Hook connector

• US 4,987,697 A
• Filed: 10/30/1989
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Klein Technology RLLLP
• Original Assignee: Gerald B. Klein
• Inventors: Klein, Gerald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROWAN, KURT C
• Application Number:
  US07/429,044
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 43/44.83, 43/42.49, 43/44.8, 43/42.36, 43/42.37
• US Class Current: 43/44.83
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 91/04 for connecting lines to hooks or lures

Abstract

An improved line connector, of synthetic resin such as nylon, for a fishhook. The connector is a rod-like member having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook. The improvement resides in the construction of the axial passageway and the knot pocket at the other end of the connector to hold the knotted end of a fishline. The improvement is to enhance the reliability and holding strength of both the connector and the line by providing a greater resilience of the connector to reduce the possibility of shock failure of either the connector or the knotted end of the line. A deep cone-shaped entrance of the passageway, at the end of the connector combined with a slotted side opening, forming a knot pocket, facilitates flexing of the seat within the pocket against which the knot is held and flexing of the sides of the connector against which the knot is pressed. This is especially important in avoiding undesirable stress concentration. A raised boss is extended about the slotted opening to functioin as a flexible buffer against cuts and dents as a tightly fitting knot is pulled into the slot pocket.

Claims

1. In a rod-like connector having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook, a passageway through the other end sized to receive an end of a fishline threaded thereinto and a side opening in the connector connecting with the passageway through which the end portion of the line will project when threaded into the passageway, with the side opening forming a pocket proportioned to receive and hold a knot tied in the projected end portion of the fishline which is too large to be pulled through the passageway, the improvement wherein:

said passageway entrance receiving the end of a fishline includes a section which is enlarged in diameter, with the section being of a funnel form to extend into the connector and to connect with a smaller short cylindrical passageway section which terminates at the aforesaid pocket.

2. The connector defined in claim 1, wherein the depth of the enlarged funnel form section and the length of the cylindrical passageway section are proportioned to permit a reduction of mass in the connector and enhance the resilience of the connector at the shoulder portion of the pocket adjacent to the exit of the cylindrical passageway section.

3. An elongate line connector having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook to attach a fishline thereto, a passageway having a funneled entrance in the other end of the connector sized to receive the fishline, through which a fishline may be threaded, and a pocket-like, longitudinally-slotted sidewall exit from which the end portion of a fishline may extend and be knotted, with the width of the slotted exit being such that the line knot will fit thereinto with a tight fit and the size of the passageway being such that the knot cannot pass therethrough, and with the slot being such that the sidewall portions of the slot may spread without being over stressed, and a raised boss formed abut the slotted side opening to intercept a knot being pulled into the pocket to engage the sides of the knot to initiate flexing of the side portions of the connector responsive to pressure of the knot and to absorb and yield to stress concentrations caused by the knot which would otherwise tend to dent or tear the connector.

4. In a rod-like connector having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook, a passageway through the other end sized to receive an end of a fishline threaded thereinto and a side opening in the connector connecting with the passageway through which the end portion of the line will project when threaded into the passageway, with the side opening forming a pocket proportioned to receive and hold a knot tied in the projected end portion of the fishline which is too large to be pulled through the passageway, the improvement wherein:

said side opening pocket is longitudinally slotted with the slot width being less than the knot size to produce a tight fit and with the slot length being greater than the slot width and such that the sidewall portions of the connector at each side of the slot will flex apart without being over stressed whenever a line knot is pulled into the slot, and wherein a raised boss is formed about the slotted side opening to intercept a knot being pulled into the pocket to initiate flexing of the adjacent side portions of the connector responsive to pressure of a knot being pulled into the pocket, whereby to initiate flexing of the side portions of the connector responsive to pressure of the knot and to absorb and yield to stress concentrations caused by the knot which would otherwise tend to dent or cut the connector.

5. The connector defined in claim 4, wherein the exterior side portions of the boss are tangentially faired into the sides of the connector.

6. In a rod-like connector having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook, a passageway through the other end sized to receive an end of a fishline threaded thereinto and a side opening in the connector connecting with the passageway through which the end portion of the line will project when threaded into the passageway, with the side opening forming a pocket proportioned to receive and hold a knot tied in the projected end portion of the fishline which is too large to be pulled through the passageway, the improvement wherein:

said side opening pocket is longitudinally slotted with the slot width being less than the knot size to produce a tight fit and with the slot length being greater than the slot width and such that the sidewall portions of the connector at each side of the slot will flex apart without being over stressed whenever a line knot is pulled into the slot, and wherein the entrance of said passageway is deeply funnelled to facilitate threading a line thereinto and to reduce the mass of the connector to increase the resilience of the connector portion about the passageway.