Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to an improved mechanism to hold fishing rods in place. The invention allows a fisherman to secure a fishing rod to secondary objects of multiple shapes.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/871,041 entitled “Universal Fishing Rod Holder” by Jerome Ennis filed on Aug. 28, 2013. That application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A frequent issue encountered by fishermen using fishing rods is that they may have to wait extended times for fish to be caught on a hook. Tending to a fishing rod prevents fishermen from engaging in other activities. Conversely, fishermen do not want to release their fishing rod for fear that a fish will be caught on the hook while the fishing rod is not secured and risk losing the fishing rod. A strategy used by some fishermen involves securing a fishing rod to a secondary object and retrieving the fishing rod when they see signs of a fish on the hook. Some fishermen even take the step of deploying multiple fishing rods secured to secondary objects to increase the chances of catching a fish. 
         [0003]    Locations where fishermen frequent typically have some form of barrier between the fishermen and the water for safety reasons. These range from barriers made of hurricane fencing, to wooden barriers, to solid walls with a railing. Equivalent structures may be found on boats used by fisherman. There is no limit to what form these barriers may take. 
         [0004]    Fishermen have tried to find ways to bind their fishing rods to secondary objects, such as the aforementioned barriers, with limited success. Fishermen need to keep the fishing rod secured, but also them to be released for operations as needed. Previous devices have been limited to use with a specifically shaped structure, such as safety bar, but have not allowed for the versatility needed to couple to secondary objects of various shapes. Since the structures at each fishing location vary from place to place, there is a need for a universal holder that can be used in a multitude of locations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Pursuant to the forgoing background of the invention, the disclosed invention allows a fisherman to secure his fishing rod to a secondary object  200  for the purpose of immobilizing the fishing rod. The disclosed invention, hereafter the holder  100 , comprises a receptacle  120  capable of receiving the fishing rod and fastener straps  140  used to secure the receptacle  120  to the secondary object  200 . The fastener straps  140  comprise a male fastener surface  144  and/or a female fastener surface  146  that allow multiple configurations to secure the holder  100  to the secondary object  200 . 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a generic view of the holder. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2A-2D  show various exemplary embodiments of the invention with different configurations of the fastener straps  140 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A-C  show how the holder may be coupled to secondary objects  200  of different shapes. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A-B  shows different attachments that may be coupled to the ventral end  124  of the holder  100 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A-B  shows how an attachment such as a drink holder  182  may be coupled to the side of the holder  100 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The exemplary embodiment of the holder  100  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a receptacle  120  and at least one fastener strap  140 . The receptacle  120  is generally cylindrical in shape with at least one aperture  130  at the dorsal end  122  to accept a fishing rod. The ventral end  124  is closed in the exemplary embodiment. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the ventral end  124  may contain a second aperture  130 , allowing the fishing rod to pass outside the receptacle  120  or allow the fishing rod to enter from either end of the receptacle  120 . The receptacle  120  may have any cross section size and shape, as long as it can accept the fishing rod. The fishing rod is slideably receivable into the receptacle  120 . 
         [0012]    In another exemplary embodiment, the interior surface  126  of the receptacle  120  may comprise a material that increases the coefficient of friction between the receptacle  120  and the fishing rod, preventing accidental fishing rod release while allowing rapid withdrawal of the fishing rod by the fisherman. In another exemplary embodiment, the receptacle  120  may include a fastening mechanism that locks the fishing rod into the receptacle  120  until the fisherman unlocks the fishing rod from the holder  100 . In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the fishing pole may be inserted so far into the receptacle  120  that when a fish caches on the line of the fishing pole, the force of the fish pulling on the line will apply pressure in a matter that is perpendicular to the position of the pole in the receptacle  120 , keeping the pole in place until a fisherman retrieves the fishing pole form the holder  100 . 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment, the operation of the holder  100  involves at least one fastener strap  140  encircling an element of a secondary object  200 , binding the holder  100  to the secondary object  200 . The fastener straps  140  are designed to allow multiple configurations of mounting the holder  100  to a secondary object  200 . The fastener straps  140  may comprise one of hook &amp; loop fasteners, snap fasteners, button fasteners, adhesive fasteners, or any other fastener type that allows coupling by the fastener straps  140  making contact with each other. This allows the fastener straps  140  to be fastened in multiple configurations along multiple parts of the fastener strap  140 . The fastener straps  140  allow for the holder  100  to be secured to both small and large secondary objects  200  with equivalent levels of support. 
         [0014]    Fastener straps  140  may contain at least one of either a male fastener surface  144  or a female fastener surface  146 . In the exemplary embodiment, each holder  100  has at least one fastener strap  140 . Regardless of the configuration of fastener straps  140 , each holder  100  has at least one male fastener surface  144  and one female fastener surface  146  among the fastener straps  140 . Any other equivalent fastening mechanisms are within the scope of this disclosure. This combination of male fastener surfaces  144  and female fastener surfaces  146  allows fastener straps  140  them to be coupled in multiple configurations, which allow the holder  100  to be coupled to secondary objects  200  of various shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, this occurs by placing in the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , having the fastener straps  140  encircle an element of the secondary object  200 , tightening the fastener straps  140  in such a manner that the holder  100  remains in contact with the secondary object  200 , and then coupling the fastener straps  140  together for the holder  100  to maintain position relative to the secondary object  200 . 
         [0015]    In the exemplary embodiment, fastener straps  140  enter the receptacle  120  through a first slit  127  in the side of the receptacle  120  and exit from a second slit  128  in the side of the receptacle  120 . Embodiments may comprise one fastener strap  140  or multiple fastener straps  140  as needed. In the exemplary embodiments, the fastener straps  140  have a first end  150  and a second end  152 , both of which comprise a male fastener surface  144  and/or a female fastener surface  146  depending on the specific embodiment. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 2A-D  show four different alternative exemplary embodiments. These are shown for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting. These figures will involve fastener straps  140 A, B with first ends  150  and second ends  152 , and with male fastener surfaces  144  and female fastener surfaces  146  in different configurations. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment with a single fastener strap  140 . The first end  150  of the fastener strap  140  is comprises a male fastener surface  144  and the second end  152  comprises a female fastener surface  146 . In this embodiment, the male fastener surface  144  that may couple to the female fastener surface  146  once the fastener straps  140  encircle the secondary object  200 . In operations, the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , having the fastener straps  140  encircle an element of the secondary object  200 , tightening the fastener straps  140  in such a manner that the holder  100  remains in contact with the secondary object  200 , and then coupling the fastener straps  140  together for the holder  100  to maintain position relative to the secondary object  200 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2B  shows an embodiment where there are two separate fastener straps  140 A, B. The first fastener strap  140 A comprises a first end  150 A and second end  152 A with male fastener surfaces  144 . The second fastener strap  140 B comprises a first end  150 B and second end  152 B with female fastener surfaces  146 . In this embodiment, the first end  150 A may couple to second first end  150 B or second end  152 B. The second end  152 A may couple to first end  150 B or second end  152 B. In this embodiment, the male fastener surfaces  144  of the first fastener strap  140 A may couple to the female fastener surfaces  146  of the second fastener strap  140 B. In operations, the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , having the fastener straps  140  encircle an element of the secondary object  200 , tightening the fastener straps  140  in such a manner that the holder  100  remains in contact with the secondary object  200 , and then coupling the fastener straps  140  together for the holder  100  to maintain position relative to the secondary object  200 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2C  shows an embodiment where there are two separate fastener straps  140 A, B. The first fastener strap  140 A comprises a first end  150 A made of male fastener surfaces  144 A and second end  152 A with of female fastener surfaces  146 A. The second fastener strap  140 B comprises a first end  150 B with of male fastener surfaces  144 B and second end  152 B with female fastener surfaces  146 B. In this embodiment, the first end  150 A may couple to second end  152 A or to second end  152 B. The second end  152 A may couple to first end  150 A or first end  150 B. In this embodiment, the male fastener surfaces  144  may couple to the female fastener surfaces  146 . In operations, the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , having the fastener straps  140  encircle an element of the secondary object  200 , tightening the fastener straps  140  in such a manner that the holder  100  remains in contact with the secondary object  200 , and then coupling the fastener straps  140  together for the holder  100  to maintain position relative to the secondary object  200 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2D  shows an embodiment where there are two separate fastener straps  140 A, B. The first fastener strap  140 A comprises a first end  150 A with of male fastener surfaces  144 A on one side with a female fastener surface  146 A on the opposite side, and second end  152 A with a male fastener surface  144 A′ on one side with a female fastener surfaces  146 A′ on the opposite side. The second fastener strap  140 B comprises a first end  150 B made of male fastener surfaces  144 B on one side with a female fastener surface  146 B on the opposite side, and second end  152 B with a male fastener surface  144 B′ on one side with a female fastener surfaces  146 B′ on the opposite side. In this embodiment, the first end  150 A may couple to first end  150 A, second end  152 A, first end  150 B, or to second end  152 B based on the orientation of the male fastener surface  144 ,  144 ′ and female fastener surface  146 ,  146 ′. In this embodiment, the second end  152 A may couple to first end  150 A, second end  152 A, first end  150 B, or to second end  152 B based on the orientation of the male fastener surface  144 ,  144 ′ and female fastener surface  146 ,  146 ′. In this embodiment, the first end  150 B may couple to first end  150 A, second end  152 A, first end  150 B, or to second end  152 B based on the orientation of the male fastener surface  144 ,  144 ′ and female fastener surface  146 ,  146 ′. In this embodiment, the second end  152 B may couple to first end  150 A, second end  152 A, first end  150 B, or to second end  152 B based on the orientation of the male fastener surface  144 ,  144 ′ and female fastener surface  146 ,  146 ′. In operations, the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , having the fastener straps  140  encircle an element of the secondary object  200 , tightening the fastener straps  140  in such a manner that the holder  100  remains in contact with the secondary object  200 , and then coupling the fastener straps  140  together for the holder  100  to maintain position relative to the secondary object  200 . This embodiment has the additional advantage on each end of the fastener strap  140  being able to couple to itself due to each side having a male fastener surface  144  and a female fastener surface  146 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  shows how the fastener straps  140 A, B would look when engaged in an exemplary embodiment when fastened to a secondary object  200 . The view shown is from the opposite side of the secondary object  200 . The first fastener strap  140 A and second fastener strap  140 B extends from the first slit  127 A, B and second slit  128 A, B, wrap around a secondary object  200 , and then couple together, securing the holder  100  in place. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3B and 3C  illustrate how the holder  100  can adapt to any structure, regardless of the shape of the secondary object  200 . These examples show how the holder  100  can attach to cylindrical secondary objects  220  or rectangular secondary objects  210  using the same process as shown in  FIG. 3A . The first fastener strap  140 A and the second fastener strap  140 B extend from the first slit  127 A, B and second slit  128 A, B for each fastener strap  140 , encircle the secondary objects  210 ,  220 , and reconnect on the opposite side. However, the holder  100  is not limited to these shapes. 
         [0023]    Multiple disclosed embodiments are capable of attaching to secondary objects  200  of various shapes. One example would be cylindrical safety railing made of horizontal cylinders, which is common in areas where fishing is allowed. The holder  100  maybe placed next to the railing while the fastener straps  140  are oriented and coupled in a manner to secure the holder  100  to the safety railing as discussed in previous embodiments. The configuration of the fastener straps  140  allows the holder  100  to be coupled to the secondary object  200  as depicted in accordance with what was previously described in  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 A-C. 
         [0024]    Another configuration of cylindrical railing that the holder  100  may couple to consists of horizontal and vertical elements. In such a configuration, the holder  100  may be placed adjacent to said secondary object  200  and the fastener straps  140  may be coupled accordingly. The configuration of the fastener straps  140  allows the holder  100  to be coupled to the secondary object  200  as depicted in accordance with what was previously described in  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 A-C. 
         [0025]    Another exemplary embodiment allows the holder  100  may be coupled to a structure that is exclusively horizontal or exclusively vertical. Unlike previous configurations, this embodiment would keep the holder  100  in position by making the holder  100  secured against the secondary object  200  to keep it in position. The configuration of the fastener straps  140  allows the holder  100  to be coupled to the secondary object  200  as depicted in accordance with what was previously described in  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 A-C. 
         [0026]    Another secondary object  200  that the holder  100  may be coupled to is a railing with an irregular shape, such as a highway safety railing. Unlike the safety railing previously discussed, the holder  100  would not be placed flush against the railing, but would only with a part of the railing due to the shape of the highway safety railing. As with the previously disclosed embodiments, the fastener straps  140  would encircle the safety railing and be oriented and coupled to secure the holder  100  to the highway safety railing. Other irregular surfaces that the holder  100  may be coupled to include, but are not limited to, tires, chairs, and bicycles. The configuration of the fastener straps  140  allows the holder  100  to be coupled to the secondary object  200  as depicted in accordance with what was previously described in  FIGS. 2A-D . 
         [0027]    In the previously described embodiments, the fastener straps  140  pass through the interior of the receptacle  120 . In an alternative embodiment, the fastener straps  140  may be coupled exclusively to the exterior of the receptacle  120  by any means know to those skilled in the art. In such a configuration, there could be a fastener strap  140  similar to those that were used in the previously disclosed embodiments, except for the external connection to the receptacle  120 . In another embodiment, the fastener straps  140  may have a proximal end coupled to the receptacle  120  and a distal end extending away from the receptacle  120 . The distal ends of two or more fastener strap  140  would function in sustainably the same manner as the previously described fastener straps  140  which can be manipulated to bind the holder  100  to a secondary object  200 . This configuration still allows for at least one male fastener surface  144  and at least one female fastener surface  146  between the attached fastener straps  140 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4A-B  shows an addition to the holder  100  where the ventral end  124  of the receptacle  120  may be constructed to receive additional tools. These tools may fasten to the receptacle  120  in any way know to those skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, a twist on cap  170  is used to couple to tools to the receptacle. Examples of such additions could include a hook  172  for leaders, nets, etc. Another example is a flashlight  174  allowing an emergency light if needed. Another example includes a bottle opener  176  for use while in the field. 
         [0029]    In a further embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A-B , the key hole  180  on the side of the holder  100  may be used to couple an item to the holder  100 , such as a drink holder  182  with a projection  184  designed to interface with the key hole  180 . Other small tools may be incorporated without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0030]    In a further embodiment, the receptacle  120  may further comprise a notch  121  in the side of the receptacle  120  adjacent to the dorsal end  122  of the receptacle  120 , which comprises the aperture  130 . The notch  121  may be dimensioned to accommodate the reel when the fishing rod is inserted. 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment, the receptacle  120  may be capable of telescopic extension, allowing the receptacle  120  to become longer or shorter as needed. A further advantage of the telescopic feature would be portability and the ability to accommodate fishing poles of various lengths. 
         [0032]    In an exemplary embodiment, the invention may be used by a fisherman in any setting to secure his fishing rod to a secondary object  200 . The fisherman may approach the secondary object  200 , place the holder  100  adjacent to the secondary object  200 , manipulate the fastener straps  140  in a manner that secures the holder  100  to the secondary object  200 , then fix the fastener straps  140  in the appropriate manner. The holder  100  is now set for holding the fishing rod. 
         [0033]    In a further exemplary embodiment, the holder  100  may be coupled to a portable anchor brought by the fisherman. Some environments do not have readably available secondary objects. An example of such an environment would be a beach near the water. A fisherman could bring a portable anchor, insert that anchor in the ground, and secure the holder  100  to the anchor. The anchor acts as the previously described secondary object, allowing use of the holder  100 . 
         [0034]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the holder  100  to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the holder  100 .