US3710501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Releasable trolling weight
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-04
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A strike and pull responsive drop line fastening and automatic releasing device wherein an upper end of a weighted drop line is retentively but releasably and slidingly oriented with a predetermined portion of the trolling line comprising a one piece non-corrodible adaptor characterized by a median body portion having an open ended passage for the trolling line threaded therethrough. A complemental spindle is integrally joined with an upper part of the body portion and forms an upper lever arm around which are wound a few turns of the line. A companion shank is joined with a bottom side of the body portion and forms a lower lever arm to which the drop line is releasably attached. A bridle-like guard is pivotally mounted on the body portion and includes a line receiving eye and upstanding plates which engage the sides of the upper lever arm and prevent unwinding of the line from the spindle when the guard is in closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ware
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:49
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K91/00; A01K91/06; A01K91/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In combination, a trolling line having a forward portion operatively connectible with a fishing rod, a lure carried by the rearward end portion of said trolling line, a sinker, a drop line having a lower end secured to and for supporting said sinker, drop line attaching means operatively suspended in a predetermined set position on said trolling line forwardly of the lure and rearwardly of the tip of said rod, the upper end of said drop line being connected to said attaching means, and said attaching means embodying a body portion having an open-ended bore extending therethrough and providing a passage through which an oriented portion of said trolling line is threaded and a selfcontained spindle around which a strike-responsive portion of said trolling line is manually wound and from which it is unwound and spooled off when a fish strikes, whereby to automatically release said attaching means, drop line, and sinker from said set position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In combination, a trolling line having a forward portion operatively connectible with a fishing rod, a lure carried by the rearward end portion of said trolling line, a sinker, a drop line having a lower end secured to and for supporting said sinker, drop line attaching means operatively suspended in a predetermined set position on said trolling line forwardly of the lure and rearwardly of the tip of said rod, the upper end of said drop line being connected to said attaching means, and said attaching means embodying a body portion having an open-ended bore extending therethrough and providing a passage through which an oriented portion of said trolling line is threaded and a selfcontained spindle around which a strike-responsive portion of said trolling line is manually wound and from which it is unwound and spooled off when a fish strikes, whereby to automatically release said attaching means, drop line, and sinker from said set position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said upper end of said drop line is detachably, adjustably and swivelly connected to said attaching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said spindle comprises a neck having an enlarged line retaining head on an upper end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combiNation defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said body portion is provided with a depending shank, the upper end of said drop line being detachably, adjustably, and swivelly connected to a selected leverage varying portion of said shank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and a bridle-like guard mounted on said body portion, said guard having an eye through which a portion of said trolling line is slidingly threaded and also having upstanding guard plates having free terminal ends overlying the side portions of the spindle when the guard is in closed position due to the upward force exerted thereon by tension on the trolling line, the edges of said plate being curved to act as a weed guard to prevent weeds from collecting on the spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
For use in retentively but releasably connecting an upper end portion of a sinker-equipped drop line to a predetermined portion of a trolling line forwardly of the usual trailing lure, a pull responsive drop line attaching and releasing device comprising in combination, a median body portion having an open-ended passage for that portion of the trolling line which is adapted to be threaded and passed therethrough, a spindle integrally joined with an upper part of said body portion, said spindle providing an upper lever arm, a shank joined with another portion of said body portion and providing a complemental lower lever arm, and a bridle-like guard pivotally mounted on said body portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
For use in retentively but releasably connecting an upper end portion of a sinker-equipped drop line to a predetermined portion of a trolling line forwardly of the usual trailing lure, a pull responsive drop line attaching and releasing device comprising in combination, a median body portion having an open-ended passage for that portion of the trolling line which is adapted to be threaded and passed therethrough, a spindle integrally joined with an upper part of said body portion, said spindle providing an upper lever arm, a shank joined with another portion of said body portion and providing a complemental lower lever arm, and a bridle-like guard pivotally mounted on said body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The drop line and releasing device defined in and according to claim 6, and wherein said spindle comprises a neck having an enlarged headed upper end, said neck being adapted to permit a coordinating portion of the trolling line to be manually wound thereon for subsequent bite responsive unwinding and releasing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The drop line attaching and releasing device defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein said bridle-like guard comprises a U-shaped yoke having legs straddling and pivotally mounted on said body portion, an eye carried by the bight portion of the yoke and a plate on each leg of the yoke overlying the side portions of headed upper end of the neck for retaining the line wound on the neck when the guard is held in closed position by the upward force exerted on the guard by the line extending through the eye.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The drop line attaching and releasing device defined in and according to claim 8, and wherein said shank is oppositely arranged in relation to the spindle, and means on said shank to which an upper end of said drop line can be detachably, swivelly and adjustably connected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |