Quick release line attachment

• US 20060042151A1
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patrick J. Kavanaugh
• Original Assignee: Patrick J. Kavanaugh
• Inventors: Kavanaugh, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,614,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/44.890
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 91/03 Connecting devices devices for fixing on or removing sinkers from lines A01K95/02
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 95/02 Devices for fixing on or removing sinkers from lines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/39 Cord and rope holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3918 Wedge slot

Abstract

An attachment device attachable to a string, rope, cord or other flexible line that remains in a fixed position on the line without knotting the line or clamping the device to the line. The attachment device is quickly attached and removed without the need for additional tools to attach or release the device from the line. The device includes a secondary attachment to allow a second device to be permanently attached to the attachment device, allowing the second device to be quickly attached and released from a line.

Claims

1. A device attachable to a line, the device comprising:

a central member;

an aperture extending from a first side of the central member to a second side of the central member;

a slot between the first side and second side of the central member and extending from an outer surface of the central member into the aperture;

a first projection extending from a first sidewall of the slot towards a second sidewall of the slot and a second projection extending from the second sidewall of the slot towards the first sidewall of the slot, wherein a first distance from the first projections to an opposing sidewall, near the outer surface of the central member but excluding a tip of the first projection, is greater than a second distance from the first projection to the opposing sidewall near the aperture; and

barbs that at least partially restrict the slot near the first and second sides of the central member.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device is attachable to a fishing line, such that once attached to the line, the projections reduce the ability of the line to slip through the aperture.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein edges of the slot are rounded.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device is made from a non-toxic material.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the projections create friction and grip the line without requiring a clamping force to the line.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device is injection molded of metallic material having a thermoplastic binder.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, further including an eyelet attached to the outer surface of the central member.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a first portion of the slot extends into the aperture from a first outer surface and a second portion of the slot extends into the aperture from a second outer surface of the central member.

9. The device as recited in claim 8 further including a third portion of the slot that extends into the aperture from the first outer surface, wherein said second portion of the slot is positioned between the first and third portions of the slot.

10-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A fishing sinker attachable to a fishing line, the sinker comprising:

a main body including a channel to thread a fishing line there through, projections extending into at least a portion of the channel, a base of the projection being closer to an opposing sidewall of the channel than an upper portion of the projection, excluding a tip of the projection, and wherein the fishing line threads around the projection, and barbs that at least partially restrict the channel near opposite ends of the main body.

21. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein said channel extends from an outer surface into a mid portion of the main body.

22. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 21, wherein a first portion of the channel extends into the main body from a first outer surface and a second portion of the channel extends into a second outer surface of the main body.

23. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 22 further including a third portion of the channel that extends into the main body from the first outer surface, wherein said second portion of the channel is positioned between the first and third portions of the channel.

24. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein edges of the channel are rounded.

26. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein the projections create friction and grip the line without requiring a clamping force to the line.

27. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein said fishing sinker is made from a non-toxic material.

28. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein said fishing sinker is injection molded of metallic material having a thermoplastic binder.

29. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, further including an eyelet attached to the outer surface of the central member.

30. The fishing sinker as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the opposite ends of the main body is rounded.

25. (canceled)

31-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A device attachable to a line, the device comprising:

a member having a central axis and a line receiving aperture, the aperture extending through the member along a portion of the central axis, projections adjacent the aperture, wherein said projections, excluding tips of said projections, are at least partially conical, and barbs near first and second ends of the member, wherein an aperture axis of at least a portion of the line receiving aperture is offset from the central axis of the member, forming a circuitous path for the line around the partially conical projections.

40. The device as recited in claim 39, further including a slot extending from an outer surface of the member to the aperture.

41. The device as recited in claim 40, wherein the partially conical projections are tapered with respect to an upper and lower portion of a sidewall of the slot.

42. The device as recited in claim 40, wherein said device is attachable to a fishing line, such that once attached to the line, the line is restricted within the slot by the barbs.

43. The device as recited in claim 40, wherein edges of the slot are rounded.

44. The device as recited in claim 39, wherein said device is made from a non-toxic material.

45. The device as recited in claim 39, wherein the partially conical projections create friction and grip the line without requiring a clamping force to the line.

46. The device as recited in claim 39, wherein said device is injection molded of metallic material having a thermoplastic binder.

47. An article attachable to a line, the article comprising:

a main body having a proximal and distal end and a line receiving channel extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a barb aligned with said channel on at least one of the proximal and distal end of the main body, wherein a distance from a portion of the barb to an orthogonal portion of a sidewall of the channel is less than a distance from a second portion of the barb to an orthogonal portion of a remaining portion of the line receiving channel.

48. The article as recited in claim 47, further including a ridge extending from the barb toward the channel.

49. The article as recited in claim 47, further including at least two opposing line restricting members in the channel, wherein said article is attachable to a fishing line, such that once attached to the line, the line restricting members reduce the ability of the line to slip through the channel.

50. The article as recited in claim 47, wherein the article has a round shape.

51. The article as recited in claim 47, wherein the article has an elongated shape.

52. The article as recited in claim 47, wherein said article is made from a non-toxic material.

53. The article as recited in claim 47, wherein said article is injection molded of metallic material having a thermoplastic binder.

54. The article as recited in claim 47, wherein the article is made from a buoyant material.

55. The article as recited in claim 49, wherein at least one of the line restricting members is at least partially conically shaped.

56. The article as recited in claim 49, wherein at least one of the line restricting members has a base being closer to an opposing sidewall of the channel than an upper portion of the line restricting member.