Abstract:
A vertical tackle box ( 1 ) in which leaders, lures and other fishing tackle may be hung in a vertical position from hooks ( 14 ) or pegs and further secured with straps or elastomeric cords ( 17 ) on opposing sides of the vertical tackle box. Flexible access covers ( 18 ) are preferably attached to the vertical tackle box by hinges ( 19 ) along upper edges to allow each access cover to be opened and folded back over the top of the vertical tackle box, thereby fully displaying the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle stored therein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fishing and tackle boxes, and more particularly to a vertical tackle box that provides a system for organizing, storing, displaying and carrying a plurality of fishing leaders, lures and other fishing tackle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fishing tackle boxes have always been an essential piece of an angler&#39;s equipment. Conventional tackle boxes are similar to tool boxes having a main housing, a hinged lid and trays for holding tackle, lures and fishing leaders. Anglers commonly have a problem with storing leader lines in conventional tackle boxes and with keeping the contents of conventional tackle boxes clean and free of rust and corrosion. 
     Fishing leaders are a commonly used fishing tool. They consist of a relatively short length of wire or other suitable material attached at one end to a hook and at the opposite end to a swivel, which is designed to be tied to or attached to a clip on an end of the fishing line. Accordingly, a person may have numerous hooks and lures readily pre-prepared on leaders for quick and easy attachment to fishing line in order to save time while fishing. The primary difficulty when using a fishing leader involves organizing the leaders so each one can be easily accessed. All too often, the fishing leaders become a tangled mess and cannot be detangled. Even when an organizer of some sort is utilized to hold the fishing leaders, it is usually haphazardly placed within the tackle box such that it will bounce around and become tangled with other hooks and fishing tackle found within the tackle box. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved tackle box that provides a neat and orderly system for organizing and storing a plurality of fishing leaders, lures and other tackle such that they will be easily accessible and not be susceptible to becoming tangled. 
     The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                   
                   
               
               
                 (U.S. Patent References) 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 2,608,459 
                 Malmquist 
                 Aug. 26, 1952 
               
               
                 3,336,693 
                 Lussier 
                 Aug. 22, 1967 
               
               
                 4,770,327 
                 Fortson 
                 Sep. 13, 1988 
               
               
                 5,157,862 
                 Companiony 
                 Oct. 27, 1992 
               
               
                 5,386,662 
                 Vader et al. 
                 Feb. 07, 1995 
               
               
                 2004/0074137 
                 Levy 
                 Apr. 22, 2004 
               
               
                 7,621,074 
                 Glidewell et al. 
                 Nov. 24, 2009 
               
               
                 8,016,106 
                 Schmidt 
                 Sep. 13, 2011 
               
               
                 8,205,376 
                 Hughes 
                 Jun. 26, 2012 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a vertical tackle box that provides a neat and orderly system for organizing and storing a plurality of fishing leaders, lures and other fishing tackle so that they will be easily accessible and not susceptible to becoming tangled. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a vertical tackle box in which the interior is completely visible at all times so a user can easily view and find objects stored therein. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a vertical tackle box that stores fishing leaders, lines, monofilament, lures and other fishing tackle in a vertical open position wherein the fishing leaders, lines, monofilament, lures and other tackle can be easily washed and sprayed down to remove debris and salt water. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a vertical tackle box that stores fishing leaders, lures and other tackle in a vertical open position wherein the fishing leaders, lures and other tackle are capable of rinsed and easily dried to prevent rust and corrosion. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a vertical tackle box that may be employed in other uses, such as a medical equipment storage box, tool box and so forth. 
     The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a vertical tackle box in which leaders, lures and other fishing tackle may be hung in a vertical position from hooks or pegs and further secured with straps or elastomeric cords on opposing sides of the tackle box. Flexible access covers are preferably attached to the vertical tackle box by hinges along upper edges to allow each access cover to be opened and folded back over the top of the vertical tackle box, thereby fully displaying the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle stored therein. The covers are preferably constructed from a flexible mesh material to allow the interior of the vertical tackle box to be rinsed and dried and to allow users to see inside the vertical tackle box even when the covers are closed. 
     The vertical tackle box also may have drawers or storage containers that insert into side openings of the vertical tackle box located between the opposing sides of the tackle box. Attachment points may also be located on one or more sides of the tackle box to attach and store tools, knives and so forth. 
     The vertical tackle box is preferably constructed out of water proof and/or water resistant materials to allow the vertical tackle box to be a completely washable unit. This allows a user to spray down the inside of the tackle box with the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle stored therein and then leave it to dry without removing any of the leaders, lures or other fishing tackle stored therein as would be necessary with conventional tackle boxes. All components of the vertical tackle box are preferably constructed from rust proof and/or rust resistant materials. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded rear view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of a vertical tackle box of the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a horizontal base of the vertical tackle box of the present invention in a closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a horizontal base of the vertical tackle box of the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side cross sectional view along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective side view of a single hook used for attaching and organizing leaders and fishing lures on the front storage panel and/or rear storage panel of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective side view of a strip of hooks used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rear storage panel of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of a slotted spacer used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rear storage panel of the present invention, and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective side view of a slotted spacer used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel and/or rear storage panel of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:
       1 . vertical tackle box, generally     2 . horizontal base     3 . vertical side wall     4 . horizontal top panel     5 . housing     6 . front storage panel     7 . rear storage panel     8 . outer edge vertical side wall     9 . outer edge of horizontal top panel     10 . internal storage area     11 . aperture     12 . attachment point     13 . storage means     14 . hook     15 . strip of hooks     16 . slotted spacer     17 . elastomeric cord     18 . access cover     19 . hinge     20 . cross piece     21 . pull     22 . storage container     23 . storage area     24 . knife     25 . access door     26 . gasket     27 . lower edge of storage panel     28 . hook portion     29 . peg     30 . elongated member     31 . front surface of elongated member     32 . vertical slot     33 . groove     34 . strip of loops   

     With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the vertical tackle box  1  of the present invention comprises a horizontal base  2  that supports vertical side walls  3  and a horizontal top panel  4  that creates a substantially rectangular-shaped housing  5 . A front storage panel  6  and a rear storage panel  7  are preferably recessed within the vertical side walls  3  and horizontal top panel  4  a predetermined distance from outer edges  8  of the vertical side walls  3  and outer edges  9  of the horizontal top panel  4 . In addition, the front storage panel  6  and a rear storage panel  7  preferably are spaced apart, thereby creating an internal storage area  10  within the housing  5  (as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). The front storage panel  6  and a rear storage panel  7  are preferably peg board and/or have a plurality of apertures  11  or attachment points  12  to attach various storage means  13  used for securing leaders, lures or other fishing tackle to the front storage panel  6  and a rear storage panel  7 . Storage means  13  may include hooks  14 , strips of hooks  15 , slotted spacers  16 , elastomeric cords  17  or bands and so forth. This provides flexibility and a multitude of storage configurations to meet an individual user&#39;s specific needs. 
     Access covers  18  are preferably attached to the vertical tackle box  1  by one or more hinges  19  located along the outer edges  9  of the horizontal top panel  4  to allow the front storage panel  6  or rear storage panel  7  of the vertical tackle box  1  to be opened. The access covers  18  are preferably constructed from a flexible material that can be lifted upward and folded backward over the horizontal top panel  4 . The flexible material may be screen or other mesh-like material that allows a user to view the contents stored in the vertical tackle box  1  and allows for air flow into the vertical tackle box  1 . The access covers  18  may be reinforced by framing or cross pieces  20  and have handles or pulls  21  used for opening the access covers  18 . The access covers  18  may be held in a closed position via a securing means, such as a latch, pressure fit and so forth. 
     The vertical tackle box  1  may also comprise drawers or storage containers  22  that insert into the internal storage area  10  within the housing  5  through side openings  23  located on one or both of the vertical side walls  3  (as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). In addition, attachment points  12  may also be located on one or both of the vertical side walls  3  of the vertical tackle box  1  to attach and store tools, knives  24  and so forth. Said storage containers  22  may be used for storing smaller articles, such as hooks and weights or may be used as first aid kits and so forth. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , a bottom view of a horizontal base  2  of the vertical tackle box  1  of the present invention in a closed position and an open position, respectively, and a side cross sectional view along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 . are illustrated. The horizontal base  2  comprises an access door  25  for accessing the internal storage area  10  located between the front storage panel  6  and the rear storage panel  7 . A gasket  26  is located between the front storage panel  6  and the rear storage panel  7  a predetermined distance from lower edges  27  of the front storage panel  6  and the rear storage panel  7 . The gasket  26  holds loose or untied ends of leader lines within the internal storage area  10  to prevent tangling. To store a leader line in the vertical tackle box  1 , a swivel located on one end of the leader line is placed on a hook  14  or other storage means  13  located on the front storage panel  6  or the rear storage panel  7 . Then, the leader line is further secured using one or more slotted spacers  16  and elastomeric cords  17  or bands located on the front storage panel  6  or the rear storage panel  7 . Finally, the loose or untied end of the leader line is wrapped around the lower edge  27  of the front storage panel  6  or the rear storage panel  7  and placed through the gasket  26 . The gasket  26  holds the leader line in place with a self sealing pressure fit and/or friction fit. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , a perspective side view of a single hook  14  used for attaching and organizing leaders and fishing lures on the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  of the present invention is illustrated. The hook  14  comprises a curved and/or angled hook portion  28  and a peg  29  for insertion into one of the apertures  11  located on the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7 . The hook  14  or a plurality of hooks  14  may be temporarily attachable to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  and/or permanently attached to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , a perspective side view of a strip of hooks  15  used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  of the present invention is illustrated. The strip of hooks  14  comprises an elongated member  30  that may be temporarily attachable to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  via pegs  29  located on a rear surface and/or permanently attached to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7 . A plurality of hooks  14  are spaced across a front surface  31  of the elongated member  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , a perspective side view of a strip of loops  34  used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  of the present invention is illustrated. The strip of hooks  34  comprises an elongated member  30  that may be temporarily attachable to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  via pegs  29  located on a rear surface and/or permanently attached to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7 . A plurality of loops  35  are spaced across a front surface  31  of the elongated member  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , a perspective side view of a slotted spacer  16  used for attaching and organizing leaders on the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  of the present invention is illustrated. The slotted spacer  16  comprises an elongated member  30  that may be temporarily attachable to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7  via pegs  29  located on a rear surface and/or permanently attached to the front storage panel  6  and/or rear storage panel  7 . A plurality of vertical slots  32  are spaced apart across a front surface  31  of the elongated member  30 . A groove  33  is located length wise from end to end on the front surface  31  of the elongated member  30  intersecting each of the vertical slots  32 . The groove  33  accommodates an elastomeric cord  17 , such as a bungee cord or flat elastomeric band, which has each end secured to the vertical tackle box  1 . The elastomeric cords  17  may be removeably attached to the vertical tackle box to allow the storage configuration to be reconfigured. The elastomeric cord  17  is then stretched across the front surface  31  of the elongated member  30  and held in position by the groove  33  (as illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). The front surface  31  of the elongated member  30  is preferably curved outward, thereby ensuring the elastomeric cord  17  maintains contact across the entire front surface  31  of the elongated member  30 . The constant contact ensures that each leader placed in each vertical slot  32  of the slotted spacer  16  is held firmly in place with equal pressure. A sliding pull  34  may be located on the elastomeric cord  17  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) to make it easier to pull the elastomeric cord  17  out of the groove  33  when placing leaders into the slotted spacer  16  or removing leaders from the slotted spacer  16 . 
     It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.