Patent Claims for a Fishing Lure

by Michael Goltry, Registered Patent Attorney (480-991-3537; mg@pgpct.com)

Above and to the left is a fishing lure 42 configured with an adjustable fin assembly 74, shown to the right by itself. The lure 42 has a body 46 configured with hooks 54, an eyelet 56 configured to secure a fishing line 59, and fins 62 and 63 outboard of either side of the body 46. The adjustable fin assembly 74 includes first and second members 76 and 85 mounted rotatably to the body 46 through corresponding openings formed in the body 46. The first member supports the fins 62 and 63 and an extension 80. The fins 62 and 64 pitch relative to body 46 when the first member 76 rotates. The second member 85 and the extension 80 of the first member 76 interact in a cavity within the body 46, wherein rotation of the second member 85 imparts rotation to the first member 76. The interaction between the second member 85 and the extension 80 of the first member 76 within the cavity disables the interacting structure from influencing the lure’s flight characteristics through the water. In the example above, rotation of the second member 85 causes it to reciprocate in opposition to the extension 80.

The Ethos of a Patent Claim Drafter: Focus on a novelty, the new over the old, field-specific context, and only as much old as required to support the new.

Let us assume a point of novelty of this lure is the interaction between the first member and the second member within the cavity, and the patent specification discloses other examples of operative couplings within the cavity between the adjustable first and second members. Below is an example of just three independent claims to this lure. The product of the claims is a lure, something configured to attract, entice, or allure.

1. A fishing lure, comprising:

• a body;
• a cavity within the body;
• a fin outboard of the body, the fin connected to a first member mounted to the body adjustably, wherein adjustment of the first member pitches the fin relative to the body; 
• a second member mounted to the body adjustably; and
• the first member operatively coupled to the second member within the cavity, wherein adjustment of the second member urges adjustment of the first member.

2. A fishing lure, comprising:

• a body;
• a cavity within the body;
• a fin outboard of the body, the fin connected to a first member mounted to the body for movement into and out of an initial position, wherein movement of the first member into and out of the initial position pitches the fin relative to the body; 
• a second member mounted to the body for movement into and out of an initial position; and
• the first member operatively coupled to the second member within the cavity, wherein movement of the second member into and out of the initial position thereof urges movement of the first member into and out of the initial position thereof.

3. A fishing lure, comprising:

• a body;
• a cavity within the body;
• a fin outboard of the body, the fin connected to a first member mounted to the body rotatably, wherein rotation of the first member pitches the fin relative to the body;
• a second member mounted to the body rotatably; and
• the first member operatively coupled to the second member within the cavity, wherein rotation of the second member urges rotation of the first member.