A fish hook disgorger

Abstract

A fish hook disgorger 100 or fish hook removal tool comprising an elongate body 10 defining a first axis (A, fig. 3), a hook anchor 20 positioned at a first end of the elongate body and configured to

Description

23 05 25 FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fish hook disgorger and a method for disgorging a fish hook from a fish. In particular, they relate to a fish hook disgorger and a method for disgorging a fish hook from a fish in a humane manner. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Fish hook disgorgers are used for disgorging fish hooks from fish. Such disgorgers and methods of disgorging fish risk causing damage and distress to the fish. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a fish hook disgorger comprising: an elongate body defining a 20 first axis; a hook anchor, positioned at a first end of the elongate body, and configured to receive at least a portion of a fish hook, the portion comprising an eye of the fish hook and at least a part of a shank of the fish hook, wherein the eye of the fish hook is attached to a fishing line; a handgrip to be held by a user, positioned on the elongate body, separate from the hook anchor; and a line 25 fastener, positioned on the handgrip, the line fastener comprising a spring and at least one button attached to an end of the spring wherein, in use, the fishing line is wrapped around the button, and the spring pulls the button and the fishing line towards the handgrip such that the fishing line is held in tension against the handgrip. 30 This provides the advantage that a user may use the fish hook disgorger with one hand without having to hold the fishing line and / or manually hold the fishing 23 05 25 line in tension. This makes disgorging the fish hook easier and thus reduces the chances of errors in operation that may distress or harm the fish. In some embodiments, the hook anchor comprises a hook anchor internal bore, parallel to the first axis, and configured to receive the portion of the fishing hook and the fishing line, and a hook anchor slot, parallel to the first axis, and configured to allow the fishing line to be placed within the hook anchor internal bore. This provides the advantage that the hook anchor additionally traps the fishing line, thus further reducing the need for a user to hold the fishing line while disgorging the fish hook. In some embodiments, the elongate body comprises an elongate body internal bore, parallel to the first axis, and configured to receive the fishing line. In some embodiments, the elongate body comprises an elongate body slot, parallel to the first axis, and configured to receive the fishing line and / or to allow the fishing line to be placed within the elongate body internal bore. This provides the advantage that the elongate body also traps the fishing line, thus yet further reducing the need for a user to hold the fishing line while disgorging the fish hook. In some embodiments, the fish hook disgorger comprises a line lock means for restricting lateral movement of the fishing line. This provides the advantage that the fishing line is held in place, reducing the chances of the fishing line becoming disengaged from the fish hook disgorger during use. 23 05 25 In some embodiments, the line lock means is provided by the hook anchor, such that: in a locked configuration, the hook anchor is rotated such that the hook anchor slot is not aligned with the elongate body slot, such that the fishing line cannot be removed from the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore; and in an unlocked configuration, the hook anchor is rotated such that the hook anchor slot is substantially aligned with the elongate body slot, such that the fishing line may be removed from the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore, and / or the fishing line may be positioned inside the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore. In some embodiments, the hook anchor has a circular cross-section. This provides the advantage that the point of the fish hook can rest on the outside surface of the hook anchor, and thus the likelihood of the fish hook causing injury to the fish during disgorging is decreased. In some embodiments, the hook anchor expands in diameter away from a first end, distal the line fastener, to a wide portion. This provides the advantage that a single hook anchor is suitable for receiving hooks of varying sizes. In some embodiments, the hook anchor narrows in diameter away from the wide portion towards a second end, closer to the line fastener than the first end. In some embodiments, the handgrip has a circular cross-section. In some embodiments, the fish hook disgorger additionally comprises a second hook anchor, wherein the second hook anchor is positioned at a second end of the elongated body, opposite the first end, and the line fastener is positioned intermediate the hook anchor and the second hook anchor. 23 05 25 In some embodiments, the wide portion of the second hook anchor has a smaller diameter than the wide portion of the hook anchor. 5 This provides the advantage that the second hook anchor and the first hook anchor can receive hooks of different sizes, and a single disgorger can thus safely disgorge an increased range of hooks. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention 10 there is provided a method of disgorging a fish hook, attached to a fishing line, from a fish using the fish hook disgorger, comprising: receiving at least a portion of the fish hook in the hook anchor; positioning the fishing line in the line fastener such that the fishing line is held in tension; and removing the fish hook from the fish. 15 In some embodiments, removing the fish hook from the fish comprises at least one of: applying a force on the disgorger towards the fish; applying a rotating force on the disgorger; and applying a force on the disgorger away from the fish. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the 25 accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a fish hook disgorger; Fig. 2 illustrates another example of a fish hook disgorger; Fig. 3 illustrates a further example of a fish hook disgorger; 30 Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a further example of a fish hook disgorger; Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a yet further example of a fish hook disgorger; and 23 05 25 Fig. 6 illustrates an example method of disgorging a fish hook from a fish. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The Figures illustrate a fish hook disgorger 100 comprising: an elongate body 10 defining a first axis A; a hook anchor 20, positioned at a first end of the elongate body 10, and configured to receive at least a portion of a fish hook, the portion comprising an eye of the fish hook and at least a part of a shank of the fish hook, wherein the eye of the fish hook is attached to a fishing line; and a line fastener 30 positioned on the elongate body 10, separate from the hook anchor 20, the line fastener 30 configured to hold the fishing line such that, in use, the fishing line is held in tension. The term fish hook is intended to encompass any object that could be attached to a fishing line and used to catch a fish. For example, the fish hook may be any type offish hook, including but not limited to a bait hook, a worm hook, or a jig hook. The term fishing line is intended to encompass any type of line suitable for fishing, including but not limited to traces and wires. Fig. 1 illustrates a fish hook disgorger 100 comprising an elongate body 10, a hook anchor 20, and a line fastener 30. The hook anchor 20 is configured to receive at least a portion of a fish hook. In example embodiments, the hook anchor 20 comprises a hook anchor internal bore 22 and a hook anchor slot 24. The hook anchor internal bore 22 is an axial bore that runs parallel to the first axis or substantially parallel to the first axis. The hook anchor internal bore 22 23 05 25 6 may be of the same length as the hook anchor 20, such that the hook anchor internal bore 22 provides a complete through-bore, or may be of a shorter length than the hook anchor 20, such that the hook anchor internal bore 22 does not provide a complete through-bore. The hook anchor internal bore 22 is configured to receive a fish hook and a fishing line. The hook anchor internal bore 22 may comprise a chamfered rim on an end of the hook anchor 20 distal the line fastener 30. When a fish hook is positioned inside the hook anchor internal bore 22, the bend of the hook rests on the chamfered rim and the point of the hook rests on the outer surface of the hook anchor 20. The hook anchor slot 24 is an axial slot that runs parallel to the first axis or substantially parallel to the first axis. The hook anchor slot 24 may be of the same length of as the hook anchor 20. The hook anchor slot 24 is linked to the hook anchor internal bore 22, such that the hook anchor slot 24 and hook anchor internal bore 22 provide a single continuous aperture through the hook anchor 20. The hook anchor slot 24 is configured such that the portion of the hook and the fishing line enter the hook anchor internal bore 22 through the hook anchor slot 24. In use, the fishing line is positioned within the hook anchor bore via the hook anchor slot 24. The fishing line is held in tension within the hook anchor internal bore 22 and the hook anchor 20 is moved along the fishing line towards the fish hook. The fish hook is thus fit into the hook anchor internal bore 22. This allows the fish hook to be removed from the fish. In embodiments, the hook anchor 20 has a circular cross section. The hook anchor 20 may expand in diameter away from a first end to a wide portion. The hook anchor 20 may narrow in diameter away from the wide portion towards a 23 05 25 second end. The hook anchor 20 may be ovaloid in shape. The ovaloid shape reduces the damage and distress caused to the fish when positioning the hook anchor 20 inside the fish’s mouth. The ovaloid shape further allows the fish hook anchor 20 to receive fish hooks of different sizes, such that the point of the fish hook rests on the part of the hook anchor 20 with a diameter approximately corresponding to the gap size of the fish hook. In embodiments, the hook anchor 20 is made of plastic. The plastic may be an injection moulded plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. In such embodiments, the hook anchor 20 comprises friction fit portions for attachment by friction fit to the elongate body 10. In embodiments, the hook anchor 20 is made of metal. The metal may be a rust-resistant metal such as aluminium. In such embodiments, the hook anchor 20 comprises a threaded portion for attachment to the elongate body 10. The hook anchor 20 may additionally or alternatively comprise at least an outer layer of resiliently deformable material such as rubber or silicon. The point of the fish hook may be pressed into the resiliently deformable material when the fish hook is positioned within the hook anchor internal bore 22. This reduces the chance of the point of the fish hook causing internal injury to the fish during removal. The fish hook disgorger 100 comprises an elongate body 10, along which the hook anchor 20 and the line fastener 30 are positioned. The elongate body 10 is a substantially rigid elongate body. In embodiments, the elongate body 10 is a rod. In example embodiments, the elongate body 10 comprises an elongate body internal bore 12 and an elongate body slot 14. FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an example fish hook disgorger 100, with a detail view showing an elongate body slot 14. 23 05 25 The elongate body internal bore 12 is an axial bore that runs parallel to the first axis A or substantially parallel to the first axis. The elongate body internal bore 12 may be of the same length as the elongate body 10, such that the elongate 5 body internal bore 12 provides a complete through-bore, or may be of a shorter length than the elongate body 10, such that the elongate body internal bore 12 does not provide a complete through-bore. The elongate body internal bore 12 may be linked to the hook anchor internal 10 bore 22, such that the elongate body internal bore 12 and the hook anchor internal bore 22 provide a single continuous aperture through the fish hook disgorger 100. The elongate body slot 14 is an axial slot that runs parallel to the first axis A or 15 substantially parallel to the first axis. The elongate body slot 14 may be of the same length as the elongate body 10, or may be of a shorter length than the elongate body 10. The elongate body slot 14 may be linked to the elongate body internal bore 12, such that the elongate body slot 14 and the elongate body internal bore 12 provide a single continuous aperture through the elongate 20 body 10. In use, the fishing line may be positioned within the hook anchor internal bore 22 via the hook anchor slot 24 and additionally positioned within the elongate body slot 14 and / or within the elongate body internal bore 12 via the elongate 25 body slot 14. This allows for easier disgorging of the fish hook, because the user does not have to hold the fishing line while disgorging the fish hook. In embodiments, the elongate body 10 is made of plastic. The plastic may be an injection moulded plastic such as ABS or similar. In such embodiments, the 30 elongate body 10 comprises friction fit portions for attachment to by friction fit any one or more of the hook anchor 20, the line fastener 30 and the handgrip 32. 23 05 25 In embodiments, the elongate body 10 is made of metal. The metal may be a rust-resistant metal such as aluminium. In such embodiments, the elongate body 10 comprises a threaded portion for attachment to any one or more of the 5 hook anchor 20, the line fastener 30 and the handgrip 32. In example embodiments, the elongate body 10 has a length between the hook anchor 20 and the line fastener 30 or handgrip 32 of approximately 92mm. In alternative embodiments, the elongate body 10 has a length between the hook 10 anchor 20 and the line fastener 30 or handgrip 32 of approximately 145mm. In embodiments, the fish hook disgorger 100 comprises a line lock means for restricting lateral movement of the fishing line, in a direction parallel to the first axis A. The line lock means allow the fish hook disgorger 100 to be moved 15 along the fishing line without disengaging the fishing line from the fish hook disgorger 100. In embodiments, the line lock means are provided by the hook anchor 20. The line lock means have a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. 20 In the locked configuration, the hook anchor slot 24 is not aligned with the elongate body slot 14. Thus, in the locked configuration, when a fishing line is positioned within the hook anchor internal bore 22 and the elongate body internal bore 12, the fishing line cannot be removed from the hook anchor 25 internal bore 22 and / or the elongate body internal bore 12 and / or the elongate body slot 14. In the unlocked configuration, the hook anchor 20 is rotated such that the hook anchor slot 24 is substantially aligned with the elongate body slot 14. In the 30 unlocked configuration, a fishing line may be positioned within the hook anchor internal bore 22 and / or the elongate body internal bore 12, and removed from 23 05 25 the hook anchor internal bore 22 and / or the elongate body internal bore 12, via the hook anchor slot 24 and the elongate body slot 14. Moving from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, and from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, may comprise rotating the hook anchor 20 about the first axis A relative to the elongate body 10. The rotation between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration may be approximately 90 degrees. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a fish hook disgorger 100 comprising an elongate body 10, a first hook anchor 20, a second hook anchor 40, a handgrip 32, and a line fastener 30. The fish hook disgorger 100 comprises a line fastener 30, positioned on the elongate body 10, separate from the hook anchor 20. The line fastener 30 is configured to hold the fishing line such that, in use, the fishing line is held in tension. This allows for easier disgorging of the fish hook from the fish because the user does not have to hold the fishing line or manually apply tension to the fishing line while disgorging the fish hook. The fish hook disgorger 100 may additionally comprise a handgrip 32 for gripping by a user. The handgrip 32 may have a circular cross-section. In embodiments, the handgrip 32 has an ovaloid shape, increasing in diameter from a first end to a wide portion, and decreasing in diameter from the wide portion to a second end. In embodiments where the fish hook disgorger 100 comprises a handgrip 32, the line fastener 30 is provided on the handgrip 32. The line fastener 30 may be provided within the wide portion of the handgrip 32. Fig. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the fish hook disgorger 100, in an exploded view to illustrate an example embodiment of the line fastener 30. The 23 05 25 line fastener 30 comprises one or more sprung buttons 34 and / or an extension spring 36. In embodiments of the invention, the line fastener 30 comprises an extension spring 36 and two sprung buttons 34. Each sprung button 34 is attached to an end of the extension spring 36. In this embodiment, the handgrip 32 comprises a central aperture, orthogonal to the first axis A, which contains the extension spring 36. In use, the fishing line is wrapped around one or both of the sprung buttons 34. The spring pulls the button and the fishing line against the handgrip 32, securing the fishing line. One or both of the sprung buttons 34 may comprise a holder for the line or for displacement of the spring. The extension spring 36 between the sprung buttons 34 maintains tension in the line fastener 30. The fishing line may thus be temporarily locked within the line fastener 30, allowing for the line to be held in tension. In embodiments, the handgrip 32 is made of plastic. The plastic may be an injection moulded plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. In such embodiments, the handgrip 32 comprises friction fit portions for attachment by friction fit to the elongate body 10. In embodiments the handgrip 32 is made of metal. The metal may be a rustresistant metal such as aluminium. In such embodiments, the handgrip 32 comprises a threaded portion for attachment to the elongate body 10. The handgrip 32 may additionally or alternatively comprise at least an outer layer of resiliently deformable material such as rubber or silicon. The resiliently deformable material provides improved grip and increased comfort for the user. In embodiments, the fish hook disgorger 100 additionally comprises a second hook anchor 40. The second hook anchor 40 is positioned at a second end of the elongate body 10, the second end being opposite a first end at which the first hook anchor 20 is positioned. In such embodiments, the line fastener 30 is positioned intermediate the first hook anchor 20 and the second hook anchor 23 05 25 40. The handgrip 32 may be positioned intermediate the first hook anchor 20 and the second hook anchor 40. In such embodiments, the fish hook disgorger 100 may additionally comprise a second elongated body. The first elongated body connects the first hook anchor 20 and the line fastener 30 and / or the handgrip 32. The second elongated body connects the second hook anchor 40 and the line fastener 30 and / or the handgrip 32. The first elongated body and the second elongated body may be of the same length or may be of different lengths. In such embodiments, the wide portion of the second hook anchor 40 has a smaller diameter than the wide portion of the first hook anchor 20. This allows for capture of a larger variety of fish hook sizes with a single disgorger. The double-ended design also improves the balance of the fish hook disgorger 100, thus enabling easier use. The components of the fish hook disgorger may be rigid or substantially rigid, so that a force applied to one component is transferred to the other components of the fish hook disgorger. For example, a lateral force along the first axis A or a rotating force about the first axis A, applied at the handgrip 32, is transferred to the elongate body 10 and the hook anchor 20. FIG. 6 illustrates a method of disgorging a fish hook from a fish. Block 502 of the method comprises receiving at least a portion of a fish hook in the hook anchor 20, 40. To receive the fish hook in the hook anchor 20, the fishing line is fed into the hook anchor 20,40. In embodiments in which the hook anchor 20, 40 comprises a hook anchor internal bore 22 and a hook anchor slot 24, the fishing line is fed into the hook anchor internal bore 22 via the hook anchor slot 24. In embodiments in which the elongate body 10 comprises an elongate body 23 05 25 13 internal bore 12 and an elongate body slot 14, the fishing line is also fed into the elongate body slot 14 and / or into the elongate body internal bore 12 via the elongate body slot 14. In embodiments in which the fish hook disgorger 100 comprises a locking means, the locking means is moved to the locked position. The fish hook disgorger 100 is then moved towards the fish’s mouth / throat, such that the hook anchor 20, 40 moves along the fishing line towards the fish hook, and the fish hook is received by the hook anchor 20, 40. Block 504 comprises positioning the fishing line in the line fastener 30 such that the fishing line is held in tension. In embodiments in which the line fastener 30 comprises a sprung button, positioning the fishing line in the fastener such that the fishing line is held in tension comprises turning the fishing line around the sprung button one or more times. A user may additionally trap the fishing line under their thumb for added assurance. Block 506 comprises removing the fish hook from the fish. Removing the fish hook from the fish may be carried out by first applying a force on the fish hook disgorger 100 towards the fish’s mouth / throat such that the hook anchor 20, 40 is moved further into the fish’s mouth / throat. With the fish hook positioned in the hook anchor 20, 40, this unhooks the fish hook from the fish’s mouth / throat. A rotating force may then be applied to the fish hook disgorger 100. This rotates the hook anchor 20, 40 and thus rotates the point of the fish hook away from the position at which it was hooked to the fish. 23 05 25 A force is then applied on the fish hook disgorger 100 away from the fish’s mouth / throat such that the hook anchor 20, 40 is pulled away from the fish’s mouth / throat. The fish hook, positioned within the hook anchor 20, 40, is thus removed from the fish. In this way, the fish hook may be disgorged from the fish in a humane way that causes minimal damage and distress to the fish. The fish may thus be re-released. The blocks illustrated in Fig. 6 may represent steps in a method. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the 5 drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. l / we claim: 23 05 25

Claims

23 05 251. A fish hook disgorger comprising:an elongate body defining a first axis;5 a hook anchor, positioned at a first end of the elongate body, and configured to receive at least a portion of a fish hook, the portion comprising an eye of the fish hook and at least a part of a shank of the fish hook, wherein the eye of the fish hook is attached to a fishing line;a handgrip to be held by a user, positioned on the elongate body, separate from 10 the hook anchor; anda line fastener, positioned on the handgrip,, the line fastener comprising a spring and at least one button attached to an end of the spring, wherein, in use, the fishing line is wrapped around the button, and the spring pulls the button and the fishing line towards the handgrip such that the fishing line is held in 15 tension against the handgrip.

2. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook anchor comprises:a hook anchor internal bore, parallel to the first axis, and configured to receive the portion of the fish hook and the fishing line, and20 a hook anchor slot, parallel to the first axis, and configured to allow the fishing line to be placed within the hook anchor internal bore.

3. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate body comprises an elongate body internal bore, parallel to the first 25 axis, and configured to receive the fishing line.

4. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate body comprises an elongate body slot, parallel to the first axis, and configured to receive the fishing line and / or allow the fishing line to be placed 30 within the elongate body internal bore.23 05 255. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a line lock means for restricting lateral movement of the fishing line.

6. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in claim 4 when dependent on claims 2 and 3 or claim 5 when dependent on claims 2-4, wherein the line lock means is provided by the hook anchor, such that:in a locked configuration, the hook anchor is rotated such that the hook anchor slot is not aligned with the elongate body slot, such that the fishing line cannot be removed from the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore; andin an unlocked configuration, the hook anchor is rotated such that the hook anchor slot is substantially aligned with the elongate body slot, such that the fishing line may be removed from the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore, and / or the fishing line may be positioned inside the hook anchor internal bore and the elongate body internal bore.

7. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook anchor has a circular cross-section.

8. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook anchor expands in diameter away from a first end, distal the line grip, to a wide portion.

9. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hook anchor narrows in diameter away from the wide portion towards a second end, closer to the line fastener than the first end.

10. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handgrip has a circular cross-section.

11. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in any preceding claim, additionally comprising a second hook anchor, wherein the second hook anchor is23 05 2518 positioned at a second end of the elongated body, opposite the first end, and the line fastener is positioned intermediate the hook anchor and the second hook anchor.

12. A fish hook disgorger as claimed in claim 11 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the wide portion of the second hook anchor has a smaller diameter than the wide portion of the hook anchor.

13. A method of disgorging a fishing hook, attached to a fishing line, from a fish using the fish hook disgorger of any of claims 1-12, comprising: receiving at least a portion of the fish hook in the hook anchor;positioning the fishing line in the line fastener such that the fishing line is held in tension; andremoving the fish hook from the fish.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein removing the fish hook from the fish comprises at least one of:applying a force on the fish hook disgorger towards the fish;applying a rotating force on the fish hook disgorger; and applying a force on the fish hook disgorger away from the fish.

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