:D 0.35 to 0.55 F:C 0.85 to 1 B:H 0.4 to 0.6 C:E.sup. 1.1 to 1.4 J:B 0.55 to 0.75 I:C 0.55 and 0.7 I:D 0.23 to 0.35

[0057] The distance from the tip of the head to the hook adaptor eyelet 34 is less than the distance from the tip of the head to the tow point eyelet 32 (A).

[0058] The upper and lower parts of the body rotate around the A-A axis making an angle of up to 45 degrees off the centre line CL. In a certain embodiment, the vibration of the lure comprising repetitive oscillation about the longitudinal axis of the lure (A-A) may describe deviations of up to 45 degrees from the vertical. However, in other embodiments the deviation from the vertical may be less pronounced. In an embodiment, this deviation is about 30 degrees, or less. Other variations in the angle are also possible. Furthermore, it is to be realised that the behaviour depends on turbulence in the water and other chaotic factors, so these values are averages.

[0059] In certain embodiments the lure does not comprise a bib or lip and the shape of the lure (other than the tow point and hook adaptors) resembles the general shape of a squid. Therefore, the primary use of the lure is for casting using a fishing rod. However, it is to be realised that other uses such as kite fishing or trolling are not excluded, but may be significantly less effective.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the provision of the weight located primarily in the ventral region, the flat dorsal region and the location of the tow point may be primary factors influencing the ability of the lure to vibrate, provided that the lure resembles the shape of a squid. In an embodiment, the tow point is located behind the thickest part of the flat head (I).

[0061] It is to be realised that a number of embodiments are possible with the constraints discussed herein. Without limitation, the following are examples of measurements of the dimensions in the accompanying Figures, for four different lure sizes (identified as 9.5, 11, 13, and 15).

TABLE-US-00002 Lure A B C D E F G H I J 9.5 28.5 63 10.80 22.80 11.80 7.20 55.80 120 5.50 93.30 11 33 72 13.10 26.30 14.10 9 64.50 138.20 6.90 110 13 40 89 16.10 32.10 15 9.90 78.80 174 8.10 133.30 15 47.10 100 17.50 36.80 17.80 12.50 92 197 9.60 150.90

[0062] As illustrated the length H of the lure 10 is comprised of the length of the head B and the length of the longest tentacle(s) G. The tentacles are attached directly to the head without an interstitial portion of the body. The tentacle eyelet 36 is provided at a central portion where the tentacles meet the head and, in this embodiment, is not considered part of the head.

[0063] The head and tentacles are constructed as an integral whole and, in an embodiment, are moulded together using a suitable technique and process. In an embodiment, the head and tentacles are moulded as a single integrated whole from injection moulded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Importantly for certain embodiments, TPE provides a flexibility to the head and tentacles which helps to mimic the appearance of a real squid.

[0064] The manufacturing process involves forming the eyelets 32, 34 and 36 from stainless steel wire. The wire is then moulded into the lead weight and the head and tentacles are moulded as an integral whole around the wire and weight.

[0065] A particular advantage of embodiments may be that the squid lure has a head and tentacles made from a flexible material such as TPE, but which vibrate when the lure is pulled through water, particularly when the head divides into tentacles at a point where a sum of the width of the tentacles is substantially the same as the width of the head.

[0066] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0067] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments. Similarly, the word device is used in a broad sense and is intended to cover the constituent parts provided as an integral whole as well as an instantiation where one or more of the constituent parts are provided separate to one another.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0068] 10 Lure [0069] 12 Head [0070] 14 Tentacle Region [0071] 14A Long Tentacles [0072] 14B Short Tentacles [0073] 16 Mantle [0074] 18 Mid-portion [0075] 20A, B Eye cavity [0076] 22 Weight [0077] 24 Tip [0078] 26 Dorsal side [0079] 28 Ventral side [0080] 30 Flat dorsal region [0081] 32 Tow eyelet [0082] 34 Hook adaptor [0083] 36 Rear hook adaptor [0084] 50 Wire [0085] 60 Recess