Abstract:
A fishing lure storage and display apparatus is provided which features transparent storage receptacles releasably suspended from a hanging rod allowing the lures to be easily viewed and readily accessed. The storage receptacles retain the lure in isolation from the outer environment thus sustaining the shape, color and scent of the lure and protecting it from crushing damage or entanglement. The receptacles can take on a variety of forms such as a flexible polypropylene pouch or a tubular member constructed from a semi-rigid plastic.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/724,165, filed Sep. 27, 1996, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to devices for storing, handling and displaying fishing lures. In particular, this invention relates to a storage and display apparatus which is mounted on the inside of a tackle box or a storage compartment of a boat, allowing for easy access and removal of the fishing lures while providing a protective storage environment. 
     A constant concern for fishermen is the proper storage of lures which are often intricately designed and expensive. In order to provide easy access to lures and prevent them from being damaged, they are stored in tackle boxes or specially built storage compartments on boats. Even when stored in a tackle box, however, lures can become entangled on the hooks and lines of other lures or tackle. When the fisherman wants to retrieve the desired lure he must untangle it from the other lures which can cause damage. Moreover, when untangling a lure, the hooks form the other lures can often prick or cut the fisherman. In addition, when lures are stored in an open tackle box, they tend to lose qualities, such as special scents, which aid in attracting fish. 
     One example of a previous attempt to provide a storage device for fishing lures which prevents damage to the lures and allows for easy access is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,798 [Pilston]. Pilston discloses a container having an elongated transparent housing which envelopes the lure and is designed to be worn by the fisherman on a belt or necklace. Pilston fails, however, to disclose a storage device which can be used with tackle boxes and storage areas in boats and is only effective when worn about the fisherman&#39;s body. Thus, once the device is removed from the fisherman, it will be placed in a tackle box where the exposed lines and clasps can become entangled with other lures in the box or storage area. 
     Thus, it is desired to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing lures, adapted for use with a tackle box or storage area, which will protect the lures from damage while preventing them from becoming entangled with other lures stored in the tackle box or storage area. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing lures which is adapted for use within a tackle box or storage area of a boat. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing lures which protects and isolates each of the lures stored therein. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing lures which prevents the lures from becoming entangled with other lures and tackle stored in a tackle box or storage area of a boat. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing lures which allows the lures to be easily removed and replaced within the storage device. 
     Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and display apparatus for fishing which clearly displays the lures. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The fishing lure storage and display apparatus of the present invention features a transparent storage receptacle releasably suspended from a hanging rod. The transparent storage receptacle retains the lure and isolates it from the outer environment thus sustaining the scent of the lure and protecting it from damage. The transparent receptacle can take on a variety of forms such as a flexible polypropylene pouch or a tubular member constructed from a semi-rigid plastic. 
     The fishing lure storage and display apparatus may be mounted in a tackle box or storage area by support clips which are attached to the top of the tackle box or storage area. The hanging rod is then inserted into the support clips in a manner which will allow the rod to freely rotate about its longitudinal central axis. Thus, when the storage and display apparatus is installed in the lid of a tackle box, the rod will rotate about its longitudinal central axis as the tackle box is opened allowing the lures to be easily viewed and readily accessed. 
     A means for releasably suspending each of the transparent storage receptacles is attached to the hanging rod. The releasable suspension means can either be fixedly mounted to the rod at pre-determined spacing or maybe attached in a manner so that it is free to rotate about the rod. The preferred releasable suspension means is a swivel hook and spring biased jaw assembly cooperating juxtaposed hook and loop fasteners. The swivel hook is attached directly to the hanging rod and the spring biased jaws or hook and loop fasteners engage and hold the transparent storage receptacle. The transparent storage receptacle is releasably held within the jaws by squeezing a release handle located at the proximal end of the spring biased jaws. Once the handle is squeezed, the jaws open, and the transparent receptacle is placed within the jaws. The handle is then released and the jaws close tightly gripping and holding the transparent receptacle. The hook and loop fasteners may also suspend the storage receptacle with cooperating juxtaposed fasteners attached to the storage receptacle as well. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment of the invention which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the fishing lure storage and display apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a section view taken along Line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, showing further details of the fishing lure storage and display apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the fishing lure storage and display apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a pictorial view showing the fishing lure storage and display device of the present invention positioned within a storage compartment of a boat. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the same reference numbers indicate the same elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 the fishing lure storage and display apparatus  10  of the present invention Storage and display apparatus  10  features storage receptacles  12  detachably suspended from hanging rod  26 . As shown in FIG. 1, rod  26  is mounted to a support member, in this case to the lid  24  of a tackle box by mounting brackets  18 . The number of mounting brackets  18  which are utilized will depend upon the overall length of the rod  26  and the tackle box into which the storage and display apparatus  10  is to be installed. For illustrative purposes three mounting brackets  18  are shown as supporting the rod  26  in FIG.  1 . 
     The mounting brackets  18  are secured into the lid  24  by inserting threaded members  22  through apertures  30  into the lid  24  of the tackle box, or the top of a storage compartment  46  of boat  44  as shown in FIG.  4 . If threaded members  22  are not compatible for use with the tackle box or storage compartment  46 , the mounting brackets  18  may be secured by other means such as a magnetic fastener, glue or a hook and loop type of attachment. Once the brackets  18  are secured to the lid  24 , the rod  26  is inserted through apertures  18 A (shown in phantom) in each respective bracket  18  and end caps  20  are placed on the ends of the rod  26  to retain the rod in position within the brackets  18 . Apertures  18 A are of sufficient size to allow rod  26  to rotate about its central longitudinal axis so that as the lid  24  of the tackle box is opened, the rod  26  will rotate so that the lures will be suspended in a substantially vertical position permitting the fisherman to view and select whichever lure is desired to be used. 
     The fishing lures are separately stored by inserting each one into separate transparent storage receptacles  12 , to be described more fully below, and suspended from rod  26  by a plurality of detachable suspension means  14 A-D. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detachable suspension means  14 A may be a swivel hook  16  and spring biased gripping assembly  40  or cooperating juxtaposed hook and loop fasteners  41 A,  41 B distending from detachable suspension means  14 C. In one preferred construction the swivel hook  16  is attached in pre-determined spaced locations along rod  26  so that each suspension means  14 A, B is not free to slide along, but still rotate about, rod  26 . In another construction, however, rod  26  may be fixedly attached and not free to rotate about its longitudinal central axis so that the swivel hook  16  is attached so that it is free to slide along and rotate about rod  26  such as suspension means  14   c,d.    
     Whether free to slide along and rotate about rod  26  or not, swivel hook  16  can be removed from rod  26  by swivel hook release  28  as shown in FIG.  2 . Swivel hook release  28  is a slotted groove into which the free end  16 A of swivel hook  16  is placed. In the same manner as a safety pin, swivel hook  16  can be removed from rod  26  by squeezing the free end  16 A and the fixed end  16 B of swivel hook  16  together and removing the free end  16 A from swivel hook release  28 . Once this is accomplished, swivel hook  16  springs open and is free to be removed from rod  26 . 
     Transparent storage receptacles  12  are suspended from one of the detachable suspension means  14 . Each receptacle  12  is gripped by releasable suspension means such as a spring biased grip  40  which is retained in the closed gripping position by a biasing spring (not shown) which permits the jaws of the grip  40  to swivel in a reciprocating manner about pivot pin  42 . Each grip  40  is attached to the distal end of swivel hook  16  by an extension plate  36  and secured by a permanent fastening means, e.g. a rivet or a weld. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, storage receptacle  12  is comprised of a polypropylene pouch which is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes of fishing lures. Moreover, pouch  12  isolates each fishing lure preserving its attraction qualities, e.g. shape, color and scent, while preventing any damage to the lure from crushing or entanglement. 
     In order to place a lure within the polypropylene pouch  12 , grip release handle  38  is squeezed toward extension plate  36  which opens grip  40  freeing pouch  12 . Once released, the pouch  12  is opened, the lure placed inside, and the pouch  12  reclosed. The pouch  12  is then repositioned into the grip  40  to be suspended from the rod  26  for storing and display. 
     Alternatively, detachable suspension means  14  may also be comprised of hook and loop fasteners  41 A,  41 B attached to the extension plate  36  so that the hook and loop fasteners  41 A are attached to the plate  36  and the cooperating fasteners  41 B are attached facing outward along the top of receptacle  12  which mate with the opposing fasteners  41 A attached to the swivel hook  16  thus suspending receptacle or pouch  12  therebetween. In order to place a lure within the polypropylene pouch  12 , one need only rip the pouch  12  away from the fastener  41 A suspended from extension plate  36  and place the lure within the pouch as described above. Of course, only one set of hook and loop fasteners  41 A,  41 B are needed on a single side of the receptacle  12  to accomplish the removal and reattachment of the receptacle from the detachable suspension means  14 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention in which flexible plastic tubes are utilized as storage receptacles  12  for individual fishing lures. As shown in FIG. 3, detachable suspension means  14  is comprised of swivel hook  16  with the extension plate  36  connected directly to a suspension ring  34  incorporated into top cap  32 B of receptacle  12  Top cap  32 B fits around the outer circumference of tube  12  creating a tight seal which allows tube  12  to be inserted into cap  32 B and remain suspended until a later desired removal. Bottom cap  32 A also fits around the outer circumference of tube  12 , but is also removable. 
     In order to remove or replace a lure, one may remove the bottom cap  32 A leaving tube  12  suspended from releasable suspension means  14 . Alternatively, to gain access to the lure, one may grasp the tube  12  and pull it away from top tap  32 B removing tube  12  from the releasable suspension means  14 . Once tube  12  is opened by either the bottom cap  32 A being removed, or by tube  12  being pulled from top cap  32 B, a lure may be placed in tube  12  and the bottom cap  32 A replaced or the tube  12  re-inserted into top cap  32 B to be suspended from the rod  26  for storing and display. 
     In operation, the mounting brackets  18  are placed into the lid  24  of the tackle box or the storage area  46  of a boat  44  by inserting threaded members  22  through apertures  30  and into the lid  24  or top of storage area  46 . Once the mounting brackets  18  are installed, rod  26  may be inserted through apertures  18 A and rod retainer caps  20  are placed on the end of the rod  26 . Each of the releasable suspension means  14  may then be attached to rod  26  by pressing the free end  16 A and fixed end  16 B of swivel hook  16  together thus allowing free end  16 A to be removed from swivel hook release  28 . Once the free end  16 A is removed from swivel hook release  28 , swivel hook  16  is in an open position and is placed around rod  26  at any desired position along the length of the rod. 
     If a polypropylene pouch is used as the transparent receptacle  12 , then grips  40  (or hook and loop fasteners  41 A) are attached to the extension plate  36  at the distal end of each swivel hook  16  of the releasable suspension means  14 . A lure may be placed in pouch  12  by squeezing grip release handle  38  and removing pouch  12  from suspension means  14 . Once a lure is placed within pouch  12 , it may then be replaced in grip  40  by squeezing release handle  38 , placing pouch  12  within the cooperating jaws of grip  40  and releasing handle  38  thus closing jaws  40 . The same may be accomplished by working the hook and loop fasteners  41 A,  41 B apart and then back together. 
     If a flexible plastic tube is used as the transparent receptacle  12 , one may either remove the bottom cap  32 A leaving tube  12  suspended from releasable suspension means  14  or grasp the tube  12  and pull it away from top cap  32 B completely removing tube  12  from releasable suspension means  14 . Once the bottom cap  32 A is removed or tube  12  is removed from suspension means  14 , a lure may be placed in tube  12  and the bottom cap  32 A replaced or the tube  12  re-inserted into top cap  32 B. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.