Looper

Claim 2

A tool for tying loops comprising an elongated handle having an elongated substantially cylindrical recess extending axially into the handle from a first end thereof; said handle having a line-receiving first sidewall portion at said end; said handle including a second sidewall portion surrounding said elongated substantially cylindrical recess, said second sidewall portion having an elongated axially extending bayonet slot therethrough; carriage means movable within said recess, said carriage means having an outer end thereof; fastening means secured to said carriage means at said outer end thereof, said fastening means being adapted to secure a loop thereon; bias means for urging the outer end of said carriage means towards said first end; operating handle means fixed to said carriage means, and passing through said bayonet slot for moving said carriage means to a first position and to a second position; said fastening means being retracted within said recess when said carriage means is in said first position, said fastening means being extended beyond the end of said line-receiving first sidewall portion when the carriage means is in the second position.

Claim 3

The tool as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical drum has a ridge at the inner end thereof, said ridge rising abruptly radially from said drum, said ridge having a notch therein, said notch being aligned with said slot.

Claim 4

The looper of claim 1 in which the end of the first sidewall includes a plurality of closely adjacent ''''V''''-shaped notches.

Claim 5

A tool for tying loops, and for tying knots on fishhooks and the like, said tool comprising an elongated handle having a recess extending axially into the handle from a first end thereof; said handle having a line-receiving first sidewall portion at said first end; said handle including a second sidewall portion surrounding said elongated recess, said second sidewall portion having an eloNgated substantially axially extending bayonet slot therethrough; carriage means movable within said recess, said carriage means having an outer end thereof; fastening means secured to said carriage means at said outer end thereof, said fastening means being adapted to secure a loop thereon; bias means for urging the outer end of said carriage means in the general direction of said first end; operating handle means fixed to said carriage means and passing through said bayonet slot for moving said carriage means to a first position and to a second position; said fastening means being retracted within said recess when said carriage means is in said first position, and a portion of said fastening means being extended beyond the end of said line-receiving first sidewall portion when the carriage means is in the second position.

Claim 6

A tool for tying loops, and for tying knots on fishhooks and the like, said tool comprising an elongated handle having a recess extending axially into the handle from a first end thereof; said handle having a line-receiving first sidewall portion at said first end; said handle including a second sidewall portion surrounding said elongated recess, said second sidewall portion having an eloNgated substantially axially extending bayonet slot therethrough; carriage means movable within said recess, said carriage means having an outer end thereof; fastening means secured to said carriage means at said outer end thereof, said fastening means being adapted to secure a loop thereon; bias means for urging the outer end of said carriage means in the general direction of said first end; operating handle means fixed to said carriage means and passing through said bayonet slot for moving said carriage means to a first position and to a second position; said fastening means being retracted within said recess when said carriage means is in said first position, and a portion of said fastening means being extended beyond the end of said line-receiving first sidewall portion when the carriage means is in the second position.

Claim 7

The tool of claim 4 wherein said fastening means includes a hook, and which includes a removable collar element seated on said first sidewall portion, said collar element including a flexible diaphragm extending radially within said collar, said diaphragm having an opening therein, and in which tool said fastening means extends through said opening in said diaphragm, and in which said hook is positioned adjacent said diaphragm when said carriage means is in said first position, at which position an article engaged by said hook is pressed against said diaphragm.

Claim 8

In a tool for tying a line to a hook having a hook portion, a shank and an eyelet, in which the tool includes an elongated handle which is hollow at one end thereof, and which includes fastening means for engaging said hook portion and retracting means for drawing said hook portion within said hollow at the end of the handle, the improvement which comprises a flexible diaphragm extending radially within the hollow handle, said diaphragm having an opening through which said fastening means passes, and said retracting means including means for drawing said hook portion against said flexible diaphragm when said fastening means is in a retracted position within said hollow.

Claim 9

In a tool for tying a line to a hook having a hook portion, a shank and an eyelet, in which the tool includes an elongated handle which is hollow at one end thereof, and which includes fastening means for engaging said hook portion and retracting means for drawing said hook portion within said hollow at the end of the handle, the improvement which comprises a flexible diaphragm extending radially within the hollow handle, said diaphragm having an opening through which said fastening means passes, and said retracting means including means for drawing said hook portion against said flexible diaphragm when said fastening means is in a retracted position within said hollow.