US3796000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Depth control device for fish lure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A device attachable to a fishing line to control a lure connected to the device so that the lure is maintained at a desired temperature level in a body of water. The device has an elongated body forming a keel and a bimetal strip extends parallel to the keel. A control fin or plate is rotatably carried on the keel in an inclined position and latch means connect between an end of the bimetal strip and the control plate to provide controllable 180* rotary movement thereof dependent upon the ambient temperature conditions and its effect on the bimetal control strip. The bimetal strip is cantilevered in a direction axially of the unit and it has a freely movable end engaging the latch for control action.
Inventors
- 👤 N Nye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:06
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K91/00; A01K91/06; A01K91/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A device adapted to be connected to a fishing line for positioning a lure in or about a preselected temperature zone in a body of water, comprising: an elongated narrow metal plane frame means having end portions extending in parallel relation from a center portion thereof, which center portion forms a keel plate, a fishing line being connectable to one end portion and the lure being connectable to the other end portion; a fin means projecting outwardly from and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame means and positioned intermediate the ends thereof, means mounted at one end of said frame means for rotatably mounting said fin means for rotation on the means on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame means, and temperature responsive latching means mounted on the device and operative to provide 180* rotation of the fin means relative to the keel plate under predetermined temperature operative conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A device adapted to be connected to a fishing line for positioning a lure in or about a preselected temperature zone in a body of water, comprising: an elongated narrow metal plane frame means having end portions extending in parallel relation from a center portion thereof, which center portion forms a keel plate, a fishing line being connectable to one end portion and the lure being connectable to the other end portion; a fin means projecting outwardly from and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame means and positioned intermediate the ends thereof, means mounted at one end of said frame means for rotatably mounting said fin means for rotation on the means on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame means, and temperature responsive latching means mounted on the device and operative to provide 180* rotation of the fin means relative to the keel plate under predetermined temperature operative conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as in claim 1 and comprising said fin means having a dependent stop member thereon, said latching means including a vertically positioned latch plate with upper and lower ends for individually engaging said stop member when said fin means is in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined or a downwardly and forwardly inclined position, respectively, said fin means being adapted for rotation in only one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
A device as in claim 1 where said latching means include a latch plate positioned in a vertical plane for pivotal movement, a bimetal strip secured as a cantilever to the opposite end portion of said frame means and extending towards said fin means which is carried on the opposed end portion of said frame means, the free end of said strip engaging said latch plate to control the pivotal position thereof by the ambient temperature and the action of said latching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as in claim 2 where said latching means include a bimetal strip secured as a cantilever to said frame means and extending towards said fin means, the free end of said strip operatively engaging said latch plate at all times to control the pivotal position thereof by the ambient temperature and the action of said latching means, said strip being movable in a vertical plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 3 where the free end of said bimetal strip continuously engages said latch plate and said strip is movable in the same plane as said latch plate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
115 words
A device attachable to a fishing line to control a lure connected to the device so that the lure is maintained at a desired temperature level in a body of water and comprising an elongated body forming a keel for the unit, a bimetal strip mounted on the elongated body and extending parallel to the keel, a fin means rotatably and operably mounted on the elongated body near the keel in an inclined position, and latch means connected to the frame means between the free end of the bimetal strip and the fin means to provide controllable 180* rotary movement thereof dependent upon the ambient temperature conditions and its effect on the bimetal control strip.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
115 words
A device attachable to a fishing line to control a lure connected to the device so that the lure is maintained at a desired temperature level in a body of water and comprising an elongated body forming a keel for the unit, a bimetal strip mounted on the elongated body and extending parallel to the keel, a fin means rotatably and operably mounted on the elongated body near the keel in an inclined position, and latch means connected to the frame means between the free end of the bimetal strip and the fin means to provide controllable 180* rotary movement thereof dependent upon the ambient temperature conditions and its effect on the bimetal control strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device as in claim 4 and comprising said fin means having a dependent stop member thereon, said latch means including a vertically positioned latch plate with upper and lower ends for individually engaging said stop member when said control plate is in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined or a downwardly and forwardly inclined position, respectively, said fin means being adapted for rotation in only one direction and functioning to provide upward or downward movement of the device when drawn through a body of water dependent on the position of said fin means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device as in claim 4 where said latch means include a latch plate positioned in a vertical plane for pivotal movement, said bimetal strip being secured as a cantilever to one end portion of said elongated body and extending towards said fin means, said fin means being mounted on the opposed end of said elongated body, said bimetal strip and fin means being on a common axis spaced from a center portion of said keel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 6 where said elongated body is formed from a metal plate which normally defines a vertical plane when in operation, and said fin means extending laterally in both directions from said keel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as in claim 5 where said latch plate is pivotally positioned on a U-shaped bracket by a shaft extending between the bifurcated ends of said bracket, said bracket being secured to said elongated body, said latch plate having its pivotal movement limited by engaging said fin means.
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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |