Abstract:
An application for an apparatus for carrying multiple fishing poles includes a connecting rod with a first end and a distal second end and a first supporting member affixed to the first end of the connecting rod and a second supporting member affixed to the distal end of the connecting rod. A plurality of recesses is in the supporting members, each of the recesses sized to accept one of the fishing poles. A first cloth strap is affixed at one end to the first supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the first supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the first supporting member and a second cloth strap is affixed at one end to the second supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the second supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the second supporting member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of fishing and more particularly to a device for organizing multiple fishing poles while transporting the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A fisherman rarely carries one rod and reel to his or her place of fishing. Rather, several rods and reels are carried along with assorted fishing tackle. Carrying multiple rods and reels of varying lengths and diameters is often a difficult task being that each rod tends to go in a different direction. 
         [0003]    A solution to this problem is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,363 to Fyvie. This patent includes disks into which the fishing poles are snapped and held by friction. The disks of this patent need be made to accommodate specific rod diameters. Furthermore, the disks of this patent are not connected to each other and will allow the rods to twist within the disk apertures. 
         [0004]    Another solution is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,628 to Burgin et al. This patent also includes disks with apertures for accepting the rods, but each aperture is also sized to the diameter of the rods and there is no provision to secure the rods into the apertures. 
         [0005]    Another solution is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,688 to Hall. This patent also has disks with apertures for holding the rods but is intended for carrying rods in their two-piece state and has no provision for strapping the rods securely to the disks. 
         [0006]    Another solution is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,348 to Zielinski, et al. This patent has disks with apertures for holding the rods. This patent has retaining straps that encircle the disks to retain the rods, but has no rigid member connecting the disks to each other, thereby allowing the disks to randomly rotate. 
         [0007]    Another solution is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,103 to Frese, et al. This patent has disks with apertures for holding the rods. This patent has a rigid member connecting the disks to each other but does not have a positive way to retain fishing poles of various sizes to the disks. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a carrier for multiple fishing poles that will also organize the rods and prevent them from tangling. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In one embodiment, an apparatus for carrying multiple fishing poles is disclosed including a connecting rod with a first end and a distal second end and a first supporting member affixed to the first end of the connecting rod and a second supporting member affixed to the distal end of the connecting rod. A plurality of recesses is in the supporting members, each of the recesses sized to accept one of the fishing poles. A first cloth strap is affixed at one end to the first supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the first supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the first supporting member and a second cloth strap is affixed at one end to the second supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the second supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the second supporting member. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of carrying multiple fishing poles is disclosed including providing an apparatus for carrying multiple fishing poles that has a connecting rod with a first end and a distal second end. A first supporting member is affixed to the first end of the connecting rod and a second supporting member is affixed to the distal end of the connecting rod. A plurality of recesses is formed in the supporting members, each of the recesses sized to accept one of the fishing poles. A first cloth strap is affixed at one end to the first supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the first supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the first supporting member and a second cloth strap is affixed at one end to the second supporting member and adapted to removably cover the outer circumference of the second supporting member, thereby removably holding the fishing poles within the recesses of the second supporting member. The method continues with placing at least one fishing pole into the recesses of the first supporting member and placing the at least one fishing pole into a corresponding recesses of the second supporting member then affixing the first cloth strap around the first supporting member and affixing the second cloth strap around the second supporting member thereby securing the at least one fishing pole to the first supporting member and the second supporting member. The method completes with carrying the at least one fishing pole by holding one of the at least one fishing poles. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for carrying multiple fishing poles is disclosed including a first device for holding the fishing poles that has a first plurality of recesses on its peripheral surface and has a first device for removably securing the fishing pole into its recesses. A similar device for holding fishing poles has a second plurality of recesses on its peripheral surface and the second device for removably securing the fishing poles into its recesses. The first device for holding the fishing poles is connected to the second device for holding the fishing poles by a rigid support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic view of a fishing rod holder with multiple fishing poles of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic view of a fishing rod holder with multiple fishing poles of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of a supporting member of all embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a supporting member of all embodiments of the present invention engaged with a plurality of fishing poles. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A through 4E  illustrate isometric views of alternate supporting members of all embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of another alternate supporting members of all embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , a schematic view of a fishing rod holder with multiple fishing poles of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, two supporting members  10 / 12  are securely held to each other by a connecting rod  18 . In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  are fastened to the connecting rod  18  at a fixed location. In the example shown, the supporting members  10 / 12  are restrained on the connecting rod  18  by stops  14 / 16 , allowing an adjustment of the supporting members  10 / 12  between the first stop  14  and the second stop  16 . In this embodiment, if a feature of one of the fishing poles  30  (e.g., a fishing line guide) align with the supporting members  10 / 12 , the supporting members  10 / 12  are relocatable to a position where the feature no longer interferes with the supporting members  10 / 12 . In the example shown, three fishing poles  30  with reels  32  and fishing line  34  are shown for completeness. 
         [0022]    To securely hold the fishing poles  30  to the support members  10 / 12 , a securable band of material  22  removable secures around the circumference of each support member  10 / 12 . In the preferred embodiment, the securable band of material  22  is made from cloth (e.g., nylon). One end of the securable band of material  22  is affixed to the circumference of each support member  10 / 12  and the loose end of the securable band of material  22  has hook and loop material on its inside surface, adapted to affix the loose end to matching hook and loop material on the outside surface of the securable band of material  22 . In alternate embodiments, the loose end of the securable band of material  22  is removably affixed to itself by ways known in the industry including, but not limited to snaps, buckles, buttons and clips. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  freely slide within a restricted area of the connecting rod  18  while in other embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  are fixed in position on a threaded portion of the connecting rod  18  by fasteners  16  such as nuts. In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  freely rotate on the connecting rod  18  while in other embodiments, supporting members  10 / 12  are kept from rotating on the connecting rod  18 . 
         [0024]    The connecting rod  18  is made from any suitable stiff material such as steel, wood and hard plastic. The supporting members  10 / 12  are made from any suitable stiff material such as steel, wood, plastic, metal, etc. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the supporting members  10 / 12  be made from a stiff, yet slightly flexible plastic such as low density polypropylene (LDPE) and nylon. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , a schematic view of a fishing rod holder with multiple fishing poles of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, two supporting members  10 / 12  are securely held to each other by a shortened connecting rod  18 . In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  are fastened to the connecting rod  18  at a fixed location. In the example shown, the supporting members  10 / 12  are restrained on the connecting rod  18  by stops  14 / 16 , allowing an adjustment of the supporting members  10 / 12  between the first stop  14  and the second stop  16 . In this embodiment, if a feature of one of the fishing poles  30  (e.g., a fishing line guide) align with the supporting members  10 / 12 , the supporting members  10 / 12  are relocatable to a position where the feature no longer interferes with the supporting members  10 / 12 . In the example shown, three fishing poles  30  with reels  32  and fishing line  34  are shown for completeness. The supporting members  10 / 12  slidably interface with the connecting rod  18 . 
         [0026]    As in the first embodiment, to securely hold the fishing poles  30  to the support members  10 / 12 , a securable band of material  22  removable secures around the circumference of each support member  10 / 12 . In the preferred embodiment, the securable band of material  22  is made from cloth (e.g., nylon). One end of the securable band of material  22  is affixed to the circumference of each support member  10 / 12  and the loose end of the securable band of material  22  has hook and loop material on its inside surface, adapted to affix the loose end to matching hook and loop material on the outside surface of the securable band of material  22 . In alternate embodiments, the loose end of the securable band of material  22  is removably affixed to itself by ways known in the industry including, but not limited to snaps, buckles, buttons, a sticky surface and clips. The supporting members  10 / 12  slidably interface with the connecting rod  18 . In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  freely slide within a restricted area of the connecting rod  18  while in other embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  are fixed in position on a threaded portion of the connecting rod  18  by fasteners  16  such as nuts. In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  freely rotate on the connecting rod  18  while in other embodiments, supporting members  10 / 12  are kept from rotating on the connecting rod  18 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of a supporting member of all embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this example, the supporting member  10  has recesses  20  for holding up to three fishing poles  30 . It is preferred that the recesses  20  be of greater diameter than the largest anticipated fishing pole  30 . Nothing limits the recesses  20  from being of varying diameters and sizes. A hole  15  in the center accepts the connecting rod  18  for connection to a similar supporting member  12 . In the example shown, the cloth strap  22 / 23  is attached to the supporting member  10  by means known in the industry including gluing, hot welding and the like. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an isometric view of a supporting member of all embodiments of the present invention engaged with a plurality of fishing poles will be described. In this example, the supporting member  10  has recesses  20  that are holding three fishing poles  30  (any number greater than one is anticipated). It is preferred that the recesses  20  be of greater diameter than the largest anticipated fishing pole  30 . Nothing limits the recesses  20  from being of varying diameters and sizes. A hole  15  in the center accepts the connecting rod  18  for connection to a similar supporting member  12 . In the example shown, the cloth strap  22 / 23  is attached to the supporting member  10  by means known in the industry including gluing, hot welding and the like. In this example, the cloth strap  22 / 23  has hook and loop material on one side  22  and mating hook and loop material  23  on the other side allowing the strap  22 / 23  to be wrapped around the supporting member  20  and affixed to itself, holding the fishing poles  30  in place. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A through 4E , isometric views of alternate supporting members of all embodiments of the present invention will be described. In these examples, different sizes and shapes of supporting members  10  are shown, though the present invention is not limited to any specific size, shape or configuration.  FIGS. 4A ,  4 C and  4 E show supporting members  10  with provisions for holding four fishing poles  30 .  FIGS. 4B and 4D  show supporting members  10  with provisions for holding three fishing poles  30 . Note that the supporting member  10  in  FIG. 4B  has a square attachment hole  15   a  for accepting a square connecting rod  18  and the supporting member  10  in  FIG. 4B  has a triangular attachment hole  15   b  for accepting a triangular connecting rod  18 . The connecting rod  18  is of any cross-sectional shape and the attachment hole  15 / 15   a / 15   b  is shaped and sized to allow the connecting rod  18  to fit snuggly. By using a shape other than a circle (e.g., a square  15   a  or triangle  15   b ), the supporting members  10  are not allowed to twist with respect to each other on the connecting rod  18 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an front view of alternate supporting member of the present invention will be described. In this example, a supporting member  10  is shown with flexible flanges  21  for temporarily holding the fishing poles  30  until the securable band of material is wrapped around the supporting member  10  and fastened. The flexible flanges  21  a preferably sized to provide an opening slightly smaller than the diameter of the fishing poles  30  and, bend open slightly to accept the fishing poles  30  then restoring to their original spacing to temporarily hold the fishing poles  30 . The present invention is not limited to any specific size, shape or configuration of recesses  20 , flanges  21  and opening shape  15 / 15   a / 15   b . In this embodiment, the supporting member  10  is preferably made from a stiff yet flexible plastic such as low density polypropylene (LDPE) and nylon. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an isometric view of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the connecting rod is a threaded (or partially threaded) shaft  18 . The front supporting member  10  has flanges  21  to temporarily hold the fishing poles  30  (not shown in this view) and a strap  23  with fastening material  22  on its bottom side, attached at one end to the front supporting member  10  by a screw  11  or other fastener. In some embodiments, the strap  23  is affixed to the front supporting member  10  by an adhesive or weld. The strap  23  is long enough to completely encircle the front supporting member  10  to positively hold the fishing poles  30  in the recesses formed by the flanges  21 . The rear supporting member  12  has flanges  21  to temporarily hold the fishing poles  30  (not shown in this view) and a strap  23  with fastening material  22  on its bottom side, attached at one end to the front supporting member  10  by a screw  11  or other fastener. In some embodiments, the strap  23  is affixed to the rear supporting member  12  by an adhesive or weld. The strap  23  is long enough to completely encircle the rear supporting member  12  to positively hold the fishing poles  30  in the recesses formed by the flanges  21 . 
         [0032]    In this example, the front and rear supporting members  10 / 12  are threaded onto the shaft  18 . In some embodiments, a nut of types known in the industry is integrated into each supporting member  10 / 12  to provide increased strength. Once the supporting members  10 / 12  are positioned to the desired position on the shaft  18 , locking nuts  16  are tightened to keep the supporting members  10 / 12  in place and keep them from twisting. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the supporting members  10 / 12  are of the same size and shape while in other embodiments, the front supporting member  10  has larger recesses than the supporting rear member  12 . Although not required, it is preferred that the distance from the center of the supporting members to the edge of the recess  20  be such that the fishing poles  30  are held parallel to each other. 
         [0034]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0035]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.