Sliding rod holder assembly

A fishing rod holder assembly is provided in a cabin of a boat. A rod holder locking member is mounted on a shelf in the cabin and is movable between an outboard position in the cabin and a position in the direction of the interior of the cabin. The locking member includes two plates hinged to each other to open and close, and having at least one cutout to receive and hold a rod handle therein. A rod tip holder is provided spaced from the rod holder locking member to support the tip of a fishing rod held within the assembly.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a fishing rod holder assembly for securing fishing rods in a locked condition within cabins of boats. More specifically, the invention relates to a sliding rod holder locking member which is movable between two positions to allow ease of locking the fishing rods in a position being held by the rod holder, and for removing the fishing rods from the rod holder.

BACKGROUND

More affluent fishermen often own large, expensive boats with open cock-pits and a cabin. Such fishermen often purchase and use high-end, expensive fishing rods. Often such fishermen like to display these fishing rods in a cabin of a boat in a manner in which the rod is held and displayed securely and readily accessible within the cabin in a locked assembly.

The cabins on larger boats often have a dinette which can be converted into a sleeping area. Outboard at the level of the dinette are often found cubby holes which include a shelf for supporting items thereon underneath a bolster with a surface facing down along the cubby hole. The shelf and the downward facing surface define the cubby hole which is a relatively small snug space for storage.

While many boats provide rod holders above deck which may take many forms, it is often difficult to secure fishing rods in a locked and secure protected environment in the cabin in a manner in which the rods are not easily knocked off the shelf or out of a cubby hole due to the boat's motion in rougher seas.

In accordance with the invention, the problems of having high end fishing rods stored in an unprotected environment are avoided by providing a secure assembly for securing and displaying rods within a cabin of a boat.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention there is provided a sliding rod holder assembly which is attachable within a cabin of a boat. A shelf is typically found outboard of a dinette in the cabin in a cubby hole underneath a bolster. The bolster has a downward facing surface. The sliding rod holder assembly of the invention includes a sliding rod holder locking member and sliding rod holder tip supports, i.e. cradles. The locking member is mounted on the shelf and is constructed to slide away from the shelf upon which is supported, and toward the interior of the cabin. The locking member includes a bottom-locking plate, and a top-locking plate, which is hinged to the bottom-locking plate. At least one, and typically two openings, are defined by the top-locking plate and bottom-locking plate to receive fishing rod handles therein. The top-locking plate can be closed to abut the bottom-locking plate, and clipped shut to hold the fishing rod handles therein. At the tip end of the fishing rod is located a tip support in the shape of a cradle, which is supported optionally from the bottom surface of a cubby hole ceiling to support the fishing rod tips thereon.

The invention also relates to such a rod holder assembly in the cabin of a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows the sliding rod holder assembly11in accordance with the invention. The sliding rod holder assembly11is shown supporting a fishing rod13thereon. The sliding rod holder assembly11consists of a sliding rod holder locking member11aand a sliding rod holder tip cradle11b. The sliding rod assembly11is mounted within a cubby hole within a cabin of a boat. The fishing rod tip17is supported by the sliding rod holder tip cradle11b, and a fishing rod handle15is shown locked in place in the sliding rod holder locking member11ato hold at least one fishing rod13securely within the cubby hole below a bolster. Other types of rod tip supports include brackets supported on the floor of a cubby hole.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the sliding rod holder locking member11awhich is supported on a shelf by shelf support27which is connected to the sliding rod holder locking member11a. The sliding rod holder locking member11aincludes a top-locking plate19which is hinged to pivot upward and away from a bottom-locking plate21. At least one and preferably two cutouts23are provided to allow fishing rod handles15to be received therein.

FIG. 3illustrates the sliding rod holder tip cradle11bincluding cradle resting extensions12which support at least one fishing rod tip17. The sliding rod holder tip cradle11bis shown in a deployed position but is hinged to allow it to be folded up against a surface making up the ceiling of the cubby hole. The sliding rod holder tip cradle11b, as may be appreciated, is hinged preferably with a tension hinge to allow it to be locked in a deployed position, as well as locked in a non-deployed position against the ceiling surface of the cubby hole.

FIG. 4illustrates the sliding rod holder locking member11awhich includes top-locking plate19, shown in closed position against bottom-locking plate21, with a fishing rod handle15in the sliding rod holder locking member11a, and within the cubby hole in a non-extended position. When it is desired to remove the fishing rod13the sliding rod holder locking member11acan be slid outward from the cubby hole with slide mechanism29to allow the fishing rod13to be removed by moving open the top-locking plate19. A clip mechanism25can be used to lock the locking member11ain the stored or external position.

FIG. 5is a view similar toFIG. 4, but in front perspective view showing clip mechanism25locking top locking plate19and bottom locking plate21together. Other types of slides or sliding mechanisms that can be used include any mechanism that can securely hold a rod handle in a removable manner and allow the rod handle to be moved into and out of a cubby hole in which it is mounted.

FIG. 6is another view showing the sliding rod holder locking member11ain an extended position relative to slide mechanism29, with top-locking plate19open relative to bottom-locking plate21, and with a fishing rod handle15supported thereon.

FIG. 7is a view from the rear of sliding rod holder locking member11awith top-locking plate19shown in a closed position, and with the sliding rod holder locking member11ashown in an extended position relative to the slide mechanism29, and with the fishing rod handle15held securely therein.

FIG. 8shows the sliding rod holder locking member11ain a stowed position within the cubby hole holding a fishing rod handle15securely therein with the top-locking plate19in a closed position and secured against the bottom-locking plate21by the clip mechanism, i.e., locking clip25. The shelf support27supports the sliding rod holder locking member11awithin the cubby hole.

FIG. 9shows the sliding rod holder tip cradle11bwith cradle resting extensions12in a non-deployed condition pivoted against the ceiling of the cubby hole.

FIG. 10is a perspective view from the front of the sliding rod holder locking member11awith top-locking plate19in open condition relative to bottom-locking plate21, and showing the cutouts23and locking clip25, and with the sliding rod holder locking member11ashown extended towards the interior of the cabin through the slide mechanism29.

FIG. 11is a view from the rear of the locking member11a.

FIG. 12is a view from the front of the sliding rod holder locking member11ashown retracted relative to the slide mechanism29, and in closed condition.

FIG. 13is a view from the front of the sliding rod locking member11ashown in closed condition with the locking clip25holding the top-locking plate19against the bottom-locking plate21with a rod held therein.

FIG. 14is a positive view of a cabin with two rod holder assemblies mounted therein.

While the invention has been described in great detail, it will be understood that alternative modifications and embodiments are intended to be within the scope of what is considered to be the invention as reflected in a non-limiting manner in the appended claims.