Abstract:
A gimbal cover is fabricated having a hollowed body with an opening at a gimbal receiving end enabling slideable insertion of a gimbal butt end into the cover. A butt end is integrated into the cover at an opposite end, providing support and protection for a bottom surface of the gimbal, while also reducing the risk of the gimbal damaging another object. At least one pair of cover slot is formed through the cover butt end, extending into the cover body towards opening. The slots terminate at a slot end. The slots are sized and shape to follow a slot and end of the gimbal butt end. A cover extension segment is created between two adjacent cover slots. A cover extension base protection segment is formed in the cover butt end, wherein the base protection segment extends inward from a base end of the gimbal cover extension segment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Non-Provisional Utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/569,767 filed on Dec. 12, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/528,162 filed on Aug. 27, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a gimbal cover and method of use, and more particularly, a gimbal cover comprising a hollowed body having an insertion opening and a plurality of gimbal cover extension segments shaped and sized to cover a gimbal of a fishing or boating apparatus or other similar butt end configuration without interfering with a gimbal pin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gimbals are provided on a support end of an apparatus, such as a fishing rod, a dock power cable retainer, a tripod rod holder assembly, and the like. The gimbal is shaped into an end of the primary shaft of the apparatus, wherein the gimbal is a pivotal support that allows the rotation of the object about a single axis. The exemplary apparatuses can include a single slot or a pair of slots oriented at a right angle to one another. 
     The gimbal is commonly fabricated of a solid, dense material, such as machined or cast metal. The material is generally heavy, where if the item were to be accidentally dropping, the gimbal has a high probability of damaging the surface it would land upon. If the object were dropped upon a rough or dense surface, such as concrete, metal, and the like, the gimbal could be scratched, dented, become cracked, or subjected to other damage. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a device, which protects the gimbal from damage as well as other items from being damaged by the gimbal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a method and respective apparatus for covering a gimbal. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention consists of a gimbal cover comprising: 
     a gimbal cover body comprising a hollowed interior formed within a tubular sidewall terminating at a gimbal cover butt end, wherein the interior is accessible through a gimbal receiving end terminating at a receptacle base; 
     at least one pair of gimbal slots are provided through the butt end and sidewall, where each gimbal slot is located opposite a mating gimbal slot; 
     wherein the hollowed interior has a circumference sized and shaped to mate with a gimbal of an apparatus, and 
     the at least one pair of gimbal slots are sized and shaped to outline a respective pair of slots of the gimbal. 
     In a second aspect, the gimbal cover further comprises two pair of gimbal slots. 
     In another aspect, the gimbal cover further comprises two pair of gimbal slots, the pairs are disposed at right angles to one another 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal slots comprise a pair of side sidewalls. The sidewalls can be parallel to each other or angled, having a wider span therebetween proximate a base section and converge as the sidewalls approach the slot end. 
     In yet another aspect, the end wall is rounded. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover receptacle is defined having a circular interior peripheral shape. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover further comprises a pliant interior surface for adapting to an exterior surface of the apparatus gimbal. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is slideably attached to a gimbal butt end of a fishing rod. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is slideably attached to a gimbal butt end of a dock power cable retainer. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is slideably attached to a gimbal butt end of a tripod rod holder assembly. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of an impact absorbing material. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of a natural and/or synthetic rubber material. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of a plastic material. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of a nylon material. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of an acetal or an acetal polyoxymethylene resin material. 
     In yet another aspect, the gimbal cover is fabricated of a composite material comprising a woven base embedded within a resin. Examples include fiberglass, carbon fiber, and the like. 
     And with another aspect, a method of use includes the steps of:
         obtaining a gimbal cover, the gimbal cover comprising:   a gimbal cover body comprising a hollowed interior formed within a tubular sidewall terminating at a gimbal cover butt end, wherein the interior is accessible through a gimbal receiving end terminating at a receptacle base;   a gimbal cover receptacle base extending inward from said gimbal cover butt end of said tubular sidewall providing a surface for engaging with a butt end of a gimbal;   at least one pair of gimbal slots are provided through the butt end and sidewall, where each gimbal slot is located opposite a mating gimbal slot;   wherein the hollowed interior has a circumference sized and shaped to mate with a gimbal of an apparatus, and   the at least one pair of gimbal slots are sized and shaped to outline a respective pair of slots of the gimbal;       

     sliding the gimbal cover onto the apparatus gimbal wherein the exterior of a plurality of gimbal projections, while coinciding with a slot sidewall and slot end wall provided between adjacent gimbal projections, thus enabling a gimbal pin to seat against the gimbal end wall. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of rotating the gimbal cover to align the gimbal cover slots with the object gimbal slots. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of rotating the gimbal cover to align the gimbal cover slot sidewalls with the object gimbal slot sidewalls. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of sliding the gimbal cover onto the object gimbal butt end until the object gimbal end surface abuts the gimbal cover receptacle base. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of inserting an object comprising the gimbal cover into a gimbal receptacle assembly comprising a gimbal pin, wherein the gimbal slot is oriented straddling the gimbal pin. The gimbal slot end rests against the gimbal pin. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a top isometric view of a first exemplary gimbal cover; 
         FIG. 2  presents a bottom isometric view of the exemplary gimbal cover originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents a side elevation view of the exemplary gimbal cover originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  presents a sectioned side elevation view of the exemplary gimbal cover originally introduced, the section begin taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  presents a base end view of the exemplary gimbal cover originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  presents a top insertion end view of the exemplary gimbal cover originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of an exemplary fishing rod having the gimbal cover being assembly thereto; 
         FIG. 8  presents an enlarged isometric view of a butt end portion of the exemplary fishing rod having the gimbal cover being assembly thereto; 
         FIG. 9  presents an enlarged, detailed isometric view of a gimbal butt end of the exemplary fishing rod having the gimbal cover being assembly thereto; 
         FIG. 10  presents an enlarged isometric view of the butt end portion of the exemplary fishing rod, as presented in  FIG. 9 , having the gimbal cover assembled thereto; 
         FIG. 11  presents an isometric view of an exemplary dock power cable retainer comprising a gimbal end and a respective gimbal cover being assembled thereto; 
         FIG. 12  presents an isometric view of an exemplary tripod rod holder assembly comprising a gimbal end and a respective gimbal cover being assembled thereto; and 
         FIG. 13  presents a sectioned side view of a protected gimbal inserted into an exemplary gimbal receptacle assembly. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     A dual slot gimbal cover  100  is presented in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The dual slot gimbal cover  100  is fabricated having a series of gimbal cover extension segment  122  extending from a distal end of a tubular shaped gimbal cover body  110 . The gimbal cover body  110  defines a gimbal cover receptacle  116  accessible through a gimbal receiving end  112 . A gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  is provided at the end opposite from the gimbal receiving end  112 . A slot is provided between adjacent ends of the gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128 , wherein the slot is defined by a pair of gimbal cover slot  124  terminated at a gimbal cover slot end  126 . The slot initiates through the gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  and continues into the gimbal cover body  110 , wherein a pair of adjacent slots forms a gimbal cover extension segment  122 . The dual slot gimbal cover  100  can include one pair of slots (presented as a single slot gimbal cover  102 , illustrated in  FIG. 11 ) or two pair of slots (as illustrated). Each slot of the pair of slots is preferably located opposite a mating slot. A gimbal cover receptacle base  118  is provided on an interior surface of the gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128 . A gimbal cover butt end  114  is defined by an exterior surface of the gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128 . The gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  is provided to protect surfaces when an apparatus comprising the dual slot gimbal cover  100  is accidentally dropped thereon. The gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  also protects the surface, corners, and overall integrity of the gimbal end of the apparatus when the dual slot gimbal cover  100  is accidentally dropped upon a surface, inserted into a gimbal receptacle assembly, and the like. 
     The gimbal cover slot  124  are preferably sized and shaped to adhere to a contour of a respective slot of a desired gimbal end of an object. The gimbal cover slot  124  is sized and shaped to ensure the dual slot gimbal cover  100  does not interfere with the operation of the gimbal end of the object. The gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  includes one or two slots, enabling a gimbal pin  546  ( FIG. 13 ) to pass through the gimbal cover extension base protection segment  128  and continue sliding upwards until the gimbal pin  546  contacts the gimbal cover slot end  126 . The gimbal cover slot  124  for each respective slot can be parallel to each other (as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) or angled (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), having a wider span therebetween proximate a base section and converge as the sidewalls approach the slot end. It is desired that the gimbal cover slot end  126  is rounded or arched. 
     The dual slot gimbal cover  100  is fabricated of an impact absorbing material, such as plastic, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nylon, acetal, acetal polyoxymethylene resin, Polyvinylchloride (PVC), a composite material comprising a woven base embedded within a resin, and the like. 
     The dual slot gimbal cover  100  can be installed upon any object comprising a gimbal end. A first example is a fishing rod assembly  200 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 10 . The exemplary fishing rod assembly  200  includes a fishing rod  210  sectioned into a butt end  212  and a flexible fishing rod section  214 . The butt end  212  and flexible fishing rod section  214  can be provided as two segments joined by a separable interface or as a single, unitary element. The butt end  212  can be linear or curved (as illustrated). A fishing reel  230  is removably attached to the fishing rod  210  by a reel seat. The reel seat includes a rear reel seat  232  (which remains fixed) and an adjustable real clamp  234 , which adjusts to secure and release the fishing reel  230 . The reel seats are often fabricated of graphite-reinforced plastic, aluminum, wood, and the like to provide sufficient support for the fishing reel  230 . The fishing reel  230  winds and releases fishing line  236 . The fishing reel  230  is available in a variety of form factors. A series of main line guides  218  are assembled to the flexible fishing rod section  214  in a linear spatial arrangement. The main line guides  218  can be assembled in an equidistance linear spatial arrangement if desired. A tip line guide  219  is carried by a distal end of the flexible fishing rod section  214 . In use, the fishing line  236  can be threaded through the series of main line guides  218 , continuing through the tip line guide  219 , where tackle is then attached to an end of the fishing line  236 . A gimbal butt end  220  is provided at a base end of the butt end  212  for engagement with a gimbal pin  546  of a gimbal receptacle assembly  500 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . An optional hand grip  216  can be assembled to the flexible fishing rod section  214 , enhancing an area for the user to grip the fishing rod assembly  200 . 
     Details of the gimbal butt end  220  are presented in  FIG. 9 . The gimbal butt end  220  includes one or two slots forming two or four gimbal projections  222 . It is preferred that each of the gimbal projections  222  are equally shaped and sized with the other gimbal projections  222 . In the configuration comprising a pair of slots, the slots are preferably oriented at a right angle to one another. The exemplary embodiment includes a pair of slots. Each slot is fabricated having a pair of gimbal slot sidewalls  224  terminating at a gimbal slot end wall  226 . The slot preferably passes through a concentric central location of the gimbal butt end  220 . The gimbal slot sidewall  224  for each respective slot can be parallel to each other (as best illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) or angled (as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 13 ), having a wider span therebetween proximate a base section and converge as the sidewalls approach the slot end. It is desired that the gimbal cover slot end  126  is arched. An end of the gimbal butt end  220  is defined as a gimbal end surface  229 . 
     The dual slot gimbal cover  100  is slideably assembled onto the gimbal butt end  220  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 10 . A lubricant, such as soap, may be utilized to aid in the assembly process. Over a short period of time, the soap dries, retaining the dual slot gimbal cover  100  in position. The dual slot gimbal cover  100  is slide onto the gimbal butt end  220  until the gimbal end surface  229  seats against the gimbal cover receptacle base  118  or other stop feature included within the gimbal cover receptacle  116 . The dual slot gimbal cover  100  is rotated, aligning the gimbal cover slot  124  with the gimbal slot sidewall  224 . 
     The dual slot gimbal cover  100  can be adapted for use with other marine hardware comprising a gimbal base for insertion into a gimbal receptacle assembly  500 . A first alternate application of the dual slot gimbal cover  100  is a single slot gimbal cover  102  being assembled onto a guide body gimbal end  320  of a dock power cable retainer  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The dock power cable retainer  300  is inserted into a gimbal receptacle assembly  500  of an aquatic vessel, wherein the dock power cable retainer  300  supports and retains various objects, including power cables, mooring lines, and the like. A retaining ring  330  is affixed to a guide column retainer end  312  of a guide retainer support column  310 . A guide body gimbal end  320  is formed at an opposite or guide column base end  314  of the guide retainer support column  310 . The guide retainer support column  310  is preferably fabricated of a tubular, non-corrosive material, such as aluminum. The retaining ring  330  is preferably fabricated of a compatible material for assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining ring  330  is fabricated of aluminum and affixed to the guide column retainer end  312  of the guide retainer support column  310  using common welding techniques. It is understood that the retaining ring  330  can be assembled to the guide column retainer end  312  using any mechanical fastening techniques suitable for the application and environment. A body arch  318  can be formed at a position along a length of the guide retainer support column  310  as desired. 
     The retaining ring  330  can be fabricated in any shape for the desired function. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining ring  330  is fabricated of a coiled round-bar material. The round-bar is shaped having a first ring segment  332  and a second ring segment  336 . The free end of each ring segment  332 ,  336  is a ring segment end  334 . A ring segment gap  338  is provided between overlapping portions of the ring segments  332 ,  336 , enabling an object to pass through the ring segments  332 ,  336  and into the retaining loop  339 . The ring segments  332 ,  336  support and retain the object therein. Those skilled in the art can appreciate utilizing an apparatus having a different configuration while maintaining the desired function of the exemplary retaining ring  330 . 
     The guide body gimbal end  320  includes features similar to the gimbal butt end  220 . The exemplary embodiment includes a pair of guide body gimbal slot  322 , wherein each guide body gimbal slot  322  is located across from the other. It is understood that one guide body gimbal slot  322  would be included if the guide retainer support column  310  were fabricated of a solid material. The pair of guide body gimbal slot  322  (or single guide body gimbal slot  322  for a solid column) is located having a gimbal pin interface passing through a concentric point of the cross sectional shape of the guide retainer support column  310 . 
     The single slot gimbal cover  102  is designed wherein the general features adhere to the size and shape of the guide body gimbal end  320 . The features of the single slot gimbal cover  102  are designed to ensure the functionality of the guide body gimbal end  320  remains unencumbered. 
     A second alternate application of the dual slot gimbal cover  100  is a dual slot gimbal cover  104  being assembled onto a tripod column gimbal end  420  of a tripod rod holder assembly  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The tripod rod holder assembly  400  is inserted into a gimbal receptacle assembly  500  of an aquatic vessel, wherein the tripod rod holder assembly  400  supports and retains up to three fishing rods or other items having a gimbal butt end. A tripod head assembly  412  is affixed to an upper end of a tripod support column  410 . A tripod column gimbal end  420  is formed at an opposite or tripod support column base end  416  of the tripod support column  410 . The tripod support column  410  is preferably fabricated of a tubular, non-corrosive material, such as aluminum. The tripod head assembly  412  is preferably fabricated of a compatible material for assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, the tripod head assembly  412  is fabricated of aluminum and affixed to the upper end of the tripod support column  410  using a tripod head interface  418  using common welding techniques. It is understood that the tripod head interface  418  can be any mechanical fastening technique suitable for the application and environment. The tripod support column  410  can include a bend similar to the body arch  318  of the dock power cable retainer  300  to orient the tripod head assembly  412  at a desired angle to optimize the functionality thereof. 
     The tripod head assembly  412  can be fabricated in any shape for the desired function, and include any reasonable number of rod holders  430 ,  440 . In the exemplary embodiment, the tripod head assembly  412  includes a central rod holder  430  and a pair of outrigger rod holders  440 . The central rod holder  430  is fabricated of a tubular material comprising a flared upper end and a converged lower end. An interior of the central rod holder  430  defines a central rod holder receptacle  432 . A central rod holder gimbal pin  436  is located centrally passing through the central rod holder receptacle  432  near a lower end of the central rod holder  430 . Similarly, each outrigger rod holder  440  is fabricated of a tubular material comprising a flared upper end and a converged lower end. An interior of the outrigger rod holder  440  defines an outrigger rod holder receptacle  442 . An outrigger rod holder gimbal pin  446  is located centrally passing through the outrigger rod holder receptacle  442  near a lower end of the outrigger rod holder  440 . A tripod outrigger support beam  414  is provided connecting each respective outrigger rod holder  440  to the central rod holder  430 . The tripod outrigger support beam  414  is preferably fabricated of a tubular material. One end of the tripod outrigger support beam  414  is affixed to the central rod holder  430  and the second end supports the outrigger rod holder  440 . The outrigger rod holder  440  may be oriented having an angled relation with the central rod holder  430  as illustrated. This directs separation of the rod tips during use. The assembly of the components can be accomplished using any of many known assembly techniques, including welding, mechanical assembly, adhesive bonding, and the like. 
     The tripod column gimbal end  420  includes features similar to the gimbal butt end  220 . The exemplary embodiment includes two pairs of tripod column gimbal slot  422 , wherein each tripod column gimbal slot  422  of each pair is located across from the other. It is understood that two tripod column gimbal slot  422  would be included if the tripod support column  410  were fabricated of a solid material. The pair of guide body gimbal slot  322  (or single guide body gimbal slot  322  for a solid column) is located having a gimbal pin interface passing through a concentric point of the cross sectional shape of the guide retainer support column  310 . 
     The single slot gimbal cover  102  is designed wherein the general features adhere to the size and shape of the guide body gimbal end  320 . The features of the single slot gimbal cover  102  are designed to ensure the functionality of the guide body gimbal end  320  remains unencumbered. The gimbal butt end  220  is inserted into any of the rod holder receptacles  432 ,  442 , seating the gimbal slot end wall  226  against the gimbal pins  436 ,  446 . 
     A cross sectional view of a covered gimbal butt end inserted within an exemplary gimbal receptacle assembly  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The gimbal receptacle assembly  500  is fabricated having a gimbal receptacle sleeve  540 . The gimbal receptacle sleeve  540  includes a gimbal receptacle sleeve interior surface  541 , where the gimbal receptacle sleeve interior surface  541  defines a gimbal receptacle  442 . A gimbal pin  546  spans across a lower portion of the gimbal receptacle  442 , providing a seat for the gimbal slot end wall  226 . The dual slot gimbal cover  100  protects the gimbal butt end  220  during insertion of the fishing rod  210  into the gimbal receptacle assembly  500 . The gimbal slot sidewall  224  of the respective slot directs the gimbal pin  546  towards the gimbal slot end wall  226 , particularly where the gimbal slot sidewall  224  are tapered. Commonly, the gimbal cover butt end  114  is positioned within the gimbal receptacle  442 , where the gimbal cover butt end  114  does not extend beyond a sleeve lower edge  544  of the gimbal receptacle assembly  500 . It is understood that in certain configurations, the gimbal cover butt end  114  may extend beyond the sleeve lower edge  544 , where the dual slot gimbal cover  100  provides additional protection to the gimbal butt end  220 . The gimbal receptacle assembly  500  can be exemplary of any gimbal receptacle assembly, including a fishing rod holder, a fighting belt, an outrigger receptacle, and the like. 
     Although the examples presented herein are directed towards a fishing rod assembly  200 , a dock power cable retainer  300  and a tripod rod holder assembly  400 , it is understood that the dual slot gimbal cover  100  can be adapted to any gimbal butt end of any object. The dual slot gimbal cover  100 ,  102 ,  104  would be designed respective to the application, and would include a body, a plurality of slots defining a matching number of extension segment covers, and a base protection segment for each respective extension segment cover. 
     The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.