Abstract:
A system, kit and method for organizing and securing devices such as ice fishing equipment, in a cylindrical receptacle. The system includes at least one web, but preferably includes two webs of material having different diameters but each having an array of apertures such that when aligned and placed in a receptacle, the two webs may be used to support and carry items in a secure and organized fashion. Further contemplated are other mountable devices capable of holding elongate items for attachment to the cylindrical receptacle and/or a wall mount.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/822,725, filed on 13 May 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Ice fishing has long been a sport that involves patience and skill. It also requires the fisher to carry much bulky equipment out onto the ice. Such equipment may include tip-ups, fishing poles, nets and the like, which may easily become entangled during transportation or worse, be dropped on the ice along the way to the fishing spot, where the items may then be damaged by another fisher or by vehicles driven on the ice. It is not uncommon for the fisher to spend valuable fishing time untangling a mess of fishing line and tip-ups or fixing equipment that has been damaged as it bounced around on the trip out to the ice fishing hole. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to a method and system of devices for use in storing and transporting elongate articles such as fishing poles and the like, to thereby reduce tangling of or damage to the articles being carried. The present system provides a web or webs having apertures therein to receive such items. The system further contemplates the use of two webs having different diameters that may be laterally spaced and friction fit inside a five gallon pail or similar receptacle. Each web preferably includes various spaced apertures that, when aligned with apertures in a second web, provide stable storage for fishing tools during transport. The spaced apertures allow for facile storage and transportation of elongate and other items and further help to prevent entanglement or undue jostling during transport. This feature further reduces damage of the items. The present system further contemplates the addition of removably attachable article holders, which may be attached to the pail or to a wall mount. 
         [0004]    The present invention contemplates a system for containing ice-fishing equipment in a tapered receptacle having a circular cross section, the system comprising: a first web comprising a first disc having a first plurality of apertures, the first disc having a substantially circular shape, a first outer periphery, and a first disc diameter; and a second web comprising a second disc having a second plurality of apertures, the second disc having a substantially circular shape, a second outer periphery, and a second disc diameter, wherein the first disc diameter is larger than the second disc diameter. The first plurality of apertures is alignable with the second plurality of apertures when the first web and the second web are secured. within the receptacle. The system may further include means for securing the webs inside the receptacle. Such means may include a plurality of teeth located on the first outer periphery and a plurality of teeth located on the second outer periphery. Alternative means to secure the webs may include a first channel located on the first outer periphery and a second channel located on the second outer periphery, wherein the first and second channels each include a bead therein. Another alternative means may include a plurality of screw bosses located on the first outer periphery and a plurality of screw bosses located on the second outer periphery. 
         [0005]    The first disc diameter and the second disc diameter differ to provide lateral spacing of the webs when the first web and the second web are secured within the receptacle. At least one of the first plurality of apertures and at least one of the second plurality of apertures is sized and configured to receive an elongate object. The elongate object may be an ice fishing tip-up, a fishing pole, or other like object. 
         [0006]    The system may further include a rod holder having a cylindrical body with a first end, and a first rod holder clip, wherein the first rod holder clip is adapted for removable attachment to a rim of the receptacle. The rod holder may further include a second rod holder clip adapted for removable attachment to at least one of the first plurality of apertures. 
         [0007]    The system may further include a container holder having a container holder clip, adapted for removable attachment to a rim of the receptacle. 
         [0008]    The present invention further contemplates a kit to be used for transporting ice fishing equipment, the kit comprising: 
         [0009]    a first web comprising a first disc having a plurality of apertures, the first disc having a substantially circular shape, a first outer periphery, and a first disc diameter; a second web comprising a second disc having a plurality of apertures, the second disc having a substantially circular shape, a second outer periphery, and a second disc diameter; and a tapered receptacle having a circular cross section. 
         [0010]    The kit may further include a rod holder, having a cylindrical body with a first end, and a first rod holder clip; and a container holder including a container holder clip. 
         [0011]    The present invention further includes a method for containing ice-fishing equipment in a tapered circular receptacle; the method may include the steps of 
         [0012]    providing a first web, the first web comprising a first disc having a first plurality of apertures, the first disc having a substantially circular shape and a first disc diameter; 
         [0013]    providing a second web, the second web comprising a second disc having a second plurality of apertures, the second disc having a substantially circular shape and a second disc diameter, wherein the first disc diameter is larger than the second disc diameter;
       inserting the second web into the receptacle;       
 
         [0015]    inserting the first web into the receptacle; 
         [0016]    laterally spacing apart the first web from the second web; 
         [0017]    aligning the first plurality of apertures with the second plurality of apertures; 
         [0018]    providing a rod holder, the rod holder having a cylindrical body, with a first end, and a first rod holder clip; and 
         [0019]    removably attaching the first rod holder clip to a rim of the receptacle. 
         [0020]    Further method steps may include: providing the rod holder with a second rod holder clip; removably attaching the second rod holder clip to one of the first plurality of apertures; providing a container holder having a container holder clip; and removably attaching the container holder clip to a rim of the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top view, a bottom view being identical, of the web of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the web illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a system including a pair of the webs illustrated in  FIG. 1  in place in a pail and with the apertures in relative alignment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pail shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along line  5 - 5  thereof and showing various fishing tools in phantom as supported by the system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a top view, the bottom view being identical, of a second embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the web illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a too view, the bottom view being the identical, of a third embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the web of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a rod holder for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary side view of the rod holder illustrated  FIG. 12  attached to the rim of a pail and including a web. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the rod holder of  FIG. 12  attached to a wall mount. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a system including the rod holder illustrated in  FIG. 12  in place for use on the rim of a pail and a web inside the pail. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the system illustrated in  FIG. 15 , but showing the rod holder in the web for transport. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an angled rod holder for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a system including the angled rod holder illustrated in  FIG. 17  in place for use on the rim of a pail and a web inside the pail. 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a container holder for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a system including the container holder illustrated in  FIG. 19  in place for use on the rim of a pail and a web inside the pail. 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment  1000  of a web for use in a system according to the present invention. The web  1000  preferably comprises a disc  10  having a first surface  12  and a second surface  14  (see  FIG. 3 ), a plurality of first apertures  22   a,  a plurality of second apertures  22   b,  a plurality of third apertures  22   c,  and a plurality of fourth apertures  22   d.    
         [0045]    The disc  10  has a predetermined diameter D 1  (see  FIG. 2 ) and a thickness T (see  FIG. 3 ) defining a peripheral surface  32 . The plurality of first, second, third, and fourth apertures  22   a - d  comprise various shapes and are spaced around and extend through the disc  10 . 
         [0046]    The apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  are preferably adapted to receive various types of fishing equipment (see  FIG. 5 ). For example, apertures  22   a ,  22   b  are generally circular and are preferably dimensioned to receive variously sized fishing pole handles  44  or other elongate equipment having a handle in or narrow body such as ice-scoops or chisels (not shown) by way of none-limiting example. 
         [0047]    Apertures  22   c  are preferably sized and configured with an irregular, somewhat t-shape, to accommodate and receive ice fishing tip-ups, more particularly, tip-ups having a collapsed profile similar to that of tip-ups  42  distributed under the BEAVER DAM TIP-UP® name (see for example  FIG. 15 ). Apertures  22   d  are preferably sized and configured with an irregular, somewhat triangular shape to accommodate and receive tip-ups having other collapsed profiles, such as tip-ups distributed under the Heritage Tackle “Laker” name (not shown). It should be noted that reference to certain styles of tip-ups is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to include apertures  22   c,    22   d  having other configurations suitable to receive and support tip-ups of various styles and manufacture. Further, although the shapes of apertures  22   c  and  22   d  may accommodate the ice fishing tip-ups mentioned, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize the apertures  22   c,    22   d  to transport other gear, as desired. 
         [0048]    With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , it may be seen that the web  1000  is preferably interconnected and contiguous between apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d ; wherein each of the plurality of apertures  22   a,    22   b ,  22   c,    22   d  is completely contained within the disc  10 . Further, the disc  10  preferably comprises a center section  24 , an outer portion  26 , and a plurality of merging points  28 . 
         [0049]    With reference now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a pair of webs (upper web  1000   a  and lower web  1000   b ) is shown installed in a container, here a five-gallon pail  50 . Many containers such as five-gallon pails  50  have a slight taper from the open end  56  to the closed end  54 . Therefore, it may be preferable to provide the lower web  1000   b  with a diameter D 2  that is slightly smaller than the diameter D 1  of the upper web  1000   a  to ensure a tight friction fit. Further, when installed, the plurality of apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  in the upper web  1000   a  are axially aligned with the plurality of apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  of the lower web  1000   b.    
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system having webs  1000   a,    1000   b  inserted into and aligned in a pail  50  with fishing equipment  40  received by the plurality of aligned apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d.  The webs  1000   a ,  1000   b  are preferably held in place by friction between the periphery  32  of the webs  1000   a,    1000   b  and the inner surface  52  of the pail  50 . Furthermore, the interconnected design of the webs  1000   a,    1000   b  reduces undesirable deformation of the disc  10  when installed and during use, since deformation hampers the installation and the alignment the webs  1000   a,    1000   b  and their apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d.  When the webs  1000   a,    1000   b  and their apertures  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  are properly aligned, the webs  1000   a,    1000   b  effectively engage and support the stored items  40  at two locations, one at each were  1000   a,    1000   b.  The two points of contact  30   a,    30   b  significantly reduce the likelihood that the items  40  will fall or become entangled with other items  40 . 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  another embodiment of a web  2000  for use with the present system is shown. As seen, the web  2000  includes a bead  62  inserted in a channel  34  along the peripheral surface  32  of the disc  10 . The bead  62  may be fabricated of any ferrous or non-ferrous material having the rigidity and durability necessary to engage the pail inner surface  52  (see  FIG. 5 ). The bead  62  provides an alternative friction element to positively engage the web  2000  with the inside surface  52  of the pail  50 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate another embodiment of a web  3000  for use with the present system. The web  3000  includes a plurality of teeth  72  within recesses  74  along the periphery  32  of the disc  10 . Similar to the bead  62  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the teeth  72  provides an alternative friction element for positive contact with the pail inner surface  52 . The plurality of teeth  72  may comprise a ferrous or non-ferrous material, or other suitably rigid material. During installation of the web  3000  into the pail  50 , the teeth  72  distort upward and against the pail inner surface  52 . When installed, any upward motion of the web  3000  will cause the teeth  72  to further engage with the pail inner surface  52 , thus reducing the potential for displacing or even removal of the web  3000  during normal use. 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment  4000  of the web for use with the present system. The web  4000  illustrated in  FIG. 10  comprises a plurality of apertures  20   b,    20   c  wherein the peripheries of the apertures  22  and the periphery  32  of the web  4000  include a raised lip or ridge  82 . The ridge  82  may be approximately the same thickness T as the web  1000 , while the disc  10  has a relatively reduced thickness. The ridges  82  provide rigidity to the disc  10  while reducing the amount of material need for manufacture of the disc  10 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment  5000  for use with the present system. As shown, the web  5000  is substantially similar to the web  4000  illustrated in  FIG. 10 , however additionally or alternatively, screw bosses  92  may be positioned around the periphery  32  of the disc  10 . As maw be seen, the screw bosses  92  are laterally extending from the first disc surface  12  and the second disc surface  14  and may be placed approximately 120 degrees apart. The screw bosses  92  are further preferably located at merging points  28  between two neighboring apertures  22   c.  Set screws (not shown) may be turned through the screw bosses  92  to at least abut the inner surface  52  of the pail  50  (see  FIG. 5 ) to thereby further secure the web  5000  in place. 
         [0055]    With reference now to  FIGS. 12-16 , a rod holder  100  for use with the present system is shown. As may be seen, the rod holder  100  preferably includes a cylindrical body  110  having two oppositely disposed ends  112  and  114  for receiving a fishing pole  44  or other elongate item, a first clip  120  for attaching the holder  100  to the rim  57  of the pail  50 , a second clip  130  for attaching the holder  100  to a wall mount  150 , and a third clip  140  for attaching the holder  100  to a web  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000 ,  4000 . 
         [0056]    As may be seen particularly in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , in use the holder  100  may be attached to the rim  57  of the pail  50  by the first clip  120 . The first clip  120  has a first tab  122  which abuts the inner surface  52  of the pail  50 , and a protrusion  124  which makes contact with the exterior surface  58  of the pail  50 . When installed, the protrusion  124  also acts as a stop against the rim  57  and deters the holder  100  from falling off of the pail  50 . The holder  100  may be made from a polymer or other resilient material, including, but not limited to, metal. As the first tab  122  is pliable, it may bent so that the holder  100  may be easily installed and removed, yet capable of retaining its shape for reuse. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the holder  100  attached to a wall mount  150 . Here, the second clip  130  is shown having a second. Lab  132  with a protrusion  134  interfacing with a channel  154  along the wall mount  150 . Again, the material used in manufacturing the holder  100  is preferably of a pliable nature to thereby provide flexibility to allow the second clip  130  to bend slightly as it is installed on the wall mount  150 . Flexibility also aids in easy removal when an upward pressure is applied to the second tab  132  and away from the wall mount  150 . 
         [0058]    The wall mount  150  may be installed. in any location between two upstanding members  160 . For example, open walls having upstanding members  160  are very common in garages, storage sheds, and basements. The wall mount  150  may be secured to the upstanding members  160  using any number of securing means (shown here as screws  152 ) and, when combined with the holder  100 , provides a place for storing fishing poles  44  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) in an organized and convenient manner. As the wall mount  150  has channels  154  on both sides, the holder  100  may be mounted on either side of the wall mount  150 , thereby allowing fishing poles  44  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to be stored within the wall space between the two upstanding members  160  and away from potential damage. 
         [0059]      FIG. 16  depicts the holder  100  as inserted in a web  4000 . With reference to  FIG. 12 , the third clip  140  comprises at least two resilient members  142  separated by a gap  144 . When inserted into an aperture  22   b  in the web  4000 , the two resilient members  142  bend towards each other allowing them to pass through the aperture  22   b.  Once through, the resilient members  142  retain their original shape, and a lip  146 , located on each resilient member  142 , abuts the web  4000  and prevents the holder  100  from falling out of the aperture  22   b.  To remove the holder  100  the two resilient members  142  are forced towards one another allowing them to pass back through the aperture  22   b.    
         [0060]    With reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , an angled rod holder  200  for use with the present system is shown. Similar to the rod holder  100  discussed. previously, the angled rod holder  200  comprises a cylindrical body  210  having two oppositely disposed ends  212  and  214  for receiving a fishing pole  41  or other elongate object, and a clip  220  having a tab  222  and a protrusion  224  for securing and releasing the angled holder  200  to the rim  57  of the pail  50 . The angled holder  200  may also be attached to the previously described wall mount  150  (not shown). 
         [0061]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a container holder  300  as contemplated by the present invention. The container holder  300  comprises a circumferential member  310 , a platform  320 , and a clip  330  having a tab  332  and a protrusion  334 . The container holder  300  affixes to the rim  57  of the pail  50  or the wall mount  150  like the rod holder  100  and the angled rod holder  200 . A container  46  may be placed within the circumferential member  310  and rested upon the platform  320  to provide a secure location for a container  46  off of the ground and easily accessible. 
         [0062]    A system according to the present invention may include one or a plurality of webs  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000 ,  4000 ,  5000 ,  6000  and may further include a rod holder  100 ,  200 , and a container holder  300 . 
         [0063]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. 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.