FISHING GAFF

• US 3,863,377 A
• Filed: 09/17/1973
• Issued: 02/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clifford R. Leonard
• Original Assignee: Clifford R. Leonard
• Inventors: Leonard, Clifford R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lever, J. Q.
• Application Number:
  US05/398,238
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 43/6,5 294/26,11A 119/152,151
• US Class Current: 43/6
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/14 Gaffs

Abstract

A fishing gaff having a hollow handle from which a gaff rod projects, the gaff rod having a hook portion formed on the outer end thereof and being biased outwardly to a cocked position and being retained in the cocked position by a trigger mounted on the handle, the trigger being depressed for releasing the gaff rod from the outer cocked position, wherein the gaff rod is urged inwardly in a rapid retracting movement for penetrating the body of a fish when the fish is to be boated after the landing thereof.

Claims

1. A fishing gaff, comprising a hollow handle, a gaff rod having an elongated shaft portion extending into said hollow handle for axial movement the rein and a hook portion joined to said shaft portion and located in spaced relation relative to said handle, said gaff rod being axially movable relative to said handle from an inner inactive position to an outer cocked position, wherein said hook portion is moved outwardly relative to said handle, spring means located in said handle and responsive to outer movement of the gaff rod for biasing the gaff rod in the outer cocked position, and a trigger mounted on said handle and engaging the shaft portion of said gaff rod for releasing the gaff rod from the cocked position, wherein said gaff rod is rapidly urged inwardly in a retracting movement by said spring means for penetrating the body of a fish when the fish is to be boated after the landing thereof, said trigger having an inwardly extending forward portion in which an opening is formed, the shaft portion of said gaff rod extending through said opening and being restrained therein when the gaff rod is biased to the outer cocked position thereof.

2. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 1, said shaft portion of said gaff rod having a relatively square cross-sectional configuration, and the opening in the forward portion of said trigger having a similar configuration for accommodating the shaft portion of said gaff rod therein.

3. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 2, said shaft portion having a notch formed therein that is engageable in the opening in the inwardly extending forward portion of said trigger for maintaining the gaff rod in the outer cocked position thereof.

4. A fishing gaff, comprising a hollow handle, a gaff rod having an elongated shaft portion extending into said hollow handle for axial movement therein and a hook portion joined to said shaft portion and located in spaced relation relative to said handle, said gaff rod being axially movable relative to said handle from an inner inactive position to an outer cocked position, wherein said hook portion is moved outwardly relative to said handle, spring means located in said handle and responsive to outer movement of the gaff rod for biasing the gaff rod in the outer cocked position, and a trigger mounted on said handle and releasably engaging the shaft portion of said gaff rod for retaining the gaff rod in the outer cocked position, said trigger being actuated for releasing the shaft portion of said gaff rod from the outer cocked position, wherein said gaff rod is rapidly urged inwardly in a relatively linear retracting movement by said spring means for penetrating the body of a fish when the fish is to be boated after the landing thereof.

5. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 4, said spring means including a coil spring located in said handle in surrounding relation relative to the shaft portion of said gaff rod and forwardly with respect to said trigger.

6. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 5, one end of said spring being interconnected to said gaff rod and movable therewith, wherein said spring is compressed when the gaff rod is moved to the outer cocked position thereof.

7. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 4, said trigger including a rear portion that is secured to an outer surface of said handle, and a forward portion joined to said rear portion and being bent relative thereto for projecting into the interior of said handle for engagement with the gaff rod.

8. A fishing gaff as claimed in claim 4, said trigger being formed of a spring material that enables said forward portion to be normally located such that it is engageable with said gaff rod when the gaff rod is moved to the outer cocked position thereof for restraining the gaff rod in the outer cocked position, whereafter depression of said trigger releases said gaff rod for the retracting movement thereof.