Abstract:
A fishing pole holder mount for mounting to a watercraft or other structure that is capable of holding more than one fishing pole at the same time, wherein the fishing pole holders are horizontally and vertically repositionable relative to one another and the base of the fishing pole holder mount. The fishing pole holder mount of the present invention also allows a user to specify the number of fishing pole holders removably attached thereto.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/504,350 filed on Jul. 5, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a mounting device for holding multiple fishing poles in a removably secured and repositionable manner. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Oftentimes, fisherman desire to use more than one fishing pole or rod at the same time. Using more than one fishing pole at a time increases the fisherman&#39;s likelihood of catching fish and having a successful outing. However, holding and/or operating multiple fishing poles at the same time can be a challenging task for even the most accomplished or experienced fisherman. 
     Fishing pole holders are known in the art and are useful for holding and/or permitting a fisherman to operate more than one fishing pole at the same time. Most known fishing pole holders hold a single pole and are either inserted into the ground or attached to a pier, a boat or other watercraft. However, the use of single fishing pole holders require a fisherman to purchase multiple fishing pole holders (i.e., one for each fishing pole), which can be expensive and take up a lot of space on a pier, a boat or other watercraft, where space is typically limited. The use of single pole holders, which are oftentimes spread out in a boat to avoid the tangling of various fishing lines, also make it difficult for the fisherman to readily access any one of his or her fishing poles should the need arise (e.g., if the fisherman catches a fish). 
     Other fishing pole holders known in the art, such as that which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,299 to Smelker, are capable of holding two fishing poles in a side by side, fixed position and are inserted into the ground. However, these fishing pole holders are not repositionable relative to one another and the surface to which they are mounted. These prior art fishing pole holders are also not capable of supporting a user specified number of additional fishing poles. 
     Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a fishing pole holder mount that is capable of holding more than one fishing pole at the same time, wherein the fishing pole holders are horizontally and vertically repositionable relative to one another and the surface to which they are mounted. There also exists in the art a long felt need for a fishing pole holder mount that enables a user to specify the number of fishing pole holders attached thereto. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a fishing pole holder mount that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a fishing pole holder mount comprised of a base, a support attached to and extending outwardly from said base, and more than one fishing pole holder attached to and repositionable about said support, wherein the user can specify the number of fishing pole holders attached to the support. More specifically, the fishing pole holders are stacked along said support such that the various fishing pole holders employed along said support are at differing elevations relative to the base. 
     The fishing pole holder mount of the present invention enables a user to easily and securely employ and manage a user specified number of fishing poles at the same time. The fishing pole holder mount also enables a user to horizontally and vertically reposition the various fishing pole holders relative to one another and the base. Finally, the fishing pole holder mount of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the fishing pole holder mount of the present invention with two fishing pole holders removably attached thereto. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the fishing pole holder mount depicted in  FIG. 1  with fishing poles installed thereon. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the fishing pole holder mount depicted in  FIG. 1  as the first and second fishing pole holders are being installed thereon. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the fishing pole holder mount of the present invention which employs three fishing pole holders. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the fishing pole holder mount of the present invention which is capable of being used in conjunction with an existing fishing pole holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. 
     The fishing pole holder mount of the present invention enables a user to easily and securely employ and manage a user specified number of fishing poles at the same time. The fishing pole holder mount also enables a user to horizontally and vertically reposition the various fishing pole holders relative to one another and the base. Finally, the fishing pole holder mount of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the fishing pole holder mount  100  of the present invention, which comprises a base  110 , a support  120 , a first fishing pole holder  140  and a second fishing pole holder  160 . Unless otherwise stated herein, the various components of fishing pole holder mount  100  are preferably constructed of a metal, such as steel, iron or aluminum, though it is contemplated that base  110  can also be constructed of other durable materials, such as wood, plastic and the like, without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. 
     Base  110  is preferably a plate-like structure that can be used to attach fishing pole holder mount  100  to a relatively flat surface such as the ground, a watercraft (e.g. a boat), a deck, railing or the like. More specifically, base  110  is preferably comprised of a top surface  112 , a bottom surface  114  and a plurality of spaced apart openings  116  extending through said base  110  for receipt of fasteners  118  for attaching the base to an object or surface. Fasteners  118  can be any fastener commonly known in the art for securing a structure to a surface, including nails, screws, rivets and the like. For a more permanent solution, it is also contemplated that base  110  can be glued or welded to the desired object or surface. 
     While the materials used and the dimensions of base  110  can vary to suit user preference and the particular application, a base  110  comprised of aluminum and measuring approximately 4 inches in length by 4 inches in width with an approximate thickness of ¼ inch is suitable for most applications and environments. Notwithstanding any of the forgoing, its is also contemplated that base  110  can be in the form of a prior art clamp or band, as opposed to a plate, provided that base  110  can function to securely attach support  120  to a desired surface. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , support  120  is preferably an elongated member, such as a length of pipe, comprised of a first end  122 , a second end  124  and an outer surface  126 . First end  122  of support  120  can be attached to the top surface  112  of base  110  by any common means known in the art such as welding, glue, etc., and extends outwardly from base  110  as shown in the FIGS. Nonetheless, it is also contemplated that support  120  could be fixedly or removably attached to base  110  by other means commonly known in the art including, without limitation, fasteners, clamps, press-fit, threading, etc. 
     Support  120  is preferably cylindrical in shape and between 12 and 20 inches in length, measured from first end  122  to second end  124 , with an outside diameter of between ¾ and 2 inches. However, it is also contemplated that other shapes and dimensions can be used to suit user preference. The outer surface  126  of support  120  can be relatively smooth or threaded (not shown) to mate with the interior surface of a fishing pole holder in a male-female relationship, as further described below. 
     As depicted in the  FIG. 1 , first fishing pole holder  140  is preferably a generally y-shaped section of pipe comprised of a relatively straight body portion  141  with a continuous opening  142  formed therein for receipt of support  120 , and a holder portion  144  with an opening  146  formed therein for receipt of a handle  202  of a fishing pole  200 . The interior surface of continuous opening  142  can be relatively smooth or threaded (not shown) for removable attachment to a support  120  with a corresponding relatively smooth or threaded outer surface  126 . The length of straight body portion  141  is preferably between 3 and 7 inches and the inside diameter of continuous opening  142  should be sized to correspond to the outside diameter of support  120  so that first fishing pole holder  140  can be placed or threaded over support  120 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The length of holder portion  144 , measured from body portion  141  to the end of holder portion  144  is preferably between 9 and 10 inches, though it is contemplated that other dimensions could also be used within the scope of the present invention. The inside diameter of holder opening  146  should be approximately between 1 and 3 inches to receive most sizes of fishing pole handles  202 , though other diameter sizes are also contemplated. The angle of holder portion  144  relative to body portion  141  is preferably between 30 and 45 degrees, though it is contemplated that other angles could also be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, body portion  141  may further comprise a fastening means  148 , such as a set screw, winged screw (as shown in the FIGS.) or other fastener, for securing first fishing pole holder  140  in a desired position along support  120 , as described more fully below. Similarly, an additional fastening means  148  could also be included along holder portion  144  to secure fishing pole handle  202  within holder opening  146  of first fishing pole holder  140 . 
     Second fishing pole holder  160  is also preferably a generally y-shaped section of pipe comprised of a relatively straight body portion  161  with a continuous opening  162  formed therein for receipt of support  120 , and a holder portion  164  with an opening  166  formed therein for receipt of a handle  202  of a fishing pole  200 . The interior surface of continuous opening  162  can be relatively smooth or threaded (not shown) for removable attachment to a support  120  with a corresponding relatively smooth or threaded outer surface  126 . The length of straight body portion  161  is preferably between 3 and 7 inches and the inside diameter of continuous opening  162  should be sized to correspond to the outside diameter of support  120  so that second fishing pole holder  160  can be placed or threaded over support  120 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 3  and explained more fully below. 
     The length of holder portion  164 , measured from body portion  161  to the end of holder portion  164  is preferably between 9 and 10 inches, though it is contemplated that other dimensions could also be used within the scope of the present invention. The inside diameter of holder opening  166  should be approximately between 1 and 2 inches to receive most sizes of fishing pole handles  202 , though other diameter sizes are also contemplated. The angle of holder portion  164  relative to body portion  161  is preferably between 30 and 45 degrees, though it is contemplated that other angles could also be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, body portion  161  may further comprise a fastening means  168 , such as a set screw, winged screw (as shown in the FIGS.) or other fastener, for securing second fishing pole holder  160  in a desired position along support  120  above first fishing pole holder  140 , as described more fully below. Similarly, an additional fastening means  168  could also be included along holder portion  164  to secure fishing pole handle  202  within holder opening  166  of second fishing pole holder  160 . 
     As depicted in the  FIG. 4 , fishing pole holder mount  100  can be further comprised of additional first fishing pole holders  180  to suit user preference. Each of additional fishing pole holders  180  is preferably a generally y-shaped section of pipe comprised of a relatively straight body portion  181  with a continuous opening  182  formed therein for receipt of support  120 , and a holder portion  184  with an opening  186  formed therein for receipt of a handle  202  of a fishing pole  200 . The interior surface of continuous opening  182  can be relatively smooth or threaded (not shown) for removable attachment to a support  120  with a corresponding relatively smooth or threaded outer surface  126 . The length of straight body portion  181  is preferably between 3 and 7 inches and the inside diameter of continuous opening  182  should be sized to correspond to the outside diameter of support  120  so that the additional fishing pole holder(s)  180  can be placed or threaded over support  120  above first fishing pole holder  140  and second fishing pole holder  160 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The length of holder portion  184 , measured from body portion  181  to the end of holder portion  184  is preferably between 9 and 10 inches, though it is contemplated that other dimensions could also be used within the scope of the present invention. The inside diameter of holder opening  186  should be approximately between 1 and 2 inches to receive most sizes of fishing pole handles  202 , though other diameter sizes are also contemplated. The angle of holder portion  184  relative to body portion  181  is preferably between 30 and 45 degrees, though it is contemplated that other angles could also be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, body portion  181  may further comprise a fastening means  188 , such as a set screw, winged screw (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) or other fastener, for securing the additional fishing pole holder  180  in a desired position along support  120 , as described more fully below. Similarly, an additional fastening means  188  could also be included along holder portion  184  to secure fishing pole handle  202  within holder opening  186  of additional fishing pole holder  180 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates yet another potential embodiment of the device of the present invention, and further includes a converter device  190  that can be used to attach fishing pole holder mount  100 , less base  110 , to an existing prior art fishing pole holder (not shown), thereby allowing the user to easily and quickly convert an existing single fishing pole holder into a multi-fishing pole holder. More specifically, converter device  190  can be securely and removably attached to an existing fishing pole holder by inserting the same into an opening in an existing fishing pole holder (not shown) similar to the way that a fishing pole handle would be inserted into the holder. Once inserted, support  120  can be placed over top of converter device  190  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Converter device  190  preferably comprises a body portion  192 , a plurality of washers  194 , a compression portion  196  and a tightening means  198 , such as a threaded bolt. Each of bolt  198 , body portion  192  and washers  194  are preferably comprised of a durable materials such as a metal, plastic, etc., and compression portion  196  is preferably comprised of a compressible material such as rubber, though other materials could also be used. 
     Each of body portion  192 , washers  194 , and compression portion  196  have a continuous opening therein (not shown) for receipt of bolt  198 , and the continuous opening in the outermost washer  194  that is adjacent to compression portion is preferably threaded to match the thread pattern of bolt  198 . In this manner, as bolt  198  is threaded into said outermost washer  194  said outermost washer  194  is drawn closer to the head of bolt  198  which, in turn will cause compression portion  196  to compress and its outside diameter to expand against the interior portion of the existing fishing pole holder. 
     Having now described the preferred and alternative embodiments of fishing pole holder mount  100 , the use and usefulness of the preferred embodiment will now be described. A user (not shown) desiring to use the mount  100  would first use fasteners  118  to removably attach base  110  to a desired structure (e.g., a watercraft, a deck, railing, the ground, etc.). Once attached, the user would install the desired number of fishing pole holders along support  120 . For example, a user desiring to use mount  100  in conjunction with three fishing poles  200  would install first fishing pole holder  140 , second fishing pole holder  160  and third fishing pole holder  180  on support  120  in stacked relationship as shown in  FIG. 4 . If the outer surface  126  of support  120  is relatively smooth, the user would simply insert the second end  124  of support  120  through opening  142  of first fishing pole holder  140  and slide first fishing pole holder  140  along support  120  into the desired position above base  110 . It should also be appreciated that holder portion  144  can be rotated about support  120  so that the user can also select the direction in which his or her fishing pole  200  will extend from support  120 . Once the desired position and direction are achieved, the user can use the fastening means  148  to removably secure first fishing pole holder  140  to the support  120 . Once secured, the user can insert fishing pole handle  202  into holder opening  146  and use the fastening means  148  located along holder portion  144  to secure the fishing pole  200  to the first fishing pole holder  140 . Second fishing pole holder  160  and additional fishing pole holder(s)  180  can be attached to support  120  in the same manner and in a stacked fashion as depicted in  FIG. 4 . It should be appreciated that each of fishing pole holders  140 ,  160  and  180  can be positioned to extend outwardly from support  120  in different directions, as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     By comparison, if the outer surface  126  of support  120  and the inner surfaces of body portions  141 ,  161 ,  181  are threaded, the user would simply thread each of fishing pole holders  140 ,  160  and  180  onto support  120  in stacked relationship. Similar to the unthreaded embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that each of fishing pole holders  140 ,  160  and  180  can be positioned to extend outwardly from support  120  in different directions, as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Additionally, other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.