Abstract:
A storage device that effectively organizes and protects dropper-rig, fly-fishing assemblies and the leaders that connect them. The device has an openable cap that creates a watertight interior through which a guide extends from the closed end of the device toward the cap. In operation, a user opens the cap of the device and slides an extension along the guide outward from the center of the outer case. With the extension fully exposed, a user attaches previously created dropper-rig assemblies. To attach an assembly, a user takes one of the two flies comprising a dropper-rig assembly and hooks it anywhere on a flexible sleeve that surrounds the extension. He then wraps the leader line, (the line that connects the two flies) around the sleeve until the second fly is in a position to be hooked to the sleeve. A user then returns the extension to within the outer case and seals the device by locking down the cap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to fly-fishing and, more particularly to a structure for storing artificial flies and monofilament fishing leaders. 
     2. Background Art 
     Fly-fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, pan-fish, grayling and carp, as well as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. 
     In fly-fishing, fish are caught by using artificial flies. Artificial flies are created by tying hair, fur, feathers and other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook with thread. The flies are made to have the sizes, colors and patterns to match local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish, or other prey attractive to the target fish species. 
     Most, if not all fly-fishermen store artificial flies, often numbering in the hundreds, in what are commonly known as “fly boxes.” A fly box is typically made from wood, plastic, foam or metal with a hinge and a locking mechanism that allows the box to be opened and closed repeatedly. Some fly boxes are also waterproof and some have rather intricate and varying methods for holding individual flies in place. There are even fly boxes that have the capacity to hold both a fly and an attached line in place. Typical examples of these fly boxes are shown in the following United States patents.
         U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,234 to Martinez   U.S. Pat. No. 2,267,640 to De Witt   U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,214 to Corkran   U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,258 to Allard   U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,671 to Voight et al       

     Although such fly boxes have achieved considerable popularity and commercial success, there has been a continuing need for improvement especially in the area of line and fly storage and the time management issues demanded by them. 
     Those who fly-fish regularly are inevitably exposed to what, in the fly-fishing vernacular is commonly referred to as a “dropper-rig.” A “dropper-rig” is comprised of two flies tied together on a single piece of monofilament fishing line, with one fly at each end of the line. This combination of flies is then tied to the main line that comes from the rod and reel. The distance between the two flies may be anywhere from 3 inches to 10 feet. 
     Using dropper-rig flies is nothing new in the world of fly-fishing, dating back to the 1930&#39;s. Most experts agree that fly-fishing with a dropper-rig is one of the most effective methods for catching fish, but even with this increase in effectiveness, there remain inherent problems associated with using dropper-rigs. These are problems the currently available fly boxes on the market do not adequately address. 
     One of the most frustrating and time consuming issues associated with fishing dropper-rigs is the time and effort spent creating new dropper-rigs. Fisherman often experience what is known as a “snag.” A snag results when one hooks the bottom and cannot free the line without breaking it, which is often. After the line breaks, one often has to create a new dropper-rig assembly. The process for creating a dropper-rig demands that a fisherman stop fishing and perform a number of technically demanding actions including, choosing flies, striping and cutting line, feeding very thin line through the small eye of a hook, tying three knots and so on. This process, depending on the weather, the lighting and what type of flies are working, can take up to 15 minutes to complete. If there&#39;s a snag in the line twice in one hour, one can spend half the time creating dropper-rigs as opposed to fishing them. 
     The present invention is a time saving device that allows a fisherman to store and easily access, pre-tied dropper-rigs. It keeps the dropper-rig assemblies well organized and ready for use thus reducing the amount of time required by a fisherman to manage the technical difficulties associated with creating new dropper-rigs while fishing. Furthermore, the present invention can be managed with one hand and has no loose parts or pieces, requires no lubrication and can be any size. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a storage device that effectively organizes and protects dropper-rig, fly-fishing assemblies and the leaders that connect them. The device is a waterproof box made of plastic or wood or metal and comprises a cap, an O-ring assembly, a recessed center insert that extends and retracts from within an outer case, a guide with an arrest, a pressure clip with an arrest, a flexible extension sleeve with a lip and an extension cap with screws. 
     In operation, a user opens the cap of the device, reaches inside, takes hold of the extension tab and slides the extension outward from the center of the outer case. At this point, with the extension fully exposed, a user attaches previously created dropper-rig assemblies to the invention. 
     To attach an assembly, a user simply takes one of the two flies comprising a dropper-rig assembly and hooks it anywhere on a flexible sleeve that surrounds the extension. A user then wraps the leader line, (the line that connects the two flies) around the sleeve until the second fly is in a position to be hooked to the sleeve. 
     Once both flies and the monofilament that connects them are securely attached to the sleeve, a user then returns the exposed extension to its protected compartment within the outer case and seals the device by locking down the cap. During continued use, a user would both attach and remove previously created dropper-rig assemblies repeatedly. 
     This invention is designed to help a fly-fisherman to minimize the time spent dealing with the technical issues associated with fishing tackle, such as tying knots and stripping line and maximize the time spent fly-fishing. 
     The invention provides easy access to a wide variety of fly patterns as well as easy access to different combinations of fly patterns in dropper-rig design. It allows a fisherman to apply his or her fishing knowledge and change tackle as quickly as the environmental conditions change. This ease of use and access, when combined with the time saving features of the invention, makes it an almost indispensable piece of equipment for the serious fly-fisherman. 
     The present invention has certain advantages over currently available fly boxes on the market today. It holds dropper-rig assemblies or two flies, tied together with a single piece of monofilament fishing line as opposed to just individual flies and does so in a well organized, tangle free, secure environment. It can be used with a single hand, thus freeing up one hand for other necessary tasks. It is fully waterproof which protects the flies from damage. It is of similar dimensions to other, standard fly boxes so it fits inside most fly vest pockets. It allows a user to pre-tie any number of dropper-rig assemblies and use any combination of artificial flies with just about any length of monofilament line connecting them. Additionally, the invention is long lasting, easy to clean and relatively simple to manufacture. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood herein after as a result of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are front and back elevations of the invention, with the outer case cap locked down against the outer case; 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are top and perspective views, respectively, of the outer case cap; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are perspective views of the guide, which extends the interior length of the outer case; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the outer case, showing the guide that extends from its back inside wall to its leading edge as well as the arrest device that resides at the leading edge of the guide itself; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the modular insert and its components, the insert base and the insert extension showing the recession of the insert extension and the cut away channel that allows for the guide to extend up the center of the device; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the pressure clip; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the insert extension sleeve that encloses the insert extension and holds the dropper-rig assemblies in place; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the insert cap and screws with extension tab; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded, perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing how the various components fit together. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a plan view of a dropper-rig fly assembly storage device embodying an outer case  60 , an outer case cap  100 , an outer case cap hinge  110 , a locking tab  120 , a locking tab bead  130  and an O-ring  90 . 
     Outer case  60  is configured to create an internal space for storage with its leading edge being open and its other end being closed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, case  60  is made from rigid, waterproof, injection molded plastic, of rectangular shape with its corners rounded. 
     Attached to or routed into the leading edge of outer case  60 , with a base that is slightly below and an extension that is flush with the leading edge of outer case  60  is groove  170 . Groove  170  is configured in such a way as to create an internal space for storage with its leading edge being open and its other end being closed; it encircles the leading edge of outer case  60  completely. Groove  170  extends outward and upward from the outer wall of outer case  60  until it is flush with the leading edge of outer case  60 . 
     Hinge  110 , extends outward from back side of outer case  60 , originating from the outer edge of lip  190 . In the preferred mode of the invention, hinge  110  is a continuous hinge that provides a movable spine which connects outer case  60  to outer case cap  100 . 
     Locking tab  120  comprised of a piece of rigid material runs across a seam that exists between outer cap  100  and outer case  60 . Protruding outward at 90 degrees, away from the leading edge of locking tab  120  is locking tab bead  130 . Locking tab bead  130  is configured in such a way as to fit securely underneath the outer extensions found at the bottom of lip  190 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show outer case cap  100 , comprising outer case cap hinge  110 , outer case locking tab  120  and outer case cap locking hinge  180  configured to create an internal space for storage with its leading edge being open and its other end being closed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention cap  100  is comprised of rigid, waterproof, injection molded plastic, and with its corners rounded. 
     Lip  190  encircles the leading edge of cap  100  and is comprised of a piece of material, set at 90 degrees, extending outward away from the outer wall of cap  100 . This extension terminates at point identical to the outer dimension of outer case groove  190  so that when cap  100  is closed against case  60 , both of the two components are flush on all sides. 
     Outer case cap  100  has on one side, centered on its leading edge the second half of hinge  110  which connects cap  100  to outer case  60 . Outer case cap  100  has, on its opposite side, centered on its leading edge hinge  180  which connects outer case cap  100  to locking tab  120 . 
       FIG. 4 , including  FIGS. 4A and 4B , shows O-ring  90  comprised of flexible, compressible and waterproof material configured in such a way so that the lower half of O-ring  90  resides within groove  170  and upper half extends above the vertical extensions comprising groove  170 , thus allowing O-ring  90  to protrude outward and become the leading edge of outer case  60 . 
       FIG. 5 . Shows a perspective view of outer case  60  and guide  70  that originates from the center of the inside wall of the base of outer case  60 . Guide  70  is configured so that open space exists on all sides between the guide  70  and the internal walls of outer case  60 . 
     The leading edge of guide  70  terminates at the leading edge of outer case  60  so that the two leading edges are flush. Guide  70  has running lengthwise along its center a groove  210 . 
     Groove  210 , comprising a routed or cut-away section that extends up the center of guide  70 , terminates just short of its leading edge. Material at the leading edge of guide  70  creates an arrest  30 . Arrest  30  provides an arresting obstacle at the leading edge of guide  70 . 
       FIG. 6 . shows insert  80 , comprising an insert base  50 , insert extension  20  and channel  200 . Insert  80  is made of a structurally rigid material configured to be centered and flush at both the base and leading edge of outer case  60 , when in the fully inserted position. 
     Insert  80 , has at its base, insert base  50  comprising a non-abrasive, structurally rigid material with outer dimensions that are identical to the inner dimensions of outer case  60  and a channel  200  at its center, extending lengthwise from its base to its leading edge. Insert base  50  fits securely within outer case  60  and is allowed to slide, with limited friction and limited distortion backward and forward from the inside, back edge to the leading edge of outer case  60 . When in the fully extended position, the leading edge of insert base  50  is flush with the leading edge of outer case  60 . 
     Within the center of insert base  50  there exists channel  200  extending from its base to its leading edge for the purpose of allowing guide  70  to pass through the center of insert base  50  with limited friction. 
     Insert  80 , has at its leading edge, insert extension  20  comprising a non-abrasive, rigid material which extends from the leading edge of insert base  50  and terminates at the leading edge of outer case  60 . Extension  20  is of rectangular shape and is recessed from the inside walls of outer case  60  thus creating a gap, on all sides between insert extension  20  and the inner walls of outer case  60 . 
       FIG. 7 . shows pressure clip  40  comprising spring  220 , center pivot  240  and arrest device  230  made of rigid material. Center pivot  240  comprising a rigid material, which in the preferred mode of the invention is made of stainless steel, allows pressure clip  40  to elevate on an axis, up and down when sufficient force is applied to one end. 
     Pressure clip  40  has, at one end, arrest device  230  comprising a rigid material which, in the preferred mode of the invention is of a “V” shape which protrudes into insert  80  until it comes into contact with guide groove  210  located on guide  70 . Arrest device  230  is configured in such a way as to slide with limited friction within groove  210  and come into contact with guide arrest  30  when insert  80  is fully extended. 
     Pressure spring  220 , applies sustained pressure on arrest device  230 , keeping it securely positioned within guide groove  210 . In the preferred mode pressure spring  220  may be rapped around center pivot  240 . 
       FIG. 8  shows sleeve  160  that is made of a soft, resilient yet flexible material. It is open at its base with a 90-degree lip extending outward from its base encircling sleeve  160  and meeting flush with the leading edge of insert base  50 . When the base edge of sleeve  160  is flush against the leading edge of insert base  50 , the leading edge of sleeve  160  is flush with the leading edge of insert extension  20 . Sleeve  160  is equal in length to insert extension  20  and covers it on all sides but leaves the leading edge of insert extension  20  slightly exposed. 
     The thickness of sleeve  160  may vary depending on the configuration but in the preferred mode of the invention the dimensions of sleeve  160  do not significantly reduce the amount of open space that exists between the outer dimensions of insert extension  20  and the inner walls of outer case  60 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an insert extension cap  140  comprising, extension cap screws  150  and tab  250 . Cap  140  is configured to extend beyond the leading edge of insert extension  20  and meet flush with the outer dimensions of sleeve  160  on all sides with tab  250  extending beyond the leading edge of outer case  60 . In the preferred mode of the invention, insert cap  140  is made of injection molded plastic and is of a generally rectangular shape. Insert tab  250  comprising a flat rigid material, extends across the center of the leading edge of insert cap  140  leaving room on both sides for screws  150 . Insert extension cap  140  and sleeve  160  are held in place via extension cap screws  150  which extend though extension cap  140  and into insert  80  at holes  10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the location of pressure clip  40  in regard to insert  80 , centered along the 90-degree angle that creates the recess of insert extension  20 . Center pivot  240  extends beyond the outer dimensions of pressure clip  40  and into insert  80  thus creating the axis on which pressure clip  40  elevates. Sleeve  160  slides over and covers insert  80  and cap  140  holds sleeve  160  in place. 
     In operation a user would start with the device in the closed and locked position, initially releasing locking tab  120  and opening outer case cap  100 , decompressing O-ring  90  and exposing the leading edge of insert extension  20  and insert tab  250 . A user would then take hold of tab  250  and slide insert  80  outward away from the back surface of outer case  60 . This movement also causes insert base  50  to slide with limited friction and structural rigidity within outer case  60 . Arrest device  230 , on pressure clip  40 , which is located on one side of insert  80 , will slide within groove  210  on guide  70 . 
     With fully extended insert  80 , insert extension  20  is fully exposed and insert base  50  is flush with the leading edge of outer case  60 . At this point, arrest device  230  on pressure clip  40  comes into contact with guide arrest  30  on guide  70 . This contact prevents insert  80  from further extraction and possible unintended disconnection from outer case  60 . 
     In this position, insert extension  20  is fully extended exposing sleeve  160  which is held in place by insert cap  140 . At this fully extended position, dropper-rig assemblies may be rapped around or removed from sleeve  160 . 
     Dropper-rigs are added or removed and then insert  80  is pushed back into outer case  60  and outer case cap  100  is reapplied so that the remaining dropper-rig assemblies are protected within outer case  60 . 
     In the event that a user would like to remove insert  80  completely from storage device  60 , insert cap screws  150  are removed and sleeve  160  is pulled upward and over the leading edge of insert extension  20 . Once sleeve  160  is fully removed, a user may access exposed pressure clip  40 . A user then compresses the exposed end of pressure clip  40  elevating arrest device  230  and allowing it to pass over guide arrest  30  located at the end of groove  190 . As arrest device  230  passes over guide arrest  30 , insert base  50  extends beyond the leading edge of outer case  50  thus allowing its removal from outer case  60 . 
     To create a waterproof seal, the leading edge of outer case cap  100  must meet and seal against the leading edge of outer case  60 . This is accomplished by placing lip  190  into contact with the portion of O-ring  90  that protrudes, above the leading edge of outer case  60 . When outer case cap  100  is closed against outer case  60 , lip  190  comes into contact with and compresses O-ring  90  between itself and groove  170 . This seal is fully effective when locking tab  120  is applied to outer case  60 . 
     It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment is illustrated and described herein, the invention is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described, but only by the appended claims and their equivalents: