Fishing Tool Assembly for One-Handed Sinker Attachment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching split shot sinkers to fishing lines are cumbersome, often requiring two hands and can lead to incomplete closure, causing detachment and discomfort, especially in inclement weather.

Innovation Solution

A fishing tool assembly with a combination of two levers and a spring-loaded mechanism that allows for one-handed attachment of split shot sinkers to a fishing line, using a hinge and jaw mechanism to compress the sinker securely around the line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional manual methods are used to attach split shot sinkers to fishing lines, then the process can be completed, but it requires two hands and can lead to incomplete closure causing detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables one-handed operation where the user's single hand operates the levers while the other hand holds the fishing line, making the system serve itself by requiring minimal user intervention. The mechanical closure mechanism automatically compresses the sinker when the levers are actuated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the sinker compression. The upper and lower levers transmit force through the jaw to compress the sinker securely around the fishing line, ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual compression of split shot sinkers is performed, then attachment can be achieved, but it causes discomfort especially in inclement weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoiduser discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The jaw mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the sinker compression. The upper and lower levers transmit force through the jaw to compress the sinker securely around the fishing line, ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces direct manual finger compression with a lever-based mechanical system. The upper lever rotating around the hinge axis provides mechanical advantage to compress the sinker, substituting the inefficient direct manual compression method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If split shot sinkers are incompletely closed, then the attachment process is faster, but detachment occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment speedVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical lever system provides tactile feedback to the user during compression. As the upper lever rotates and the jaw compresses the sinker, the user can feel the resistance increase, providing feedback that the sinker is being properly secured around the fishing line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces direct manual finger compression with a lever-based mechanical system. The upper lever rotating around the hinge axis provides mechanical advantage to compress the sinker, substituting the inefficient direct manual compression method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and secure attachment of split shot sinkers to fishing lines with one hand, reducing the risk of detachment and discomfort, while allowing for easy removal and reattachment of additional sinkers.

Implementation Method 1

A spring-loaded, reloadable fishing tool cartridge configured to house fishing sinkers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring-loaded mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an upper lever configured to rotate around an axis of a hinge in a direction toward the lower lever

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Implementation Method 3

rotate around an axis of a hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 4

compress a fishing sinker located in the lower lever into a closed position around a fishing line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10334834B2Fishing tool assembly

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 GRAHAM BILLY CHAD

AI summary

The disclosed technology includes an apparatus and method for applying a fishing sinker directly to a fishing line. In one implementation, the apparatus comprises a lower lever, an upper lever configured to rotate around an axis of a hinge in a direction toward the lower lever, and a jaw located on a first end of the upper lever and terminating with a tooth, the tooth configured to move into an aperture in the lower lever to compress the fishing sinker located in the lower lever into a closed position around a fishing line.