Apparel – Body garments – Vests
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2001-04-17
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Body garments
Vests
C002S094000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216272
ABSTRACT:
I. DESCRIPTION
Background of the Invention
The present invention is related generally to the art of fishing vests, and more particularly to an integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which is reversible between front and rear panels for convenient access to fishing tackle carried on either side.
The sport of fishing has long since been a favorite pastime of many outdoorsmen. With increased popularity in the sport, numerous advances and developments have been made in an effort to make fishing even more relaxing and enjoyable. Specialized fishing boats, tackle, and fishing-wear have been developed to further enhance the convenience and enjoyment of fishing.
Such advances have also sparked the competitiveness of many fishermen. It is now commonplace for fishing tournaments to be held, where experienced and amateur fisherman alike test their skills against one another and seek the ultimate recognition, and prize purse, which results from being crowned champion of the tournament. With the advent of more powerful boats and improved fishing gear, the competitive fisherman is always looking for an edge over the competition, and during tournament fishing, time is of the essence. For this reason, it is oftentimes desirable for the fisherman to change lures while on the fly from one fishing location to another. In such cases, convenient and efficient accessibility to the fisherman's tackle becomes essential, so as not to lose crucial moments of fishing.
Even in less competitive situations, such as the fisherman who hikes to a distant and favorite fishing hole, the desirability for a more convenient and efficient means for carrying and accessing one's fishing tackle is evident. Whether one is fishing in a tournament, or merely pleasure fishing, the benefits of a conveniently accessible and more efficient means of storing one's fishing tackle are plainly evident.
It is with the above in mind that we have developed our improved integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which, as will be described in more detail hereafter, provides an efficient means for storage and carrying of all necessary fishing tackle, as well as a means for convenient and ready accessibility thereto.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, described herein is an integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which includes front and rear panels that form pocketed storage areas adapted to carry, in a readily accessible manner, containers storing the fisherman's tackle. The front and rear panels of the vest are interconnected at their upper ends by a pair of spaced intermediate shoulder portions, which form a neck opening therebetween. At least one, and preferably both of the panels, include an upper section, and a lower section that is adapted to be foldable over at least a portion of the upper section. A securing means, which is unfastenable, is provided for holding the lower section in a folded closed position over its adjoining upper section. When the lower section is secured in its closed position over the upper section, an enlarged pocket or storage area is formed therebetween, within which tackle containers may be kept. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, where both the front and rear panel of the vest have adjoining upper and lower foldable sections, such a storage compartment is formed on each panel of the vest.
The vest is designed such that the foldable joint between the lower section and upper section of either panel is located near the waist of the fisherman. By constructing the vest in this manner, when the fisherman is seated, as if in a boat, the lower section of the front facing panel may be folded downwardly away from the fisherman, to a position resting on the thighs of the fisherman's legs, thereby exposing the fisherman's tackle.
Each lower section of its respective panel carries a guide means for receiving and holding at least one fishing tackle container therein. Preferably, the fishing tackle container is constructed with multiple compartments for storage and organization of different sized lures and the like, and will include a means for covering such compartments, to prevent dislodgement of the lures from their respective compartments during movement. Such cover(s) are also preferably constructed to open away from the fisherman for convenient and efficient access to the fisherman's tackle.
Notably, the guide means carried by the lower section is adapted to allow removal and replacement of the existing fishing tackle container with other tackle containers. Thus, depending on the type of fish being sought, the fisherman may easily replace one tackle container with another that holds the types of lures that are best suited for the desired fish. With similar storage compartments being available on both the front and rear panels, the fisherman can carry lures for a wide variety of different fish. By simply rotating the vest to reverse the orientation of the front and rear panels, the fisherman may readily switch to a different type of tackle, as desired.
Preferably, our improved fishing vest is constructed of a water-resistant material, and may optionally be constructed as a life vest with permanent or removable floatation means incorporated therein. When in normal use, the front and rear panels have connecting side straps that hold the vest panels in place relative to one another. Should the fisherman decide to reverse the vest for access to the tackle carried in the rear panel, the fisherman need only place their arms inside the side straps and rotate the vest about their neck. Alternatively, the fisherman can disconnect the side straps prior to rotating the vest.
Other and additional compartments may also be incorporated into the outer and/or inner facings of the vest panels for storage of additional lures and fishing gear, such as forceps, spare line, maps, a knife, etc. It is further contemplated that the vest may also incorporate a rod and reel holster which may be useful to the fisherman during hiking through rough terrain.
It is evident from the above that our improved integral fishing vest and tackle carrier offers substantial benefits of increased efficiency and convenient accessibility to a fisherman's tackle. The tackle is always at the fisherman's fingertips, and whether sitting in a boat or elsewhere, by simply unfolding the lower section of the front facing panel, the tackle becomes conveniently accessible to the fisherman. This provides substantial benefit to the fisherman who wishes to switch lures on the fly, and also provides a convenient and efficient means for storing the fisherman's tackle during extended hiking trips, etc.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 2226564 (1940-12-01), Kienitz
patent: 2363639 (1944-11-01), Brown
patent: 2563122 (1951-08-01), Levine
patent: 2717391 (1955-09-01), Bracken
patent: 3266070 (1966-08-01), O'Link
patent: 4799908 (1989-01-01), Lucius
patent: 5247707 (1993-09-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5852828 (1998-12-01), Foster
patent: 5913409 (1999-06-01), Test
Rosengren Brent L.
Rosengren Paul T.
Hale Gloria M.
Schroeder & Siegfried
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