Abstract:
A fishing tackle organizer, usable alone or as a fishing tackle system, provides convenient storage and display of fishing tackle. The organizer includes an elongated body having a plurality of sites for securing tackle and can be attached to a pallet which slides into a tackle box. The individual pallet tackle organizers may be individually portable or secured in the system within a tackle box, on a boat, a fishing dock or in a garage. The tackle system is customizable and may include at least one of the disclosed organizers fixed or detachably positioned on a pallet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/994,409 filed on May 16, 2014 and titled “Tackle Box With Removable Lure Organizer.” Further, this application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/047,357, titled “Fishing Lure Organizer and Tackle Box System,” filed Oct. 7, 2013. The &#39;409 Provisional application and &#39;357 Non-Provisional application are each hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to organizers for fishing lures of all shapes and sizes. More particularly, the invention relates to a customizable organizer system for such lures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is not uncommon for fisherman to own hundreds, even thousands of different fishing tackle, including lures, jigs, crankbait, bobbers, hooks, etc. Such fishing tackle is typically initially sorted and stored within multiple tackle boxes. With respect to fishing lures and crankbait, special shallow tackle boxes having dividers are used to help reduce an acceptable amount of tangling and chaos. Eventually, with the ever constant addition of new tackle, the tangle of single and multi-barbed hooks and different colored bodies and various shapes and sizes of fishing lures and hooks become too difficult, too common, and too much for even the most diligent fishermen. The result is a collection of tackle in complete disarray. Finding “just the right” lure becomes next to impossible. 
         [0004]    Even for organized tackle boxes which allow for hanging of tackle, stability can be an issue which slows the selection process. For tournament fishermen, time can be a critical factor in competition. The need is not just for an organized tackle box, but for a feature that allows the full complement of a fisherman&#39;s tackle to be accessible during fishing. A stable and accessible location for the display of tackle would greatly enhance the experience as well. 
         [0005]    In addition to the organization and time issues, most fish tackle, fresh from dangling in water for some time, is put away and stored wet. This can lead to odor, rust and even tackle degradation for some materials. Current tackle storage bins and boxes, even while providing drainage holes or slots, do not facilitate proper drying of tackle. 
         [0006]    By providing a unique customized organizer with multiple beneficial features, the utility, accessibility, stability and overall sanitation and life of the tackle, as well as the enjoyment of the fishing experience by the user, are all greatly improved. Until the invention of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art went either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides unique organization, storage and stability to any fishing trip without sacrificing portability, design, style or affordability. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    There are disclosed herein an improved tackle organizer and organizer system which avoid the disadvantages of prior devices and systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
         [0008]    Generally speaking, the disclosed tackle organizer is comprised of a substantially planar first body, a second body having a plurality of sites for securing tackle, an attachment member for detachably affixing the second body to the first body, and a securing member to prevent removal of tackle from a storage site. The sites are preferably provided with holes spaced on an upper surface of the second body. Such holes may be added by the user as a customizing feature of the invention. 
         [0009]    In a specific embodiment, the attachment member is comprised of a threaded bolt and wing nut (or similar device) which passes through or into the first and second bodies to secure the latter to the former. Numerous alternative attachment members may be used to detachably secure a second body to the first body. Vertical slots (preferably three) on the first body allow for the attachment of numerous second bodies, as well as allowing for movement up and down of attached bodies for spacing, as required. 
         [0010]    In another specific embodiment, a lid attaches to the second body to provide a preferred securing member when it is closed about the plurality of tackle sites. Preferably, the lid is hinged to the second body, but may be tethered in any manner to minimize the risk of loss. Further, a surface of the second body may be recessed to permit closing of a lid without interference from seated tackle. As an additional feature of the lid, a flange may extend substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second body to further protect and retain hanging tackle, and reduce the risk of hooks becoming snagged in clothing, fingers, etc. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the organizer system, housing is provided for storage of at least one first body. Particular housing may be configured with an open top or open side to allow insertion of a first body into a slotted position. A number of slotted positions may be provided within the housing, as needed. 
         [0012]    These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tackle storage shelf of the disclosed invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the tackle storage shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the tackle storage shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a tackle storage shelf of the disclosed invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a tackle storage shelf of the disclosed invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the tackle storage shelf of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the tackle storage shelf of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a tackle storage shelf illustrating a locking lid feature; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a tackle storage shelf illustrating a locking lid feature; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tackle storage shelf including a hinged lid with a protective extension; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11(   a )-( e ) are several different views of a tackle storage shelf having a protective extension from the lid; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front view of an embodiment of a storage pallet in accordance with the disclosed invention; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 13(   a )-( b ) are different views of a storage pallet; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an organizer in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a close-up of the organizer of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the disclosed tackle storage system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is another schematic illustration of an embodiment of the disclosed tackle storage system; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of an interior of housing for the disclosed tackle storage system of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the appended drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-18 , there is illustrated at least one embodiment of a fishing tackle organizer and a fishing tackle system. The organizer, generally designated by the numeral  10 , and tackle system, generally designated by the numeral  12 , are capable of including a number of unique features and components. Accordingly, while not all embodiments are shown or described as including all possible unique features and components, those skilled in the art would understand from the following description in conjunction with the appended drawing, the numerous combinations and variations possible. In all embodiments, similar features have been indicated using the same reference number in the drawings and the following detailed description. 
         [0034]    A key feature of the described organizer  10  is that it can be customized to a specific tackle considering size dimensions and the shape of the tackle. That is, fishing tackle can categorized based on size—e.g., for large fish, medium fish and small fish—as well as by the type of tackle—e.g., spinners, jigs, crankbait, etc. Other features of the organizer  10  and tackle system  12  will be apparent from the various embodiments described. 
         [0035]    While all the embodiments illustrated are directed to an organizer and system for specific hooked fishing tackle, it should be understood that the principles of the invention may be more broadly applied to a storage system for most any type of fishing tackle, as long as such tackle is suitable for securing in an embodiment of the disclosed customized organizer  10 . 
         [0036]    The organizer  10  includes several features and advantages which can be more readily understood from the appended drawings. The organizer  10  is preferably comprised of at least one second body  16  (aka “shelf”) which detachably secures to a rectangular (first) body  14  (aka “pallet”) having opposing first and second surfaces. 
         [0037]    Beginning with the second body or shelf  16 , several embodiments of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11 , it is preferably comprised of an L-shaped bar which includes an upper surface  22  having a plurality of tackle storage sites  24  thereon, and back surface  23 . Each storage site  24  is preferably comprised of a hole passing through the surface  22 . The spacing and position (relative to the edge of the body) of each hole may be customized for specific tackle, as defined above. For example, No. 2 hooks are small so the holes could be smaller with minimal spacing, while No. 10 hooks are larger and the holes would necessarily be larger and spaced farther apart. Of course, the width (W) of the body can be varied to accommodate hook sizes as well. Though not shown, it is possible that the shelf  16  can be provided with a range of different holes to accommodate an assortment of hook sizes. Such a shelf  16  could benefit “novice” fisherman having a limited amount of tackle or an angler who wants to use only a limited number of various sized lures. The customizing may be done pre- or post-sale—that is, by the manufacturer or by the consumer. Templates could be made available to guide users in adding holes. 
         [0038]    A lid  30  provides a securing member to prevent tackle from being removed, especially accidentally removed, from the shelf  16 . Making the lid  30  hinged or at least tethered to the second body/shelf  16  helps prevent loss of a detached lid. Also, the lid  30  should be able to “lock” onto the shelf  16  when closed. Molded locking flanges  31  are preferred. However, this feature can be accomplished in any number of known ways including, but not limited to, using small bumps and detents on the overlapping surfaces. 
         [0039]    When secured over the surface of the second body, any seated tackle is prevented from exiting a hole. To provide the proper spacing for seated tackle when the lid is closed, the surface may be recessed, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or individual slots in the surface may be connected to each hole. The slots may be placed at an angle to further inhibit lures from being undesirably dislodged. The angle for each site can alternate and are preferably in a range of about ±10-45° off perpendicular. 
         [0040]    In another alternative, the underside of lid  30  may be contoured to provide a gap or slotted to prevent interference with tackle when closed over the second body. 
         [0041]    From a manufacturing standpoint, the recessed surface embodiment may be easier and less expensive to produce. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , end caps  28  for the shelf  16  are above the surface  22  having holes. Accordingly, when the lid  30  is closed, a small gap is created between the surface  22  and the underside of the lid  30 . The gap should be just large enough to allow hooks within the holes to rise above the surface  22  without impeding the lid  30 . As before, the size of the gap can be customized to accommodate different sizes and types of lures. 
         [0042]    Alternatively, the shelf  16  may have no gap, but may instead include a piece of single-sided foam tape on the underside of the door panel, glue side of tape attached to the underside of the door. When the hook is resting in the hole and the door gets moved to a closed position, the opposing side of the foam tape is forced to compress around the hook and a seal around the hook is created by the foam. This helps to prevent the hook from moving. The tape does not need to be very thick, maybe just 1/16″ (about 1-3 mm) or so, just enough to create a seal around the hook so that it cannot move, yet thin enough to allow for locks on the lid to engage. 
         [0043]    As shown, the lid  30  is preferably attached via a hinge (preferably a “living” hinge) at the junction of the upper surface  22  and a back surface. The lid  30  closes over the body  16  to hold in the various tackle when not in use. The lid  30  prevents hooks from “jumping” out of the lure sites. The lid  30  may include a biasing spring to maintain the panel in a closed position, and/or it may utilize some form of clip/snap mechanism  31  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  8  and  9 ) to hold the lid  30  closed. Magnets can also be used to retain the lid  30  in a closed position. 
         [0044]    The lid  30  may also be extended outward and/or downward, as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , where larger hooks/lures are retained. The extension of the lid  30  is used to keep seated lures from swinging about and becoming entangled with other lures or other tackle. 
         [0045]    As for the first body or pallet  14 , it is comprised of a relatively thin panel having specific dimensions for proper storage, as will be described below. As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the rectangular body  14  preferably includes two sets of attachment slots,  17  and  19 . The body may be comprised of most any material, though a treated metal or strong plastic material is preferred, as these materials stand up best against water damage. 
         [0046]    Attachment slots  17  allow the first body  14  to be attached to a support in a manner similar to hanging a picture. This allows a fisherman to place a pallet in a location which is most suitable for his/her fishing needs. It will also allow the pallet to be hung for display or storage, as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots  17  form an “H” on the pallet  14  to provide greater flexibility for attachment to a support, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Obviously, other slot configurations are available for specific and general purposes. 
         [0047]    The three vertical attachment slots  19  allow a second body  16  to be attached to the first body  14  via the securing member  20 . As illustrated, the securing member is preferably a series of nuts and bolts which pass through the first body  14  and the second body  16  to secure the two together. However, there are a variety of means and methods by which the two bodies may be detachably affixed to one another. The vertical slots  19  allow an attached body  16  to be moved up and down on the pallet  14  and also allow numerous bodies to be attached by altering the spacing. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 16-18 , preferred embodiments of the organizer system  12  illustrate the use of a housing  40  for storage of pallets  14 . The housing  40  can be used to contain a plurality of pallets  12  therein, whether they contain shelves  16  or not. The housing  40  being comprised of a series of top, bottom, and side walls would also include a large open area  42  to allow access to storage slots  44  in the interior. The open area  42  preferably extends a substantial length of the housing  40 . This may provide a suitable area in which to view stored tackle. 
         [0049]    In an embodiment of the tackle system  12 , a plurality of organizing pallets  14  are shown alongside housing  40 , e.g., a tackle box. Each of the pallets  14  may include at least one detachable or permanently affixed shelf  16 , as described above. The pallets  14  slide easily into the tackle box for storage when not in use. A pallet  14  can be removed from the tackle box and attached to a surface allowing easy access to the organized lures. Other means for hanging the pallets on the side of the tackle box, or elsewhere, may be used. Further, several sides of the tackle box may include hanging means so that the user can have access to more than one pallet. 
         [0050]    Each of the disclosed components, the pallet  14 , the shelf  16  and the housing  40  can be used individually in the myriad of possible embodiments for each. Such components would provide numerous advantages and improvements over existing organizers and tackle storage systems. However, as a complete system, including all three components, the greatest advantages and improvements are best realized. 
         [0051]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.