AU2012227292B2 - Jig head for soft plastic fishing lure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to fishing lures. In particular, the invention relates to fishing lures of the type comprising a lead head in combination with a soft polymer body. More particularly, the present invention provides a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure. The invention provides a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure, said jig head including a body including a head and a spine, said spine extending longitudinally from said head and adapted for fitment of a soft plastic lure body; and a plurality of hooks fixedly attached to said head. Figure 1 12b ( 4 lobb 13b 12a 12b 13a FIGURE 2 13b

Description

-1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: Robert Gleghorn Actual Inventor: Robert Gleghorn Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: Jig head for soft plastic fishing lure Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2011903971 dated 26 Sep 2011 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 70703AUP00 -2 JIG HEAD FOR SOFT PLASTIC FISHING LURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to fishing lures. In particular, the invention relates to fishing lures of the type comprising a lead head in combination with a soft polymer body. More particularly, the present invention provides a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. [0003] In their quest for the most realistic lures, fishermen have adopted a combination lure comprising a jig head having a lead weighted head often in the general shape of a ball or fish head, and a fish hook extending from the rear for use with a variety of soft, flexible bodies commonly called lure bodies. The lure bodies are generally made of a soft, flexible polymeric resin which can be moulded into the shape of any number of desired baits such as minnows, shrimp or worms. An advantage of using the separate jig and lure body is that lure bodies are relatively inexpensive and can be replaced when worn or broken. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure which overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or which provides a useful alternative to the prior art. [0005] To this end, the present invention provides a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure, said jig head including: a body including a head and a spine, said spine extending longitudinally from said head and adapted to receive and support of a soft plastic lure body; said spine including a first portion which is received by an orifice in said soft plastic lure body and sized such that said soft plastic lure body is stretched over said first portion to assist retain the lure body on the spine; -3 a plurality of hooks fixedly attached to said head; each of said plurality of hooks including a shank and a barb, said shank and said barb connected by a curved portion; a free end of each of said shanks embedded in said head such that said shanks extend longitudinally from said head and are approximately parallel to said spine. [0006] Preferably, said shanks are approximately parallel with respect to each other. [0007] Preferably, said plurality of hooks comprises a pair of hooks. [0008] Preferably, said spine is integrally formed with said head. [0009] Preferably, said hooks lie in planes which are at an angle, a, with respect to each other. [0010] Preferably, said angle a is 180 degrees or less. More preferably, angle a is in the range of 60 to 120 degrees. More preferably, angle a is in the range of 90 to 100 degrees. More preferably, said angle a is approximately 90 degrees. [0011] Preferably, said first portion of said spine is integrally moulded with said head. [0012] Preferably, said spine further includes a second portion extending from said first portion and adapted to facilitate the fitment of the lure body on the spine. [0013] Preferably, extending from said head is an arm with a finger, said arm and finger adapted to assist in retaining said lure body on said spine when fitted. [0014] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of said spine is offset from the centre of said head. [0015] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

-4 BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] One or more preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body of a fishing lure jig head assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0018] Figure 2 is a front view of the body of the fishing lure jig head assembly depicted in Figure 1; [0019] Figure 3 is a side elevation the body of the fishing lure jig head assembly depicted in Figure 1; [0020] Figure 4 is a top plan view of the body of the fishing lure jig head assembly depicted in Figure 1; and [0021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the fishing lure jig head assembly with a soft plastic lure body fitted so as to form a complete soft plastic lure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0022] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The fishing lure jig head assembly 1 includes a body 2 with a head 3. The head 3 acts to weight the lure. In the embodiment depicted the head 3 is generally spherical or ball-like in shape, although it should be noted that the shape of the head may take many forms. Typically the head 3 is moulded or cast from lead, although alternative materials may be used. Embedded in and extending from the head 3 is a eyelet 4 to enable the body of the lure to be connected to a fishing line. [0023] Extending from the head is a longitudinally extending spine 5. The spine is adapted to receive a replaceable soft plastic lure body which acts to attract fish. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the spine is generally cylindrical and includes a first portion 6 which is integrally moulded to the head and a second portion 7 of narrower diameter to facilitate the fitment of the lure body on the spine. Preferably, the first portion 6 of spine 5 is of a diameter such that the soft plastic lure body is stretched over first portion 6. This acts to help retain the lure body on the spine. The axis of the spine -5 5 is offset from the centre of the head 3, as shown in Figure 4. The spine 5, as a result of its weight and relative position, has a secondary function as a "keel" for the jig head assembly, acting to help to stabilise the lure in the water. [0024] Embedded in and extending from the head 3 is an arm 8 with a finger 9, the purpose of which is to assist in retaining the lure body on the spine once fitted. [0025] Spaced apart from the spine and extending from the head are two hooks 10a, 1Ob. Each of the hooks includes a shank 11a, 11b and a barb 12a, 12b, the shank and the barb being connected by a curved portion 13a, 13b. In one embodiment, the hooks 10a, 10b may be separate, individual components. However, in an alternative embodiment the hooks may be connected together so as to form a single component. [0026] The ends of the shanks 11a, 11b are embedded in the head 3. The shanks extend longitudinally from the head and are approximately parallel to said spine. The shanks 11 a, 11 b are spaced apart from the spine 5, such that when a lure body is fitted to the spine it does not interfere with the hooks. [0027] The shanks of the hooks are substantially parallel with respect to each other but the hooks lie in planes which are at an angle, a, with respect to each other as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the included angle a is 180 degrees or less. More preferably, angle a is in the range of 60 to 120 degrees. More preferably, angle a is in the range of 90 to 100 degrees. Ideally, angle a is approximately 90 degrees. [0028] In a preferred form of the invention the barbs 12a, 12b of hooks 10a, 10b are located out of the plane of the hooks, as best shown in Figure 4. This aids in ensuring a hook successfully engages with a fish. [0029] Figure 5 illustrates a complete soft plastic lure according to the present invention. A soft plastic lure body 14 is fitted onto the spine of the lure assembly. The lure body 14 has a orifice (not shown) into which the spine 5 is located. The first portion 6 of spine 5 is of a diameter such that the soft plastic lure body is stretched over first portion 6, acting to help retain the lure body on the spine. Owing to the offset between the spine and the shanks 11 a, 11 b of the hooks the lure body 14 does not interfere with the hooks. Finger 9 engages in the soft body of the lure to assist in obtaining the lure body on the spine. The lure body is replaceable and hence can be interchanged.

-6 [0030] Advantageously, the present invention provides a jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure which offers a great success rate for catching fish. [0031] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (12)

1. A jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure, said jig head including: a body including a head and a spine, said spine extending longitudinally from said head and adapted to receive and support of a soft plastic lure body; said spine including a first portion which is received by an orifice in said soft plastic lure body and sized such that said soft plastic lure body is stretched over said first portion to assist retain the lure body on the spine; a plurality of hooks fixedly attached to said head; each of said plurality of hooks including a shank and a barb, said shank and said barb connected by a curved portion; a free end of each of said shanks embedded in said head such that said shanks extend longitudinally from said head and are approximately parallel to said spine.

2. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 1, said plurality of hooks being a pair of hooks.

3. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hooks lie in planes which are at an angle, a, with respect to each other.

4. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angle, a, is 180 degrees or less.

5. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angle, a, is in the range of 60 to 120 degrees.

6. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angle, a, is in the range of 90 to 100 degrees.

7. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said angle, a, is approximately 90 degrees.

8. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said first portion of said spine is integrally moulded with said head. -8

9. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said spine further includes a second portion extending from said first portion and adapted to facilitate the fitment of the lure body on the spine.

10. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein extending from said head is an arm with a finger, said arm and finger adapted to assist in retaining said lure body on said spine when fitted.

11. The jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the longitudinal axis of said spine is offset from the centre of said head.

12. A jig head for a soft plastic fishing lure substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.