ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 5 -- United States Patent no. 12,616,177, issued on May 5.
"On demand-delayed buoy release" was invented by Russ Mullins (Ferndale, Wash.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An apparatus and technique for underwater storage and deployment of a fishing line and buoy includes a mesh cylinder coupled to a fishing apparatus. A buoy is attached to a buoy line coupled to the fishing apparatus and the buoy line and buoy are stowed within the mesh cylinder in a first position. A drawstring holds a top perimeter of the mesh cylinder closed until intentionally released. Upon release of the drawstring, the buoy and buoy line escape the mesh cylinder. The buoy then pulls the buoy line to ...