3m Innovative Properties Company

Jeffrey L Wieringa

John E Stark

Maria T Mann

Wayne K Dunshee

Gary A Albrecht

Tanya L Beckwith

Steven R Lambert

John Charles Clark

Russell E Blette

Daniel R Croswell

Linda Croswell, Legal Representative

Michael A Amante

A fishing line comprises an outer surface having at least one array of shaped features therein and having an advancing contact angle with deionized water of at least about 115&#xb0;. The array comprises a plurality of discrete shaped features spaced equidistantly along a longitudinal axis of the fishing line. The shaped features are from about 0.005 to about 0.02 inches across in their broadest dimension.

Lines having shaped surface and method of making

Foot support device

A device for treatment of plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis comprises (a) a calf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg, (b) a foot assembly removably engagable to the foot of the leg such that when the device is worn the assembly can be positioned proximate to the ball of the foot intermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot to secure it to the foot, and (c) a substantially inelastic tension member connectable between the calf strap and the foot assembly in a tensioned manner such that when the device is worn the plantarflexion of the ankle is limited such that the plantar surface of the foot is held in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.

A box for storing fishing flies including a cover assembly having two dish-like cover portions, each having a continuous distal edge portion; and a hinge affording pivotal movement of the cover portions between an open position and a closed position with the distal edge portions of the cover portions opposed to and closely spaced from each other. A fly retaining assembly included in the box comprises a support plate that extends between the distal edge portions of the cover portions in their closed position, can be engaged by flies, can pivot relative to the hinge independent of the cover portions, and can be removed from between the cover portions when they are open. A layer of over molded sealing material provided on the support plate is in sealing engagement with the edge portions of the adjacent cover portions when they are in their closed position.

Box for storing fishing flies

Appendage wrap

A box for storing flies used for fishing including a cover assembly having two dish-like cover portions, each of which cover portions includes a central wall part, and side wall parts around the periphery of the central wall part projecting generally in the same direction away from the central wall part and having a continuous distal edge portion; and a hinge having hinge portions attached to the side wall parts adjacent second sides of the central wall parts. The hinge affords pivotal movement of the cover portions between a closed position with the distal edge portions of the cover portions opposed to, closely spaced from, and generally aligned with each other, and an open position with the distal edge portions spaced away from and out of alignment with each other. A fly retaining assembly included in the box comprises a stiff resiliently flexible support plate having opposite major surfaces that extends between the distal edge portions of the cover portions when the cover portions are in the closed position, and has material adapted to be releasably engaged by flies on each of its major surfaces. Releasably engageable means can be provided between the support plate and the hinge for affording pivotal movement of the fly retaining assembly relative to the hinge independent of the cover portions when the cover portions are in their open position. A layer of flexible sealing material can be provided by over molding on each of the major surfaces of the support plate that is in sealing engagement with the edge portion of the adjacent cover portion when the cover portions are in their closed position, and material adapted to be releasably engaged by flies is provided on each major surface of the support plate, in a position that will be surrounded by the side wall parts of the adjacent cover portion when the cover portions are in their closed position. A latch member is provided along a second side of the periphery of the support plate opposite its first side. That latch member has opposite portions each adapted for releasable engagement with a different one of the cover portions to releasably retain the cover portions in their closed position.

A splice system and method for linear connection of fishing lines include a female connector and a male connector. Each connector has first and second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, about which the connector is symmetric. The first end of the female connector is connected to a first fishing line section and the second end has a first opening; the connector has an interior feature with a radial extent. The second end of the male connector is connected to a second fishing line section and the first end has a projection configured for coaxial insertion into the first opening of the female connector. The projection has a radial extent greater than the radial extent of the interior feature of the female connector. At least one of the connectors is resilient so that the projection compresses or the interior feature expands.

Line splice using barb and receiver

A protective container for a fishing rod with a reel mounted on a handle portion of the rod. The container includes a rigid elongate tube having an inner surface defining a cavity adapted to receive the fishing rod; and a flexible housing attached to the tube adjacent one end that is adapted to enclose the reel and the handle portion of the rod on which the reel is mounted. That housing includes opposite wall portions having side wall parts each adapted to lie along and across a different side of the reel and handle portion of the rod, which wall portions include peripheral parts extending toward each other from the peripheries of the side wall parts that can be releasably attached together so that opposed inner surfaces of the wall portions define a cavity that can receive the reel and the handle portion of the rod on which it is mounted. The wall portions can be separated to allow the rod and reel to be placed in or removed from the container. The wall portions of the housing include layers of fabric defining their inner and outer surfaces, and layers of thermo formed foam between and bonded to those layers of fabric that provide stiff, shape retaining, flexible, side wall portions shaped and adapted to protect the reel. The side wall portions can have through vent openings that allow evaporation of moisture from the rod and reel when the container is closed.

Growing community of inventors

West Lakeland, MN, United States of America

Jeffrey L Wieringa