Fishing device container

Details Fishing device container Fishing device container

1999-06-28

2003-06-10

Rowan, Kurt (Department: 3643)

Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying

Fishing

Rod

Reexamination Certificate

active

06574906

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to containers, capable of attaching to a fishing rod, for retaining and storing a variety of fishing devices, including lures, hooks, tackle, and bait.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although fishing is an activity that accompanied the dawn of humankind, recent developments in sportfishing technology continue to increase the odds in favor of the fisherperson. Such developments, which include new lures with multiple hooks, new lines and leaders, use of multiple rigged rods by the same fisherperson, and the unrelenting emphasis on efficient use of time, particularly in tournaments, create amplified needs to reduce inadvertent rod entanglement and snagging of hooks on clothing, fishing line, boats, or other objects. Also, the fisherperson must achieve quick identification and rapid deployment of fishing tackle of all types and descriptions. Snagging or fouling can be merely inconvenient, resulting in wasted time when the fish are biting, or it can present a real safety hazard.
There are two primary sources for this snagging and tangling of rigged fishing rods. The first source is the exposed fishing lures, hooks and terminal tackle items which dangle from the line, creating a hazard to any nearby person or object. The second source is the segment of exposed fishing line which runs down the rod length from the front of the reel to the first rod guide, sufficiently elevated above the rod surface to tangle with other rods, hooks or nearby objects.
The snagging and fouling issue is not entirely bereft of past attention. Generally speaking, conventional responses fall into two categories. One is to use a container for retaining the fishing lures and hooks that are tied onto fishing line. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,245 issued to Peterson, for instance, a packet of plastic or other flexible material which may be mounted to a fishing rod for retaining a lure is disclosed. Hook and loop fasteners are employed to wrap the plastic packet around the lure and capture the lure. The Peterson packet is then attached to the rod via a rigid clip. The Peterson packet requires at least three motions using both hands to capture the lure and attach the packet to the rod: one motion to use the fastener to capture the lure within the packet, another motion to apply the rod clip to the packet, and yet another motion to clip the packet to the rod. Such inefficiency consumes valuable time and energy and may result in the loss of a trophy fish. Furthermore, the close proximity of the hook and loop fastener to the contained fishing lure or hooks creates the potential for the lure or hooks to snag and damage the packet's own fastener material. In addition, the action of the rigid clip against the rod on the Peterson device creates a potential for rod scarring and other rod damage. Moreover, because a fisherperson cannot inspect the lure contained in this packet or access it readily, (s)he may not be in position to cast the proper lure at the opportune time. Additionally, the Peterson packet provides no protection to prevent a reel handle or other fishing rig appendage from tangling with the elevated line of an adjacent fishing rod that runs from the reel to the first rod guide. Neither does the Peterson device address the moist environment objective required for scented or chemically treated lures or flesh type bait. Finally, there is no indication that the Peterson device floats, a characteristic which is important to allow retrieval if it is dropped overboard.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,180 issued to Ives discloses a flexible pouch formed of fabric which may be folded over on a lure in a sandwich fashion. The pouch is secured to the rod or reel via an elastic loop in order to keep the fishing line tight. The Ives device does not solve the problem of the entanglement potential of the exposed line segments which run from the reel to the first rod guide and from the rod tip to the container. Because the device uses a number of hook and loop fasteners as well as a separate elastic attachment, use of the Ives device requires multiple steps involving both of the user's hands to capture and release the lure and attach the pouch to and release the pouch from the rod. Since the Ives device is opaque, there is no immediate visualization of the contained lures, and therefore the user may not immediately recall what lure a particular pouch contains when the need arises for its deployment. The Ives device also creates the potential for hook puncture and entanglement in the pouch fabric and in its hook and loop fastener strip. Additionally, the Ives device is not conducive to holding scented or chemically treated lures or flesh type bait where a moist environment is required. Finally, the Ives device does not float.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,490 issued to Ancona discloses a two-leaf folder with an outer layer of waterproof material and an inner layer of soft, sponge material which may be folded over on a lure in a sandwich fashion. The lure is captured within the folder, and the folder is then secured to the rod by an extensive hook and loop fastener system surrounding the folder's entire periphery. The Ancona folder appears to be designed primarily to keep its contents moist. The sponge material which comprises its inner layer, as well as its hook and loop fastener system, is extremely likely to result in hook snags, entanglement and puncture of the device itself. The Ancona folder does not address the entanglement problem of the exposed lines. Furthermore, use of the device is tedious and inefficient as its use entails multiple steps requiring both of the user's hands to capture and release the lure and attach the folder to and release the folder from the rod. Moreover, because the Ancona device is opaque, there is no immediate visualization of the contained lures, and therefore the user may not immediately recall what lure a particular folder contains when the need arises for its deployment. Additionally, the Ancona device does not offer the potential for creating a leakproof or near-leakproof environment to meet the objective of marinating lures with scented or chemically treated lures. Finally, there is no indication that the Ancona device floats, a characteristic which is important to allow retrieval if it is dropped overboard.
A second way of addressing the lure and hooks snagging problem involves strapping a lure to a rod using various kinds of hook and loop fasteners, without retaining the lure in a container or a container-like structure. Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,264 issued to Demski and U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,874 issued to Faulkner disclose a holder which secures the hook directly to a rod without involving a container. Because the hooks remain exposed with both of these devices, they provide limited protection to keep the lure and hooks from snagging and damaging nearby objects. Furthermore, there is the potential for hooks to tangle in and puncture the holder's own hook and loop fastener material. In addition, because of the devices' extensive hook and loop fastener systems, use of the devices entail multiple steps requiring both of the user's hands to capture and release the lure and attach the folder to and release the folder from the rod. Neither device creates the moist environment required for scented or chemically treated lures or flesh type bait. Finally, neither device is equipped to float, a characteristic which is vital to retrieval if the device is dropped overboard.
A separate approach to the snagging and fouling problem is an elongated plastic tube which fits over the tip of a rod and surrounds a significant portion of the length of the rod, from the tip down, as well as the lure. A plug which captures a lower portion of the rod and fits in the bottom of the tube is subject to inadvertent loosening and escape, particularly when this device is present in a moving trailer, boat or other vehicle or when it is used in windy conditions. Freeing the lure requires manipulation of both ends of the rod, which can be cu

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