Lure

Abstract

To provide a lure in which movement similar to that of a bait fish can be easily reproduced by operation of an angler.SOLUTION: A lure 10 comprises a lure body 11, a weight 25, and a supporting mechanism 26. The weight 25 is incorporated in the lure body 11. The supporting mechanism 26 has a supporting shaft 42, and coil springs 43 and 44. The supporting shaft 42 is supported by the lure body 11, and extends in a lateral direction 21. The weight 25 is supported by the supporting shaft 42, and freely slides in the lateral direction 21. The coil springs 43 and 44 are arranged on both sides of the weight 25. The weight 25 is always biased at the center of the lure body 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a lure structure with a displaceable center of gravity. [Background technology]

[0002] In fishing using lures, it is required that the movement of the lure in the water resembles the swimming of an actual baitfish, and that such movement of the lure be easily realized by the angler's operation. On the other hand, because the swimming behavior of baitfish is not uniform but varies widely, conventional lure designs incorporate various measures to produce irregular movements when operated by the angler.

[0003] To make the lure's movement irregular, it is sometimes necessary for the lure to have an unstable posture. For this reason, conventional lure designs incorporate a weight into the lure body and employ a mechanism (center of gravity shifting mechanism) that allows the weight to roll or slide back and forth or side to side (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3124012 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3905723 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional gravity shifting mechanisms, the weight moves freely along a track formed inside the lure body, causing the lure to move irregularly regardless of the angler's operation.

[0006] However, with conventional center of gravity shifting mechanisms, even when the angler tries to make the lure go straight, the weight moves left and right, making the lure unstable and causing it to lose its ability to go straight.

[0007] The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and its object is to provide a lure that can selectively and easily reproduce movements similar to those of actual baitfish by the angler's operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) In order to solve the above problem, the lure of the first aspect of the present invention has a lure body with a line eye at the front and a hook eye at the rear along the longitudinal direction, a sinker built into the lure body, and a support mechanism that supports the sinker so that it can slide freely along a lateral direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and always biases it to be centered in the lateral direction.

[0009] With this configuration, the weight built into the lure body can easily slide laterally, and the movement of the weight easily displaces the center of gravity of the lure body laterally. Therefore, the angler can easily destabilize the lure's posture, for example, by jerking (the angler's manipulation of the rod and reel to irregularly change the direction or speed of the lure). Meanwhile, because the weight is biased by the support mechanism to be centered in the lateral direction, the center of gravity of the lure body moves to the center during, for example, a constant-speed retrieve, allowing the angler to easily stabilize the lure's posture. As a result, the angler can selectively and easily reproduce movements similar to those of a baitfish through their manipulation.

[0010] (2) In a lure of a second aspect according to the first aspect of the present invention, the support mechanism has a support shaft extending along the lateral direction inside the lure body and penetrating the sinker, and a pair of elastic members arranged on the inner wall of the lure body and on the left and right sides of the sinker.

[0011] In this configuration, the sinker is supported by a support shaft extending in the horizontal direction and slides along the support shaft. Therefore, smooth movement in the same direction is possible, the center of gravity shifts quickly, and the lure's posture during jerks becomes extremely unstable. Meanwhile, because the sinker is sandwiched between the elastic members on both sides in the horizontal direction, even if it slides along the support shaft, it quickly returns to the center of the support shaft and this state is elastically maintained. Therefore, the posture of the lure during a constant-speed retrieve is extremely stable.

[0012] (3) In the lure of the third aspect according to the second aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is a coil spring, and the support shaft passes through and supports the coil spring.

[0013] In this configuration, the weight is supported with a simple structure and is effectively biased toward the center.

[0014] (4) In a lure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sinker is supported above an imaginary reference line connecting the line eye and the hook eye.

[0015] In this configuration, the center of gravity of the lure is located relatively higher on the lure body, which makes the lure's posture even more unstable during jerks.

[0016] (5) In a lure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the sinker is made of a magnetic material. The support mechanism has a support shaft that extends along the lateral direction inside the lure body and penetrates the sinker, and a magnet that magnetically urges the sinker toward the center of the lure body.

[0017] In this configuration, the sinker is supported by the support shaft extending in the horizontal direction and slides along the support shaft. Therefore, smooth movement in the same direction is possible, the center of gravity shifts quickly, and the lure's posture during jerks becomes extremely unstable. Meanwhile, the sinker is urged toward the center of the lure body by magnetic force. Therefore, even if the sinker slides along the support shaft, it quickly returns to the center of the support shaft and maintains this state. Therefore, the lure's posture during constant speed retrieval becomes extremely stable. In addition, because the sinker is urged by magnetic force, there is no need to provide a magnet on the support shaft. Therefore, the stroke of the sinker (i.e., the amount of movement along the support shaft) becomes large, and the lure's posture becomes even more unstable during jerks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a lure 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the lure body 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lure body 11. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a support mechanism 66 according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is merely one aspect of the lure according to the present invention, and it goes without saying that the implementation may be changed within the scope that does not change the gist of the present invention.

[0020] 1. Overview and features of the lure

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a lure 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The lure 10 includes a lure body 11, a line eye 12, hook eyes 13 to 15, and hooks 16 to 18.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the lure body 11.

[0024] The lure body 11 is made of resin (typically, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer: ABS). However, the material constituting the lure body 11 is not limited to ABS, and other resins, known metals, etc. may also be used. The external shape of the lure body 11 is not particularly limited, but is shaped to resemble a sardine or other small fish (so-called baitfish).

[0025] In this specification, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the forward-backward direction 19 is defined as the direction in which the lure 10 moves forward while being pulled by a fishing line (not shown) connected to the line eye 12. The forward-backward direction 20 is defined as the direction toward the water surface as the lure 10 moves forward in the water, and the direction toward the water bottom as the direction toward the water bottom. Regarding the lateral direction 21, arrow 22 indicates the right side, and arrow 23 indicates the left side.

[0026] A lip 24 is formed at the front end of the lure body 11. This lip 24 is molded integrally with the lure body 11. The line eye 12 is disposed above this lip 24 (see FIG. 1). The hook eye 13 and the hook eye 14 are disposed on the lower edge of the lure body 11 along the front-to-rear direction 19. That is, the line eye 12 is disposed in front of the lure body 11, and the hook eye 13 and the hook eye 14 are disposed behind the line eye 12. The hook eye 15 is disposed at the rear end of the lure body 11. The specific positions of the hook eye 13 and the hook eye 14 are designed as appropriate. The hook 16 is connected to the hook eye 13, the hook 17 is connected to the hook eye 14, and the hook 18 is connected to the hook eye 15.

[0027] 2, the lure 10 according to this embodiment is characterized in that a weight 25 is built into the lure body 11, and this weight 25 is supported by a support mechanism 26 (described later), is slidable in the lateral direction 21, and is elastically biased so as to always be located in the center of the lure body 11. By supporting this weight 25 by the support mechanism 26, the angler can intentionally stabilize or destabilize the posture of the lure 10 by operating the rod or reel during actual fishing.

[0028] 2. Structure of the lure body

[0029] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lure body 11.

[0030] 2 and 3, the lure body 11 comprises a right housing 27 and a left housing 28. That is, the lure body 11 is divided into two, left and right, based on an imaginary plane extending in the front-to-rear direction 19 and the up-down direction 20. FIG. 3 shows the right housing 27. The right housing 27 and the left housing 28 are brought together along the lateral direction 21 to form the lure body 11. The structure in which the lure body 11 is divided into the right housing 27 and the left housing 28 and then joined together via adhesive or other known means to assemble the lure body 11 is known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] A right lip piece 29 is formed on the right housing 27, and a left lip piece 30 is formed on the left housing 28. The right housing 27 and the left housing 28 are joined together to form the lip 24. The outer shape of the lip 24 and the angle of attachment to the lure body 11 are not particularly limited, but since these have a significant effect on the behavior of the lure 10 in the water, they can be designed appropriately according to the specifications and purpose.

[0032] As shown in the figure, the right housing 27 has a hollow structure (shell structure). The left housing 28 has a similar structure. Necessary ribs 31, 32 and hook seats 33, 34 are formed inside the right housing 27. These are molded integrally with the right housing 27. The hook seat 33 has a T-shaped engagement hole 35 into which the hook eye 13 (see FIG. 1) is fitted. Similarly, the hook seat 34 also has a T-shaped engagement hole 36 into which the hook eye 14 is fitted. When the right housing 27 and the left housing 28 are brought together, the hook eyes 13 and 14 are sandwiched and fixed between them.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV in FIG.

[0034] As shown in the same figure and Figure 3, an eye attachment portion 37 is provided at the front end of the right housing 27, and an eye attachment portion 38 is provided at the rear end of the right housing 27. In this embodiment, the eye attachment portion 37 and the eye attachment portion 38 are circular recesses formed in the right housing 27, and similar recesses are also formed in the left housing 28. The line eye 12 and the hook eye 15 (see Figure 1) are fitted into the eye attachment portion 37 and the eye attachment portion 38, respectively. When the right housing 27 and the left housing 28 are brought together, the line eye 12 and the hook eye 15 are sandwiched and fixed between them. However, the eye attachment portion 37 and the eye attachment portion 38 are not limited to circular recesses, and may be any portion that can fix the line eye 12 and the hook eye 15.

[0035] In this specification, the center 39 of the eye attachment portion 37 defines the position of the line eye 12, and the center 40 of the eye attachment portion 38 defines the position of the hook eye 15. An imaginary line 60 (corresponding to the "imaginary reference line" described in the claims) connecting the centers 39 and 40 is defined. As will be described later, this imaginary line 60 is a reference for indicating the position of the sinker 25.

[0036] 3. Weight and support mechanism

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the support mechanism 26, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 and 2, the support mechanism 26 supports the sinker 25. In this embodiment, the sinker 25 is disk-shaped and has a through-hole 41 at its center. The right end 73 and left end 74 of the through-hole 41 gradually expand in diameter from the inside to the outside, respectively, and open onto the right side 58 and left side 59 of the sinker 25. That is, the right end 73 and the left end 74 are funnel-shaped. The functions of the right end 73 and the left end 74 will be described later. The sinker 25 is made of a lead alloy, tungsten steel, or other metal. The mass of the sinker 25 is appropriately set depending on the size, weight, and center of gravity of the lure 10. The outer shape of the sinker 25 and the material constituting the sinker 25 are not particularly limited.

[0039] The support mechanism 26 includes a support shaft 42 and coil springs 43 and 44 (corresponding to "a pair of elastic members" in the claims). In this embodiment, the support shaft 42 is made of a solid round bar. However, the support shaft 42 may have a hollow structure. The support shaft 42 is disposed so that its central axis 45 is aligned with the lateral direction 21. One end 46 and the other end 47 of the support shaft 42 are supported by the right housing 27 and the left housing 28, respectively.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 3 , in this embodiment, a bearing 48 is provided on the right housing 27, and a bearing 49 is also provided on the left housing 28. The bearing 48 is formed integrally with the right housing 27 and is configured by a predetermined portion of the right housing 27 bulging inward (increasing the thickness). The outer shape of the bearing 48 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped. A recess 70 is provided in the center of the bearing 48. This recess 70 has a large-diameter portion 50 and a small-diameter portion 51, the centers of which are aligned. In other words, the recess 70 is a so-called stepped hole. The central axis of the bearing 48 is aligned with the central axis 45 of the support shaft 42. The bearing 48 may be configured as a separate member from the right housing 27 and fixed to the right housing 27.

[0041] Bearing portion 49 has the same configuration as bearing portion 48. Bearing portion 49 is disposed symmetrically with respect to bearing portion 48. Therefore, bearing portion 49 has a recess 72 similar to recess 70. Recess 72 has large diameter portion 52 and small diameter portion 53, the shapes of which are similar to large diameter portion 50 and small diameter portion 51, respectively.

[0042] The inner diameter of the small diameter portions 51, 53 corresponds to the outer diameter of the support shaft 42. One end 46 of the support shaft 42 is fitted into the small diameter portion 51, and the other end 47 of the support shaft 42 is fitted into the small diameter portion 53. As a result, the support shaft 42 is disposed at a predetermined position inside the lure body 11 along the lateral direction 21.

[0043] The support shaft 42 is inserted into the insertion hole 41 of the weight 25 and passes through the weight 25. The inner diameter of the through hole 41 corresponds to the outer diameter of the support shaft 42. Therefore, the weight 25 is supported by the support shaft 42 and is slidable in the lateral direction 21 along the support shaft 42. Note that a bushing or a bearing may be interposed between the weight 25 and the support shaft 42 to allow the weight 25 to slide more smoothly.

[0044] Coil spring 43 is disposed between bearing portion 48 and weight 25, and coil spring 44 is disposed between bearing portion 49 and weight 25. Specifically, coil spring 43 is fitted onto right side 22 of support shaft 42 so as to surround support shaft 42 (i.e., support shaft 42 passes through coil spring 43). The right end of coil spring 43 is inserted into large diameter portion 50, and the left end of coil spring 43 abuts against right surface 58 of weight 25. In other words, coil spring 43 is disposed between inner wall 56 of right housing 27 (bottom surface of small diameter portion 51) and surface 58 of right side 22 of weight 25.

[0045] As the support shaft 42 is supported by the bearing portions 48, 49, gaps 54, 55 are formed between the support shaft 42 and the large diameter portions 50, 52. The right end portion of the coil spring 43 is inserted into this gap 54 and is held by the bearing portion 48. Meanwhile, since the right end portion 73 of the through hole 41 provided in the weight 25 is funnel-shaped, the left end portion of the coil spring 43 is held by the right end portion 73 and stably abuts against the weight 25. However, the right end portion 73 may be omitted and the inner diameter of the through hole 41 may be constant.

[0046] Similarly, coil spring 44 is fitted onto left side 23 of support shaft 42 so as to surround support shaft 42. The left end of coil spring 44 is inserted into large diameter portion 52 (i.e., gap 55), and the right end of coil spring 44 abuts against surface 59 on the left side of weight 25. In other words, coil spring 44 is disposed between inner wall 57 of left housing 28 (bottom surface of small diameter portion 53) and surface 59 on left side 23 of weight 25, and is held stably in the same manner as coil spring 43.

[0047] In this embodiment, the coil springs 43 and 44 have the same specifications. The specifications of the coil springs 43 and 44 are appropriately designed and determined in consideration of the size and weight of the lure 10, the mass of the sinker 25, etc. However, known elastic members may also be used instead of the coil springs 43 and 44.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 2, in this embodiment, the sinker 25 is disposed relatively high on the lure body 11. Specifically, the bearing 48 is disposed above the imaginary line 60 (in Figure 4, the two-dot chain line connecting the center 39 of the eyelet attachment portion 37 and the center 40 of the eyelet attachment portion 38). In other words, the position of the central axis 45 of the support shaft 42 (the center of the sinker 25: see Figures 2 and 5) is above the imaginary line 60. Therefore, the sinker 25 is supported by the support shaft 42 at a position above the imaginary line 60. The effects of supporting the sinker 25 above the imaginary line 60 in this manner will be described later.

[0049] In this embodiment, the imaginary line 60 is defined by a line connecting the center 39 of the eye attachment portion 37 and the center 40 of the eye attachment portion 38, but the imaginary line 60 may also be defined by a line connecting the center 39 of the eye attachment portion 37 and the center of the hook eye 13 or the hook eye 14 (see Figure 1).

[0050] 4. Effects

[0051] The angler casts the lure 10 and uses the rod and reel to perform operations such as jerking and retrieving. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the sinker 25 slides laterally 21 relative to the lure body 11, easily displacing the center of gravity of the lure body 11 to the right side 22 or the left side 23. Therefore, for example, during a jerk, the angler can easily intentionally destabilize the posture of the lure 10. On the other hand, if the sinker 25 slides laterally 21, the support mechanism 26 returns the sinker 25 to the center in the lateral direction 21, thereby maintaining the center of gravity of the lure body 11. Therefore, for example, during a constant-speed retrieve, the angler can easily intentionally stabilize the posture of the lure 10. In other words, the angler can selectively and easily reproduce the movement of the lure 10 that resembles a baitfish through his or her own operation.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sinker 25 is supported by the support shaft 42 extending in the lateral direction 21, so the sinker 25 slides smoothly to the left side 23 and the right side 22. Therefore, the center of gravity of the lure body 11 is quickly displaced, and the posture of the lure 10 during a jerk becomes extremely unstable. On the other hand, since the sinker 25 is sandwiched between the coil springs 43 and 44 on both sides in the lateral direction 21, the sinker 25 that slides in the lateral direction 21 quickly returns to the center of the support shaft 42, and this state is maintained by the elastic force of the coil springs 43 and 44. As a result, the posture of the lure 10 during a constant speed retrieval is extremely stable.

[0053] In this embodiment, coil springs 43 and 44 are used as elastic members that return weight 25 to the center of lure body 11, which has the advantage of simplifying the structure of support mechanism 26.

[0054] 4 and 2, in this embodiment, the center of the bearing portion 48 (the central axis 45 of the support shaft 42) is located above the imaginary line 60, and therefore the sinker 25 is located above the imaginary line 60. In other words, the sinker 25 is located relatively above the lure body 11, and the center of gravity of the lure 10 becomes higher, so the posture of the lure 10 becomes even more unstable during a jerk.

[0055] 5. Variations

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a support mechanism 66 according to a modified example of this embodiment.

[0057] Support mechanism 66 according to this modification differs from support mechanism 26 (see FIG. 5) in that, while support mechanism 26 elastically biases weight 25 in lateral direction 21 by coil springs 43, 44, support mechanism 66 does not include coil springs 43, 44, has a retaining portion 68 provided on top 64 of lure body 11, and retains magnet 69. Additionally, in this modification, weight 25 is made of a magnetic material (typically martensitic stainless steel).

[0058] The holding portion 68 has a cylindrical shape. In this modification, the holding portion 68 is molded integrally with the lure body 11. Specifically, a semi-cylindrical protrusion is formed on each of the right housing 27 and the left housing 28, and the cylindrical holding portion 68 is formed by joining the right housing 27 and the left housing 28 together. The magnet 69 has a cylindrical shape and is fitted into the holding portion 68. The two are fixed together via adhesive or other known means.

[0059] In this modified example, the holding portion 68 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the magnet 69 is formed in a corresponding columnar shape, but the shapes of the two are not particularly limited. In short, it is sufficient that the magnet 69 is fixed to the holding portion 68. In this modified example, the coil springs 43, 44 are not used, and therefore the large diameter portions 50, 52 (see FIG. 5) for holding the coil springs 43, 44 are omitted.

[0060] According to this modification, as in the above embodiment, the weight 25 slides in the lateral direction 21, and the center of gravity of the lure body 11 is easily displaced to the right side 22 or the left side 23. Therefore, for example, when jerking, the angler can easily intentionally make the posture of the lure 10 unstable.

[0061] In this modification, when the sinker 25 slides in the lateral direction 21, the support mechanism 66 returns the sinker 25 to the center in the lateral direction 21, and the center of gravity of the lure body 11 is maintained at the center. Therefore, for example, during a constant speed retrieve, the angler can intentionally and easily stabilize the posture of the lure 10. In other words, the angler can selectively and easily reproduce the movement of the lure 10 that resembles a baitfish by his or her own operation.

[0062] Since the sinker 25 is made of a magnetic material, it is attracted to the magnet 69 with a predetermined magnetic force, and the sinker 25 is always biased toward the center of the lure body 11. Therefore, even if the sinker 25 slides along the support shaft 42, it returns to the center of the support shaft 42 and maintains this state. Therefore, the posture of the lure 10 during a constant speed retrieve is extremely stable.

[0063] In this modification, the sinker 25 is biased by a magnetic force, and therefore the magnet 69 is disposed on the top 64 of the lure body 11. In other words, the magnet 69 does not need to be provided on the support shaft 42. Therefore, in designing the lure 10, the stroke of the sinker 25 (i.e., the amount of movement along the support shaft 42) can be increased. As a result, the center of gravity of the lure 10 can be displaced more significantly in the lateral direction 21, making the posture of the lure 10 even more unstable during a jerk. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10. Lure 11. Lure body 12 Line Eye 13. Hook eye 14 Hook eye 15 Hook eye 19...Anteroposterior direction 20. Up and down direction 21 Horizontal 22 Right side 23...left side 25... weight 26...Support mechanism 27 Right housing 28 Left housing 37 Eye mounting part 38 Eye mounting part 39...center 40...center 41...Through hole 42...Support shaft 43. Coil spring 44... Coil spring 45...center axis 48...Bearing section 49...Bearing section 50... Cylindrical part 51 Support pin 52 Cylindrical part 53 Support pin 54. Gap 55...Gap 56...Inner wall 57...Inner wall 58...face 59...face 60... Virtual line 64...Top 66...Support mechanism 68...Holding part 69. Magnet

Claims

1. A lure body having a line eye at the front and a hook eye at the rear along the front-to-rear direction; A weight built into the lure body; The lure has a support mechanism that supports the sinker so that it can slide freely along a lateral direction that intersects with the front-rear direction and that always biases the sinker so that it is positioned in the center of the lateral direction.

2. The support mechanism includes: A support shaft extending along the lateral direction inside the lure body and penetrating the sinker; 2. The lure according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of elastic members disposed on the inner wall of the lure body and on the left and right sides of the sinker.

3. the elastic member is a coil spring, 3. The lure according to claim 2, wherein the support shaft passes through and supports the coil spring.

4. The lure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sinker is supported above an imaginary reference line connecting the line eye and the hook eye.

5. The weight is made of a magnetic material, The support mechanism includes: A support shaft extending along the lateral direction inside the lure body and penetrating the sinker; 2. The lure according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet that urges the sinker toward the center of the lure body by magnetic force.

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