Abstract:
A protective cover for a fishing reel attached to a fishing rod. The protective cover comprises an enclosure having an interior chamber with a middle region and a predetermined circumference. The enclosure also includes first and second opposing ends with first and second panels and first and second apertures, respectively, through which the interior chamber may be accessed. The first aperture has a circumference that is smaller than, and offset relative to the internal circumference of the interior chamber, and the second aperture is variable in circumference from a first circumference that is larger than the internal circumference of said interior chamber to a second circumference that is smaller than the internal circumference of said interior chamber. The first, larger circumference of the second aperture facilitates insertion of a rod and reel into the interior chamber. Upon insertion, portions of the fishing rod protrude through the first and second apertures. The rod and reel are protectively secured within the interior chamber of the cover as the second aperture is varied from its first, larger circumference to its second, smaller circumference.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/340,825 filed Jan. 10, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a protective cover for a fishing apparatus.  
         [0003]     More particularly, this invention pertains to a protective cover that is configured to protectively enclose a reel and a portion of a fishing rod to which it is attached.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is generally known to provide protective covers for fishing reels that are attached to fishing rods. These covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the amount of protection available ranges from completely covering a rod and reel, to covering only the reel. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,877 issued Oct. 15, 1985 to Evans, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,819 issued Oct. 31, 1989 to Clifford. These types of covers have their drawbacks. With the cover of Evans, a major drawback is that it is large, cumbersome, non-collapsible and hard to store. Another drawback is as a rod is inserted into the cover the line guides are likely to catch on the end of the rigid tube and possibly break or become damaged. And, the part of the cover that covers the reel is not water-resistant. With the cover of Clifford, a drawback is that it does not have cushioning material. Thus, it is unable to protect the reel from damage during transport, storage, handling, etc. Clifford&#39;s cover is one layer only. Another drawback is that the cover itself requires several distinct steps to install about a reel.  
         [0005]     Other covers, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,869,277 issued Jan. 20, 1969 to Breithaupt and U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,478 issued Jan. 30, 1979 to Wycosky are sock-like devices that are pulled over the bottom end of a fishing rod and reel. These, too, have their drawbacks. Both Breithaupt and Wycosky do not disclose the use of cushioning material in their covers. Rather, they disclose a single layer of flexible material. Thus, a reel positioned within such a cover would be subject to damage during transit, storage, handling, etc.  
         [0006]     Yet other covers, such those shown in as U.S. Pat. No. 2,618,880 issued Nov. 25, 1952 to Sourek and U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,454 issued Feb. 10, 1987 to Ray et al. are configured to cover a reel and a portion of a rod However, they too, have their drawbacks. With the cover of Sourek, a user inserts a handle of a rod into an aperture and then wads the cover about a reel and a portion of the rod and secures it thereto.  
         [0007]     There is only one layer of material and it is not shock absorbent. Moreover, Sourek uses a one-piece design that results in different areas of the cover being stressed differently. This may result in different areas of the cover wearing out faster than other areas of the cover. The cover of Ray et al., on the other hand, is basically a cylindrical sleeve that is slipped over a rod and reel. After the cover is slipped onto a rod and reel, the ends are bunched up against respective portions of the rod and retained in position by hook and loop fasteners. While the cover of Ray et al. is substantially different than the cover of Sourek, it also has the drawback of uneven stress points. That is, the use of a single panel does not allow for a smooth transitioning between large and small areas. Additionally, since the form of the cover is in the shape of a cylinder, the likelihood that portions of the rod may become hung-up on and snag against the edge of the cover as it is being inserted into the cylinder is fairly high.  
         [0008]     There is a need for a lightweight, protective, easily stored fishing reel cover that may be easily guided over and about a reel attached to a fishing rod. There is also a need for a lightweight, protective fishing reel cover that conforms to the shape of a reel positioned therein. There is also a need for a lightweight, protective fishing reel cover that is constructed and arranged so that stress points are minimized.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The purpose of the fishing reel cover of the present invention is to provide a pliable, padded, form-fitting enclosure which can be easily slid onto a spinning reel or bait casting reel while the reel is attached to the fishing rod, and while the fishing line is positioned along the rod. The cover protects the reel from impact and environmental damage when the reel is not in use. The reel cover comprises a first main body panel of flexible material which has an outer layer of tear-resistant fabric such as rip-stop nylon and an inner layer of shock absorbent material such as foam rubber for protection of the fishing reel.  
         [0010]     The cover also includes two opposing second and third panels. The second panel extends rearwardly relative to the first main body panel and includes an end that terminates in a first aperture. The first aperture is provided with an elastic member that is operatively connected thereabout and which enables the end of the second panel to snuggly engage the handle of a fishing rod when the handle extends therethrough. The elastic member also allows the first aperture to vary in size between first and second circumferences to allow the end of the second panel to accommodate fishing rod handles having different cross-sections configurations and diameters. Preferably, the central axis of the first aperture is in substantial collateral alignment with respect to the central axis of the middle region of the first, main body panel. This feature allows the cover to better accommodate the irregular cross-sectional shapes presented by different types of reels attached to different types of rods, because they present different cross-sectional shapes that are usually asymmetrical. The second (or rear) panel is formed from the same tear-resistant fabric such as rip-stop nylon as the first, main body panel.  
         [0011]     The third panel extends forwardly relative to the first main body panel and includes an end that terminates in a second aperture. The third panel differs from the second panel in several respects. First, the second aperture does not have an elastic member that biases the aperture to a smaller circumference. Rather the second aperture is provided with a drawstring that may be manipulated to vary the size of the aperture between a first, large circumference and a second, smaller circumference. Moreover, the drawstring is provided with a slideable, lockable fastener that engages the drawstring and allows the second aperture to be temporarily secured in a fixed position. Another difference is that the construction and arrangement of the third panel allows the central axis of the second aperture to shift as it varies between its first and second circumferences. Thus, when the drawstring of the third panel is pulled tight and the second aperture closes around the fishing rod (with the reel inside the cover), the central axis of the second (and now constricted) aperture is in substantial collateral alignment relative to the central axis of the middle region of the first, main body panel.  
         [0012]     The central axis of the second aperture is also in substantial coaxial alignment with the central axis of the first aperture. On the other hand, when the lockable fastener attached to the drawstring is released and the second aperture is manipulated to its first, large circumference, the central axis of the second (and now distended) aperture shifts so that it is no longer in substantial coaxial alignment with the central axis of the first aperture. Another difference is that when the second aperture is in its first, large circumference, the third panel facilitates insertion of a rod and attached reel into the cover in a funneling action. As with the first, main body panel, the third panel has an outer layer of tear-resistant fabric such as rip-stop nylon and an inner layer of shock absorbent material such as foam rubber.  
         [0013]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing reel cover that may be used to cover a reel while it is attached to a fishing rod.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the invention to provide a protective cover that may accommodate differently configured and differently sized reels.  
         [0015]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover which is lightweight, easily transported and easily stored.  
         [0016]     A feature of the present invention is that it is able to conform about differently configured reels.  
         [0017]     Another feature of the present invention is the ability to effectively seal the cover and protect a reel placed therein from the elements by providing first and second opposing apertures at the first and second opposing ends of the cover that fit snuggly around the handle and shaft, respectively, of the rod.  
         [0018]     Yet another feature of the invention is that when the cover is positioned about a reel and secured about the handle and shaft portions of a rod, the opposing first and second apertures at the first and second opposing ends of the cover are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rod.  
         [0019]     Yet another feature is that the second aperture at the second end of the cover may be manipulated between a first circumference that is larger than the circumference of the interior of the cover, and a second circumference that is substantially smaller than the circumference of the interior of the cover.  
         [0020]     Still another feature of the present invention is that the second end of the cover serves to guide the reel and rod into the interior of the cover.  
         [0021]     An advantage of the invention is that a portion of the handle of a fishing rod is available for gripping.  
         [0022]     Another advantage of the present invention is that the configuration of the first and second ends allows the central axes of the first and second apertures to be offset with respect to the central axis of the middle region of the cover and thus reduces stresses thereon when the cover is positioned over a reel and rod.  
         [0023]     Another advantage of the present invention is that the cover may be folded or compressed into a compact shape when not in use.  
         [0024]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a fragmented side plan view of an embodiment of a fishing reel cover in place about a reel and rod, with the apertures at the ends of the cover constricted against the handle and shaft of the rod;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a fragmented side plan view of an embodiment of a fishing reel cover in place about a reel and rod, with one of the apertures at the end of the cover open to a maximum circumference to permit insertion and withdrawal of a reel and rod;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a fragmented side plan view of an embodiment of a fishing reel cover prior to insertion of a reel and rod therein, or after withdrawal of a reel and rod therefrom;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a partial, sectional view of a cover that has been positioned about a reel and rod;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5A  is a partial, cross-sectional view of a cover that has been positioned about a first type of reel;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a partial, cross-sectional view of a cover that has been positioned about a second type of reel;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a partial, cross-sectional view of a cover in a collapsed configuration; and,  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a partially assembled cover illustrating a preferred arrangement of the first, second and third panels prior to joining the panel ends together and forming the cover. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cover  36  is depicted in an installed position over a reel and a mounting section (See  18  in  FIG. 3 ) of a fishing apparatus  10 . As can be seen, a substantial portion of the handle  12 , including a grip defined by a bottom or heel  14  and a top or neck  16  (See,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), extends through one end  38  of the cover  40 , while the working end of the rod  20 , the rod tip  24  and a line  30  extend through the other end  40  of the cover  36 . Note that the longitudinal axis  26  of the rod (and handle) is offset with respect to the cover  36 . In this preferred embodiment, a handle  12  is available for gripping in the normal fashion, which facilitates handling of the fishing apparatus  10 . It is understood, however, that not all handles need extend substantially through the end  38  in order for the cover  36  to be effective, and it is even envisioned that the cover  40  may be used with rods that do not have a handle per se.  
         [0034]     The cover  36  includes a first panel or sleeve  42 , a second panel or band  62  and a third panel or band  82 . Starting from the left of the figure, the second panel  62  includes a first aperture  78  through which the heel  14  of the grip of handle  12  extends.  
         [0035]     As will become apparent, the first aperture  78  may vary from a first, small circumference  79  (See,  FIG. 3 ) to a second, larger circumference  80 . This amount of variation of the circumference of the aperture is dependent upon the characteristics of an elastic member that is operably connected to and positioned adjacent the aperture in a conventional casing (See,  76  of  FIG. 4 ). Thus, the circumference may vary by an amount that corresponds to the elastic member between its relaxed and stretched states. As shown in  FIG. 1 , first aperture  78 , which is in an expanded state, constrictively engages the grip of handle  12  adjacent the top or neck thereof. Note that the second panel  62  also provides a transition between the first aperture  78  and the first panel  42 . Preferably, the transition is frustro-conical in shape, starting with the aperture  78  and gradually expanding to the circumference of the first panel  42 . Moving towards the right, the first panel  42  of the cover  36  is configured to protectively encase a reel, a substantial portion of mounting section  18 , and a portion of rod  20  adjacent its base  22  (See,  FIGS. 4, 5A  and  5 B).  
         [0036]     Moving further to the right, the third panel  82  extends from the cover  36  in another frusto-conical transition and tapers towards a second aperture  102  that has a second, smaller circumference  106 . When the cover is installed as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the central axes of the first and second apertures  78 ,  102  are in substantial coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axis  26  of the fishing apparatus  10 . Note that first and second apertures  78 ,  102  are also offset with respect to the central axis  56  of the middle region  58  of the first panel  42 . This offset allows the first and second apertures  78 ,  102  of the second and third panels  62 ,  82  to be gathered about a handle and a rod, respectively, and to also close the ends of the cover  36  in a sealing relation without having any stress points. The offset also prevents the first panel  42  from becoming twisted or deformed about the reel or be unduly drawn tautly against the reel, as would be the case if the first and second apertures were not offset with respect to the central axis  56  of the middle region  58  of the first panel  42 . By positioning the first and second apertures  78 ,  102  in an offset relation, the first panel  42  is also less likely to tightly engage a reel and accidentally dislodge or interfere with fishing line retention mechanisms that may cause a fishing line to unravel or snarl. The third panel  82  may be maintained in a gathered position by a drawstring  98  and a conventional spring-loaded fastener  100 . When the drawstring  98  is snugged up against the rod  22 , it also clamps the line  30  and reduces the chances that the line becomes snagged on obstacles while the rod and reel are not in use. Although a fastener is preferred, it is understood that the drawstring may be manipulated and adjusted by forming a knot in the drawstring itself.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the spring-loaded fastener  100  has been released and the drawstring  98  has been loosened by an amount sufficient to allow the aperture  102  of the third panel  82  to be expanded to a first circumference  104 . Comparing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , note that in moving between the different circumferences  106 , 104  several things occur. One, the central axis  108  of the aperture  102  moves by shifting closer to the central axis  56  of the first panel  42 . That is, the central axis  108  of the aperture  102  shifts from a location that is in substantial coaxial alignment with the central axis  81  (See,  FIG. 3 ) of the first aperture  78  and offset relative to the central axis  56  of the middle region  58  of the cover  36  (See,  FIG. 2, 58  depicted in dashed lines) to a location that is in substantial coaxial alignment with the central axis  56  of the middle region  58  of the cover  36  and offset relative to the central axis  81  of the first aperture  78 . Two, the plane  110  of the aperture  102  changes from being substantially parallel to the plane of the first aperture  78  to being skewed with respect to the plane of the first aperture  78 . And three, the first circumference  104  becomes greater than the circumference of the first panel  42  of the cover  36 .  
         [0038]     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a fishing apparatus  10  of the type comprising handle  12  having a heel  14  and a neck  16 , a mounting section  18  with a reel  28  attached thereto, and a head to which the base  22  of a rod  20  is attached, is depicted in a juxtaposed relation to the cover  36  prior to insertion or subsequent to removal therefrom. In this depiction, the elastic member  76  biases the first aperture  78  of the second panel  62  towards a first, smaller circumference  79 . As shown, the central axis  81  of the first aperture  78  of the second panel  62  is in substantial coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axis  26  of the fishing apparatus  10  and offset with respect to the central axis  56  and the middle region  58  of the cover  36 . The central axis  108  of the second aperture  102 , on the other hand, is in general alignment with the central axis  56  and the middle region  58  of the cover  36 . It should be apparent, by now, that the provision of the larger circumference  104  of the second aperture  102  enables the third panel  82  to act as a guide for a rod and reel and reduce snagging of parts as the cover is slid in place.  
         [0039]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the juxtaposition of a rod and reel within the cover  40  may be seen. Starting from the left side, the first aperture  87  of the second panel  62  is maintained in its second, larger circumference  80  by the mounting section  18  of the fishing apparatus  10  acting against the biasing force of the elastic member  76 . The second panel then enlarges as it makes a transition to the first panel  42  that is configured to substantially envelope a reel  28  that is attached to a mounting section  18  of a fishing apparatus  10 . As can be seen, the first panel  42  comprises a first, outer layer  52  and a second, inner layer  54 . Preferably, the first layer  52  is a flexible and waterproof or water-resistant material such as nylon and the second layer is a flexible, shock absorbent material such as foam rubber. Continuing on, the third panel  62  contracts as it makes a transition from the first panel  42  to the second circumference  106  of the second aperture  102 . At the second aperture  102 , the second circumference  106  is maintained in position by the drawstring  98  that draws the aperture  102  about the base  22  of the rod  20  and the line  30 . As with the first panel  42 , the third panel  62  has a first and second layers  92 ,  94  of flexible, waterproof or water-resistant, and shock absorbent materials, respectively. Thus installed, the cover  36  not only protects the reel from physical damage during transit, storage and handling but also from harmful environmental factors such as dust, dirt, ice, mud, ultra-violet radiation and moisture.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the ability of the cover  36  to conform about different types of reels that are configured differently. For example, in  FIG. 5A , the reel is depicted as traditional casting reel. As can be seen, the first panel  42  conforms to the shape of the reel  28  and the first panel assumes a rather squarish cross-section. Note that the middle region  58  (shown in dashed lines) will also reflect this cross-section. On the other hand, the reel  28  in  FIG. 5B  is depicted as a spinning reel, and as the first panel  42  conforms to the shape of that particular reel, the first panel  42  assumes a somewhat triangular cross-section. As with  FIG. 5A , the middle region  58  (also shown in dashed lines) reflects this triangular cross-section. Note, in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  that the handle  1   2  of the fishing apparatus is adjacent the inner layer  54  of the first panel  42 , and the longitudinal axis  26  is offset with respect to the middle region  58 . It should be understood that  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are merely examples of the types of reels that may be used with the cover  36  and that the cross-sections that the first panel  42  may assume may be considerably different. It should also be understood that a singular reel may also produce different cross-sections by moving the position of the crank arm.  
         [0041]     Turning to  FIG. 6 , the first panel  42  of the cover  36  is shown in a collapsed state. The collapsibility of the cover  36  enables the cover to be easily carried and transported on a person or in a tackle box, for example, when it is not used in conjunction with a fishing apparatus.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the preferred construction of the cover  36  is depicted in a partially disassembled, and opened state and the three panels  42 ,  62 ,  82  may be easily discerned. Starting at the center, the first panel  42  is generally rectangular in shape and includes opposing ends  44 ,  46  and opposing sides  48 ,  50 . It will be appreciated that when the opposing ends  44  and  46  are attached to each other the panel  42  forms a generally cylindrically shaped sleeve structure. Note that the inner layer  54  of shock absorbent material is substantially the same size as the outer layer of water-resistant/waterproof material  52 .  
         [0043]     The second panel  62  is generally triangular in shape and also includes opposing ends  64 ,  66  and opposing sides  68 ,  70 . The opposing side  70  of the second panel  62  may be attached to the opposing side  48  of the first panel  42  by stitching, for example (shown in dashed lines). The opposing side  68  of the second panel  62  defines the circumference of the first aperture  78 . In order to provide for movement between a first, small circumference  79  and a second, larger circumference  80 , the opposing end  68  is provided with a casing  74  that receives the elastic member  76 . It will be appreciated that when the ends  64  and  66  confront each other the panel  62  forms a substantially frustro-conically shaped band structure.  
         [0044]     The third panel  82 , like the second panel, is also generally triangular in shape and also includes opposing ends  84 ,  86  and opposing sides  88 ,  90 . The opposing side  90  of the third panel  82  may also be attached to the opposing side  50  of the first panel  42  by stitching (shown in dashed lines). The opposing side  88  of the third panel  82  defines the circumference of the second aperture  102 . In order to provide for movement between a first, larger circumference  104  and a second smaller circumference  106 , the opposing end  88  is provided with a casing  96  which receives the drawstring  98 . It will be appreciated that when the ends  84  and  86  confront each other the panel  82  forms a substantially frustro-conically shaped band structure.  
         [0045]     To finish assembly of the cover  36 , the opposing ends of the first, second and third panels  44 ,  46 ,  64 ,  66 , and  84 ,  86 , respectively are brought into confronting relation and attached to each other in a conventional manner such as stitching. The elastic member  76  may then be snugged up to a predetermined length and secured so that the first aperture is biased towards a first circumference  79 . The drawstring  98  may then be provided with an appropriate fastener  100 .  
         [0046]     A brief description of the operation will now be described. To place the cover around a reel that is attached to a rod, the second aperture of the cover is first opened up to its first, largest circumference. Then a fishing rod and reel are positioned so that the handle end is adjacent the second aperture. The cover is then pulled or slid over the handle and reel towards the tip or forward end of the rod. As the reel is received within the interior of the cover, the heel end of the handle should be aligned with the first aperture so that it will be able to extend through the first opening. As the heel end encounters and extends therethrough, the elastic member will allow the first aperture to expand and will effectively seal the first aperture about the handle. Preferably, the cover will be slid onto the rod and reel until the body of the cover is centered with respect the reel. At this point, the second aperture may now be configured from its first, large circumference towards its second, smaller circumference. This is accomplished by reducing the size of the loop formed by the drawstring and its attendant fastener. As the size of the loop is reduced, the second aperture constricts about the portion of the rod that extends therethrough until the second aperture effectively forms a seal with the rod. The drawstring may then be secured by utilizing the fastener or by simply tying the ends together in a knot. Removal of a rod and reel from the cover is essentially the reverse of the aforementioned procedure.  
         [0047]     Thus described, this invention provides a cover that allows a reel to be protected from the elements without having to remove the reel from a fishing rod.  
         [0048]     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.  
         [0049]     Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.