Patent Publication Number: US-6216272-B1

Title: Integral vest fishing tackle carrier

Description:
I. DESCRIPTION 
     Background of the Invention 
     The present invention is related generally to the art of fishing vests, and more particularly to an integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which is reversible between front and rear panels for convenient access to fishing tackle carried on either side. 
     The sport of fishing has long since been a favorite pastime of many outdoorsmen. With increased popularity in the sport, numerous advances and developments have been made in an effort to make fishing even more relaxing and enjoyable. Specialized fishing boats, tackle, and fishing-wear have been developed to further enhance the convenience and enjoyment of fishing. 
     Such advances have also sparked the competitiveness of many fishermen. It is now commonplace for fishing tournaments to be held, where experienced and amateur fisherman alike test their skills against one another and seek the ultimate recognition, and prize purse, which results from being crowned champion of the tournament. With the advent of more powerful boats and improved fishing gear, the competitive fisherman is always looking for an edge over the competition, and during tournament fishing, time is of the essence. For this reason, it is oftentimes desirable for the fisherman to change lures while on the fly from one fishing location to another. In such cases, convenient and efficient accessibility to the fisherman&#39;s tackle becomes essential, so as not to lose crucial moments of fishing. 
     Even in less competitive situations, such as the fisherman who hikes to a distant and favorite fishing hole, the desirability for a more convenient and efficient means for carrying and accessing one&#39;s fishing tackle is evident. Whether one is fishing in a tournament, or merely pleasure fishing, the benefits of a conveniently accessible and more efficient means of storing one&#39;s fishing tackle are plainly evident. 
     It is with the above in mind that we have developed our improved integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which, as will be described in more detail hereafter, provides an efficient means for storage and carrying of all necessary fishing tackle, as well as a means for convenient and ready accessibility thereto. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, described herein is an integral fishing vest and tackle carrier which includes front and rear panels that form pocketed storage areas adapted to carry, in a readily accessible manner, containers storing the fisherman&#39;s tackle. The front and rear panels of the vest are interconnected at their upper ends by a pair of spaced intermediate shoulder portions, which form a neck opening therebetween. At least one, and preferably both of the panels, include an upper section, and a lower section that is adapted to be foldable over at least a portion of the upper section. A securing means, which is unfastenable, is provided for holding the lower section in a folded closed position over its adjoining upper section. When the lower section is secured in its closed position over the upper section, an enlarged pocket or storage area is formed therebetween, within which tackle containers may be kept. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, where both the front and rear panel of the vest have adjoining upper and lower foldable sections, such a storage compartment is formed on each panel of the vest. 
     The vest is designed such that the foldable joint between the lower section and upper section of either panel is located near the waist of the fisherman. By constructing the vest in this manner, when the fisherman is seated, as if in a boat, the lower section of the front facing panel may be folded downwardly away from the fisherman, to a position resting on the thighs of the fisherman&#39;s legs, thereby exposing the fisherman&#39;s tackle. 
     Each lower section of its respective panel carries a guide means for receiving and holding at least one fishing tackle container therein. Preferably, the fishing tackle container is constructed with multiple compartments for storage and organization of different sized lures and the like, and will include a means for covering such compartments, to prevent dislodgement of the lures from their respective compartments during movement. Such cover(s) are also preferably constructed to open away from the fisherman for convenient and efficient access to the fisherman&#39;s tackle. 
     Notably, the guide means carried by the lower section is adapted to allow removal and replacement of the existing fishing tackle container with other tackle containers. Thus, depending on the type of fish being sought, the fisherman may easily replace one tackle container with another that holds the types of lures that are best suited for the desired fish. With similar storage compartments being available on both the front and rear panels, the fisherman can carry lures for a wide variety of different fish. By simply rotating the vest to reverse the orientation of the front and rear panels, the fisherman may readily switch to a different type of tackle, as desired. 
     Preferably, our improved fishing vest is constructed of a water-resistant material, and may optionally be constructed as a life vest with permanent or removable floatation means incorporated therein. When in normal use, the front and rear panels have connecting side straps that hold the vest panels in place relative to one another. Should the fisherman decide to reverse the vest for access to the tackle carried in the rear panel, the fisherman need only place their arms inside the side straps and rotate the vest about their neck. Alternatively, the fisherman can disconnect the side straps prior to rotating the vest. 
     Other and additional compartments may also be incorporated into the outer and/or inner facings of the vest panels for storage of additional lures and fishing gear, such as forceps, spare line, maps, a knife, etc. It is further contemplated that the vest may also incorporate a rod and reel holster which may be useful to the fisherman during hiking through rough terrain. 
     It is evident from the above that our improved integral fishing vest and tackle carrier offers substantial benefits of increased efficiency and convenient accessibility to a fisherman&#39;s tackle. The tackle is always at the fisherman&#39;s fingertips, and whether sitting in a boat or elsewhere, by simply unfolding the lower section of the front facing panel, the tackle becomes conveniently accessible to the fisherman. This provides substantial benefit to the fisherman who wishes to switch lures on the fly, and also provides a convenient and efficient means for storing the fisherman&#39;s tackle during extended hiking trips, etc. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is front elevational view of an integral fishing vest tackle carrier which is the subject of my invention, shown worn by a fisherman in its intended manner; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of our integral fishing vest tackle carrier, showing the construction thereof, with similarly configured front and rear panels; 
     FIG. 3 is another front elevational view of our integral fishing vest tackle carrier, showing the lower section of the front panel unfolded from the upper section, and a fishing tackle container being removably carried by the lower section thereof; 
     FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of our integral fishing vest tackle carrier, with both front and rear panels shown expanded outwardly with the lower sections thereof unfolded relative to the upper sections, and showing the guide means carried by the lower sections of both panels for removably carrying a fishing tackle container thereon; 
     FIG. 5 is another perspective view of our integral fishing vest tackle carrier, showing the manner in which the lower section of either panel may rest on a fisherman&#39;s lap for easy access to the fishing tackle container, and further showing the option of incorporating floatation means to convert the vest into a life vest; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 3, showing the construction of the fishing tackle container and the sliding guide means therefor that is attached to the lower section of one or both the front and rear panels; and 
     FIG. 7 is another perspective view showing our integral fishing vest tackle carrier with an optional zipper compartment formed between the upper and lower sections of a panel for further enclosing and securing a fishing tackle container therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, shown in FIG. 1 is our integral fishing vest and tackle carrier  1  shown worn by a typical fisherman  2  in its intended manner. As can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, vest  1  includes a front panel  3  and a rear panel  4  that are interconnected by intermediate shoulder portions  5  extending therebetween. Shoulder portions  5  define a central neck opening  6  for placement over the head of the fisherman, as shown in FIG.  1 . Zipper  7  is provided to allow adjustability of the size of neck opening  6  as desired or needed. Lateral side straps  8  and  9  are provided to secure the front and rear panels  3  and  4  of the vest  1  in tight conforming position to the fisherman&#39;s body during use. Each strap  8  and  9  includes a clasp mechanism comprising a male latch member  10  and a female catch member  11  which interconnect in releasable relation for easy access and removal of life vest  1  when desired. Straps  8  and  9  may be tightened or loosened through adjustability thereof in a conventional manner. 
     As shown best in FIGS. 2 through 4, in the preferred embodiment, both the front and rear panels  3  and  4  include an upper section, and a lower section that is adapted to be foldable over at least a portion of the upper section. More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, front panel  3  of vest  1  includes an upper section  12  and a lower section  13  which are foldably interconnected at joint  14  therebetween. A readily unfastenable securing means  15 , such as the Velcro hook and loop-type connector, extends about the upper end and both sides of upper section  12 , and correspondingly about the lower end and two sides of lower section  13  of panel  3 . Securing means  15  functions to hold upper and lower sections  12  and  13  together in folded closed relation, as shown in FIG.  2 . Optionally, a zipper or other releasable securing device may be used for this purpose. 
     In like manner, as best seen in FIG. 4, rear panel  4  may also be configured similarly to front panel  3 , with an upper section  16  and a lower section  17  interconnected in foldable relation with flexible joint  18  therebetween. Similar securing means  15  is also provided about three faces of the upper and lower sections  16  and  17  for holding the same together in folded, closed relation. As shown in FIG. 2, when the respective lower section of either panel  3  or  4  is secured in its closed position over its adjoining upper section, an enlarged pocket or storage area is formed therebetween, the purpose for which will be explained hereafter. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, where both the front panel  3  and rear panel  4  of the vest  1  have adjoining upper and lower foldable sections, such an enlarged storage compartment is formed on each panel of the vest. 
     With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the lower sections  13  and  17  of the respective front and rear panels each carry guide means  20  which is constructed to receive in readily removable relation a fishing tackle storage container  21 . As shown in FIG. 6, container  21 , which is preferably manufactured from a lightweight, water-resistant material, such as plastic, is constructed with a pair of side flanges  22  that extend outwardly for slidable engagement within channel  23  of adjacent guide means  20 . In this manner, containers  21  are slidable within guide means  20  and readily removable therefrom, as desired. 
     As seen in FIG. 5, the fishing tackle container  21  is constructed with multiple compartments for storage and organization of different sized lures and the like. Preferably, dividers  19  are removable to provide flexibility in dividing and adjusting the size of the individual compartments. Container  21  also includes a cover  24  to enclose the compartments, so as to prevent dislodgement of the lures from their respective compartments during movement. As shown in FIG. 6, cover  24  is also preferably constructed with a detent  25  that frictionally engages end wall  26  of container  21  so as to lock the cover when closed. Lip  27  or other grasping means may also be incorporated into cover  24  or end wall  26  to help facilitate the opening of cover  24 . Notably, cover  24  is hingedly connected at the end  28  furthest from the fisherman&#39;s body, such that it will pivot away from the fisherman for convenient and efficient access to the fisherman&#39;s tackle. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, each compartment of is container  21  may be designed with its own individual cover  29  of similar construction for ease of access to the individual compartments, as desired. 
     As noted previously, and as shown in FIG. 5, vest  1  preferably includes two fishing tackle storage containers  21 , one each stored in the enlarged storage compartments formed between the upper and lower sections of the front and rear panels  3  and  4  (rear panel  4  is shown slightly open in FIG. 5 to illustrate storage of container  21 ). With the guide means  20  carried by the respective lower sections  13  and  17 , it can be seen that containers  21  are adapted for removal and replacement with other similarly configured containers. Thus, depending on the type of fish being sought, the fisherman may easily replace one tackle container with another that holds the type of lures that are best suited to the desired fish. Notably, as seen in FIG. 5, vest  1  is designed such that the foldable joints  14  and  18  between the lower and upper sections of front panel  3  and rear panel  4  are located near the waist of the fisherman wearing the same. By so constructing the vest in this manner, when the fisherman is seated, as if in a boat, the lower section of the front-facing panel may be folded downwardly away from the fisherman, to a position resting on the thighs of the fisherman&#39;s legs, thereby exposing the fisherman&#39;s tackle container  21 . 
     With similar tackle storage containers  21  being available on both the front and the rear panels  3  and  4  of vest  1 , the fisherman can carry lures for a wide variety of different fish. By simply rotating the vest  1  to reverse the orientation of the front and rear panels, the fisherman may readily switch to another type of tackle, as desired. To accomplish this, the fisherman need only place his/her arms inside the side straps  8  and  9 , and rotate the vest  1  about his/her neck. Alternatively, the fisherman may disconnect the latch  10  connecting the side straps  8  and  9  prior to rotating the vest. 
     As a fishing vest, vest  1  is preferably constructed of a water-resistant material, or of a material such as polyester, cotton, or nylon, which is treated for water-resistance. Vest  1  may also optionally be constructed as a life vest with permanent or removable floatation means incorporated therein. As shown in FIG. 5, side pockets  30  may be incorporated on the inside face of upper sections  12  and  16  of the front and rear panels which are designed to receive removable floatation devices  31  therein. Similar unfastenable securing means, such as Velcro, may also be used to close pockets  30 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that the floatation means could also be of a type that automatically inflates upon pulling an activation cord, much like those used in commercial airplanes. With the incorporation of such floatation means, our improved fishing vest  1  may also function as an approved life vest, thereby obviating the need for the fisherman to wear an additional and separate life preserver. 
     As an additional option, it is also contemplated that vest  1  may include additional storage pockets for other utensils and spare items commonly used in fishing. For instance, as further shown in FIG. 5, a storage compartment  32  for a map or the like may be sewn or otherwise secured to the outside face of one of the upper sections  12  or  16  of the front or rear panels  3  or  4 . Upon closure of the lower section over the upper section, pocket  32  is kept relatively secure from elements such as rain or wind. Optionally, an overlaying flap may be incorporated into the pocket to further secure the contents therein. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, additional storage pockets may be incorporated into vest  1  for other items such as forceps, spare line, etc.; and vest  1  may also be constructed to incorporate a rod or reel holster, which may be useful to the fisherman when hiking through rough terrain. 
     With reference to FIG. 7, as still another alternative, it is further contemplated that a jacket  36  may be incorporated into vest  1  to further secure the contents of the fishing tackle container  21  during transportation. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, jacket  36  includes opposing wall sections  37  and  38 , each of which is constructed of a flexible fabric material with mating zipper portions  39  and  40  incorporated therein. As can be seen in FIG. 7, wall section  37  is secured to the outer face of upper section  12  of front panel  3  and extends about three sides of an area designed to border container  21 . Similarly, wall section  38  is secured to the inner face of lower section  13  of front panel  3 , and also extends about three sides of a corresponding area bordering container  21 . With lower section  13  moved to a near closed position, mating zipper portions  39  and  40  on walls  37  and  38  may be zipped shut to further enclose container  21  for safekeeping during traveling. Of course, it will be s appreciated that a similar jacket  36  may also be incorporated into the rear panel  4  of vest  1  to enclose the fishing tackle container  21  carried thereby. 
     In operation, depending upon the type of fish being sought by the fishermen, storage containers  21  containing the appropriate tackle may be selected and loaded into the front and rear panels  3  and  4  of vest  1  by sliding the same within the appropriate channel guide means  20  secured to the lower sections thereof. For securement during traveling, the optional jacket  36  carried on each side of the vest may be zipped shut so as to enclose container  21  within the enlarged storage compartment formed between the upper and lower sections of the respective front and rear panels  3  and  4 . 
     With the appropriate fishing tackle containers  21  loaded in vest  1 , vest  1  may be placed over the head of the fishermen as shown in FIG. 1, and straps  8  and  9  may be secured and tightened to hold the vest in proper position against the fishermen&#39;s body. The orientation of the vest (i.e., either the front panel  3  or rear panel  4  facing forward) will be dependent upon which type of fish will be sought first by the fishermen. 
     Whether the fishermen is fishing by boat, or on shore, once he/she has reached a desired fishing hole, the releasable securing means  15  and jacket  36  may be unfastened, thereby allowing the lower section of the forward facing panel to unfold from the upper section to a position on the fishermen&#39;s lap, and shown in FIG.  5 . As such, fishing tackle stored in container  21  is now readily accessible to the fishermen, and by opening lid  24 , the fishermen may select the desired lure with relative ease. After selection of the appropriate lure is made, the fishermen need only close lid  24  and fold the lower section of the forward facing panel upwardly to cause securing means  15  to once again engage, thereby holding the lower section in its closed position relative to its adjoining upper section, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     With the fishing tackle at the fishermen&#39;s finger tips, the fishermen may rapidly change lures and/or move to other fishing locations with relative ease and convenience. Should the fishermen choose to seek other fish or use other lures stored in the container  21  on the rear panel  4  of vest  1 , the fishermen need only place their arms inside the side straps  8  and  9  and rotate the vest about their neck. Alternatively, as previously stated, the fishermen may also disconnect the side straps prior to rotating the vest. 
     From the above, it can be seen that substantial benefits of increased efficiency and convenient accessibility to a fisherman&#39;s tackle can be achieved through the use of our improved integral fishing vest and tackle carrier. Whether sitting in a boat, or elsewhere, a fisherman may simply unfold the lower section of the front facing panel of vest  1  to bring his fishing tackle to his fingertips. Whether fishing for leisure or in competition, our improved fishing vest allows the fisherman to switch lures on the fly, and conveniently and quickly store and change lures on his/her lap. Once the fisherman has changed a lure, the lower section of the front facing panel may simply be closed and automatically secured to the upper section until he/she wishes again to change bait. 
     It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention which comprises the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.