Fishing lure

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a fishing lure comprising a body and an encapsulated sonar reflector wherein the body comprises a body material and the sonar reflector comprises a sonar reflector material and wherein the sonar reflector material has a density greater than the body material. The lure may additionally include a weight. The sonar reflector may be provided as a plate or made from one or more plates of high-density material such as tungsten.

Description

[0001] FISHING LURE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments relate to a fishing lure.

[0004] Background

[0005] A relatively recent development in recreational fishing is the use of forwardfacing sonar to help detect the presence of fish, and to adjust the fishing technique accordingly. The term “forward-facing sonar” is used to distinguish over traditional sonar which was directed downwards from the boat, and is usually used to determine water depth. Despite this terminology, forward-facing sonar may, in certain implementations, be directed to the sides and behind the boat. One such product is sold under the trade mark LiveScope™.

[0006] Known fishing lures may be made from flexible or non-flexible material such as plastic formed to resemble the shape of bait fish or other fish prey. The lures are shaped and weighted to mimic the swimming motion of prey to thereby attract fish.

[0007] Lead or other relatively dense materials are often used for the weight and it is known that the lead or other material can render the lure visible on the forward-facing sonar.

[0008] Summary of the Disclosure

[0009] A further embodiment extends to a fishing lure comprising a body, a weight and a sonar reflector, the body comprising a body material, the weight comprising a weight material and the sonar reflector comprising a sonar reflector material wherein a density of the sonar reflector material is greater than a density of the body material, wherein the body encapsulates the sonar reflector.

[0010] The body may partially or completely encapsulate the sonar reflector and the weight. In an embodiment, the body completely encapsulates the sonar reflector and the weight.

[0011] The sonar reflector material and the weight material may have a density greater than 1 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 2 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 5 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 10 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 15 g / cm3. In certain embodiments, the sonar reflector material has a density at least twice that of the body material.

[0012] The sonar reflector material may be made from a dense metal such as one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel and aluminium. The sonar reflector material may be an alloy comprising one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel, and aluminium. The sonar reflector material may be provided as solid or as a mesh, woven or lattice arrangement.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the reflector material may comprise a plastics material mixed with a dense metal. The dense metal may be provided as a powder or other particulate for mixing. The plastics material mixed with the dense metal may be flexible. The plastics material may be a mixture of plastics.

[0014] In general, the sonar reflector may be flexible. This may be the case when the sonar reflector is made from a dense metal and / or metal alloy whether provided as a solid or as a mesh, lattice or woven material.

[0015] The weight material may be the same as the sonar reflector material.

[0016] The body material may be a flexible material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or HDPE. In a further embodiment, the body material may be Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or a plastisol material. The body may be integral.

[0017] The sonar reflector may comprise a plate. The plate may be elongate defining a length, a height and a thickness. The plate may be orientated along a height, width or a length of the body. A thickness of the plate may be substantially less than any other dimension of the plate. A perimeter of the plate may generally follow the shape of the lure so that the thickness of the body between the perimeter of the plate and an outside surface of the lure is substantially constant over a substantial portion of a length of the perimeter of the plate.

[0018] The plate may be substantially orientated in one of the following orientations: in a plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the height and width of the lure; in a plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and width; and in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and height. The plate may be a disc.

[0019] The minimum thickness of the body between an outer edge of the plate and the outside surface of the lure may be between 1 mm and 4 mm. In an embodiment, the minimum thickness may be 3 mm.

[0020] The sonar reflector may comprise one, two or three plates. Each plate may have one of the following orientations: in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the height and width of the lure; in the plane of cross-section of the lure taken over the length and width; and in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and height. Where there is more than plate, each plate may have a different orientation from each of the other plates.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the sonar reflector comprises three plates, each orientated in one of the planes mentioned above.

[0022] By having different plates orientated substantially normal to one another it may be possible to increase the surface area of the sonar reflector exposed to the sonar pulses emitted by the forward-facing (or other) sonar. As the lure changes orientation relative to the incoming sonar pulses, different plates may be brought into a position to reflect the sonar pulses, thereby potentially helping to ensure that a significant reflective surface is presented to the incoming sonar pulses for most, if not all, orientations of the lure.

[0023] It is to be realised that the greater the number of plates with different orientations, the greater the reflective properties of the sonar reflector may be.

[0024] The sonar reflector may be comprised of a plurality of plates orientated to provide a substantially three-dimensional shape. For example, the plurality of plates may describe two or more facets of a cuboid.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the thickness of the plates is more than 0.2 mm. The thickness of the plates may be more than 0.5 mm. The thickness of the plates may be between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. The thickness of the plates may be between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0026] In a further embodiment a thickness of the plate is between 0.2 mm and 100 mm. However, it is to be realised that the thickness may depend on the other dimensions of the plate and the size of the lure to which is to be fitted. In an embodiment, the thickness is between 1 mm and 4 mm. In a further embodiment, the thickness is about 2 mm. In a further embodiment, the thickness is 3 mm.

[0027] In an embodiment, the plate is made from tungsten and has a thickness of about 2 mm.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the plate is made from steel and has a thickness of about 3 mm.

[0029] A plate may have a surface area of between 1-6 times a length of the lure, with the lure length in millimetres and the surface area in square millimetres. In an embodiment, the plate has a surface area of between 3.5-5 times a length of the lure, with the lure length in millimetres and the surface area in square millimetres.

[0030] A further embodiment relates to a fishing lure comprising a body, the body having at least a portion thereof constructed from a reflector material for reflecting sound waves emitted by a sonar, wherein the reflector material comprises a metal in particulate form suspended in a plastic.

[0031] The mixture of powdered metal to plastic may vary between 10% particulate metal with 90% plastic to 50% particulate metal with 50% plastic. All measurements being percentage, by volume.

[0032] The particles of the metal in particulate form may be a powder in which case the sizes of the particles may range from 0.6 to 22 pm. However, the metal in particulate form may comprise particles significantly larger than this. Furthermore, the range of sizes of the particles may vary significantly. In an embodiment, the size of the particles of metal may be chosen so it can be thoroughly mixed with the plastic material and can be either poured or injected when the plastic is heated in a liquid form so as to enable the injection moulding or pouring process.

[0033] The average size of the particles of the metal in particulate form may be about 5 pm. The particles have an average size between 1 and 500 pm in size. Particle average size may be determined using a Fisher Sub Sieve Sizer.

[0034] In an embodiment, the mixture of powdered metal to plastic is 30% powdered tungsten with 70% TPE, by volume, wherein the average size of the particles of the metal in particulate form is about 5 pm.

[0035] The metal of the metal in particulate form may comprise one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel and aluminium, and an alloy comprising one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel, and aluminium. For example, a tungsten metal powder may be blended with a metal matrix (often copper or nickel) to create a pseudo-alloy of tungsten.

[0036] The plastic may be a flexible material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or HDPE. In a further embodiment, the plastic may be Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or a plastisol material. The plastic may be a mix of two or more of these plastic types.

[0037] The reflector material may be made by mixing the metal in particulate form into the plastic when the plastic is in liquid form (e.g. due to elevated temperatures). This may be carried out at the time the lure is constructed by moulding: the plastic is liquefied to pour into the mould, and the metal in particulate form is mixed with the liquefied plastic prior to pouring.

[0038] In an embodiment, the entire body is made from the reflector material.

[0039] It is to be realised that such an embodiment may further comprise a weight and a sonar reflector as herein described.

[0040] In an alternate embodiment, a portion of the body is made from the reflector material. The body may comprise a body reflector portion made from the reflector material. The reflector body portion may comprise a volume between 20 and 80% of a volume of the body. The reflector body portion may be symmetrically located with respect to a plane running along a length and height of the lure. The reflector body portion may be primarily located in a trunk portion of the body where the body of the lure describes a fish body.

[0041] The body reflector portion may be encased in a surrounding body portion. The surrounding body portion may be made from a plastic. The plastic may be formed without substantial amounts of metal in particulate form.

[0042] The surrounding body portion may completely encase the body reflector portion. Alternatively, the surrounding body portion may partially encase the body reflector portion.

[0043] The body of the lure may be fish-shaped. The body of the lure may be squidshaped. The body of the lure may have the shape of other bait fish. According to an embodiment, a fishing lure is provided, the fishing lure comprising a body and a sonar reflector wherein the body comprises a body material and the sonar reflector comprises a plate of sonar reflector material and wherein the sonar reflector material has a density greater than the body material wherein: the body has a fish shape; the sonar reflector comprises a single plate orientated substantially in a plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over a height and width of the lure.

[0044] The sonar reflector may consist of the plate of sonar reflector material. In such an embodiment, the sonar reflector is a single plate of sonar reflector material.

[0045] According to an embodiment, a fishing lure is provided, the fishing lure comprising a body, the body having a body reflector portion and a surrounding body portion wherein: the body has a fish shape; the body reflector portion is constructed from a reflector material for reflecting sound waves emitted by a sonar the reflector material comprising a metal in particulate form suspended in a plastic; the surrounding body portion encapsulates the sonar reflector portion and the surrounding body portion comprises a flexible plastic.

[0046] The surrounding body portion may consist of the flexible plastic.

[0047] Embodiments are herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0048] Figure 1 is side view of a lure according to an embodiment;

[0049] Figure 2 is a cross-section along the line A-A of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0050] Figure 3 is a cross-section along the line B-B of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0051] Figure 4 is a side view of a lure according to a further embodiment;

[0052] Figure 5 is a cross-section along the line C-C of the embodiment of Figure 4;

[0053] Figure 6 is a cross-section along the line D-D of the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a side view of a lure according to a further embodiment;

[0054] Figure 8 is a cross-section along the line E-E of the embodiment of Figure 7;

[0055] Figure 9 is a cross-section along the line F-F of the embodiment of Figure 7;

[0056] Figure 10 is a side view of a lure according to a further embodiment;

[0057] Figure 11 is a cross-section along the line E-E of the embodiment of Figure 10;

[0058] Figure 12 is a cross-section along the line F-F of the embodiment of Figure 10;

[0059] Figure 13 is a cross-section of a lure according to a further embodiment;

[0060] Figure 14 is a side view of the lure of Figure 13;

[0061] Figure 15 is a top view of the lure of Figure 13;

[0062] Figure 16 is a cross-section of a lure according to a further embodiment;

[0063] Figure 17 is a portion of the lure of Figure 16 shown in cross-section;

[0064] Figure 18 is a partial cross-section of the lure according to Figure 16; and

[0065] Figure 19 is a further partial cross-section of a lure according to Figure 16.

[0066] Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment

[0067] An embodiment extends to a fishing lure comprising a body and a sonar reflector wherein the body comprises a body material and the sonar reflector comprises a plate of sonar reflector material and wherein the sonar reflector material has a density greater than the body material.

[0068] A further embodiment extends to a fishing lure comprising a body, a weight and a sonar reflector, the body comprising a body material, the weight comprising a weight material and the sonar reflector comprising a sonar reflector material wherein a density of the sonar reflector material is greater than a density of the body material.

[0069] In an embodiment, the lure is provided with a weight in addition to a sonar reflector. In an alternate embodiment, the lure is provided without any weight other than the sonar reflector, in which case the sonar reflector may provide the weight needed for the lure to operate (sink, for example). In embodiments comprising a weight and a sonar reflector, the weight is unevenly distributed within the body of the lure and may help to affect the movement of the body through the water. Choice of the amount and distribution of the weight, in conjunction with the density of the material it is made of and the shape of the body of the lure may govern the movement of the lure through the water and therefore the effectiveness of the lure.

[0070] On the other hand, the sonar reflector may be chosen to reflect sound, for example sound used in forward-facing fishing sonar. The sonar reflector may be arranged to affect the balance and therefore the movement of the lure through the water as little as possible. Preferably, the sonar cross-section which the lure presents may be maximised. The sonar cross-section of the lure may depend on the density and arrangement of the materials used.

[0071] It is known to use lead for the weight and this may also be used for the sonar reflector. However, lead suffers from a number of known disadvantages including the adverse environmental impact.

[0072] In the following discussion, the composition of the sonar reflector is discussed, but it is to be realised that the weight (where present) may be comprised of the same, or different materials.

[0073] The body may encapsulate the sonar reflector and the weight.

[0074] The sonar reflector material and the weight material may have a density greater than 1 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 2 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 5 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 10 g / cm3. The sonar reflector material may have a density greater than 15 g / cm3.

[0075] The sonar reflector may be made of one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel and aluminium. The sonar reflector material may be an alloy comprising one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel, and aluminium. The sonar reflector material maybe provided as solid or as a mesh, woven or lattice arrangement.

[0076] A mesh, woven or lattice material may have the advantage of providing similar reflective characteristics as the same element made from solid material, whilst providing savings on weight and cost of raw materials. The weight material may be the same as the sonar reflector material.

[0077] The body material may be a flexible material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or HDPE. In a further embodiment, the body material may be Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or a plastisol material. The body may be integral. The body may be moulded. The body may comprise slots into which the sonar reflector fits.

[0078] The sonar reflector may comprise a plate. The plate may be elongate defining a length, a height and a thickness. The plate may be orientated substantially in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the height and width of the lure. The plate may alternatively be orientated substantially in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and width, or the length and height. A thickness of the plate may be substantially less than any other dimension of the plate.

[0079] A perimeter of the plate(s) may generally follow the shape of the lure so that the thickness of the body between the perimeter of the plate and an outside surface of the lure is substantially constant over a substantial portion of a length of the perimeter of the plate. This may help to ensure that the area of the plate is maximised, without unduly affecting the structural integrity of the body, particular in the portion surround the plate(s).

[0080] The sonar reflector may comprise a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates may be oriented, correspondingly, in two of the following orientations: in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the height and width of the lure; in the plane of cross-section of the lure taken over the length and width; and in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and height.

[0081] The sonar reflector may be comprised of a plurality of plates orientated to provide a substantially three-dimensional shape. For example, the plurality of plates may describe two or more facets of a cuboid.

[0082] A thickness of the first and / or second plates may be substantially less than any other dimension of the plates.

[0083] A further embodiment relates to a fishing lure comprising a body, the body having at least a portion thereof constructed from a reflector material for reflecting sound waves emitted by a sonar, wherein the reflector material comprises a metal in particulate form suspended in a plastic. Such an embodiment may have the advantage, particularly where the plastic is a flexible plastic, of providing a lure with improved sound reflection over traditional lures whilst maintaining a degree of flexibility which may govern the action of the lure in the water and therefore the effectiveness of the lure.

[0084] In an alternate embodiment, a portion of the body is made from the reflector material. The body may comprise a body reflector portion made from the reflector material. The reflector body portion may comprise a volume between 20 and 80% of a volume of the body. The reflector body portion may be symmetrically located with respect to a plane running along a length and height of the lure. The reflector body portion may be primarily located in a trunk portion of the body where the body of the lure describes a fish body.

[0085] By providing only a portion of the lure made from the reflector material, it may be cheaper to manufacture a lure whilst maintaining similar reflective characteristics. This may be the case for larger lures where the additional cost of the particulate material may make manufacturing the entire lure from the reflector material impractical. Embodiments may improve the visibility of lure on forward-facing sonar. The output of forward-facing sonar is generally on a monitor display which a user views on board a boat from which they are fishing. Often this display can be difficult to read due to the environment in which it is used: direct sunlight can make it difficult to read the monitor and to determine the position of a lure relative to the other details shown on the display, particularly since the lure is small relative to the surrounds. Furthermore, the user may be standing whilst the monitor is mounted to the boat at or near the user’s feet.

[0086] By improving the sonar visibility of the lure, embodiments may improve the ability of a user to position their lure relative to fish and therefore potentially improve their ability to catch these fish. The easier it is for the angler to see the lure on the screen, the quicker they may be able to adjust their casting and retrieve.

[0087] Furthermore, it may be desirable to increase the visibility of the lure (on sonar) without affecting the performance and behaviour of the lure. Therefore, it may be advantageous for the sonar reflector to be encased or encapsulated in the body of the lure and for the sonar reflector to be symmetrically weighted across the lure to minimize the influence on the centre of gravity and therefore the action of the lure as it moves through the water. Generally, the body will entirely encase or encapsulate the sonar reflector. The lure may be electronically inert. The lure may exclude any electrical power source or circuitry. Active electronics designed to sense an incoming sonar pulse and reply to that may be complex and expensive.

[0088] Figure 1 illustrates a lure 10 according to an embodiment. The lure 10 comprises a body 12 and a sonar reflector 14.

[0089] The body 12 in this embodiment is shaped as a bait fish and includes features such as a mouth 16 and eyes (only one of which, eye 18 is shown) to resemble the appearance of a bait fish.

[0090] Although the lure is shown in the shape of a fish, it is to be realised that other embodiments may apply to lures in other shapes. For example, a body in the shape of a squid or any other kind of appropriate fishing bait may be used instead.

[0091] The body is provided with eyelets 20 which are used for attaching line and hooks and other tackle and will not be further discussed herein.

[0092] The sonar reflector 14 is, in this embodiment, a plate. As shown in Figure 1, the lure 10 has a length L and a height H. As shown in Figure 2, the lure has a width W. The sonar reflector 14 has a corresponding length LR, height HR and width WR, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Since the sonar reflector is a plate, the length LR and height HR are significantly greater than the width WR. The width WR of the plate is equivalent to the thickness of the plate as herein described.

[0093] The sonar reflector 14 has a perimeter 22 which generally follows the outer surface 24 of the body 12. Generally, the greater the surface area of the sonar reflector, the better it may be at reflecting sonar pulses, and therefore the more visible the lure may be on a forward-facing sonar, for example. In this example, the body 12 is made from a moulded plastics material such as polyethylene. Although the perimeter 22 of the sonar reflector 14 will follow the outer surface of the body, a minimum body thickness may be maintained to potentially ensure that the structural integrity of the body is not unduly compromised by the sonar reflector.

[0094] The minimum thickness may depend on the size and shape of the lure. In the embodiments illustrated, the minimum thickness is 3 mm. In alternate embodiments, the minimum thickness may be 1 mm.

[0095] This balance between increasing the surface area of the sonar reflector and maintaining the body integrity of the lure will depend on a number of factors such as the shape and size of the lure, the materials out of which the body and sonar reflector are made, the contours involved etc. Furthermore, it is to be realised that it is not essential that the perimeter 22 of the lure precisely follow the outer surface of the body 12. Particularly where there are sharp contours and thin body portions, there may be some deviation between the perimeter 22 and the outer surface 24.

[0096] In a further embodiment, the sonar reflector is provided as a rectangle, oval or other regular shape where the correspondence between the perimeter of the sonar reflector and the outer surface of the body is approximate.

[0097] In this embodiment, the lure 10 does not include a weight. Certain lures require a weight in order to assist with the behaviour of the lure when in use. Generally, a weight will allow the lure to sink and may help in simulating a swimming motion, which may improve the effectiveness of fishing with such a lure. The swimming motion simulates the behaviour of actual bait fish, thereby enticing the target fish into biting the lure.

[0098] Therefore, in an embodiment, the sonar reflector may provide the function of the weight and to do so may be asymmetrically shaped. The shape may depend on the lure and weight function involved. For certain lures, the weight may be provided in the lower posterior portion of the lure. Therefore, the sonar reflector may be provided as a plate other than in the lower posterior portion (with reference to the body shape of Figure 1) which is provided as a bulbous shape, emulating a lure weight.

[0099] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the sonar reflector 14 is orientated in a plane of the lure 10 corresponding to a cross-section taken over the length and height. In further embodiments, the sonar reflector is provided in other planes.

[0100] Figure 4 illustrates a lure 50 with a body 52 and a sonar reflector 54. In this embodiment, the sonar reflector 54 comprises two plates: a first plate 56 and a second plate 58. First plate 56 corresponds in shape, size and orientation to the plate 14 of the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3. The second plate 58 is provided at substantially right angles to the first plate 56 so the first plate 56 is provided in the plane of a cross section taken over the length and height of the lure whereas the second plate 58 is provided in a plane taken over the length and width of the lure.

[0101] As shown in Figure 5 however, the angle in that view between the first plate 56 and the second plate 58 is not precisely a right angle. Instead, the second plate is angled. For the lure shown, this arrangement may help to maximize the length and therefore the surface area of the two plates. In general, the greater the surface area of the plates the more effective they may be at reflecting sonar pulses.

[0102] Two embodiments with sonar reflectors with different configurations have been shown. However, it is to be realised that many other configurations are possible. For example, the sonar reflector may, in addition to, or instead of, the plates shown have a plate orientated in the plane taken in a cross-section over the height and width. An embodiment therefore comprises three plates arranged substantially at right angles to one another.

[0103] The lures of the embodiments discussed above and illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 do not include a weight, other than the weight provided by the plates of the sonar reflector.

[0104] Figures 7 to 9 illustrate an embodiment including both a sonar reflector and a weight. As shown in Figure 7, the lure 70 comprises a body 72, a weight 74 and a sonar reflector 76. In this embodiment, the sonar reflector 76 is a plate orientated in the plane of a cross-section taken over the width and length of the lure 70.

[0105] However, it is to be realised the sonar reflector may include plates in different orientations instead of, or in addition to, the plate76 illustrated. In those embodiments where the position of the weight 74 and the position of a plate of the sonar reflector coincide, the plate may be shaped to accommodate the weight. In a further embodiment, the weight and the plate may be formed from the same material as a single, integrated piece. For example, where a plate of the sonar reflector is provided in the plane formed by a cross-section over the length and height of the lure, the plate and weight may be symmetrically disposed about that plane and, in this case, the plate and weight may be provided as a single, integrated unit.

[0106] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate an embodiment with a sonar reflector in a different orientation. In this embodiment, the lure 80 comprises a body 82 and a sonar reflector 86. In this embodiment, the sonar reflector 86 is a plate orientated in the plane of a cross-section taken over the height and width of the lure 80.

[0107] The lure 80 of the embodiment of Figures 10 to 12 may have the advantage that the sonar reflector 86 is orientated close to perpendicular to the sound waves emitted by the forward-facing sonar. Although the orientation of the lure will change significantly during the course of its passage through the water, many lures are intended to mimic the action of bait fish which generally means that they may often orientate in the water in the same orientation as fish: with the nose pointing forwards, and the dorsal side upwards. Although embodiments are not limited to this type of use, when used with a forward facing sonar in a small fishing platform such as a fishing kayak or small boat, the lure will typically be used relatively shallow compared to the boat and therefore, a sonar reflector being orientated in the width and height may reflect a relatively large portion of the sound waves emitted by the sonar.

[0108] Generally, the body is made from a moulded plastics material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or high density thermoplastic elastomer HDPE, or PVC, ABS, Plastisol or Polyurethane. The sonar reflector is made from a denser material. In general, the denser the material, the more effectively it may reflect sonar pulses. In the embodiments shown, the plates of the sonar reflectors are made from tungsten, but many other materials are suitable. In an embodiment tungsten, lead or another dense metal in powder form is mixed with a flexible plastic material to form the plate. In certain embodiments, the sonar reflector material has a density at least twice that of the body material. Lead may also be used together with, or instead of, tungsten. Lead suffers from environmental impact and is avoided for that reason although weights have traditionally been constructed from lead. Suitable alloys such as steel may also be used.

[0109] The weight, when present, may be made from the same material as the sonar reflector, or from a different material.

[0110] The dimension of the plate(s) of the sonar reflector are chosen to increase surface area without unduly affecting other characteristics of the lure such as the structural integrity. The thickness of the plates may not affect their performance as sonar reflectors. However, manufacturing and structural considerations may dictate aspects of the thickness. In certain embodiments, the thickness of the plates is more than 0.2 mm. The thickness of the plates may be more than 0.5 mm. The thickness of the plates may be between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. The thickness of the plates may be between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm. The limiting factor in the thickness of the plate may be the cost of the materials involved, but many other thicknesses are possible.

[0111] In certain embodiments, the thickness of the plate is dependent on the material used. For example, in an embodiment, it has been found that a tungsten plate with a thickness of about 2 mm may provide good reflective characteristics. In a further embodiment, a steel plate with a thickness of about 3 mm may provide good reflective characteristics. However, it is to be realised that many other compositions and thicknesses are possible.

[0112] Manufacture of the lure will depend on the size of the lure and the size and shape of the sonar reflector. For larger lures where the plate is made from a solid, mesh, lattice or woven material, the body may be formed in two or more parts by moulding. The moulding process would form slots shaped to engage edges of the plate. The lure is then assembled by inserting the plate of the sonar reflector into the moulded slots of one of the parts of the body, and then assembling the other parts around the plate. Once assembled the body encapsulates the sonar reflector.

[0113] For a soft lure, the body is formed around the sonar reflector so that the sonar reflector is encased in the material of the body during the moulding process.

[0114] Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrates a lure 100 according to a further embodiment. Although dimensions are shown on the Figures, this is indicative of a single embodiment, and it is to be realised that the lure shown can be made with many other dimensions too.

[0115] Figure 13 is a cross-section of the lure 100. The lure 100 comprises a body 102 having a trunk portion 104 and a tail portion 106. The body 102 comprises a body reflector portion 106 which, in this embodiment, is made from tungsten power having an average particulate size of 5 pm suspended in a flexible plastic; in this case thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0116] The portion of the body surrounding the body reflector portion 106 is the surrounding body portion 108. The surrounding body portion 108 is made from TPE having no, or very little, suspended tungsten (or any other metal) powder.

[0117] Since both the surrounding body portion 108 and the reflector body portion 106 are made primarily of TPE, the lure 100 remains flexible whilst the tungsten powder suspended in the TPE of the body reflector portion 106 may help to improve the ability of the lure to reflect sound waves emitted by sonar.

[0118] Figure 14 is a side view and Figure 15 is a top view showing the orientation of the reflector body portion 106 relative to the surrounding body portion 108. Although the reflector body portion 108 is shown with cross-hatching, the reflector body is not illustrated in cross-section in these Figures. In this embodiment, the body reflector portion is located in the trunk 104 of the lure 100. Generally, it may be preferable to locate the body reflector portion in the thickest portion of the lure. It will be realised that the demarcation between the trunk and the tail is not definitive, and there may be a gradual transition between the two.

[0119] In a further embodiment, the entire lure is made of a plastics material with particulate metal suspended therein. For example, with reference to Figure 13, the lure 100 may be provided without the body reflector portion, but with the entire body 102 formed from the material of the body reflector portion.

[0120] Figures 16 to 19 illustrate a further embodiment of a lure 200. The lure 200 comprises a body 202 which, in this embodiment, is made from ABS. The lure 200 includes a weight 204 made from lead which is encased in a channel 206 which allows the weight 204 to move as the orientation of the lure 200 changes. Such weight transfer systems are known in the art and will not be further described herein.

[0121] The lure 200 further comprises a sonar reflector 210 in the form of a tungsten plate. The body sonar reflector 210 is held in place by internal walls of which two 212A and 212B are shown in Figures 16, 18 and 19.

[0122] As the body 202 of the lure 200 entirely surrounds the sonar reflector 210, the sonar reflector 210 is completely encapsulated by the body 202.

[0123] In a further embodiment, the sonar reflector may be partially encapsulated by the body so that a part of the sonar reflector extends outside of the body.

[0124] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0125] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments. Similarly, the word “device” is used in a broad sense and is intended to cover the constituent parts provided as an integral whole as well as an instantiation where one or more of the constituent parts are provided separate to one another. Conversely, the word “consists”, in the context of a claim, is used in an exclusive sense i.e. to specify the presence only of the state feature.

Claims

Claims1. A fishing lure comprising a body, a weight and a sonar reflector, the body comprising a body material, the weight comprising a weight material and the sonar reflector comprising a sonar reflector material wherein a density of the sonar reflector material is greater than a density of the body material, wherein the body encapsulates the sonar reflector.

2. The fishing lure of claim 1 wherein the sonar reflector comprises a plate of the sonar reflector material.

3. The fishing lure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body encapsulates the weight.

4. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim wherein the sonar reflector has a density greater than 1 g / cm3.

5. The fishing lure according to claim 4 wherein the sonar reflector material has a density greater than 10 g / cm36. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim wherein the sonar reflector material is a dense metal such as one or more of tungsten, iron, lead, steel, aluminium or an alloy of dense metals.

7. The fishing lure according to claim 6 wherein the sonar reflector comprises one, or a combination, of: a solid, a mesh, a lattice or a woven material of the sonar reflector material.

8. The fishing lure according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the sonar reflector material comprises a dense metal such as tungsten, iron, lead, steel, aluminium or an alloy of dense metals, or a combination of dense metals, in particulate form suspended in a plastic.

9. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate is elongate defining a length, a height and a thickness.

10. The fishing lure according to claim 9 wherein the thickness of the plate is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm.

11. The fishing lure according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein a perimeter ofthe plate generally follows a shape of the lure so that a thickness of the body between the perimeter of the plate and an outside surface of the lure is not less than a minimum body thickness and wherein the minimum body thickness is more than 1 mm.

12. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim wherein the plate is substantially orientated in one of the following orientations: in a plane of a crosssection of the lure taken over a height and a width of the lure; in a plane of a crosssection of the lure taken over the length and a width; and in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the length and the height.

13. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim further comprising a first plate and a second plate.

14. The fishing lure according to claim 13 wherein the first and second plates are correspondingly oriented in two of the following orientations: in the plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over the height and width of the lure; in the plane of cross-section of the lure taken over the length and width; and in the plane of a crosssection of the lure taken over the length and height.

15. The fishing lure according to any preceding claim wherein the sonar reflector comprises a plurality of plates orientated to provide a substantially three- dimensional shape.

16. The fishing lure according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body material comprises a plastic and wherein the plastic comprises one or more of thermoplastic elastomer, high density thermoplastic elastomer, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Polyvinyl Chloride and a plastisol material.

17. A fishing lure comprising a body and a sonar reflector wherein the body comprises a body material and the sonar reflector comprises a plate of sonar reflector material and wherein the sonar reflector material has a density greater than the body material wherein: the body has a fish shape; the sonar reflector comprises a single plate orientated substantially in a plane of a cross-section of the lure taken over a height and width of the lure.

18. The fishing lure according to claim 17 wherein the sonar reflector consists of the plate of sonar reflector material.

19. The fishing lure according to claim 17 or claim 18 further comprising a weight which acts as a ballast.

20. The fishing lure according to claim 17 which excludes a weight which acts as a ballast.

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