Fly line to leader connector
OwnerRonald Annelininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fly line to leader connector comprising a leader with a modified, enlarged butt end, a securing collar, and a length of heat-shrinkable tubing, which contracts upon the application of heat. The result is a smooth, knotless connection between lines of dissimilar sizes and/or materials. Optionally, adhesive can be applied to the bore of the tubing. Additionally, shallow grooves can be inscribed on the surface of the end of the fly line.
Claims11
An assembly for connecting an enlarged butt end of a leader to an end of a fly line, the assembly comprising:
- a cylindrical security collar having a bore with an inner diameter sized to allow passage of the leader, but not the butt end of the leader;
- a length of heat-shrinkable tubing having a first end and a second end and further having a bore dimensioned to receive the end, of the fly line inside the first end of the tubing and further to receive into the second end of the tubing the butt end of the leader with the securing collar holding the leader, the butt end of the leader being moved proximate to the end of the fly line;
- upon the application of heat, the heat-shrinkable tubing being susceptible to contracting and securely enclosing the end of the fly line, the butt end of the leader, and the securing collar.
An assembly for use with a fly line, the assembly comprising:
- a leader having a butt end, the butt end having been enlarged by a process selected from prefabrication and mechanical alteration.
A method of connecting a butt end of a leader to an end of a fly line, the method comprising:
- (1) enlarging the butt end of the leader by means selected from prefabrication or mechanical alteration;
- (2) sliding a securing collar with a bore over an opposite end of the leader until an end of the securing collar is proximate to and stopped by the enlarged butt end of the leader;
- (3) sliding the butt end of the leader and the securing collar inside a length of heat-shrinkable tubing through a first end;
- (4) sliding the end of the fly line into a second end of the length of heat-shrinkable tubing until it is proximate to the enlarged butt end of the leader;
- (5) applying heat to the length of heat-shrinkable tubing, causing it to contract and enclose the end of the fly line, the butt end of the leader, and the securing collar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.