Bait insert apparatus

#The present invention generally relates to hooking devices, specifically to devices for catching fish, and particularly to fishing devices having concealed hooks and especially devices usable as bait insert apparatus.

#Various types of fishing lures exist of either the artificial or bait type. Lures with concealed hooks are believed to be of a type which are particularly advantageous for a variety of reasons. One type of concealed hook lures is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,336. Although the apparatus of Pat. No. 4,163,336 provides a substantial improvement and is advantageous over other types of concealed hook lures, there exists a need to provide improvements to result in a further advantageous lure. Specifically, one area of improvement is the ability to retrieve the lure from the fish's mouth without damage to either the device or the fish so that the lure can be reused to catch further fish and so that the fish can be released in the water without detriment to its continued survival. Another area of improvement is the ability to easily and inexpensively manufacture and assemble the lure while reducing capital, production and inventory costs.

#The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of devices for catching fish, lures, and bait insert apparatus by providing, in the most preferred form, hooks pivotably secured to a leader which is movably mounted with the hooks extending at an acute angle in a bait/stowed condition and/or a retention condition and with the hooks extending at an obtuse angle in a release condition.

#The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

#FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a device for catching fish in the most preferred form of a bait insert apparatus according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in its normal bait/stowed condition.

#All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

#Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "first", 37 second", "front", "back", "outer", "inner", "width", "end", "side", "longitudinal", "radial", "lateral", and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

#A device for catching fish or the like according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings in the most preferred form as a live or artificial bait insert apparatus and generally designated 10. In the most preferred form, device 10 includes a hook housing 12. Housing 12 includes a first generally cylindrical portion 16, a second generally cylindrical portion 18, and a third generally conical portion 20. Portions 16 and 18 each have circular cross sections of generally constant diameters, with the diameter of portion 16 being less than the diameter of portion 18. Portion 20 has circular cross sections of decreasing diameters from its interconnection to portion 18 to the free end thereof.