Fly tying method and apparatus

• US 6,474,584 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Faruk Ekich
• Original Assignee: Faruk Ekich
• Inventors: Ekich, Faruk
• Primary Examiner(s): Mansen, Michael R.
• Application Number:
  US09/785,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 242/422.4, 242/156, 242/423.1, 242/442, 242/588, 242/405, 242/371, 242/416, 242/129.53, 242/423.2, 43/4, 289/17
• US Class Current: 242/371
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/26 Fly tying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/205 Hand-held or portable dispensers

Abstract

A spring-loaded bobbin for use in tying fly fishing lures has a simple frame carrying a support mechanism having a centered bearing by which an off-the-shelf spool of tying thread is rotatably mounted. The frame carries a thread guide tube that is centered on and extends at rightangles to the spool axis, to receive and deliver the thread. The spool support mechanism includes a coil spring that is tensioned upon the withdrawal of thread from off the spool, so that, on release of the thread by the user, the spool is reverse wound by the tensioned spring, to take up the slack in the thread.

Claims

1. A fly tying apparatus for dispensing tying thread, to provide thread control properties, comprising:

a frame having a thread guidance tube to receive the insertion of a fly tying thread for passage therethrough;

a spool bearing supported by said frame for the manually removable insertion of an industry standard thread spool in rotatable, supported relation with said bearing;

a said standard thread spool, having thread therefrom passing through said tube;

a spring;

mechanical connection means connecting said spring with the exterior of said spool, to tension the spring upon rotation of the spool in a first direction, on withdrawal of a portion of said thread in tensioned relation from said spool;

wherein, upon release of the thread said spring rotates the spool in a direction reverse to said first direction, to rewind at least a portion of the withdrawn thread upon the spool; and

wherein said spool may be readily manually replaced by another said standard spool without recourse to tools.

2. The fly tying apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a spring cover in communication with said spring and said spool for the selectable transmission of energy.

3. The fly tying apparatus of claim 2 wherein said spring cover further comprises:

a slot for interface with a first end of said spring; and

a pin which protrudes from said spring cover and interfaces with said spool for the communication of rotational displacement to said spool.

4. The fly tying apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

a housing for insertion of said spring, said housing comprising a notch for the insertion of a second end of said spring;

said spring cover rotatably mounted on said housing by a fastener;

a handle rigidly affixed to and protruding from said housing;

said frame including a pair of arms;

at least one of said pair of arms extending from said housing such that said pair of arms may be spread apart by applying pressure to said handle.

5. The fly tying apparatus of claim 1 having said tube rigidly affixed to a pair of arms forming part of said frame to facilitate the handling and dispensing of said thread.

6. A fly tying method exhibiting improved thread dispensing access and control properties comprising the steps of:

providing a standard spool of tying thread;

providing a frame having a spool bearing to receive said standard spool in manually inserted, removable relation with the bearing;

inserting said spool in rotatable, supported relation with said bearing;

providing a spring external to said spool and in communication with said spool such that rotation of said spool in one direction by withdrawal of said thread from off the spool stores energy in said spring, and release of said thread releases energy from said spring to said spool, to rewind at least a portion of the withdrawn said thread onto the spool;

said frame including a hollow tube for the guidance of said thread to a man-made fly for use in the sport of fly fishing.

7. The fly tying method of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing a spring cover in communication with said spring and said spool for the selectable transmission of energy.

8. The fly tying method of claim 7 wherein providing said spring cover further comprises the steps:

providing a slot for interfacing with a first end of said spring; and

providing a pin which protrudes from said spring cover and interfacing with said spool for the communication of said spool rotational displacement.

9. The fly tying method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

providing a housing for insertion of said spring, said housing providing a notch for the insertion of a second end of said spring;

said spring cover rotatably mounted on said housing by a fastener;

providing a handle rigidly affixed to and protruding from said housing;

providing at least one of said pair of arms extending from said housing such that said pair of arms may be spread apart by applying pressure to said handle.