Fishing Sinker Lifter Buoyancy Snag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fishing rigs using casting reels often get entangled in underwater obstructions during retrieval, leading to loss or damage, as they lack precision in casting and protection from bottom obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A combination of a sinker lifter with a streamlined shape and a sinker weight, where the sinker weight is held within the sinker lifter's rear cavity, allowing the sinker lifter to lift the rig off the bottom, reducing snagging risks and enhancing retrieval precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional weighted rig is used to reach the bottom, then the hook can be positioned at or near the bottom, but the rig becomes entangled in underwater obstructions during retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasting precisionVSAvoidretrieval success

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rig is divided into two separate weight components: a sinker lifter (with specific gravity approximately 1.0) and a sinker weight (with specific gravity substantially greater than 1.0). This segmentation allows each component to perform a distinct function - the sinker lifter provides controlled sinking and lifting while the sinker weight provides additional weighting, together resolving the contradiction between reaching the bottom and avoiding entanglement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sinker lifter acts as an intermediary component between the sinker weight and the rig. It controls the interaction with the bottom surface by lifting the rig off obstacles during retrieval, mediating between the need to reach the bottom and the need to avoid entanglement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If a heavy sinker weight is used to reach the bottom quickly, then sinking speed increases, but the rig is more likely to snag on bottom obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesinking speedVSAvoidsnagging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weighting system is segmented into a sinker weight for rapid sinking and a sinker lifter for controlled retrieval. The sinker weight provides the necessary mass for quick descent, while the sinker lifter's near-neutral buoyancy allows it to lift the rig off obstacles during retrieval, resolving the contradiction between sinking speed and snagging risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The specific gravity of the sinker lifter is carefully controlled to be approximately 1.0 (close to water density), while the sinker weight has a specific gravity substantially greater than 1.0. This parameter differentiation allows the system to achieve both rapid sinking and easy lifting off the bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the sinker lifter has a streamlined shape to reduce drag, then retrieval efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sinker lifter is given a streamlined, bullet-like shape that reduces drag during retrieval. This curved, aerodynamic form improves retrieval efficiency while remaining manufacturable using conventional casting or molding techniques, balancing hydrodynamic performance with manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The solution provides improved precision in casting and reduces the likelihood of rig entanglement or loss by lifting the rig off the bottom, protecting it from obstacles and minimizing snagging risks with its streamlined design and internal weight configuration.

Implementation Method 1

the sinker lifter (which can have a forward surface shaped like a bullet) lifts the rig from a bottom surface thereby protecting the rig from obstacles on the bottom surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

the sinker lifter having a specific gravity greater than, but approximately, 1.0, while the sinker weight has a specific gravity substantially greater than 1.0

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpecific gravity: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7546704B1Fishing rig with a sinker lifter and a sinker weight

Publication Date: 2009.06.16 CANALES RICARDO

AI summary

A combination of weights for fishing while using a casting reel with a rig attached to a fishing line relies upon a first sinker lifter having a forward streamlined surface shape, an internal bore through which the fishing line can be threaded and a rear cavity and a second sinker weight having a second internal bore through which the fishing line can be threaded and can be held within the rear cavity of the sinker lifter, the sinker lifter having a specific gravity greater than, but approximately, 1.0 while the sinker weight has a specific gravity substantially greater than 1.0.