Jaw spreader for removing fishing tackle
AssigneeAcme United Corporation
InventorsRichard S. Constantine, John C. Ward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A jaw spreader device is adapted to spread apart the jaws of a fish to facilitate removal of a hook or lure from the fish. The device has a spring biased tong-like configuration wherein in the normal configuration; the distal ends are spread apart. A lock mechanism locks the device in a compact locked position to facilitate insertion between the fish jaws into the mouth of the fish. The working ends of the each tong includes a flattened blade, an arcuate bend and a transverse spreader bar. Upon insertion of the device into the jaws/mouth of the fish release of the lock mechanism, the jaws are forced apart and biased to provide a stable enlarged opening. The spreading device may then be manually compressed to facilitate withdrawal from the fish.
Claims8
A jaw spreader for removing fishing tackle comprising:
- a first elongated tong having a proximal end and a generally linear rod-like portion extending to an arcuate bend and having a longitudinally spaced blade at a distal end;
- a second elongated tong having a proximal end and a generally linear rod-like portion extending to an arcuate bend and having a longitudinally spaced blade at a distal end and being substantially identical to said first tong;
- a coil spring interconnecting said proximal ends and so that said distal ends are biased apart;
- a first generally transverse spreader bar having a first medial portion and opposed free ends, said first medial portion mounted to said first tong and a grip mounted to said first tong;
- a second generally transverse spreader bar having a second medial portion and opposed free ends, said second medial portion mounted to said second tong and a grip mounted to said second tong and disposed in generally opposing relationship to said spreader bar and grip of said first tong;
- a lock mechanism mounted to said first tong and engageable with the rod-like portion of said second tong;
- wherein in a locked position, said lock mechanism engages said second tong so that said blades engage or converge toward each other, and in a released position, said lock mechanism is disengaged from said second tong and said blades and said spreader bars are biased apart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.