Integral vest fishing tackle carrier

An integral fishing vest and tackle carrier having elongated front and rear vest panels, each of which includes an upper section and a lower section adapted to be foldable over the upper section, thereby creating a pocketed storage compartment between the upper and lower sections within which fishing tackle may be carried for convenient access. The lower section of each panel is constructed with a guide that is adapted to receive and hold in place at least one tackle carrier with organizing compartments that are easily accessible to the fisherman when the lower section is released and unfolded from the upper section to which it is normally secured. The vest is readily reversible between front and rear panels such that access to either is readily available. The vest may also be optionally constructed as a life vest, with permanent or removable floatation-wear incorporated therein.

I. DESCRIPTION
 Background of the Invention
 The present invention is related generally to the art of fishing vests, and
 more particularly to an integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which is
 reversible between front and rear panels for convenient access to fishing
 tackle carried on either side.
 The sport of fishing has long since been a favorite pastime of many
 outdoorsmen. With increased popularity in the sport, numerous advances and
 developments have been made in an effort to make fishing even more
 relaxing and enjoyable. Specialized fishing boats, tackle, and
 fishing-wear have been developed to further enhance the convenience and
 enjoyment of fishing.
 Such advances have also sparked the competitiveness of many fishermen. It
 is now commonplace for fishing tournaments to be held, where experienced
 and amateur fisherman alike test their skills against one another and seek
 the ultimate recognition, and prize purse, which results from being
 crowned champion of the tournament. With the advent of more powerful boats
 and improved fishing gear, the competitive fisherman is always looking for
 an edge over the competition, and during tournament fishing, time is of
 the essence. For this reason, it is oftentimes desirable for the fisherman
 to change lures while on the fly from one fishing location to another. In
 such cases, convenient and efficient accessibility to the fisherman's
 tackle becomes essential, so as not to lose crucial moments of fishing.
 Even in less competitive situations, such as the fisherman who hikes to a
 distant and favorite fishing hole, the desirability for a more convenient
 and efficient means for carrying and accessing one's fishing tackle is
 evident. Whether one is fishing in a tournament, or merely pleasure
 fishing, the benefits of a conveniently accessible and more efficient
 means of storing one's fishing tackle are plainly evident.
 It is with the above in mind that we have developed our improved integral
 fishing vest and tackle carrier which, as will be described in more detail
 hereafter, provides an efficient means for storage and carrying of all
 necessary fishing tackle, as well as a means for convenient and ready
 accessibility thereto.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In accordance with the present invention, described herein is an integral
 fishing vest and tackle carrier which includes front and rear panels that
 form pocketed storage areas adapted to carry, in a readily accessible
 manner, containers storing the fisherman's tackle. The front and rear
 panels of the vest are interconnected at their upper ends by a pair of
 spaced intermediate shoulder portions, which form a neck opening
 therebetween. At least one, and preferably both of the panels, include an
 upper section, and a lower section that is adapted to be foldable over at
 least a portion of the upper section. A securing means, which is
 unfastenable, is provided for holding the lower section in a folded closed
 position over its adjoining upper section. When the lower section is
 secured in its closed position over the upper section, an enlarged pocket
 or storage area is formed therebetween, within which tackle containers may
 be kept. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, where both the front and rear
 panel of the vest have adjoining upper and lower foldable sections, such a
 storage compartment is formed on each panel of the vest.
 The vest is designed such that the foldable joint between the lower section
 and upper section of either panel is located near the waist of the
 fisherman. By constructing the vest in this manner, when the fisherman is
 seated, as if in a boat, the lower section of the front facing panel may
 be folded downwardly away from the fisherman, to a position resting on the
 thighs of the fisherman's legs, thereby exposing the fisherman's tackle.
 Each lower section of its respective panel carries a guide means for
 receiving and holding at least one fishing tackle container therein.
 Preferably, the fishing tackle container is constructed with multiple
 compartments for storage and organization of different sized lures and the
 like, and will include a means for covering such compartments, to prevent
 dislodgement of the lures from their respective compartments during
 movement. Such cover(s) are also preferably constructed to open away from
 the fisherman for convenient and efficient access to the fisherman's
 tackle.
 Notably, the guide means carried by the lower section is adapted to allow
 removal and replacement of the existing fishing tackle container with
 other tackle containers. Thus, depending on the type of fish being sought,
 the fisherman may easily replace one tackle container with another that
 holds the types of lures that are best suited for the desired fish. With
 similar storage compartments being available on both the front and rear
 panels, the fisherman can carry lures for a wide variety of different
 fish. By simply rotating the vest to reverse the orientation of the front
 and rear panels, the fisherman may readily switch to a different type of
 tackle, as desired.
 Preferably, our improved fishing vest is constructed of a water-resistant
 material, and may optionally be constructed as a life vest with permanent
 or removable floatation means incorporated therein. When in normal use,
 the front and rear panels have connecting side straps that hold the vest
 panels in place relative to one another. Should the fisherman decide to
 reverse the vest for access to the tackle carried in the rear panel, the
 fisherman need only place their arms inside the side straps and rotate the
 vest about their neck. Alternatively, the fisherman can disconnect the
 side straps prior to rotating the vest.
 Other and additional compartments may also be incorporated into the outer
 and/or inner facings of the vest panels for storage of additional lures
 and fishing gear, such as forceps, spare line, maps, a knife, etc. It is
 further contemplated that the vest may also incorporate a rod and reel
 holster which may be useful to the fisherman during hiking through rough
 terrain.
 It is evident from the above that our improved integral fishing vest and
 tackle carrier offers substantial benefits of increased efficiency and
 convenient accessibility to a fisherman's tackle. The tackle is always at
 the fisherman's fingertips, and whether sitting in a boat or elsewhere, by
 simply unfolding the lower section of the front facing panel, the tackle
 becomes conveniently accessible to the fisherman. This provides
 substantial benefit to the fisherman who wishes to switch lures on the
 fly, and also provides a convenient and efficient means for storing the
 fisherman's tackle during extended hiking trips, etc.
 These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully
 appear from the following description, made in connection with the
 accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same
 or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 In accordance with the present invention, shown in FIG. 1 is our integral
 fishing vest and tackle carrier 1 shown worn by a typical fisherman 2 in
 its intended manner. As can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, vest 1 includes
 a front panel 3 and a rear panel 4 that are interconnected by intermediate
 shoulder portions 5 extending therebetween. Shoulder portions 5 define a
 central neck opening 6 for placement over the head of the fisherman, as
 shown in FIG. 1. Zipper 7 is provided to allow adjustability of the size
 of neck opening 6 as desired or needed. Lateral side straps 8 and 9 are
 provided to secure the front and rear panels 3 and 4 of the vest 1 in
 tight conforming position to the fisherman's body during use. Each strap 8
 and 9 includes a clasp mechanism comprising a male latch member 10 and a
 female catch member 11 which interconnect in releasable relation for easy
 access and removal of life vest 1 when desired. Straps 8 and 9 may be
 tightened or loosened through adjustability thereof in a conventional
 manner.
 As shown best in FIGS. 2 through 4, in the preferred embodiment, both the
 front and rear panels 3 and 4 include an upper section, and a lower
 section that is adapted to be foldable over at least a portion of the
 upper section. More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, front
 panel 3 of vest 1 includes an upper section 12 and a lower section 13
 which are foldably interconnected at joint 14 therebetween. A readily
 unfastenable securing means 15, such as the Velcro hook and loop-type
 connector, extends about the upper end and both sides of upper section 12,
 and correspondingly about the lower end and two sides of lower section 13
 of panel 3. Securing means 15 functions to hold upper and lower sections
 12 and 13 together in folded closed relation, as shown in FIG. 2.
 Optionally, a zipper or other releasable securing device may be used for
 this purpose.
 In like manner, as best seen in FIG. 4, rear panel 4 may also be configured
 similarly to front panel 3, with an upper section 16 and a lower section
 17 interconnected in foldable relation with flexible joint 18
 therebetween. Similar securing means 15 is also provided about three faces
 of the upper and lower sections 16 and 17 for holding the same together in
 folded, closed relation. As shown in FIG. 2, when the respective lower
 section of either panel 3 or 4 is secured in its closed position over its
 adjoining upper section, an enlarged pocket or storage area is formed
 therebetween, the purpose for which will be explained hereafter. Thus, in
 the preferred embodiment, where both the front panel 3 and rear panel 4 of
 the vest 1 have adjoining upper and lower foldable sections, such an
 enlarged storage compartment is formed on each panel of the vest.
 With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the lower
 sections 13 and 17 of the respective front and rear panels each carry
 guide means 20 which is constructed to receive in readily removable
 relation a fishing tackle storage container 21. As shown in FIG. 6,
 container 21, which is preferably manufactured from a lightweight,
 water-resistant material, such as plastic, is constructed with a pair of
 side flanges 22 that extend outwardly for slidable engagement within
 channel 23 of adjacent guide means 20. In this manner, containers 21 are
 slidable within guide means 20 and readily removable therefrom, as
 desired.
 As seen in FIG. 5, the fishing tackle container 21 is constructed with
 multiple compartments for storage and organization of different sized
 lures and the like. Preferably, dividers 19 are removable to provide
 flexibility in dividing and adjusting the size of the individual
 compartments. Container 21 also includes a cover 24 to enclose the
 compartments, so as to prevent dislodgement of the lures from their
 respective compartments during movement. As shown in FIG. 6, cover 24 is
 also preferably constructed with a detent 25 that frictionally engages end
 wall 26 of container 21 so as to lock the cover when closed. Lip 27 or
 other grasping means may also be incorporated into cover 24 or end wall 26
 to help facilitate the opening of cover 24. Notably, cover 24 is hingedly
 connected at the end 28 furthest from the fisherman's body, such that it
 will pivot away from the fisherman for convenient and efficient access to
 the fisherman's tackle. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, each compartment
 of is container 21 may be designed with its own individual cover 29 of
 similar construction for ease of access to the individual compartments, as
 desired.
 As noted previously, and as shown in FIG. 5, vest 1 preferably includes two
 fishing tackle storage containers 21, one each stored in the enlarged
 storage compartments formed between the upper and lower sections of the
 front and rear panels 3 and 4 (rear panel 4 is shown slightly open in FIG.
 5 to illustrate storage of container 21). With the guide means 20 carried
 by the respective lower sections 13 and 17, it can be seen that containers
 21 are adapted for removal and replacement with other similarly configured
 containers. Thus, depending on the type of fish being sought, the
 fisherman may easily replace one tackle container with another that holds
 the type of lures that are best suited to the desired fish. Notably, as
 seen in FIG. 5, vest 1 is designed such that the foldable joints 14 and 18
 between the lower and upper sections of front panel 3 and rear panel 4 are
 located near the waist of the fisherman wearing the same. By so
 constructing the vest in this manner, when the fisherman is seated, as if
 in a boat, the lower section of the front-facing panel may be folded
 downwardly away from the fisherman, to a position resting on the thighs of
 the fisherman's legs, thereby exposing the fisherman's tackle container
 21.
 With similar tackle storage containers 21 being available on both the front
 and the rear panels 3 and 4 of vest 1, the fisherman can carry lures for a
 wide variety of different fish. By simply rotating the vest 1 to reverse
 the orientation of the front and rear panels, the fisherman may readily
 switch to another type of tackle, as desired. To accomplish this, the
 fisherman need only place his/her arms inside the side straps 8 and 9, and
 rotate the vest 1 about his/her neck. Alternatively, the fisherman may
 disconnect the latch 10 connecting the side straps 8 and 9 prior to
 rotating the vest.
 As a fishing vest, vest 1 is preferably constructed of a water-resistant
 material, or of a material such as polyester, cotton, or nylon, which is
 treated for water-resistance. Vest 1 may also optionally be constructed as
 a life vest with permanent or removable floatation means incorporated
 therein. As shown in FIG. 5, side pockets 30 may be incorporated on the
 inside face of upper sections 12 and 16 of the front and rear panels which
 are designed to receive removable floatation devices 31 therein. Similar
 unfastenable securing means, such as Velcro, may also be used to close
 pockets 30. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the floatation means
 could also be of a type that automatically inflates upon pulling an
 activation cord, much like those used in commercial airplanes. With the
 incorporation of such floatation means, our improved fishing vest 1 may
 also function as an approved life vest, thereby obviating the need for the
 fisherman to wear an additional and separate life preserver.
 As an additional option, it is also contemplated that vest 1 may include
 additional storage pockets for other utensils and spare items commonly
 used in fishing. For instance, as further shown in FIG. 5, a storage
 compartment 32 for a map or the like may be sewn or otherwise secured to
 the outside face of one of the upper sections 12 or 16 of the front or
 rear panels 3 or 4. Upon closure of the lower section over the upper
 section, pocket 32 is kept relatively secure from elements such as rain or
 wind. Optionally, an overlaying flap may be incorporated into the pocket
 to further secure the contents therein. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
 2, additional storage pockets may be incorporated into vest 1 for other
 items such as forceps, spare line, etc.; and vest 1 may also be
 constructed to incorporate a rod or reel holster, which may be useful to
 the fisherman when hiking through rough terrain.
 With reference to FIG. 7, as still another alternative, it is further
 contemplated that a jacket 36 may be incorporated into vest 1 to further
 secure the contents of the fishing tackle container 21 during
 transportation. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, jacket 36 includes
 opposing wall sections 37 and 38, each of which is constructed of a
 flexible fabric material with mating zipper portions 39 and 40
 incorporated therein. As can be seen in FIG. 7, wall section 37 is secured
 to the outer face of upper section 12 of front panel 3 and extends about
 three sides of an area designed to border container 21. Similarly, wall
 section 38 is secured to the inner face of lower section 13 of front panel
 3, and also extends about three sides of a corresponding area bordering
 container 21. With lower section 13 moved to a near closed position,
 mating zipper portions 39 and 40 on walls 37 and 38 may be zipped shut to
 further enclose container 21 for safekeeping during traveling. Of course,
 it will be s appreciated that a similar jacket 36 may also be incorporated
 into the rear panel 4 of vest 1 to enclose the fishing tackle container 21
 carried thereby.
 In operation, depending upon the type of fish being sought by the
 fishermen, storage containers 21 containing the appropriate tackle may be
 selected and loaded into the front and rear panels 3 and 4 of vest 1 by
 sliding the same within the appropriate channel guide means 20 secured to
 the lower sections thereof. For securement during traveling, the optional
 jacket 36 carried on each side of the vest may be zipped shut so as to
 enclose container 21 within the enlarged storage compartment formed
 between the upper and lower sections of the respective front and rear
 panels 3 and 4.
 With the appropriate fishing tackle containers 21 loaded in vest 1, vest 1
 may be placed over the head of the fishermen as shown in FIG. 1, and
 straps 8 and 9 may be secured and tightened to hold the vest in proper
 position against the fishermen's body. The orientation of the vest (i.e.,
 either the front panel 3 or rear panel 4 facing forward) will be dependent
 upon which type of fish will be sought first by the fishermen.
 Whether the fishermen is fishing by boat, or on shore, once he/she has
 reached a desired fishing hole, the releasable securing means 15 and
 jacket 36 may be unfastened, thereby allowing the lower section of the
 forward facing panel to unfold from the upper section to a position on the
 fishermen's lap, and shown in FIG. 5. As such, fishing tackle stored in
 container 21 is now readily accessible to the fishermen, and by opening
 lid 24, the fishermen may select the desired lure with relative ease.
 After selection of the appropriate lure is made, the fishermen need only
 close lid 24 and fold the lower section of the forward facing panel
 upwardly to cause securing means 15 to once again engage, thereby holding
 the lower section in its closed position relative to its adjoining upper
 section, as shown in FIG. 2.
 With the fishing tackle at the fishermen's finger tips, the fishermen may
 rapidly change lures and/or move to other fishing locations with relative
 ease and convenience. Should the fishermen choose to seek other fish or
 use other lures stored in the container 21 on the rear panel 4 of vest 1,
 the fishermen need only place their arms inside the side straps 8 and 9
 and rotate the vest about their neck. Alternatively, as previously stated,
 the fishermen may also disconnect the side straps prior to rotating the
 vest.
 From the above, it can be seen that substantial benefits of increased
 efficiency and convenient accessibility to a fisherman's tackle can be
 achieved through the use of our improved integral fishing vest and tackle
 carrier. Whether sitting in a boat, or elsewhere, a fisherman may simply
 unfold the lower section of the front facing panel of vest 1 to bring his
 fishing tackle to his fingertips. Whether fishing for leisure or in
 competition, our improved fishing vest allows the fisherman to switch
 lures on the fly, and conveniently and quickly store and change lures on
 his/her lap. Once the fisherman has changed a lure, the lower section of
 the front facing panel may simply be closed and automatically secured to
 the upper section until he/she wishes again to change bait.
 It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the
 form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing
 from the scope of the invention which comprises the matter shown and
 described herein and set forth in the appended claims.