Expandable, collapsible, aerodynamic, segmented fishing lure

Abstract

An aerodynamic fish lure facilitates collapsible closing of the lure for farther casting distance and accuracy when cast off in the air. The air casting event causes the lure's jointed segments to contract in length together in the air and then to expand in length as the lure hits the water. Then the lure either skims along the surface of the water or is submerged under the water and can pivot in two or more axial directions, or at any angles therebetween. Connectors connect the segments, and retract in or out of to respective recesses in the respective segments, which are designed to permit the collapsing of the length of the lure in the air as well as the lure's expansion or contraction in any axial direction or angle therebetween, in length in the water. The segments also laterally pivot, imitating wiggling of lure bait on or in the water.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A fishing lure, comprising:
 a) a linearly-disposed plurality of independently movable linked articulated segments connected together, using an articulated slotted linkage fastening arrangement comprising slotted links movable about fixed pins, said slotted links being slidably movable connectors extending between adjacent segments, said linearly disposed articulated segments together forming into a body having a shape which replicates that of a swimming bait fish when pulled through the water via a fishing line attached to a fisherman's reel;   b) said segments each having on opposite sides at least one of spaced longitudinally extending recesses, each respective recesses in each segment being aligned with a corresponding recess in adjacent segments;   c) each recess having at least one spaced oppositely facing molded concave shape, said at least one recess having at least one fixed pin therein;   d) said segments connected by at least one slotted link being at least one slot within which said slot said at least one pin extends, whereby said slotted link moves laterally back and forth about said pin located within each said concave recess of each side of said segments, to permit axial separation and contraction of adjacent segments during casting, and in the water, for increasing axial length and flexibility of the lure in the water;   e) all of said slotted links and pins permit both axial separation, such that said segments are in an expanded state wherein gaps are formed between said facing surfaces of the adjacent segments of said plurality of segments, and axial contraction, such that said segments are in a collapsed state, wherein the adjacent segments of said plurality of segments come together, such that the adjacent segments of said plurality of segments contact each other along said facing surfaces, so that there are no gaps between the facing surfaces of the adjacent segments of said plurality of segments during casting, said axial separation occurring when said fishing lure is in the water, for increasing axial length and flexibility of the lure in the water, to pivot in at least one of a longitudinal, vertical or horizontal direction;   f) facing surfaces of adjacent segments being reversed curved to pull in water which expands and increase space between adjacent segments when the lure is in the water, and simulates the wiggling of a live bait fish;   g) one or more fish hooks mounted on said lure; and   h) a head segment having at least one eyelet for affixing said fishing line thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein said segments are made from a cured mixture of resin in order for said lure to be buoyant in water yet sufficiently strong to resist damage. 
     
     
         3 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein independent movement of said segments under hydraulic tension comprises movement in horizontal and vertical directions. 
     
     
         4 . The fishing lure of  claim 3  wherein the independent movement of said segments comprises a composite wiggling motion analogous to the swimming of a bait fish. 
     
     
         5 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein said head segment as at least one of the one or more fish hooks linked thereto by articulated linkage means. 
     
     
         6 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein said slotted link comprises at least one longitudinally extending link with an open slot accommodating said pins movable therein, so that said pins move back and forth within said open slot. 
     
     
         7 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein each said at least one pin is a straight pin. 
     
     
         8 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein said pins each comprise a bent wire pin, respectively shaped into a respective open rectangle, and wherein each said rectangle has, respectively, an open slot in one of the sides of said open rectangular shaped pin of said plurality of pins; and
 wherein each said slotted link comprises a flat-shaped elongated link having a flat-shaped internal cavity therethrough, the internal cavity of each said respective flat slotted link in slidable engagement with a respective plurality of respective open wire rectangle shaped pins; wherein 
 said respective open wire rectangle shaped pins move freely and slidably within said plurality of flat-shaped internal cavities of said slotted links; and wherein 
 said recesses of said respective fishing lure segments receive at least one of said respective plurality of respective open wire rectangle shaped pins, 
 wherein said recesses cavities are disposed in the respective forward end and an opposite rear end of said respective segments; and 
 said respective forward end and an opposite rear end of said respective segments having fastening means therewithin to fasten said at least one of said respective plurality of respective open wire rectangles shaped pins within the respective forward and rear ends of said recesses of said slotted links; and 
 said respective plurality of respective open wire rectangle shaped pins and said plurality of respective flat links are made of a suitably strong material suitably resistant to aquatic conditions found in a fishing environment. 
 
     
     
         9 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein
 said articulated slotted links comprises at least one longitudinally disposed pair of U-shaped links engaged with each other, wherein 
 one of said U-shaped link members comprises hollow arms of the U-shaped links wherein said arm-hollows comprise sufficiently large elongated openings to receive said other member of said pair of U-shaped links in slidable mounting with stop means, so as to maintain engagement of said U-shaped link members, while permitting free movement of said members of said at least one pair of engaged U-shaped links; 
 said recesses of said respective fishing lure segments receive at least one of said respective plurality of respective pairs of U-shaped links, 
 wherein said recesses are disposed in the respective forward end and an opposite rear end of said respective segments; and, 
 said respective forward end and an opposite rear end of each of said respective segments having fasteners therewithin to fasten said at least one of said respective plurality of respective plurality of pairs of U-shaped links within the respective forward and rear ends of said segment recesses; and 
 said respective plurality of respective U-shaped links are made of a suitably strong material suitably resistant to aquatic conditions found in a fishing environment. 
 
     
     
         10 . The fishing lure of  claim 1  wherein
 said articulated slotted links comprises at least one link member rotatably disposed in said recesses within the forward end and an opposite rear end of said adjacent respective fishing lure segments, said recesses having fasteners therewithin to fasten said at least one rotatable link member within the respective forward and rear ends of said adjacent segment recesses. 
 
     
     
         11 . The fishing lure of  claim 10  wherein said rotatable link member comprises a forward end and an opposite rear end, said forward end of said rotatable link member fitting receivably within said forward end recess of a respective fishing lure segment, and said rear end of said rotatable link member fitting receivably within said rear end recess of a respective fishing lure segment; and further wherein
 said at least one rotatable link member comprises a pair of oppositely disposed spherically-shaped cavities and a pair of pins, said pins fitting receivably within said oppositely disposed recesses of said segments, and wherein 
 the adjacent fishing lure segments linked by said at least one rotatable link member are freely movable about said rotatable link member. 
 
     
     
         12 . The fishing lure of  claim 9  wherein said connecting articulated slotted links comprise a double hinge causing said segments to double pivot, whereby the respective segments pivot about a plurality of pivot points within said slots of said rectangles. 
     
     
         13 . The fishing lure of  claim 11  wherein each said double hinge connecting articulated slotted link hinge causing said segments to move both a) in and out, and b) from side to side. 
     
     
         14 . The fishing lure as in  claim 9  wherein said U-shaped links pivot about parallel pivot points. 
     
     
         15 . A fishing lure, comprising a linearly-disposed plurality of independently movable linked articulated segments fastened to each other comprising links in a chain,
 a) said plurality of segments having a leading head segment comprising a front end of said chain, and a trailing tail segment with at least one hook comprising a rear end of said chain, with a plurality of body segments therebetween, all of said segments further comprising a top region and an opposite bottom region said top and bottom regions corresponding to the respective opposite dorsal and pelvic regions in the anatomy of a baitfish;   b) said plurality of body segments each respectively comprising a forward end and an opposite rear end,   c) said plurality of segments having a head-to-tail longitudinal axis extending therethrough, each segment having a side to side horizontal axis extending therethrough, said respective longitudinal and horizontal axes, or at any angle therebetween, being in perpendicular disposition relative to each other; and   d) said plurality of segments each having a top-to-bottom vertical axis extending vertically from said top region of said respective segments through said bottom region of said respective segments, said respective segment vertical axes being in perpendicular disposition relative to said longitudinal and horizontal axes, or at any angle therebetween,   e) said head, tail and respective body segments being connected to each other with first and second retaining members permitting said respective segments' respective forward ends and said respective rear ends to pivot in relation to each other,   f) said first and second retaining members pivot respectively within respective fixed through holes, thereby providing a double hinge between adjacent segments, whereby the respective segments pivot about either said first retaining member or said second retaining member in said respective first and second through holes, whereby said segments move about one or both pivot points provided by said first and second retaining members within said first and second through holes and wherein further,   g) said head segment having at least one eyelet ( 3 ) for affixing a fishing line thereto; and   h) one or more fish hooks mounted on said lure.