Abstract:
A device used for transporting a fishing rod where the device includes a clamp configured to engage the fishing rod and an enclosure connected to the clamp and configured to accept the end of the fishing rod and a hook. The enclosure may include a first side and second side connected together via a hinge and which may be closed together and locked via a locking mechanism.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/993,433, filed May 15, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of fishing lure and hook covers. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved device for transporting, storing and mounting rods, hooks and lures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Transporting fishing rods or poles with hooks and lures left on the line can be a difficult process. Often anglers are hooked by lures or attached fishing hooks while they are transporting their fishing rod. Additionally, a hook or lure may snag on other people, objects, plants, and other environmental surroundings when the fishing rod is being transported. Hooks, lines and lures can become tangled and damaged when multiple rods are being stored or transported in the same place. Fishing rods may experience warping and damage due to bending the rod to attach a hook or lure to a lower eye of the rod for storage. Further, the end eyes of fishing rods can become damaged if not stored properly, thus forcing anglers to spend extensive amounts of money on repairs or replacements. 
         [0004]    Conventional methods of removing a hook or lure from the fishing rod during transportation and storage are time consuming and undesirable for short trips or temporary storage. Additionally, removing the lure or hook and placing it in a tackle box does not always prevent them from being tangled with other lures and objects in the tackle box. Devices are known that relate to fish hook and lure covers. However, these devices merely cover the lure and must be separately attached to the lower shaft of a fishing rod to lock the cover in a closed position. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a device that allows for the safe and secure transportation of attached hooks or lures on the end of a fishing rod. It is to these and other deficiencies in the prior art that the present invention is directed. 
       SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    Presently preferred embodiments include a device for transporting a fishing rod. The device preferably includes a clamp configured to engage the fishing rod and an enclosure connected to the clamp and configured to accept the end of the fishing rod and a hook. The enclosure may include a first side and second side connected together via a hinge and which may be closed together and locked via a locking mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the clamp includes a compressible material for holding the fishing rod within an interior of the clamp. The clamp is constructed to allow the device to be snapped onto a wall-mounted rack for storage of the fishing rod when not in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a tackle trap constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  presents a side view of the tackle trap of  FIG. 1  in closed position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  presents a perspective view of the tackle trap of  FIG. 1  in a closed and locked position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  presents a side view of the tackle trap of  FIG. 1  on a fishing rod. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tackle trap in an opened position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  presents a side view of the tackle trap of  FIG. 1  secured onto a wall mounted bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a preferred embodiment of a tackle trap  100  in an open position. The tackle trap  100  includes an enclosure  102  and a clamp  104  connected to the enclosure  102 . The enclosure  102  of the tackle trap  100  may include a first side  106 , a second side  108 , and an interior  110 . The first side  106  and the second side  108  may be connected via a hinge  112 . The first side  106  and the second side  108  may be closed together via the hinge  112  and secured with a closure  114 , such as a snap closure or a clip closure, to form an oval-shaped bulb. 
         [0014]    The enclosure  102  may also contain a plurality of vents  116 . It will be appreciated that the plurality of vents  116  may be located anywhere on or between the first side  106  and the second side  108  of the enclosure, and may be of various sizes and shapes. 
         [0015]    As further depicted in  FIG. 1 , the clamp  104  may include a compressible material  118  within the interior  110 . It will be appreciated that the compressible material  118  is preferably constructed of foam, rubber, silicone, neoprene, or the like. The clamp  104  may also include a keeper  120  and a collar  122 . 
         [0016]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , the tackle trap  100  is depicted in a closed position such that the first side  106  and the second side  108  of the enclosure  102  are closed together and secured with the closure  114 . In  FIG. 3 , the tackle trap  100  is depicted in a closed and locked position such that the clamp  104  has been further secured by sliding the collar  122  away from the enclosure  102  and over the keeper  120  to further prevent the tackle trap  100  from opening. It will be understood that the keeper  120  and the collar  122  may be used together with, or alternatively to closure  114 . 
         [0017]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , depicted therein is the tackle trap  100  shown on a fishing rod  124 . 
         [0018]    The clamp  104  engages the fishing rod  124  and the enclosure  102  holds both an end  126  of the fishing rod  124  and the lure  128 , or alternatively a hook or bait. The rod  124  is secured by the clamp  104 , which prevents the rod  124  from moving up and down and side to side. The clamp  104  is preferably narrower in diameter than the enclosure  102  to provide a more secure grip on the rod  124 , which typically has a smaller diameter than the lure  128 . 
         [0019]    The compressible material  118  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) serves to protect the rod  124  during storage and transportation by maintaining the rod  124  in a secure and stable position within the clamp  104 . Additionally, the compressible material  118  provides a non-slip surface to secure the tackle trap  100  onto the rod  124 . It will be understood that other mechanisms may be used within the clamp  104  to keep the rod  124  from moving. These mechanisms may include any known means of securing the rod  124 , such as one or more clips  128  as depicted in an alternative embodiment in  FIG. 5 , and may also include, but is not limited to, spring clamps, pinch clamps, pipe clamps and the like. 
         [0020]    Enclosing the end  126  of the rod  124  and lure  128  inside of the enclosure  102  of the tackle trap  100  provides an angler with the ability to easily transport and store the rod  124  with an attached lure  128  when the rod  124  is not in use. 
         [0021]    In the presently preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the enclosure  102  of the tackle trap  100  is constructed of a clear material to be able to clearly view the lure  128 . 
         [0022]    However, it will be understood that the tackle trap may be opaque or semi-transparent. It will also be appreciated that the tackle trap  100  is preferably constructed using durable, long-lasting materials, such as plastic or metal to provide a strong and durable structure to protect the rod  124  and/or lure  128  from being damaged during transportation or storage. Additionally, plastics or metals that incorporate rust-preventative materials may be used to prevent the rod  124 , the lure  128  or hooks from rusting within the enclosure  102 . 
         [0023]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , the clamp  104  of the tackle trap  100  is connected as part of the same body as the enclosure  102 . However, it will be understood that the clamp  104  may be separate from the enclosure  102  and may be connected to the enclosure  102  using screws, glue, clamps, fasteners or other connecting means. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure  102  in a closed position measures approximately three inches in length and two inches in width to accommodate a large variety of fishing lures. However, it will be understood that a variety of widths and lengths may be used depending on the sizes of the rod  124  and/or the lure  128 . Further, while the tackle trap  100  is depicted as bulb-shaped, it will be appreciated that the tackle trap  100  may vary be a variety of shapes depending on the storage needs for the particular type of rod  124 . By way of example, the tackle trap  100  could be rectangular or other shapes having flat sides to allow for easily stacking multiple tackle traps  100  together. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is a preferred embodiment of the tackle trap  100  secured onto a bracket  130 . The bracket  130  includes a wall support  132  and a plurality of snap hooks  134 . The clamp  104  easily mounts into the snap hooks  134  of the bracket  130  for storage when not being used. Hanging the rod  124  via the tackle trap  100  onto the bracket  130  prevents bending and warping of the rod  124 . Additionally, use of the tackle trap  100  eliminates the need to secure the hook or lure  128  to an eye of the rod  124 , which also prevents warping of the rod  124 . 
         [0026]    It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out its objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in varying detail for purposes of disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed herein and in the associated drawings and appended claims.