FISHING ROD HOLDER

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for holding and transporting an elongated article, such as a fish rod. The apparatus comprises a telescoping member having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of caps coupled to the proximal end and the distal end of the telescoping member; a first mounting member releasably coupled to the telescoping member; a second mounting member releasably coupled to the first mounting member, the second mounting member is configured to receive and hold an elongated article; a pair of hook and loop fastener straps each of which is coupled to each of the pair of caps; and a pair of wall mounting brackets.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding and transporting an elongated article, the apparatus comprising: a telescoping member having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of caps coupled to the proximal end and the distal end of the telescoping member; a first mounting member releasably coupled to the telescoping member; a second mounting member releasably coupled to the first mounting member, the second mounting member is configured to receive and hold an elongated article; and a pair of hook and loop fastener straps each of which is coupled to each of the pair of caps.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of wall mounting brackets, each of the pair of wall mounting brackets configured for mounting to a supporting structure, the pair of caps and the pair of wall mounting brackets are configured to releasably engage with each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated article is a fish rod.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telescoping member comprises an inner tube and an outer tube, the diameter of the inner tube is lesser than the diameter of the outer tube allowing an end of the inner tube to slide within the outer tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the telescoping member further comprises a guide sleeve coupled to an end of the outer tube and a plug coupled to the end of the inner tube, wherein the guide sleeve and the plug allows the inner tube to snugly slide within the outer tube,

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of caps comprises a cap body having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end configured as a sleeve for receiving the proximal end or the distal end of the telescoping member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the cap body is configured as an L-shaped bracket, the L-shaped bracket having a first leg extending from an edge of the cap body and a second leg perpendicularly extends from the first leg, the second leg is configured as a latch.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of hook and loop fastener straps, wherein each of the pair of hook and loop fastener strap is coupled to each of the pair of caps.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the each of the pair of caps further comprises a slot configured in the cap body, one end of each of the pair of hook and loop fastener straps is coupled to the latch and the other end passes through the slot.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first mounting member comprises a rigid bracket part and a tie-down part, the rigid bracket part having a first end and a second end, to the first end is coupled a tie-down lock, the tie-down part extends from the second end, free end of the tie-down lock is configured to pass through the tie-down lock, the rigid bracket part further comprises first curvature extending between the first end and the second end, the first curvature dimensioned to fit over the telescoping member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the rigid bracket part further comprises a second curvature integrated at the second end of the rigid bracket part and away from the first curvature, the second curvature dimensioned to fit around the elongated article.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the rigid bracket part further comprises a slot configured at the second end that extends through the second curvature, a second protrusion coupled to an outer surface of the second curvature, the second mounting member comprises a strap having a first strap end and a second strap end, the first strap end having a third protrusion that interlocks with the slot of the rigid bracket part, a plurality of spaced-apart apertures each configured to interlock with the second protrusion.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pair of wall mounting brackets, each of the pair of wall mounting brackets having a base, the base having a flat bottom and at least two holes for mounting the each of the pair of wall mounting brackets to a supporting structure, a spacer upstands from a top surface of the base, the spacer is hollow from inside and having its front side open, a tongue upstands from the base and is adjacent to the front of the spacer, a lip configured on an outer surface of the tongue.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spacer and the tongue are configured to secure to the cap, wherein cap body and the L-shape bracket can receive the spacer and tongue, such as the latch can snap over the lip securing the cap to the wall mounting bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows telescoping member of the apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the telescoping member of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the telescoping member of FIG. 1 having a pair of caps at the opposite ends, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the cap and the inner tube, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5A shows an enlarged view of the cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5B shows another view of the cap of FIG. 5A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a Velcro strap coupled to the cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 showing the first mounting member and the second mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the first mounting member of FIG. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 12 shows the first mounting member coupled to the second mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus, according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 showing the assembly and the wall mounting members, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 15 is a top view of the wall mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 16 is a side view of the wall mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 17 shows the mechanism of securing the cap to the wall mounting member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0042] The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term embodiments of the present invention does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0043] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising,, includes and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0044] The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

[0045] The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatus are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject innovation. Moreover, the drawings may not be to scale.

[0046] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for holding and transporting an elongated article, such as a fishing rod. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes telescoping tubes 100. The telescoping tubes including an outer tube 102 and an inner tube 104. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the telescoping tubes 100. Each of the inner tube 104 and the outer tube 102 having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner tube 104 is having a diameter less than the diameter of the outer tube 102. This allows the proximal end of the inner tube 104 to be telescopically slidable within the outer tube 102. The proximal end of the inner tube 104, through the proximal end of the outer tube 102, can be slidably inserted into the outer tube 102. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 are a glide sleeve 106 and a glide plug 108. The glide sleeve 106 can fit into the proximal end of the outer tube 102. The glide plug 108 can fit into the proximal end of the inner tube 104. The glide sleeve 106 and the glide plug 108 can allow the inner tube 104 to snugly slide within the outer tube 102. In one case, the glide sleeve 106 and the glide plug 108 can be made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP). In one case, the glide sleeve 106 and the glide plug 108 can be manufactured by injection molding process.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a pair of caps 110 each coupled to each of the distal ends of the inner tube 104 and the outer tube 102. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the inner tube 104 coupled to the cap 110. The inner sleeve having an aperture 112 at the distal end. The cap 110 can also have a corresponding aperture 114, wherein when the cap is fitted over the inner tube 104, the aperture 114 of the cap 110 can be aligned with the aperture 112 of the inner tube 104. The cap 110 can be fixed to the inner tube 104 through a locking pin 116, wherein the locking pin 116 can pass through the aligned apertures. In one case, the caps 110 can be made of TPEE material by an injection molding process. In one case, the locking pin 116 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel.

[0048] Although the glide sleeve 106 and the glide plug 108 keep the outer tube 102 and the inner tube 104 snugly fitted, in an alternate embodiment, the outer tube can be provided with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can prevent longitudinal movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. A user may adjust the length of the apparatus by releasing the lock and moving the inner tube up and down within the outer tube. The locking mechanism can be a collar that is rotatable to compress the inner tube and the outer tube, binding them at a set length. The lock may also be a set screw bolt that passes through the outer tube and presses against the inner tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may be any shape of an elongate tube. In one implementation the inner tube and outer tube may be rectangular, elliptical, or triangular elongate tubes.

[0049] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a close view of the cap 110. The cap includes a body 118 having opposite ends. The one end of the body 118 is configured as a sleeve 120. The inner diameter of the sleeve 120 can be equal to the outer diameter of the inner tube 104 or the outer tube 102. This allows each distal ends of the inner tube 104 and the outer tube 102 to be received into the sleeve 120, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the sleeve 120 can be substituted with a protrusion that can snugly fit into the opening of each distal end of the inner tube 104 and the outer tube 102. The opposite end of the body 118 of the cap 110 can be configured as an integrated L-shape bracket 122. The L-shaped bracket 122 having a first leg and a second leg perpendicular to the first leg. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 5B is a slot 124 extending through body 118 of the cap 110. The second leg having an opening in its central part and resembles a latch. FIG. 6 shows the cap 110 having a Velcro strap 126 passing through the slot 124. The Velcro strap 126 is shown to be having its first end coupled with the latch while the other end passes through the slot 126 to wrap the L-shaped bracket 122. Velcro strap 126 can include any type of hook and look fastener.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of apparatus 200 of the present invention. The apparatus 200 includes a telescoping member 202, a pair of caps 204 coupled to the opposite ends of the telescoping member 202. Each cap 204 having a Velcro strap 206, wherein one end of the Velcro strap 206 can be coupled to the latch of the cap 204. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 7 is a first mounting member 208 and a second mounting member 210. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the apparatus 200 showing the first mounting member 208 and a second mounting member 210. The first mounting member 208 is wrapped around the telescoping member 202 and the second mounting member 210 is coupled to the first mounting member 208. The second mounting member 210 can be used to hold an elongated object such as a fish rod, wherein the second mounting member 210 can be coupled to the rod of the fish rod. The first mounting member is shown in FIG. 1 can be a tie-down bracket and the second mounting member 210 can be a strap.

[0051] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the first mounting member 208 having a rigid bracket part 212 and a tie-down part 214. The bracket part 212 is rigid and includes a first curvature 214 dimensioned to fit around the telescoping member 202. The end of the bracket part 212 can be configured with a tie-down lock 218 for receiving and interlocking the tie-down part 214. From the other end of the rigid bracket part 212, extends the tie-down part 214. The tie-down part 214 having a plurality of ridges which interlocks with the tie-down lock 218 for retaining the tie-down part 214. The first mounting member 208 at its rigid bracket part 212 can be positioned over the telescoping member 202 and thereafter the tie-down part 214 can wrap around the telescoping member 202 and the free end of the tie-down part 214 can be inserted into the tie-down lock 218 and pulled to tightly wrap the first mounting member 208 over the telescoping member 202.

[0052] The rigid bracket part 212 further includes a second curvature 220 adjacent to the first curvature 216. The second curvature 220 can be dimensioned to fit around an elongated article for carrying the elongated article by the apparatus 200. In one case, the second curvature 220 can be dimensioned to fit around the fishing rod. The second curvature 220 includes an elongated slot 222 for coupling the second mounting member 210. The second curvature 220 further includes a protrusion 224 more clearly seen in FIG. 10. The protrusion 220 can engage with apertures of the second mounting member 210. In one case, the first mounting member 210 can be made of plastic material, such as TPEE. The first mounting member 210 can be manufactured by an injection molding process. The second mounting member 210 can be a rubber strap that can be manufactured by a molding process.

[0053] An embodiment of the second mounting member 210 is shown in FIG. 11, which is a rubber strap. The rubber strap on its first end is having a mushroom shape protrusion 230 that can snap-fit into the elongated slot 222 shown in FIG. 9. This allows the rubber strap to couple to the first mounting member 2018. The other end of the rubber strap is free. Between the two ends of the rubber strap are spaced apart apertures 232 configured to interlock with the protrusion 224, shown in FIG. 9, of the first mounting member 208. The rubber strap can be coupled to the tie-down bracket i.e. the first mounting member 208, wherein the tie-down bracket is coupled to the telescoping member 202 of the apparatus 200. Thereafter the fishing rod can be positioned over the second curvature 220, shown in FIG. 9, of the first mounting member 208. The second mounting member 210 can then be wrapped around the fishing rod and secured to the first mounting member 208, wherein one of the apertures 232 interlocks with the protrusion 224. FIG. 12 shows the first mounting member 208 coupled to the second mounting member 210.

[0054] The apparatus 200 can be mounted to the interior of the vehicle easily without a need for drilling holes in the body of the vehicle. The caps 204 having the Velcro straps 206 can be positioned over the clothing hook or grab handles of the vehicle. The length of the apparatus 200 can be adjusted by sliding the inner relative to the outer tube of the telescoping member 202. One of the cap 204 can be secured to the clothing hook or grab handle by the Velcro strap 206. Similarly, the other end of the apparatus can also be secured to the second clothing hook or grab handle by the Velcro strap 206. The fishing rod can then be secured to the second mounting member 210 for transportation. Alternatively, the fishing rod can be first coupled to the apparatus 200, and thereafter the apparatus 200 can be secured to the clothing hook or the grab handle of the vehicle. The apparatus 200 can be used to hold and transport any article similar to a fishing rod, such as brooms, shovels, and racks.

[0055] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the apparatus 300 further comprises wall mounting brackets. FIG. 14 shows the assembly 302 and the wall mounting brackets 304. The assembly 302 is similar to the apparatus 200. The assembly 302 can be also be secured to a supporting structure such as a wall, wherein the mounting brackets 304 are first secured to the supporting structure, and thereafter the assembly 302 can be releasably secured to the wall mounting brackets 304. FIG. 15 shows a top view of the wall mounting brackets 304 having a base 306. The base 306 is having a flat bottom surface that faces the supporting structure. Four holes 308 are provided in the base for mounting the base 306 to the supporting surface. A spacer 310 upstands from the base 306. The spacer 310 is having a hollow interior and an open front side. Adjacent the front side of the spacer 310 is a tongue 312 that also upstands from the base 306. The tongue 312 can flex inwards towards the interior of the spacer 310. Shown in FIG. 16 is the tongue 312 further having a lip 314 extending from the outer surface of the lip 314.

[0056] FIG. 17 shows the mechanism of securing the assembly 302 to the wall mounting bracket 304. As explained above for apparatus 200, the ends of assembly are having caps 316. The part of the cap 316 configured as an L-shaped bracket 318. The L-shaped bracket 318 having a first leg and a second leg perpendicularly extending from the first leg. The second leg is configured as a latch 320. The assembly 302 can be positioned over the wall mounting bracket 304 as shown in FIG. 17. The spacer 310 can be received within the L-shaped bracket 318. While the assembly 302 is pushed over the wall mounting brackets 304, the latch 320 engages with the lip 314 and forces the tongue 312 to flex inwards. Flexing of the tongue 312 results in sliding of the latch over the lip 314, wherein the cap 316 snap-fits to the wall mounting bracket 304. This way, the assembly 302 can be mounted to the wall mounting bracket 304, which are already mounted to the wall. To release the assembly 302, the tongue 312 at its tip can be pressed by a finger causing it to flex inwards. Once the tongue flex inwards, the assembly can be pulled out, thus releasing the assembly 302 form the wall mounting bracket 304.

[0057] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.