Abstract:
A cover and organizer, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for holding and protecting stowed fishing gear. The cover provides access openings which allow the user to have full access to the cavity. The cover further provides other compartments, integrally formed into the cover, which prevents the comingling of select fishing gear during transport of the base. The openings and the compartments are covered with hinged and reinforced lids. One such compartment is preferably a rod locker which is specifically configured as a long and narrow compartment to stow and protect fishing rods and rod combos in particular. The lids are reinforced such that a seat can be mounted atop the lids without collapsing the cover into the base. The cover can also be used with a tent frame and tent to complete a fully functional structure that is well designed for ice fishing applications.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Pat. No. 61/461,901 filed Jan. 25, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to items and accessories used by anglers in the sport of fishing. More particularly, it relates to a cover and organizer of the type that would be used with the shelter base of an ice shelter during the ice fishing season. It also relates to a combined cover and organizer that protects stowed fishing gear while also making the stowed gear fully accessible. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Fishing has evolved from being a means of human survival in ancient times to being a competitive and recreational sport in modern times. Accordingly, modern anglers spend substantial amounts of time conducting their outdoor fishing expeditions exposed to the elements, but do so with some minimal expectation of comfort and convenience. This is particularly true when it comes to ice fishing, a known cold weather endeavor. 
         [0004]    In the experience of this inventor, ice fishing for many anglers requires the use of an ice shelter of some sort, temporary shelters being preferred for ease in transport, set-up and take-down. Further, ice shelters have long been provided with a base, which is used primarily as a transport device much like a snow sled but which is usually much deeper. That is, the ice shelter base is typically a sled-like structure that is used to hold fishing gear in such a way that the base and gear can be pulled over frozen ice to a desired fishing location on the ice. The base can be used by itself or can be combined with other structures such as seats, tent frames, tents, etc., all for the comfort of and the functionality use by the angler. 
         [0005]    Also in the experience of this inventor, shelter bases of the type described above come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Most shelter bases are a rectangular shape and have a certain depth to them such that, when fishing gear is put into the base, the gear does not fall out during transport of the base over rough winter terrain. However, an open ice shelter base does not adequately protect the fishing gear stowed in the base from snow, water or ice. Further, the stowed gear tends to be shifted during transport, which can result in a tangled mess of intertwined gear and time wasted by the angler in untangling the gear. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful cover and organizer for an ice shelter base that, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for stowing and protecting the angler&#39;s gear, such as fish locators, cameras, heaters, tackle boxes, fishing rods and the like, thereby keeping that gear clean and dry. It is another object of the present invention to provide one or more access openings in the cover. This would allow the angler full and convenient access to the interior cavity that is formed between the cover and the base. Preferably, the access openings would be lidded. As such, it is still another object of the present invention to provide reinforced lids to the openings to allow seats to be secured to several of the lids. 
         [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cover and organizer that minimizes, or avoids altogether, any comingling of certain stowed fishing gear, and fishing rods in particular, during transport of the base thereby allowing the angler to keep the stowed gear organized for efficiency. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a shelter base cover and organizer that can be fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight, preferably fabricated by using a thermal molding process. It is still another object to provide such a shelter base cover and organizer that can be fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The combined cover and organizer structure of the present invention has obtained these objects. The combined cover and organizer of the present invention, when used with an ice shelter base as intended, provides an interior cavity for holding and protecting stowed gear, which keeps the user&#39;s gear unexposed to the elements, thereby keeping it clean and dry. The combined cover and organizer of the present invention also provides access openings that are defined within the cover. The openings allow the user to have full and convenient access to the interior cavity which is formed between the cover and the base. The openings are preferably covered with hinged and reinforced lids. The combined cover and organizer provides other compartments that are integrally formed into the cover which provides means for minimizing or avoiding any comingling of select fishing gear during transport of the base which allows the user to keep that select fishing gear organized. Those compartments are likewise covered with hinged and reinforced lids. One such compartment, in particular, is a rod locker which is specifically configured as a long and narrow compartment that is formed within the cover to stow and protect fishing rods and rod combos in particular. 
         [0009]    In the preferred embodiment of the combined cover and organizer, the structure and its components are fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight. This is preferably accomplished by using a thermal molding process. Other methods of fabrication, such as injection molding and blow molding, could be used but would be more expensive in the view of this inventor. The combined cover and organizer and its lids are reinforced such that a seat can be mounted atop the lids without collapsing the cover into the base. Further, the combined cover and organizer structure is fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures. The cover and organizer can also be used with a tent frame and tent to complete a fully functional structure that is well designed for ice fishing applications. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front, top and left side perspective view of a first embodiment of the ice shelter base cover and organizer that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and used with an ice shelter base. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is the same view as  FIG. 1  and showing the lids of two openings to the interior cavity formed by the cover and base and a lid for a first compartment all of which are shown in the open position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and showing the lid of a second compartment in the open position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a right side elevation view of the cover and organizer illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front, top and right side view of the cover and base illustrated in  FIG. 1  and showing the cover used with two seats and frames used to support a covering. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front, top and left side view of the cover and base illustrated in  FIG. 1  and showing an arrangement of a single seat and frame structure as an alternative to that shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a back, top and right side perspective view of a second embodiment of the ice shelter base cover and organizer that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a front, top and right side view of the cover and organizer shown in  FIG. 9  and showing the lid to the cover opening in an open position and the lid to the first compartment also in an open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  and showing the lid of the elongated second compartment in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  and showing the seat portion of the cover as it would be used with a standard five gallon bucket inserted into the second opening of the cover. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the cover shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the ice shelter base cover and organizer (which will also be referred to throughout as simply the “cover”), generally identified  10 , which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. When the cover  10  is positioned on top of an ice shelter base  1 , an interior cavity is formed by the base and cover combination or assembly, which assembly is identified generally  100 . 
         [0026]    In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the cover  10  comprises a peripheral lip  12 . The peripheral lip  12  is intended to overlay the upper peripheral edge (not shown) of the base  1 . The cover  10  further comprises four upwardly-extending sidewalls  11 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17 , each of which is integrally formed with the other sidewalls and also integrally formed with and extending upwardly from the peripheral lip  12 . See also  FIG. 4 . 
         [0027]    The sidewalls  11 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17  terminate at upper sidewall edges  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 , respectively, which edges define the perimeter of a substantially flat cover top  20 . It is to be understood that the peripheral lip  12 , the sidewalls  11 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17  and the top  20  are configured as a unitary structure and are integrally formed as components of a single structure. The top  20  of the cover  10  also includes a plurality of openings  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  that are defined in it. See  FIGS. 2 and 3 . When the cover  10  is positioned on top of the ice shelter base  1 , two of the openings  22 ,  24  provide access to the interior cavity  101  that is formed by the base-cover combination or assembly  100 . The other two openings  26 ,  28  provide access to first and second compartments  36 ,  38 , respectively, that are also defined depressions within the top  20  of the cover  10 . The first compartment  36  is substantially square in the preferred embodiment whereas the second compartment  38  is elongated, although other shapes and number of compartments could be used and are within the scope of the present invention. The first compartment  36  can hold a wide variety of fishing gear items. The elongated second compartment  38 , however, is functionally adapted to receive fishing poles, pole combos and the like in it. 
         [0028]    The openings  22 ,  24  that provide access to the cavity  101  of the assembly  100  are preferably covered by hinged lids  42 ,  44 , respectively. Again, see  FIG. 1 . It should be understood, however, that the openings  22 ,  24  could also be covered by other structures including cargo nets, canvas, nylon and other sheeted material that can be secured to the edges of the openings  22 ,  24  using elastic bands and other attachment means. In the preferred embodiment, however, hinges  41  are disposed to one side of each lid  42 ,  44  thereby allowing the lids  42 ,  44  to be moved from a “closed” position as shown in  FIG. 1  to an “open” position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The openings  26 ,  28 , which provide access to the first and second compartments  36 ,  38 , are also covered by hinged lids  46 ,  48 , respectively. In this preferred embodiment, hinges  41  are disposed to one side of each lid  46 ,  48  thereby allowing the lids  46 ,  48  to similarly be moved from a “closed” position as shown in  FIG. 1  to an “open” position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . It is to be noted, however, that the compartments  36 ,  38  could also be covered by other structures including cargo nets, canvas, nylon and other sheeted material that can be secured to the edges of the compartments  36 ,  38  using elastic bands and other attachment means. It is also to be noted that the assembly  100  and the cavity  101  created by it can be provided without the compartments  36 ,  38 . In such an alternative embodiment, only one or more of the openings  22 ,  24  would be provided for the purpose of accessing the cavity  101  of the assembly  100 . 
         [0029]    In the cover  10  of the first preferred embodiment, the openings  22 ,  24  to the cavity  101  flank the opening  26  to the first compartment  36 . On the other hand, the opening  28  to the second compartment  38  runs the length of the cover top  20  and is disposed opposite the other openings  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The second compartment  38  is configured to be long and narrow so as to accommodate fishing poles within the compartment  38  as mentioned above. 
         [0030]    The cover  10  of the first preferred embodiment also comprises a pair of cup holders  39  defined within the cover top  20 . It is to be understood that the cover top  20 , the compartments  36 ,  38  and the cup holders  39  are all integrally formed as a single unitary structure. With the lids  42 ,  44  closed, exposure of the cavity  101  and its contents (not shown) to the elements is prevented. With the lids  46 ,  48  closed, exposure of the respective compartments  36 ,  38  and their contents (also not shown) to the elements is prevented. 
         [0031]    It should also be mentioned that the lids  42 ,  44  in the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  are reinforced. That is, each lid  42 ,  44  comprises a support member  62 . Each support member  62  is made from a square tubular metal stock and comprises a first end  61  and a second end  63 . Each support member  62  is mounted to its respective lid  42 ,  44  using fasteners  69  such that the first end  61  rests on a rear shoulder  64  that is defined to the hinged side of the opening  22 ,  24 . The second end  63  rests on a forward shoulder  65  that is defined to the side opposite the hinged side of each of the openings  22 ,  24 . Ribs  43 ,  45  are also defined within each lid  42 ,  44 , respectively, to provide support for each structure since each lid  42 ,  44  is functionally adapted to support the swivel base of an OEM boat seat  102 . See  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The lid  46  of the first compartment  38  is similarly configured to include support ribs  47  in it. Lastly, the lid  48  of the second compartment  38  likewise comprises support ribs  49  in it. 
         [0032]    In the first preferred embodiment, the cover top  20  further comprises a centrally disposed cover support member  71 . See  FIG. 5 . The cover support member  71  is provided to support the central portion  29  of the cover top  20  and to transfer force load to the sidewalls  11 ,  15  of the cover  10  and prevent the cover top  20  from collapsing into the base  1 . In the first preferred embodiment, the support member  71  is fabricated from a square tubular metal stock and fastened to the cover central portion  29  using fasteners  69 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the cover  10  and base  1  as used with swivel seats  102  attached to the lids as previously described. Frame members  103 ,  104  and frame member brackets  105 ,  106  are used to support a covering (not shown) in a two-person and one-person configuration, respectively. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the ice shelter base cover and organizer, generally identified  110 , which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. When the cover  110  is positioned on top of an ice shelter base  1 , an interior cavity  201  is formed by the base and cover combination or assembly, which is identified generally  200 . Although not shown, it is again to be understood that the system  200  of this embodiment could use additional hardware, a tubular frame and tent or other covering in order to be used as a completely functional ice fishing shelter under normal use conditions. The presence or absence of that hardware, frame and covering is not a limitation of this invention. 
         [0035]    As with the first embodiment, the second preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  shows that the cover  110  comprises a peripheral lip  112 . The peripheral lip  112  overlays the peripheral edge (again, not shown) of the base  1 . The cover  110  further comprises four upwardly-extending sidewalls  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117 , each of which is integrally formed with the other sidewalls and also integrally formed with and extending upwardly from the peripheral lip  112 . See  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0036]    The sidewalls  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117  terminate at upper sidewall edges  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 , respectively, which edges define the perimeter of a substantially flat cover top  120 . It is to be understood that the peripheral lip  112 , the sidewalls  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117  and the top  120  are configured as a unitary structure and are integrally formed as components of a single structure. The top  120  of the cover  110  also includes a plurality of openings  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  that are defined in it. See  FIGS. 10 and 11 . When the cover  110  is positioned on top of the ice shelter base  1 , at least one opening  122  provides access to the interior cavity  201  that is formed by the base-cover combination or assembly  200 . Another opening  124  is configured to receive a typical 5-gallon pail  204  in it. See  FIG. 12 . The two other openings  126 ,  128  provide access to first and second compartments  136 ,  138 , respectively, that are essentially depressions formed within the top  120  of the cover  110 . The first compartment  136  is substantially rectangular in the preferred embodiment. The second compartment  138  is elongated, although other shapes and number of compartments could be used and are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The first compartment  136  can hold a variety of fishing gear items and the elongated second compartment  138  is again functionally adapted to receive fishing poles, pole combos and the like. The opening  122  that provides access to the cavity  201  of the assembly  200  is covered by a hinged lid  142 . See  FIG. 10 . Hinges  141  are disposed to one side of the lid  142  which allows the lid  142  to be opened as desired or required. The opening  124  which provides for a pail  204  to be received in it is provided with a round lid  144  which is not hinged. See  FIG. 12 . The openings  126 ,  128  which provide access to the first and second compartments  136 ,  138  are covered by hinged lids  146 ,  148 , respectively. The hinges  141  are disposed to one side of each lid  146 ,  148 . In the cover  110  of the second preferred embodiment, the openings  122 ,  124  to the cavity  201  flank the opening  126  to the first compartment  136 . As with the first embodiment, the opening  128  to the second compartment  138  runs the length of the cover top  120  and is disposed opposite the other openings  122 ,  124 ,  126 . The second compartment  138  is configured to be long and narrow so as to accommodate fishing poles within the compartment  138  as mentioned above. See also  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         [0038]    The cover  110  of the second embodiment also comprises a pair of cup holders  139  defined within the cover top  120 . It is also to be understood that the cover top  120 , the compartments  136 ,  138  and the cup holders  139  are all integrally formed as a unitary structure. With the lid  142  closed, exposure of the cavity  201  and its contents (not shown) to the elements is prevented. 
         [0039]    It should also be mentioned that each of the lids  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  in the second preferred embodiment are reinforced. To that end, each lid  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  comprises one or more support ribs  143 ,  145 ,  147 ,  149  to provide support for each structure. In particular, the hinged lid  142  of the opening  122  is functionally adapted to support the swivel base of an OEM boat seat (not shown) on it. This functionality is the same as that described above as to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0040]    It should also be mentioned that, in both of the preferred embodiments, the elongated second compartments  38 ,  138  include a generally V-shaped bottom  37 ,  137 . This provides a drip edge for each of the compartments  38 ,  138 , the compartments  38 ,  138  also including transverse support members  39 ,  139  for elevating stowed fishing poles and pole combos (not shown) above the V-shaped bottom  37 ,  137 . See  FIGS. 5 and 13 . 
         [0041]    In both of the preferred embodiments of the combined cover and organizer,  10 ,  110  the structure and its components are fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight. This is preferably accomplished by using a thermal molding process. Other methods of fabrication, such as injection molding and blow molding, could be used but would be more expensive in the view of this inventor. Further, it is to be understood that both assemblies  100 ,  200  of the present invention would require additional hardware, a tubular frame and tent or other covering in order to be used as a completely functional ice fishing shelter under normal use conditions. 
         [0042]    Based upon the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a new and useful cover and organizer for an ice shelter base that, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for stowing and protecting the angler&#39;s gear, such as fish locators, cameras, heaters, tackle boxes, fishing rods and the like, thereby keeping that gear clean and dry. The cover and organizer of the present invention provide a number of lidded access openings in the cover. This allows the angler full and convenient access to the interior cavity that is formed between the cover and the base. Further, the lids to the openings are reinforced to allow seats to be secured to several of the lids. The cover and organizer of the present invention minimizes, or avoids altogether, any comingling of certain stowed fishing gear, and fishing rods in particular, during transport of the base which allows the angler to keep stowed gear organized for efficiency. The shelter base cover and organizer of the present invention is fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight, and is preferably fabricated by using a thermal molding process. The shelter base cover and organizer can also be fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures.