Abstract:
In some embodiments, a portable floor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, (b) a pre-cut hole in the floor adapted to allow a ice-fishing auger, (c) a plug to cover the at least one hole, (d) a container which is attachable to the floor, the container having a hinged top lid providing access to the interior of the container and a fishing rod holder, (e) an insulated material located adjacent to the frame, (f) a non-slip material coupled to the top surface, (g) a means for coupling the container to the floor, (h) a container to store live bait, (i) lights protruding from containers, and (j) cup holders.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to fishing. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to ice fishing. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to utilities to make ice fishing more enjoyable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Ice fishing is an activity of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities. 
         [0003]    It is a popular pastime in Canada, Finland, Estonia, Norway, Sweden and Germany. In the United States, people from Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, the states of New England and other areas with lakes and long, cold winters enjoy the activity. 
         [0004]    Ice fishing gear is highly specialized. First, an ice saw, auger or chisel is required to cut a circular hole or larger rectangular hole in the ice. Power augers are sometimes used. A skimmer is used to remove new ice as it forms and to clear slush left from making the hole. During colder periods most ice anglers choose to carry a heater of some type. The heater is for warmth and it also keeps an anglers fishing hole from freezing. When temperatures reach −20° F. or colder it becomes very hard to keep a fishing hole open. 
         [0005]    Three main types of fishing occur. Small, light fishing rod with small, brightly colored lures or jigs with bait such as waxworms, fat heads or crappie minnows. Tip-ups, which carry a line attached to a flag which “tips up” when a strike occurs, allow unattended or less-intensive fishing. The line is dragged in by hand with no reel. In spear fishing a large hole is cut in the ice and fish decoys may be deployed. The fisherman sits in a dark ice shanty called a dark house. The fisherman then peers into the water while holding a large spear attached to a line waiting for fish to appear. This method is often used for lake sturgeon fishing. In the United States, many states allow only rough fish to be taken while spear fishing. 
         [0006]    Becoming increasingly popular is the use of a flasher, similar to its summer cousin the fish finder. This is a sonar system providing depth information, as well as indicating the presence of fish or other objects. These flashers, unlike most typical fish finders, display the movement of fish and other objects almost instantaneously. The bait being used can often be seen as a mark on the flasher, enabling the angler to position the bait right in front of the fish. Underwater cameras are also now available which allow the user to view the fish and observe their reaction to the lure presentation. 
         [0007]    Longer fishing expeditions can be mounted with simple structures. Larger, heated structures can make multi-day fishing trips possible, but these are eschewed by many seasoned fishers, who fish with no protective structure, attired only in heavy winter wear. 
         [0008]    A structure with various local names, but often called an ice shanty, ice shack, fish house, shack, bobhouse, or ice hut, is sometimes used. These are dragged or trailered onto the lake using a vehicle such as a snowmobile, ATV or truck. The two most commonly used types are portable and permanent. The portable houses are often made of a heavy material which is usually water tight. The two most common types of portable houses are when your shelter flips behind the user when not needed, or a pop up shelter so the only means out is through a door. The permanent shelters are made of wood or metal and usually have wheels for easy transport. They can be as basic as a bunk heater and holes or having satellite TV, bathrooms, stoves, full size beds and may appear to be more like a mobile home than a fishing house. 
         [0009]    In North America, ice fishing is often a social activity. Some resorts have fish houses rented out by the day, often; shuttle service via Snow Track or other vehicles modified to drive on ice is provided. In Finland, solitary and contemplative isolation is often the object of the pastime. In Finland, fishhouses are a rare occurrence, but wearing a sealed and insulated drysuit designed of space-age fabric is not. In North America, houses appear to create a city at locations where fishing is best. 
         [0010]    When fishing in a trap-style portable ice shelter the user typically has ice as the floor. The ice, of course, can be very slippery and can melt when using a heater in the portable ice shelter. Prior trap-style portable shelters typically have a pull-over shelter with no floor. The ice can make entering and exiting the shelter dangerous as a slip hazard. 
         [0011]    There currently exist portable ice shelters having floors, however they cannot be used for the trap-style ice shelters. 
         [0012]    The present invention is different from the cabin-style ice shelter floors because it isn&#39;t attached to the ice shelters. It is lightweight and removable and can be used separately from the trap-style ice shelter. There isn&#39;t a removable, foldable floor on the market to be used with the trap-style portable ice shelters. Our two containers provide storage and convenience for transporting fishing equipment and live bait to and from your ice shelter. Past containers were placed behind the seats of the ice shelter which made organization and access hard to achieve. 
         [0013]    Further, a fisherman would typically need many storage buckets to transport bait and fishing equipment. There are current containers/tackle boxes used for transporting fishing equipment and bait; however, they do not allow easy access to the equipment without the angler needing to reach behind himself or even get up and move. Present containers further do not allow for an angler&#39;s equipment to remain stored until the next time they fish. 
         [0014]    It would be desirable to have a floor for ice fishing which would insulate the fisherman from the cold of the ice, prevent the fisherman from slipping on the ice and provide precut holes for directly drilling fishing holes in the ice. It would be desirable to have a floor for ice fishing which was portable. It would be desirable to have a chest for carrying bait and other fishing implements. It would be desirable to have a chest having lighting for shinning on an ice hole. It would be desirable to have a fishing chest having holders for ice fishing rods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In some embodiments, a portable floor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a pre-cut hole for an ice fishing auger, (b) at least one handle attached to the top surface, (c) a plug to fit into and cover the pre-cut hole, and (d) a slot in a portion of the plug. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, a portable floor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, (b) a pre-cut hole in the floor adapted to allow a ice-fishing auger, (c) a plug to cover the at least one hole, (d) a container which is attachable to the floor, the container having a hinged top lid providing access to the interior of the container and a fishing rod holder, (e) an insulated material located adjacent to the frame, (f) a non-slip material coupled to the top surface, and (g) a means for coupling the container to the floor. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, a container may include one or more of the following features: (a) a door providing access to the interior of the container, (b) a handle, (c) a fishing rod holder, (d) a battery-powered light protruding from an exterior of the container, (e) a removable false bottom, (f) an additional sealable compartment disposed in the interior of the container for accommodating live fishing bait, (g) at least one cup holder attached to the exterior of the container, and (h) a locking mechanism on the hinged top lid for securing the container lid. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a trap-style ice fishing house in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows an upper front profile view of containers in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a rearview profile view of containers in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows atop profile view of a container in an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a top profile view of a container in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present teachings. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the present teachings. Thus, the present teachings are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the present teachings. 
         [0027]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a fold-up floor designed for trap-style portable ice shelters. Embodiments of the present invention provide relief from sitting on the ice. Embodiments of the present invention help insulate and provide a non-slip surface for entering and exiting an ice shelter. The fold-up floor could also be used as a flotation device if the user ever fell through the ice. The floor could also be used for fisherman without a shelter who wish to fish directly on the ice. Embodiments of the present invention can fold in half and fit into a case for an ice shelter making it convenient and easy to transport two storage containers used for transporting equipment, rods, live bait and lights. 
         [0028]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a removable, foldable and insulated floor which can fold and fit in a sled base of a trap-style portable ice shelter. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose storage containers used for transportation of fishing equipment and live baits (e.g., minnows). 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a foldable floor and two containers. The floor provides utility, warmth, safety and comfort. One container provides a portable way to transport live bait. Another container can provide a portable way to transport fishing equipment and rods to and from the ice house. The containers can set up on the floor providing the comforts of a permanent ice house without losing the versatility of a portable ice shelter. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a safe non-slip floor ice fisherman can use with or without trap-style ice shelters. The containers can limit the amount of cases or buckets needed to house fishing equipment and rods. The containers can be removable and fishing equipment can remain stored until the next outing. Another container can be a portable bait bucket allowing anglers to use multiple kinds of bait. Bait can be stored in the container until the fisherman&#39;s next outing. The floor can be transported within an ice shelter and the containers can eliminate the need for other storage containers. Everything you need for ice fishing would be contained and transported in our prototype. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a trap-style ice fishing house in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Trap-style icehouse  10  (icehouse) is a portable icehouse. Icehouse  10  typically folds from front  12  to back  14  in an accordion-like fashion along a metal frame  16 . Icehouse  10  is shown fully erected; however, when icehouse  10  is broken down, as just described, it is typically small enough to be stored in tub  18  shown at the back of icehouse  10 . Tub  18  typically can support chairs  20  and allow the angler to store other items within tub  18 . Also shown in  FIG. 1 , and in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is a portable ice fishing floor  22  (floor) and portable ice fishing containers  24  and  26 . 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Floor  22  is shown being substantially square; however, it is fully contemplated floor  22  could be most any shape, such as circular, triangular, rectangular or oval, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Floor  22  can have a handle  28  to make it easy for an angler to lift floor  22  off the ice when the angler is finished ice fishing. When picking up floor  22  for transport, floor  22  will typically fold in half along axis  30  which runs from side  32  to opposite side  34 . Also shown are plugs  36  which cover ice fishing precut holes  38 .  FIG. 2  shows  4  precut holes  38 ; however, it is fully contemplated most any realistic number of precut holes  38  could be within floor  22  without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, precut holes  38  could be arranged in most any geometric fashion, besides as shown in  FIG. 2 . Precut holes could be placed anywhere on floor  22 . 
         [0033]    As shown in the background icehouse  10  is shown broke down and placed within tub  18  for easy transport for the angler. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Plugs  36  are shown removed to better show precut holes  38 . Precut holes  38  have an indented ridge  40  which runs along the periphery of precut holes  38 . Ridges  40  provide a ledge for plugs  36  to rest upon and allow plugs  36  to run smooth with floor  22 . Ridges  40  can also have a fastener, such as Velcro  42 , to hold plugs  36  within precut holes  38 . Plugs  36  can have a slot  44  within the body of plugs  36  to allow for the angler to easy remove plugs  36  from holes  38  when the angler would like to use floor  22 . It is fully contemplated other methods of removal for plugs  36  besides a slot  44  could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as a string attached to a hole in plug  36 . Covering floor  22  can be a non-slip material  46  to prevent an angler from slipping should water get on floor  22 . Most any non-slip surface, such as a water resistant carpet, could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0035]    In use, the angler could set floor  22  on the ice. After removing plugs  36 , the angler could drill a hole though the ice through precut holes  38  with an auger. The ice removed by the auger could then be pushed off of floor  22 . Precut holes  38  are typically 12″ in diameter, which is plenty of room to allow most augers to drill a hole though the ice. However, it is fully contemplated precut holes  38  could be most any diameter within reason without departing from the spirit of the invention. Icehouse  10  can be raised and the angler is ready to go fishing which still keeping warm with an insulated floor beneath him and feel safe from slipping with non-slip flooring  46 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a portable ice fishing floor in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Floor  22  has been folded in half and placed within tub  18  for easy transport. Floor  22  fits nicely within tub  18 . Floor  22  can be manufactured to fit with most any portable icehouse manufactures transportation device, such as tub  18 . With bottom side  48  exposed frame  50  is shown having a platform  52  on top of frame  50 . Frame  50  could be made from most any material, such as wood or metal; however, the inventors have found plastic to make floor  22  lighter and thus easier to transport. Platform  52  could also be made of most any material, such as wood or metal, but the inventor&#39;s have found plastic assists in making floor  22  lighter. An insulated plastic could be used to assist in keeping the cold of the ice away from the angler and yet also protecting the ice from melting should the angler have a heater in icehouse  10 . It is also contemplated an additional layer of insulation could be attached to bottom side  48  should frame  50  and platform  52  be made of other non-insulated materials. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , an upper front profile view of containers in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Lower container  60  and upper container  62  can be coupled to floor  22  or used separately. Lower container  60  can be coupled to floor  22  by most any means such as Velcro, a peg and slot fitting or even fastened with a bolt. Most any type of attachment is fully contemplated without departing from the spirit of the invention. Both containers  60  and  62  can have adjustable pivoting lights  64  which can be powered by a battery within container  60  or  62 . Typically, lights  64  could be focused upon most any ice fishing hole to provide a better visual fishing experience for the angler, especially if the angler is fishing at night. Containers  60  and  62  can also have other amenities such as cup holders  66 , an ashtray  68  or even fishing pole holders  70 . Each container has a door  72  which pivots upon an axis  74 . Each container  60  and  62  has handles  76  which allow the angler to easily carry both container  60  and  62  to and from the fishing events. 
         [0038]    Container  60  is approximately 13″ inches across and lengthwise. Container  62  is approximately 13″ inches across and 16″ lengthwise. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a rearview profile view of containers in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Coupled to the rear of container  62  can be a rod holder  80  for holding fishing rods  82 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a top profile view of a container in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Container  62  has a false bottom  90  which can be pulled from container  62 . Underneath of false bottom  90  is a storage space for a battery (not shown) which can power lights  64 . Other items can be stored below false bottom  90  as well. In  FIG. 8 , a bait holder  100  is shown. Bait holder  100  can hold most any type of bait for extended periods of time. 
         [0041]    Thus, embodiments of the ICE FISHING UTILITIES are disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate the present teachings can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for functions of illustration and not limitation, and the present teachings are limited only by the claims follow.