Abstract:
A fishing hook rig and lure container for safely and conveniently storing and transporting fishing hook rigs and lures. The container is configured for one-handed manual operation for opening a movable cover section to gain access to a compartment. The compartment is configured to receive a fishing hook rig or lure, which is tied on a fishing line and the movable cover section closes for enclosing the fishing hook rig or lure within the container. The compartment includes a lower line port and the movable cover section includes an upper line port, both of which cooperate to form a bore for protectively confining the fishing line. A securing hook is provided on the exterior of the compartment for engaging a stationary fitting on a fishing rod and reel set to retain the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/674,906, filed Apr. 26, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to recreational fishing equipment and more particularly to a fishing hook rig, and lure container which encloses fishing hooks and lures in a conveniently accessible container to prevent injury and tangled lines resulting from exposed fishing hook rigs and lures contacting individuals and equipment. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Recreational fishermen typically use fishing rod and reel sets together with an assortment of fishing equipment, which is stored and carried in a tackle box or other container. Fishing equipment includes fishing hook rigs and lures, each of which has one or more barbed fish hooks attached. Inside a tackle box fishing hook rigs and lures with exposed fish hooks tend to become entangled with other fishing hook rigs, lures, and other equipment. The barbed hooks commonly used for fishing readily become engaged with other objects. Untangling the barbed hooks is a tedious and frustrating process. 
   For convenience, recreational fishermen often leave a fishing hook rig or lure attached to a fishing line, on a fishing rod and reel set. The fishing hook rig or lure may have multiple fish hooks. Typically, an exposed fish hook is engaged with a guide loop, of the fishing rod and the reel is operated to draw the fishing line taught, so that the fishing hook rig or lure is retained, under tension, adjacent to the fishing rod. The fish hook, which is engaged with the guide loop and other fish hooks, on the fishing hook rig or lure, are exposed. The exposed fish hooks are likely to contact skin or clothing of fishermen and are likely to become entangled with the fishing line on other fishing rods or other equipment. 
   The difficulty with exposed fish hooks contacting skin, clothing and other fishing equipment has been addressed by designing containers for storing a relatively small number of fishing lures or fishing hook rigs. The containers completely enclose the fishing hook rigs or lures and prevent individuals and equipment from contacting the exposed fish hooks. Containers have also been designed to enclose a single fishing hook rig or lure, which is attached to a fishing line on a rod and reel set. The containers serve to house fishing hook rigs and lures when not in use, as well as when the fishing equipment is being transported. 
   When containers of the prior art are used to enclose a fishing hook rig or lure, which is attached to a fishing line on a rod and reel set, the fishing line must pass into the container where the fishing hook rig or lure is stored and the container must be closed. The closures typically have opposed overlapping edges, which obstruct free passage and crimp of chafe the fishing line, weakening the affected area. The fishing line may fail during use, causing the loss of the fishing hook rig or lure, together with the potential catch. Containers have been provided with an opening through which the fishing line may be threaded before the container closure has been engaged but the openings tend to be relatively small and difficult to thread. If the fishing line does not remain in position, within the opening, when the closure is engaged, the fishing line will be crimped. 
   Fishing lures are produced in a range of sizes from minnow shaped plugs to larger lures, such as large lipped plugs, top water lures, large cone head lures, jet head lures, magnum trolling plugs, and other relatively large lures and rigs. Containers of the prior art are not available in a range of sizes so as to accommodate the full range of fishing lures used by recreational fishermen. 
   While the prior art containers are convenient for storing fishing hook rigs and lures inside a tackle box, the most advantageous use is in enclosing the fishing hook rigs and lures, which are attached to a fishing line on a rod and reel set. A fisherman typically uses both hands to maneuver the container to receive the fishing hook rig or lure and to operate the closure mechanism for enclosing the fishing hook rig or lure. Some means must be devised to suspend the fishing hook rig or lure from the fishing line, in a relatively static position, so that it may be received into the container. The process is somewhat inconvenient. Also, in removing a fishing hook rig or lure, a fisherman must use both hands to open the container, making it difficult to steady the fishing rod and reel set, and avoid having the fishing hook rig or lure swing freely and snag clothing, equipment or a fisherman. Containers of the prior art often include a tensioned clip to retain the container in engagement with the fishing rod. The clips have a tendency to slide along the rod and can scratch the rod, bend the guide loops, or cause the inserts to fail. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a fishing hook rig and lure container, which is configured to conveniently receive the fishing line into an unobstructed bore for passing the line into the container, without crimping. There is a need for containers constructed in a range of sizes for containing fishing hook rigs and lures in the full range of sizes. There is a need for a container configured for one-handed operation to open the container, insert the fishing hook rig or lure, and close the container. There is a need for a container having a fitting for engaging with a fishing rod or other equipment, which will not slide and scratch the rod. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a fishing hook rig and lure container, which is configured for convenient one-handed operation to receive and enclose one or more fishing hook rigs or lures. The container has an inner storage space and an exterior surface. Cover means are provided to enclose the fishing hook rigs or lures within the inner storage space. Cover means are operable to selectively allow access to the inner storage space. A straight bore is provided for maintaining an unobstructed passage for the fishing line attached to the fishing hook rig or lure, in the container. A securing hook is mounted on the exterior surface, of the container, for engaging the fishing rod and reel set. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a container having manually operable cover means configured for one-handed operation. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a container having a straight bore to allow unobstructed passage of a fishing line. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide containers in a range of sizes to accommodate the full size range of fishing hook rigs and lures. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container having a securing hook which can engage a portion of a fishing rod without causing cosmetic or structural damage to the fishing rod. 
   These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be further understood, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a fishing rod and reel set with a fishing lure attached to the fishing line and an exposed fish hook engaged with a guide loop to retain the fishing lure, according to conventional practice. 
       FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the portion of the fishing rod, to which the fishing lure is engaged, and indicated by a reference circle shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the container of the present invention showing the movable cover section in open position and a fishing lure partially inserted. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the container of the present invention with the movable cover section in open position, a fishing lure inserted and a fishing line lying in a lower line port. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the present invention showing the movable cover section in closed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the present invention with the securing hook engaged on a fishing rod guide loop. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded rear perspective view of the container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the present invention showing the movable cover section in closed position. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the container of the present invention showing the movable cover section in open position. 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the movable cover section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the compartment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the container of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross section perspective view of the lower line port. 
       FIG. 15  is a cross section perspective view of the upper line port. 
       FIG. 16  is a partial side elevation view of the container of the present invention shown with the movable cover section raised. 
       FIG. 17  is a partial side elevation view of the container of the present invention shown with the movable cover section closed. 
       FIG. 18  is a front elevation half cross section of the container of the present invention shown with the movable cover section raised. 
       FIG. 19  is a front elevation half cross section of the container of the present invention shown with the movable cover section closed. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the securing hook of the present invention 
       FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of the securing hook of the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the container of the present invention with a user&#39;s hand closing the movable cover section. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Shown throughout the drawings, the present invention is generally directed toward fishing hook rig and lure container that is configured for one-handed operation to conveniently enclose a fishing hook rig or lure in a compartment, for storage or transport; thereby; eliminating injury, tangling and snagging from exposed fish hooks. The present invention may be used to enclose fishing hook rigs or lures, which are not attached to a fishing line, but the primary benefit is obtained when the present invention is used to enclose fishing hook rigs or lures, which are attached to a fishing line, on a fishing rod and reel set. The conventional method of securing a fishing lure is shown in  FIG. 1 , which includes an inset circle shown as a close-up view in  FIG. 2 . A fish hook, on the fishing lure is engaged inside a guide loop of the fishing rod and the fishing reel is operated to apply tension to the fishing line and secure the fishing lure adjacent to an intermediate portion of the fishing rod. The fishing lure is secure but the fish hook is exposed. 
   The fishing hook rig and lure container  100  of the present invention is shown, perspectively, in  FIGS. 3-13 . The container  100  is configured to have and exterior surface and an inner storage space. The container  100  comprises a cover means, a compartment  300 , and a securing hook  400 . Cover means preferably comprises a movable cover section  200 , and a stationary cover section  200 ′. The movable cover section  200  comprises an elongated generally rectangular movable cover section top  210 , a pair of movable cover section sides  220 , extending downward from the longer edges of the movable cover section top  210 , and a movable cover section front  230 , extending downward from a one of the shorter sides of the movable cover section top  210 . Each of the movable cover section sides  220  is joined at adjacent edges to the movable cover section front  230  to define a downward periphery in spaced apart relation to the movable cover section top  210 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The stationary cover section  200 ′ comprises a stationary cover section top  210 ′, a pair of stationary cover section sides  220 ′ and a stationary cover section back  240 , all formed in complementary character as a uniform extension of the movable cover section  200 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   The compartment  300 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , preferably comprises a generally rectangular base (not shown), a pair of compartment sides  320 , extending upward from the longer edges of the base, a compartment front  330 , extending upward from a one of the shorter edges of the base, and a compartment back  340  extending upward from the other of the shorter sides of the base. Each of the compartment sides  320  is joined at adjacent edges to the compartment front  330  and to the compartment back  340  to define an upward periphery in spaced apart relation to the base, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   The upward periphery and the downward periphery are configured to align in mated relation to engage the movable cover section  200 , and the stationary cover section  200 ′ with the compartment  300 , to enclose and define the inner storage space. It is preferred that the stationary cover section  200 ′ be permanently bonded to the compartment  300 . Alternatively, the stationary cover section  200 ′ may be formed so as to be integral with the compartment  300 . 
   The movable cover section  200 , is connected to the stationary cover section  200 ′ by hinge means, as shown in  FIGS. 7 , and  10 - 12 . The hinge means may be operated to raise the movable cover section  200 , for providing access to the inner storage space. Hinge means are preferably formed of a pair of integral tabs  254  on the movable cover section sides  220 , extending toward the cover back  240 . Each of the pair of tabs  254  is provided with one of a pair of outwardly extending pivot pins  256 . A pair of holes  258  is provided on each of the pair of stationary cover section sides  220 ′, and positioned to receive the pair of pivot pins  256  in rotatable engagement therewith. It is also preferable that a pair of slots  260  be provided in the stationary cover section top  210 ′, aligned with the pair of tabs  254  to allow freedom of movement of the tabs  254 . The movable cover section  200  may be raised to provide access to the inner storage space, as shown in  FIG. 9  and lowered to close the container, as shown in  FIG. 8 . It is preferred that the downward periphery, of the movable cover section  200  be provided with a first flange  262  and that the upward periphery be provided with a second flange  350  configured to meet the first flange  262  in resting engagement, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . When the movable cover section  200  is lowered to a closed position, the first flange  262  and the second flange  350  act as a guides to align the movable cover section  200  with the compartment  300 . 
   The container  100  may be formed of plastic, rubber, injected molded plastic, natural and synthetic materials such as vinyl, combinations thereof, or any of a variety of other known rigid and flexible materials. It is preferred that the container  100  be formed of transparent or semi-transparent material to facilitate viewing of the contents. It is preferred that the container  100  be provided with releasable coupling means to retain the movable cover section  200  in closed position. 
   The releasable coupling means may comprise a squared ledge  360  on the upward periphery and a resilient hitch  266  with a tapered catch  268 , on the downward periphery, as shown if  FIGS. 7 and 9 . The movable cover section  200  may be pressed onto the compartment  300  to engage the catch  268  on the ledge  360 , for closing the container  100 , as shown in  FIG. 19  and the compartment sides  320  may be depressed to release the catch  268  from the ledge  360 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , for opening the container  100 . Both procedures may be practiced one-handed so that a fishing lure, which is attached to a fishing line may be maneuvered into the compartment by a user&#39;s other hand. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other conventional coupling means may be incorporated with the present invention. 
   The compartment front  330  is provided with a lower line port  362  on the upward periphery, as shown in  FIG. 14 , and the movable cover section front  230  is provided with an upper line port  270  on the lower periphery, as shown in  FIG. 15 . The lower line port  362  includes a first channel  364  of generally semi-circular cross section positioned in transverse relation to the upward periphery. The lower line port  362  includes pair of wells  366  straddling the first channel  364  and located proximate to the upward periphery. The upper line port  270  includes a second channel  272  of generally semi-circular cross section positioned in transverse relation to the lower periphery. The upper line port  270  includes a pair of studs  274  straddling the second channel  272 , located proximate to the lower periphery and sized to be received in snug fitting engagement within the wells  366 . The upper line port  270  and the lower line port  362  are configured and positioned such that when the movable cover section  200  is closed, the studs  274  enter the wells  366  and serve to align the first channel  364  with the second channel  272  to form a straight unobstructed bore, which is accessible from outside the container  100  and communicates with the inner storage area, as shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIGS. 16 and 17  depict a side view showing the upper line port  270  and the lower line port  362 , with the movable cover section  200  raised in  FIG. 16  and closed in  FIG. 17 . 
   The securing hook  400  is attached on the exterior surface of the container  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . The securing hook  400  preferably comprises a J-shaped load bearing portion  410  with an integral straight shank  420  formed of the same rigid and flexible material used to form the compartment  300 , movable cover section  200  and the stationary cover section  200 ′. The distal end of the shank  420  is provided with a plug  430  and the proximal end of the shank  430  is provided with a detent  440 . An aperture  368  is provided in the compartment back  340 , which is sized to receive the shank  420 . The plug  430  is preferably tapered so that in may be forced through the aperture  368  and retained therein, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The detent  440  serves to prevent further advance of the shank  420  through the aperture  440 . The J-shaped load bearing portion  410  may be engaged with a stationary fitting of a rod and reel set and is formed to have sufficient flexibility to bend and free itself in the event that a degree of tension likely to damage fishing rod guide loops or to extract guide loops from the fishing rod inserts is applied. 
   In use, the compartment  300  may be manually squeezed to release the coupling means and allow the movable cover section  200  to rotate to the open position. A fishing hook rig, or lure, as shown in  FIG. 3 , may be inserted into the compartment  300 . The attached fishing line is to be laid into the first channel  364 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , before the movable cover section  200  is returned to the closed position. The first channel  364  and the second channel  272  may be uniformly tapered to aid in positioning the fishing line within the bore and avoid kinking. The cover  200  may be manually pressed to engage the coupling means, as shown in  FIG. 22  and enclose the fishing lure within the container  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The securing hook  400  may be engaged on a stationary fitting of the fishing rod and reel set, and the reel may be operated to tension the line and position the container  100  adjacent to the fishing rod, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The fish hooks on the fishing lure are enclosed within the container  100  and are not exposed to contact with individuals, clothing or other fishing equipment. The fishing rod and reel set may be hand carried, stored or transported in a vehicle without the inconvenience of tangling or injury resulting from contact with an exposed fish hook. Chemical fish attractants may be applied to a fishing lure resting in the compartment  300  and the movable cover section  200  may be closed to capture and isolate the attractant material. The container  100  of the present invention may be produced in a full range of sizes to accommodate fishing hook rigs and lures of all sizes. 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.