| |
| United States Patent
|
6,442,886 |
| McAfee , et al. |
September 3, 2002 |
Lure retrieval system
Abstract
A fishing lure retriever system for retrieving an artificial
fishing lure that has become snagged in underwater debris. The
fishing lure retriever provides a round cylindrical hollow body,
preferably a heavy metal such as steel in construction, which is
removably attached to a fishing line through a spiraling diagonal
slot in the body such that the retriever is centered around the
fishing line and can impact the debris that has snagged the fishing
lure. The fishing line is prevented from slipping out of the
retriever by the spiral shape of the slot and U-shaped blockers
blocking the slot ends. In addition, the retriever has chains
weldably attached to the bottom end portion of the retriever to
capture the hooks of the snagged fishing lure. Furthermore, the
fishing lure retriever has a retrieval line attached to an
upside-down-V-shaped bar welded to the top of the body for pulling
on the retriever. The capturing of the hooks and combined impacting
of the debris and pulling of the retrieval line attached to the
V-shaped bar combine to efficiently retrieve a snagged lure.
| Inventors: |
McAfee; John W.
(Chandler, AZ), Bredvik; Dennis G. (Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
09/693,376 |
| Filed: |
October 20, 2000 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
43/17.2 |
| Current
International Class: |
A01K
97/24 (20060101); A01K 97/00 (20060101); A01K 097/24 () |
| Field of
Search: |
43/17.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Ark; Darren W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE
The present application is related to and claims priority from
applicant's prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/169,220, filed
Dec. 6, 1999, entitled "Accessory For Freeing Fishing Lures", the
contents of which are hereby herein incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fishing lure retrieval system for capturing a lure having at
least one hook, at the end portion of a fishing line, snagged under
water by debris, comprising, in combination: a) an elongated hollow
round cylindrical body structured and arranged to impact the debris,
said body having a circular top end portion, a circular bottom end
portion, and a middle portion; b) at least one slot, in said body,
structured and arranged to permit removable entry of the fishing
line into an interior of said body, said slot having a diagonal
portion in said middle portion; c) at least one blocker structured
and arranged to physically block exit of the fishing line from at
least one of said top and bottom end portions of said body; and d)
wherein said slot intersecting said circular top end portion at a
first intersection and said circular bottom end portion at a second
intersection; and e) wherein said at least one blocker is structured
and arranged to removably attach by friction onto said body in such
a manner as to cover at least one end portion of said slot at at
least one of said first and second intersections.
2. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 1 further
comprising, attached to said body at said circular bottom end
portion, a snare structured and arranged to snare the at least one
hook.
3. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 2 further
comprising, attached to said body at said circular top end portion,
an attachment structured and arranged to attach a retrieval line to
said body.
4. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 3 wherein
said attachment is structured and arranged to maintain symmetrical
forces by centering the retrieval line at about a center of said
circular top end portion when the retrieval line is attached to said
attachment.
5. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 4 wherein:
a) said first and second intersections being situated about 180
degrees from each other; and b) said slot intersects planes of said
circular top end portion and said circular bottom end portion at an
angle of about 45 degrees.
6. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 5 wherein
said at least one blocker comprises a pair of blockers, each said
blocker comprises a respective U-shaped blocker, each fitting
tightly over a respective said first and second intersection and
frictionally clamping onto said body.
7. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 4 wherein
said attachment comprises an upside-down-V-shaped retrieval line tie
bar located about along a diameter of and above said cylindrical
body.
8. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 2 wherein
said snare comprises a spaced plurality of chains.
9. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 1 wherein:
a) said body comprises a steel tube at least about 1/8 inch thick;
b) said slot intersects planes of said circular top end portion and
said circular bottom end portion at an angle of about 45 degrees;
and c) said body is about four inches long and has about a two-inch
outer diameter.
10. A fishing lure retrieval system for capturing a lure having at
least one hook, at the end portion of a fishing line, snagged under
water by debris, comprising, in combination: a) an elongated hollow
round cylindrical body having a circular top end portion, a circular
bottom end portion, and a middle portion; b) a diagonal slot in said
body, said slot intersecting said circular top end portion at a
first intersection and said circular bottom end portion at a second
intersection, said first and second intersections being situated
about 180 degrees from each other; c) two respective U-shaped
blockers, each fitting tightly over a respective said first and
second intersection and frictionally clamping onto said body; d)
attached to said body at said circular bottom end portion, a spaced
plurality of chains; and e) attached to said body at said circular
top end portion, an upside-down-V-shaped retrieval line tie bar
located about along a diameter of and above said cylindrical body.
11. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 10 wherein:
a) said body and said tie bar comprise a unitary construction; and
b) said chains are welded to said body.
12. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 11 wherein:
a) one end of said tie bar is attached to said body at about 90
degrees from said first intersection; and b) said spaced plurality
of chains comprises four chains spaced equally around said circular
bottom end portion, wherein at least two of said chains are each
attached to said body at about 45 degrees from said second
intersection.
13. The fishing lure retrieval system according to claim 11 wherein:
a) said body comprises a steel tube at least about 1/8 inch thick;
b) said slot intersects a plane of both said circular top end
portion and said circular bottom end portion at an angle of about 45
degrees; c) said body is about four inches long and has about a
two-inch outer diameter; and d) each said chain is about six inches
long.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fishing equipment. More specifically, this
invention provides a more efficient system for releasing and
retrieving an artificial fishing lure that has become snagged in
underwater debris.
Typically, fishing lures are used by fisherman when fishing with a
casting method. The lures are made from a variety of materials and
in a variety of shapes. Typically each lure has one or more fishing
hooks that are attached to the lure. In addition, the lures may be
either weighted or have weights attached to the line to allow them
to be used at different depths of water. Casting involves the
fisherman casting a lure and line into a river or lake and then
slowly reeling the lure back in. Fishing along the shore or bottom
is often a preferred place to catch fish. During this process, the
hooks of the lure may become snagged on a variety of debris,
including rock or plant debris. Generally, the fisherman will have
no choice but to pull on the line to try to free the lure. The
pulling may free the lure. If the pulling does not free the lure
then either the line may have to be cut or the line may break, both
resulting in loss of the lure.
There have been numerous attempts to design a device to free a
snagged lure. Many of the devices can be used successfully on
occasion, but still too frequently fail. Other devices are too
complicated or costly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned need by the provision of a fishing lure retrieval
system to improve fishing lure retrieval. A further primary object
of the present invention is to provide such a fishing lure retrieval
system which is efficient, inexpensive, and handy. Other objects of
this invention will become apparent with reference to the following
invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a fishing lure retrieval system for capturing a
lure having at least one hook, at the end portion of a fishing line,
snagged under water by debris, comprising, in combination: an
elongated hollow round cylindrical body means for impacting the
debris, such body means having a circular top end portion, a
circular bottom end portion, and a middle portion; entry means in
such body means for permitting removable entry of the fishing line
into an interior of such body means, such entry means comprising a
slot having a diagonal portion in such middle portion; blocker means
for physically blocking exit of the fishing line from at least one
such end portion of such body means. It also provides such a fishing
lure retrieval system further comprising, attached to such body
means at such circular bottom end portion, snaring means for snaring
the hook. And it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system
further comprising, attached to such body means at such circular top
end portion, attachment means for attaching a retrieval line to such
body means.
Further it provides such a system wherein such attachment means
comprises centering means for maintaining symmetrical forces by
centering the retrieval line at about a center of such circular top
end portion. And still further it provides such a system wherein
such blocker means comprises friction means for removable attachment
onto such body means in such manner as to cover at least one end
portion of such slot.
Additionally, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, this invention provides a fishing lure retrieval system
for capturing a lure having at least one hook, at the end portion of
a fishing line, snagged under water by debris, comprising, in
combination: an elongated hollow round cylindrical body structured
and arranged to impact the debris, such body having a circular top
end portion, a circular bottom end portion, and a middle portion; at
least one slot in such body for permitting removable entry of the
fishing line into an interior of such body, such slot having a
diagonal portion in such middle portion; and at least one blocker
structured and arranged to physically block exit of the fishing line
from at least one such end portion of such body. And it provides
such a fishing lure retrieval system further comprising, attached to
such body at such circular bottom end portion, a snare structured
and arranged to snare the hook. Still further, it provides such a
system further comprising, attached to such body at such circular
top end portion, an attachment structured and arranged to attach a
retrieval line to such body.
Even further, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system
wherein such attachment is structured and arranged to maintaining
symmetrical forces by centering the retrieval line at about a center
of such circular top end portion; and, further, wherein such blocker
is structured and arranged to removably attach by friction onto such
body in such manner as to cover at least one end portion of such
slot; and, further, wherein such blocker is structured and arranged
to removably attach by friction onto such body in such manner as to
cover at least one end portion of such slot.
Moreover, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system wherein
such slot comprises a diagonal slot in such body, such slot
intersecting such circular top end portion at a first intersection
and such circular bottom end portion at a second intersection, such
first and second intersections being situated about 180 degrees from
each other; and such slot intersects a plane of both such circular
top end portion and such circular bottom end portion at an angle of
about 45 degrees. And it provides such a fishing lure retrieval
system wherein each such blocker comprises a respective U-shaped
blocker, each fitting tightly over a respective such first and
second intersection and frictionally clamping onto such body. And
further, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system wherein
such attachment comprises an upside-down V-shaped retrieval line tie
bar located about along a diameter to and above such cylindrical
body. And still further, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval
system wherein such snare comprises a spaced plurality of chains.
Even further, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system
wherein such body comprises a steel tube at least about 1/8 inch
thick; such slot intersects a plane of both such circular top end
portion and such circular bottom end portion at an angle of about 45
degrees; and such body is about four inches long and has about a
two-inch outer diameter.
In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, this invention provides a fishing lure retrieval system
for capturing a lure having at least one hook, at the end portion of
a fishing line, snagged under water by debris, comprising, in
combination: an elongated hollow round cylindrical body having a
circular top end portion, a circular bottom end portion, and a
middle portion; a diagonal slot in such body, such slot intersecting
such circular top end portion at a first intersection and such
circular bottom end portion at a second intersection, such first and
second intersections being situated about 180 degrees from each
other; two respective U-shaped blockers, each fitting tightly over a
respective such first and second intersection and frictionally
clamping onto such body; attached to such body at such circular
bottom end portion, a spaced plurality of chains; and attached to
such body at such circular top end portion, an upside-down V-shaped
retrieval line tie bar located about along a diameter to and above
such cylindrical body. It also provides such a fishing lure
retrieval system wherein such body and tie bar comprise a unitary
construction and such chains are welded to such body. And it
provides such a system wherein: one end of such tie bar is attached
to such body at about 90 degrees from such first intersection; and
such spaced plurality of chains comprises four chains spaced equally
around such circular bottom end portion, wherein at least two of
such chains are each attached to such body at about 45 degrees from
such second intersection.
Even further, it provides such a fishing lure retrieval system
wherein: such body comprises a steel tube at least about 1/8 inch
thick; such slot intersects a plane of both such circular top end
portion and such circular bottom end portion at an angle of about 45
degrees; such body is about four inches long and has about a
two-inch outer diameter; and each such chain is about six inches
long.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a fishing lure retrieval system.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially in section of the illustrated
preferred embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the section 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the illustrated preferred embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the illustrated preferred
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an improved fishing lure retriever 20. The
fishing lure retriever 20 is shown in an operating mode as it is
being lowered (see arrow 21) towards a snagged fishing lure 22,
illustrated as being snagged on a plant limb 24. The fishing lure 22
has one or more hooks 23 which is the portion of the lure 22 that
typically snags onto an object. The fishing lure retriever 20 is
placed onto the fishing line 26. The fishing lure retriever 20 is
then lowered (see arrow 21) along the fishing line 26 which is
attached to the fishing lure 22. Attached to the fishing lure
retriever 20 is a nylon retrieval line 38 which is used to lower and
raise the fishing lure retriever 20. The nylon retrieval line 38 is
positioned on the present invention to be more centered above the
fishing lure retriever 20, increasing the effectiveness of the
fishing lure retriever 20. Preferably, in operation, the fishing
lure retriever 20 is in as near a vertical position to the snagged
fishing lure 22 as possible. The fishing lure retriever 20 is
lowered to a depth to contact the snagged fishing lure 22. The
remaining operation of the fishing lure retriever 20 will be
explained further below.
Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the fishing lure
retriever 20. The fishing lure retriever 20 is comprised of a hollow
cylindrical body 28 approximately four inches in length and 13/4
inches in interior diameter (two inches outer diameter). The hollow
cylindrical body 28 is preferably round at the top portion 32 and
bottom portion 34, as shown. The above arrangement embodies herein
an elongated hollow round cylindrical body means for impacting the
debris, such body means having a circular top end portion, a
circular bottom end portion, and a middle portion; and it also
embodies herein an elongated hollow round cylindrical body
structured and arranged to impact the debris, such body having a
circular top end portion, a circular bottom end portion, and a
middle portion; and it even further embodies that such body is about
four inches long and has about a two-inch outer diameter.
The fishing lure retriever 20 is made of metal, preferably 1/8 inch
thick steel, embodying herein that such body comprises a steel tube
at least about 1/8 inch thick. In order to avoid the corrosive
properties of water on standard steel, the steel preferably has a
protective coating applied over it. In one preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the steel has a water-resistant coating
applied to the entire body. The coating is preferably an enamel
baked powder coating. In another preferred embodiment, although more
expensive, the metal is stainless steel and does not require a
coating. The steel material is preferred to provide adequate weight
for proper retriever 20 functioning.
The fishing lure retriever 20 is installed around the fishing line
26 by inserting the fishing line 26 through a slot 30 that is
preferably cut in a diagonal shape (i.e., a spiral having an
essentially constant angle to the horizontal (assuming the retriever
is used vertically) extending vertically from the top 32 of the
fishing lure retriever 20 through and to the bottom 34 of the
fishing lure retriever 20. The above arrangement (as shown) embodies
herein entry means in such body means for permitting removable entry
of the fishing line into an interior of such body means, such entry
means comprising a slot having a diagonal portion in such middle
portion; and it further embodies at least one slot in such body for
permitting removable entry of the fishing line into an interior of
such body, such slot having a diagonal portion in such middle
portion; and it still further embodies herein a diagonal slot in
such body, such slot intersecting such circular top end portion at a
first intersection and such circular bottom end portion at a second
intersection, such first and second intersections being situated
about 180 degrees from each other. The slot 30 is cut spirally such
that it extends approximately 180 degrees around the body 28
(illustrated in FIG. 3). This arrangement embodying herein that such
slot comprises a diagonal slot in such body, such slot intersecting
such circular top end portion at a first intersection and such
circular bottom end portion at a second intersection, such first and
second intersections being situated about 180 degrees from each
other. The slot 30 is cut such that it intersects the top 32 and
bottom 34 of the fishing lure retriever at an angle of about 45
degrees, embodying herein that such slot intersects a plane of both
such circular top end portion and such circular bottom end portion
at an angle of about 45 degrees.
After the fishing line 26 has been inserted into the fishing lure
retriever 20, the fishing line 26 is prevented from coming out of
the hollow cylindrical body 28 (a problem in the prior art) by the
combined use of a removably attached U-shaped blocker 29 and the
configuration of the spiral slot 30. Preferably, a U-shaped blocker
29 is attached at both ends of the slot 30. The U-shaped blocker 29
blocks the fishing line 26 such that the line 26 cannot exit the
hollow cylindrical body 28. This arrangement embodies herein blocker
means for physically blocking exit of the fishing line from at least
one such end portion of such body means; and it further embodies
herein at least one blocker structured and arranged to physically
block exit of the fishing line from at least one such end portion of
such body. Preferably, the U-shaped blocker (shaped and sized as
shown) is made of a suitable plastic material, etc., to be able to
be pushed onto the cylinder-body of the retriever and held in place
by friction. Preferably, that is, the U-shaped blocker is structured
such that it must be stretched to fit onto the hollow steel body
such that it attaches over slot 30 by friction means to the hollow
steel body. This arrangement embodies herein that such blocker is
structured and arranged to removably attach by friction onto such
body in such manner as to cover at least one end portion of such
slot; and it also embodies herein that each such blocker comprises a
respective U-shaped blocker, each fitting tightly over a respective
such first and second intersection and frictionally clamping onto
such body. An added feature of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is the use of the spiral slot 30, which acts both
by itself and in combination with the U-shaped blocker 29 to block
the fishing line 26 from coming out of the fishing lure retriever
20.
Preferably, the fishing lure retriever 20 has a "V"-shaped bar 36
which is used (as shown) as an attachment for the nylon retrieval
line 38. The V-shaped bar 36 is preferably a solid 1/4-inch thick
round steel bar. The V-shaped bar 36 is preferably welded to the top
32 of the fishing lure retriever 20 in an upside down position, as
shown. This arrangement embodies herein, attached to such body means
at such circular top end portion, attachment means for attaching a
retrieval line to such body means; and it also embodies herein,
attached to such body at such circular top end portion, an
attachment structured and arranged to attach a retrieval line to
such body. The upside-down "V" is positioned such that it is
centered along the diameter of the hollow cylindrical body 28,
embodying herein that such attachment comprises an upside-down
V-shaped retrieval line tie bar located about along a diameter to
and above such cylindrical body. The above arrangement also embodies
herein, attached to such body at such circular top end portion, an
upside-down V-shaped retrieval line tie bar located about along a
diameter to and above such cylindrical body; and it further embodies
herein that such attachment means comprises centering means for
maintaining symmetrical forces by centering the retrieval line at
about a center of such circular top end portion.
The position of the V-shaped bar 36 allows the nylon retrieval line
38 to be more centered above the fishing lure retriever 20,
increasing the effectiveness of the fishing lure retriever 20.
Preferably the V-shaped bar 36 is positioned (as shown) such that it
is oriented perpendicular or 90 degrees from the opening of the top
32 of the spiral slot 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). This arrangement
embodies herein that one end of such tie bar is attached to such
body at about 90 degrees from such first intersection. Preferably, a
nylon retrieval line 38 is removably attached to the V-shaped bar
36. The nylon retrieval line 38 is preferably a minimum 1/8 inch
diameter nylon of sufficient strength (at least about 200-250 pound
test line) to resist breaking when pulling the fishing lure
retriever 20 to release the snagged fishing lure 22 (further
explained below in reference to FIG. 6). Preferably, the nylon
retrieval line 38 is removably attached to the V-shaped bar 36 by
the use of a knot 40. The knot 40 is tied to avoid coming loose
during operation of the fishing lure retriever 20.
With reference to FIG. 2, attached to the bottom 34 of the fishing
lure retriever 20 are preferably four chains 46 (as shown). The four
chains 46 embody herein that, attached to such body means at such
circular bottom end portion, is snaring means for snaring the hook;
and they further embody herein that such snare comprises a spaced
plurality of chains. The chains 46 are each preferably 6 inches in
length, embodying herein that each such chain is about six inches
long. The chains 46 are preferably formed as illustrated in FIG. 2.
The chains 46 have openings along both the face 42 and side 44 to
snatch the hooks 23 on the fishing lure 22, embodying herein,
attached to such body at such circular bottom end portion, a snare
structured and arranged to snare the hook. The chains 46 are
preferably attached to the hollow cylindrical body 28 by welding,
embodying herein that such chains are welded to such body. The
chains 46 are preferably attached at a location approximately 45
degrees on each side of and from the bottom 34 slot end 50,
embodying herein that such spaced plurality of chains comprises four
chains spaced equally around such circular bottom end portion,
wherein at least two of such chains are each attached to such body
at about 45 degrees from such second intersection. The arrangement
further embodies herein, attached to such body at such circular
bottom end portion, a spaced plurality of chains. The four chains 46
are preferably attached to the body at 90 degree increments (as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5).
Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is the spiral slot 30 and the
blocker 29. As previously discussed above, the spiral slot is used
to assist in keeping the fishing line 26 (shown in FIG. 1) from
slipping out of the fishing lure retriever 20. A secondary blocker
is used to further secure the fishing line 26. The secondary blocker
is a U-shaped blocker 29 which is illustrated in cross-section in
FIG. 4. The U-shaped blocker 29 is preferably made of plastic, but
may be made of any of a variety of materials that would also perform
a similar function. The U-shaped blocker 29 is placed at both ends
of the slot 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The U-shaped blocker 29 is
slipped or pushed onto the 1/8 inch thickness of the hollow
cylindrical body 28 such that the slot 30 is completely covered (as
shown). The U-shaped blocker 29 is fitted tightly around the edge of
the hollow cylindrical body 28. The U-shaped blocker 29 is
preferably held on the hollow cylindrical body 28 by friction.
FIG. 5 represents a bottom view of the fishing lure retriever 20.
Illustrated in FIG. 5 is the preferred position of the slot 30,
blocker 29, V-shaped bar 36 and chains 46 as previously described
above. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is the fishing lure retriever 20
hollow cylindrical body 28.
FIG. 6 further illustrates the operation of the fishing lure
retriever 20. As previously explained in FIG. 1, the fishing lure 22
has one or more hooks 23, being the portion of the lure 22 that
snags onto an object. The fishing lure retriever 20 is placed onto
the fishing line 26 by slipping the fishing line 26 through the
spiral slot 30. A U-shaped blocker 29 is then placed over each end
of the slot 30. The fishing lure retriever 20 is then lowered (see
arrow 21) along the fishing line 26 which is attached to the fishing
lure 22. Attached to the fishing lure retriever 20 is a nylon
retrieval line 38 which is used to lower and raise the fishing lure
retriever 20. Preferably, the fishing lure retriever 20 is in as
near a vertical position to the snagged fishing lure 22 as possible.
The fishing lure retriever 20 is lowered to a depth to contact
debris and/or the snagged fishing lure 22. Preferably, the operator
uses the nylon retrieval line 38 to bounce the fishing lure
retriever 20 in an up an down motion to free the snagged lure 22.
The weight of the lure usually forces the lure 22 downward and is
usually sufficient to free the snagged lure 22. If the lure 22
continues to be snagged, the operator will preferably rotate the
device in a circular manner and jiggle the nylon retrieval line 38
in an up and down manner. This motion is intended to cause the
chains 46 to entangle one or more of the hooks 23 of the snagged
lure 22. When the hooks 23 are entangled, the operator uses the
nylon retrieval line 38 to pull the lure in an upward motion (see
arrow 48). The fishing lure retriever 20 will free the snagged lure
22 and may, as illustrated, break the object (in this case a plant
limb 24) on which the lure 22 was snagged. The lure 22 is then
raised and retrieved by the operator.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
* * * * *
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