Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a backpack and an integrated cooler than can be worn on a user&#39;s back to easily transport a cooler and a variety of fishing gear over rough terrain.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present disclosure is for a fisherman&#39;s backpack/totebag that integrates a cooler to keep the catch of the day fresh, and can accommodate all the fishing gear that a recreational fisherman may need.  
         [0003]     2. Background  
         [0004]     A sports or recreational fisherman, whether fishing in fresh or salt water, may have to trek over rough and hard to access terrain to get to the perfect fishing spot. This presents a real challenge because of all the gear he has to carry, including fishing reels, rods, lines, nets, tackles and bait. Further, if he is to spend any length of time at the fishing spot, he would need to bring a cooler to keep the day&#39;s catch from spoiling.  
         [0005]     Currently, there are no good solutions to allow the fisherman to easily carry all his gear and a cooler over rough terrain or considerable distances, other than carry the gear and cooler separately. The fishing spot is often limited to short distances from where the fisherman parked. While this problem can be alleviated with the use of SUVs and off-road vehicles, the prime fishing spot is often located where it is only accessible on foot.  
         [0006]     What is desired is an apparatus that can neatly accommodate and organize all the fishing gear a fisherman may need, integrates a cooler for the day&#39;s catch, and leaves the hands of the fisherman free so that he can hold a hiking stick, if desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present disclosure provides a backpack that can accommodate a cooler internally. The backpack can also organize and hold neatly in place a variety of fishing gear.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts the back view of the backpack and the cooler component being loaded into the backpack, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts an external view of the backpack with the cooler loaded.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts the backpack as fully loaded and worn by a user.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the “Fish-‘N’-Tote” backpack according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The backpack component,  100 , can be made of leather, vinyl, rubber, or any other tough, water-proof and cleanable material convenient or known. In the embodiment depicted, the backpack is a generally box-like construction, with the top portion  101  open. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the backpack  100  may be wider at the top opening  101  and taper to be slightly narrower at the bottom, in order to accommodate the easy removal of the cooler component  102 . The cooler component  102  is shaped to mate securely with the backpack component  100  when the cooler component  102  is lowered into the backpack component  100  via the opening  101 . The cooler component  102  can be easily lifted out of the backpack component  100  via handles  104  on the sides of the cooler  102 , for easy removal of the fish, cleaning and drying.  
         [0012]     The cooler component  102  is made of Styrofoam, hard plastic, rubber, or any other light weight but durable insulated material known or convenient. An added layer of insulation may be added to the interior of the cooler box if desired. The cooler component is sealed and insulated by a lid or cover  103 . Note that when the cooler component  102  is loaded into the backpack component  100 , the lid or cover  103  extends beyond the opening  101  and can be removed, for easy access to the cooler interior even while the cooler is in the loaded configuration.  
         [0013]     The exterior of the backpack component  100  is neatly organized to hold a variety of fishing gear. In the embodiment depicted, there are pockets for holding tackles  109 ,  109   a , and pockets for holding a variety of fishing tools  105 ,  105   a . Fishing poles and nets can be removably attached to the exterior by inserting a pole or net through one of the fishing pole sleeves  106  and resting the end of the fishing pole in a fishing pole holder  107 . The top of the fishing pole can then be tied down with a fishing pole tie  108 . In the embodiment depicted, up to 5 fishing poles can be removably held in a vertical position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  depicts the front of the backpack according to the embodiment discussed above. The cooler component is loaded into the backpack component, with the lid of the cooler  103  extending beyond the opening  101  in the backpack component. For easy carrying of the backpack, shoulder straps  201  are made available for the user to carry the backpack on his back. Shoulder pads can be strung on the straps for added comfort. Optionally, a chest strap  202  that runs horizontally on the wear&#39;s chest can be used to help balance the backpack on the wearer&#39;s back. The straps can be adjustable via clips, straps, loops or any other method convenient or known.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts the system as fully loaded and worn on the back of a user  300 . A fishing pole  301  is secured to the backpack via a fishing pole holder  107 , fishing pole sleeve  106  and fishing pole tie  108 . Similarly, a fishing net  302  can be secured in the same way. The backpack  100  is worn on the back of the user  300  via shoulder straps  201 , leaving the user&#39;s hands free for balance or to hold a hiking stick if desired.  
         [0016]     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.