Abstract:
A fishing tackle organizer, usable alone or with a tackle box system, provides convenient storage and display of fishing tackle. The organizer includes an elongated body having a plurality of sites for securing tackle, and a back surface with means for securing the organizer to a desired structure, such as, for example, in a tackle box, on a boat, a fishing dock or in a garage. Each of the plurality of sites includes a hole in the elongated body and may include either a surface slot extending from the hole or a recessed upper surface to allow tackle to sit securely within the organizer. A door panel may also be provided to close over the body to retain tackle within the holes. The tackle box system is customizable and may include at least one of the disclosed organizers fixed or detachably positioned within a closable container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to organizers for fishing lures of all shapes and sizes, as well as a fishing tackle box system. More particularly, the invention relates to a customized organizer for lures and a customizable tackle box system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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 multi-barbed hooks and neon colored bodies 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. 
     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 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. 
     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. 
     By providing a unique customized organizer with multiple beneficial features, capable of use with and without a customizable tackle box, the utility, tackle access, stability and overall sanitation and life of the tackle, as well as the enjoyment of the fishing experience by the user, are 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 features, design, style or affordability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are disclosed herein an improved tackle organizer and an improved tackle box system, both of which avoid the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
     Generally speaking, the disclosed tackle organizer is comprised of a first elongated body having a plurality of sites for securing tackle, and a back surface attached to the first body with means for securing the organizer to a desired structure, such as, for example, in a tackle box, on a boat, or in a garage. 
     In an embodiment, each of the plurality of sites includes a hole in the elongated body and a surface slot extending from the hole. This configuration allows tackle to sit securely within the organizer. A hinged door panel may also be provided to close over the elongated body to retain the tackle within the holes and slots. 
     In a customizable tackle box system, a plurality of the disclosed organizers are positioned within a closable container. The container preferably has a substantially open base portion and a complementary lid or top portion, with the plurality of organizers being secured to an inner surface of the lid or top portion. The container also comprises support for preventing the container from tipping over when open. The support may include leg supports attached to the lid or top portion and/or a counter-weight within the base portion. 
     In specific embodiments, the container may further include drainage openings defined in the base. The inside surface of the base may be angled to promote drainage as well. 
     These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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. 
         FIG. 1A  is perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed tackle organizer; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed tackle organizer; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the organizer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is front plan view of the organizer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4C  are side plan views of embodiments of the disclosed organizer with the door panel in an open position; 
         FIGS. 4B and 4D  are side plan views of embodiments of the disclosed organizer with an extended door panel in an open position; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the disclosed organizer; 
         FIG. 6  is top plan view of the organizer of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is front plan view of the organizer of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed tackle box system in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a front plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the embodiment and configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a back plan view of the embodiment and configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a right side plan view of the embodiment and configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a left side plan view of the embodiment and configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 14A-14B  are side views of an organizer showing just two embodiments of permanent attachment features; and 
         FIGS. 15A-15F  are side views of an organizer showing a few possible embodiments of detachable mechanisms. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the 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. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , there are illustrated several embodiments of a fishing tackle organizer and a fishing tackle box system. The organizer, generally designated by the numeral  10  ( 110  or  210 ), and tackle box 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 drawings, 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 
     A key feature of the described organizer  10  is that it can be customized to a specific tackle considering dimensions such as size and shape. A key feature of the tackle box system  12  is that it can be personally customized by the user for the various tackle which is to be stored therein. Other features of the organizer and tackle box system  12  will be apparent from the various embodiments described. 
     Further, while the system  12  includes a container  30 , the particular illustrated container  30  of  FIG. 8 , for the storage of what is known in the industry as “crankbait,” is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to just such a tackle box container. In fact, while all the embodiments illustrated are directed to a container for such fishing tackle, it should be understood that the principles of the invention can be more broadly applied to a storage container for most any type of hooked fishing tackle, as long as such tackle is suitable for securing in an embodiment of the disclosed customized organizer  10 . 
     Beginning with the embodiment of the organizer  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 2 and 3 , several features and benefits can be more readily understood. The organizer  10  is preferably comprised of an elongated body  14  attached to a back surface  16 . The elongated body  14  includes a plurality of holes  18  passing through the body  14  and a surface slot (or channel)  20  extending from each hole  18  to a front edge  22  of the body  14 . As can be seen, the slot  20  is not intended to go completely through the body, rather its depth is dependent upon the type of tackle (i.e., lure) to be positioned in the organizer  10 . Likewise, the size, spacing and position (relative to the edge of the elongated body  14 ) of the holes  18  are to be customized for specific hooks used in the lures. For example, no. 2 hooks are small so the holes could be positioned closer to the edge  22  with minimal spacing between holes, while no. 10 hooks are larger and the holes would be positioned further from the edge  22  and spaced farther apart. Of course, the width (W) of the body  14  can be varied to accommodate hook sizes as well. Though not shown, it is possible that the organizer  10  can be provided with a range of hole positions and/or hole diameters to accommodate an assortment of hooks. Such an organizer  10  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. 
     To that point, the disclosed organizer  10  includes a back surface  16  which allows it be secured to a structure, including within container  30  of the tackle box system  12  (see  FIG. 8 ). The organizer  10  may be permanently attached using connectors such as rivets  70  ( FIG. 14A ) or screws  72  ( FIG. 14B ). Alternatively, the back surface  16  may include mechanisms which allow for detachable connections to a surface. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 15A-15F , the organizer  10  may use hook-and-loop material (aka VELCRO®)  80 , straps  81  to loop around a pole or tree, magnets  82  for attaching to metal surfaces, snaps  84 , tabs  85  and slots  86 , tongue and groove ( FIG. 15F ) or most any other type of reusable connectors known to those skilled in the art. 
     As shown, a door panel  24  is attached via a hinge (preferably a “living” hinge) at the junction of the elongated body  14  and the back surface  16 . The door panel  24  closes over the elongated body  14  to hold in the various tackle when not in use. The door panel  24  prevents hooks from “jumping” out of the lure sites. The door panel  24  may include a biasing spring to maintain the panel in a closed position, and/or it may utilize some form of clip/snap mechanism  26  (see  FIGS. 4A and 4C ) to hold the panel  24  closed which comprise a male component. The door panel  24  may also be extended outward, as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4D , where larger hooks/lures are retained. Magnets can also be used to retain the door panel  24  in a closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , an alternate embodiment of organizer  110  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the slots/channels  20  may be placed at an angle to further inhibit lures from being undesirably dislodged. The angle for each site can alternate and should be in the range of about 10-45° off center. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , another embodiment of the organizer  210  includes a recessed surface  23  without the use of slots/channels. From a manufacturing standpoint, this embodiment may be easier and less expensive to produce. As can be seen, end caps  28  for elongated body  14  are above the surface having holes  18 . The end caps  28  each define a female component that both can be engaged by the clip/snap mechanism  26  when the door panel  24  is closed and extend above the recessed surface  23 . While  FIG. 5A  has uniform holes  18 ,  FIG. 5B  illustrates an elongated body having holes  18  alternating with different opening sizes and different distances from the front edge to accommodate different hook sizes. Accordingly, when the door panel  24  is closed, a small gap is created between the surface and the door panel  24 . The gap should be just large enough to allow hooks within the holes  18  to rise above the surface without impeding the door panel  24 . As before, the size of the gap can be customized to accommodate different sizes and types of lures. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-13 , the fishing tackle organizing system  12  can be easily understood. The system  12  is comprised of container  30  having a base  32  and a closable lid  34 , hinged to the base  32 . The base  32  is preferably a relatively deep recessed surface with four outer sidewalls  36 . Inner dividers (not shown) may be used for some applications, but an open and empty base, as shown, is preferred. 
     The lid  34  is attached by hinge(s) to the base  32  to allow movement between an open condition and a closed condition. The lid  34  is comprised of an inner surface  38  and an outer surface  40 . The inner surface  38  may include at least one of any of the above-described embodiments of organizer  10 / 110 / 210 , permanently fixed or detachable from the surface  38 . The outer surface  40  of the lid  34  preferably includes a support  42 , which retains the lid  34  in an open state and prevents tipping of the container  30 . The container  30  may also include a locking/latching mechanism  44  to secure the lid  34  in the closed position and prevent accidental opening. 
     When fishing tackle is being displayed while in container  30 , the open state may create an instability. To address this issue, the support  42  is used to provide stability. The support  42  is illustrated as a pair of pivoting legs  46  which splay and stabilize the open container  30 . The pivoting support  42  can be attached in a manner which automatically extends the legs  46  with the opening of the lid  34 . Alternatively, the legs  46  may be manually unsecured at one end from the lid  34  and moved to a suitable support position. 
     Further, such support for the open container  30  can be provided in a number of different ways. For example, while not illustrated, a support may serve to anchor the base  32  to a surface instead of retaining the open lid in a substantially vertical position. This might be accomplished by providing a retractable hook member (not shown), or the like, on the base  32 . Alternatively or additionally, a counter weight  50  ( FIG. 8 ) can be used in the base  32  of the container  30 . 
     As previously described, each organizer  10 / 110 / 210  may be permanently fixed to the inner surface of the lid  34 , but is preferably detachable to allow greater utility. Alternatively, some systems  12  may have both fixed and detachable organizers  10 / 110 / 210 . Accordingly, detachable organizers  10 / 110 / 210  can be fastened within the box  10  by common hook-and-loop material, magnets (e.g., neodymium magnets), snap-fit, or the like. The removable organizer  10 / 110 / 210  permits an angler to place the organizer with retained tackle in a more convenient and accessible location while fishing—e.g., a boat deck, fishing pier, etc.—without bringing the entire container  30 . 
     The process of switching out an organizer  10 / 110 / 210  would be fairly simple. First, a user would have to determine which organizer  10 / 110 / 210  is desired. If the organizer  10 / 110 / 210  is of the detachable embodiment, then it can be detached based on the mounting means. Some organizers may include multiple mounting means to allow attachment to different structures, including the inner surface of the container lid. When use of the need only reattach the organizer within the container  10  and remove another shelf of tackle for use. 
     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.