Twisted Wire Eye Patent

[Dgfidler]

I was browsing lure patents and came across one that I believe embodies the twisted wire eyes a lot of us put in our lures.  The patent was issued on April 9. 2019 and its number is US 10,251,381 B1.

I was really surprised to see a recent patent issued for something that yhas been in the public domain for possibly decades.  Use an allen key instead of screwdriver to avoid violating it?  

The synopsis is:

A method of creating an eye loop can be done by use of a screwdriver, pliers, wire, and optionally a lure to be attached. The first step comprises bending wire around a screwdriver to create pre-eye loop shape/form wire and
optionally inserting a distal end of wire into the lure or other fishing tackle that is desired to be attached to the fishing line. Then positioning the pre-eye loop shaped wire in the pliers so the distal (or tag line) end of the wire extends out the left side of the pliers and the proximal (or leader line end of the
wire extends out the rear end of the pliers. In the next step, simultaneously turning the pre-eye loop form and pliers in
opposite directions, preferably 1⁄4 turns at a time, and pref- erably up to 10 one-quarter turns to create the desired wire
eye loop and optionally the wire is attached to the fishing line via the wire eye loop.

[jigmeister]

I didn't think anything already in common usage could be granted a patent ?

Inventor definitely had "a flair for the obvious "

[barrybait]

Nor did he/she invent it.  There is an element of folks out there than will try to come up with something like this so that they may recover damages later by a maker utilizing a technique.  I heard about one out there that posted multiple images of largemouth bass online.  When a Bass Club utilizes an image, they go after the Club and settle for a fee.

[Vodkaman]

Someone at the patent office is not doing their job!

Dave

[Arne]

Looks like if  you extend the loop out the right side insead of the left and y ou should be golden. Arne.