US4702031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bite indicator for fishing gear
Assignee: EARLY DESIGN Inc FREMONT CA A CA CORP
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Filing: 1986-06-25
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2006-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing a visual bite indication comprise a weighted mass having an opening through which a fishing line is loosely threaded so that the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when the line is extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move as a visual bite indicator. The weighted mass is adapted for being secured to an adjacent eyelet during casting to prevent the weighted mass from interfering with forward passage of the line from the reel. Preferably, the weighted mass and one eyelet are magnetically attractive to each other, the one eyelet either being a fixed portion or adapted for attachment to a pre-existing rod. Multiple embodiments of the adjacent eyelet are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Sousa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:29
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/12; A01K91/00; A01K91/06; A01K91/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A bite indicator for fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel through at least one eyelet affixed to said rod, the bite indicator comprising a weighted mass having a balancer tube and an opening through which the fishing line is loosely threaded, the weighted mass being arranged adjacent the one eyelet whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move as a visual bite indicator, the balancer tube and weighted mass comprising means securable to the one eyelet during casting to avoid interfering with forward passage of the line from the reel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A bite indicator for fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel through at least one eyelet affixed to said rod, the bite indicator comprising a weighted mass having a balancer tube and an opening through which the fishing line is loosely threaded, the weighted mass being arranged adjacent the one eyelet whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move as a visual bite indicator, the balancer tube and weighted mass comprising means securable to the one eyelet during casting to avoid interfering with forward passage of the line from the reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bite indicator of claim 1 wherein the weighted mass and the one eyelet include magnetically attractive materials for securing the weighted mass in place upon the one eyelet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bite indicator of claim 1 wherein the weighted mass is arranged on the fishing line between the one eyelet and a second eyelet both arranged on the rod forwardly of the reel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bite indicator of claim 3 wherein the weighted mass is arranged forwardly of the second eyelet and rearwardly of the one eyelet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bite indicator of claim 3 wherein the one eyelet forms an enlarged opening and the weighted mass forms a tapered nose sized to fit into the enlarged opening of the one eyelet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bite indicator of claim 5 wherein the weighted mass and the one eyelet include magnetically attractive materials for securing the weighted mass in place upon the one eyelet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bite indicator of claim 1 wherein the one eyelet forms an enlarged opening and the weighted mass forms a tapered nose sized to fit into the enlarged opening of the one eyelet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A bite indicator assembly for use with fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel, the bite indicator assembly comprising a weighted mass having an opening through which the fishing line can be threaded and one eyelet including means for attachment to the rod adjacent the weighted mass whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when the line is extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move up and down as a visual bite indicator, the weighted mass and the one eyelet comprising means securable to each other during casting to prevent the weighted mass from interfering with forward passage of the fishing line from the reel, the bite indicator being adapted for use with a tapered rod, wherein the attachment means for the one eyelet comprises a bore for sliding into a firmly engaged position on the rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A bite indicator assembly for use with fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel, the bite indicator assembly comprising a weighted mass having an opening through which the fishing line can be threaded and one eyelet including means for attachment to the rod adjacent the weighted mass whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when the line is extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move up and down as a visual bite indicator, the weighted mass and the one eyelet comprising means securable to each other during casting to prevent the weighted mass from interfering with forward passage of the fishing line from the reel, the bite indicator being adapted for use with a tapered rod, wherein the attachment means for the one eyelet comprises a bore for sliding into a firmly engaged position on the rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 8 wherein the weighted mass and the one eyelet include magnetically attractive materials for securing the weighted mass in place upon the one eyelet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 8 wherein the weighted mass is arranged on the fishing line between the one eyelet and a second eyelet both arranged on the rod forwardly of the reel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 10 wherein the weighted mass is arranged forwardly of the second eyelet and rearwardly of the one eyelet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bite indicator of claim 8 wherein the weighted mass further comprises balancer means for orienting the weighted mass on the fishing line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 10 wherein the one eyelet forms an enlarged opening and the weighted mass forms a tapered nose sized to fit into the enlarged opening of the one eyelet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 8 wherein the one eyelet forms an enlarged opening and the weighted mass forms a tapered nose sized to fit into the enlarged opening of the one eyelet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bite indicator assembly of claim 8 wherein the one eyelet includes means for attaching the one eyelet to a pre-existing rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a method for employing a bite indicator on fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel through at least one eyelet affixed to said rod, the steps comprising forming a weighted mass to have a balancer tube and an opening through which the line can be loosely threaded and arranging the weighted mass on the fishing line adjacent the one eyelet whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move up and down as a visual bite indicator, and using the balancer tube and weighted mass securable to the one eyelet during casting to prevent the weighted mass from interfering with forward passage of the line from the reel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a method for employing a bite indicator on fishing gear including a rod, reel means mounted on a rearward portion of the rod and fishing line extending forwardly from the reel through at least one eyelet affixed to said rod, the steps comprising forming a weighted mass to have a balancer tube and an opening through which the line can be loosely threaded and arranging the weighted mass on the fishing line adjacent the one eyelet whereby the weighted mass is suspended upon the line and causes the line to sag when extended for fishing so that tension produced in the line by a bite causes the weighted mass to move up and down as a visual bite indicator, and using the balancer tube and weighted mass securable to the one eyelet during casting to prevent the weighted mass from interfering with forward passage of the line from the reel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the weighted mass and the one eyelet are attachments for use with existing fishing gear.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 17 adapted for use with a tapered rod and further comprising the step of forming an attachment means for the one eyelet as a tapered bore for sliding into a firmly engaged positon on the rod.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the weighted mass and the one eyelet are formed at least partially from materials which are magnetically attractive to each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the weighted mass is arranged on the fishing line between the one eyelet and a second eyelet both arranged on the rod forwardly of the reel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the one eyelet forms an enlarged opening and the weighted mass forms a tapered nose sized to fit into the enlarged opening of the one eyelet.
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) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |