Abstract:
A lockable fishing rod rack for holding a multiple number of fishing rods made of materials resisting corrosion and compatible with the environment in which a first rack member and a second rack member are slideable relative to each other so that in one position of the racks the lock can be placed in position and upon sliding movement of the racks relative to each other the rack is closed to the removal of fishing rods and can be held in that position by a lock preventing relative movement of the two rack members.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/400,350, filed Jul. 31, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to racks for holding fishing rods and the like and more particularly to a rack that will hold such articles in a locked position. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fishing rods with their attached reels and tackle are the target of thieves. Lockable racks for holding such equipment have been provided but for the most part are complex and comprised of a multiplicity of parts. Often such racks are used in the open portion of fishing boats where they are exposed to the weather and subjected to damage and require a great deal of attention for maintenance and upkeep. Furthermore most of such racks rely on padlocks for the locking mechanism and such locks are easily misplaced or lost and more importantly can be cut and opened with the appropriate tools. 
   Although fishing rods are discussed in the specification, it should be understood that the fishing rod rack of this invention can be adapted to hold various elongated object such as guns, spears and the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a rack for fishing rods that acts to hold the fishing rod in position and can be locked to prevent the unauthorized removal from the rack. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a simple rack for holding a multiple number of fishing rods which utilizes a minimum number of parts. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a fishing rod rack that incorporates a push button type of lock that resists tampering with the use of usual type of bolt cutters to overcome pad locks. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism comprised of a pair of relatively slideable members which in one position receive the fishing rod for holding it in position relative to the rack and which can be slid relative to each other to place the rack in condition for locking. 
   The purposes of the invention are attained by a lockable fishing rod rack for holding a multiple number of fishing rods made of materials resisting corrosion and compatible with the marine fishing environment in which a first rack member and a second rack member are slideable relative to each other so that in one position the parts are ready to receive and to hold rods in position. Upon sliding movement to a second position the rack becomes closed to the removal of the fishing rod and can be held in that position by a push button type of lock which prevents the relative movement of the two rack members. 

   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation of the two major components of the lockable fishing rod rack embodying the invention in an open condition for receiving fishing rods; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the structure in  FIG. 1  showing another operating condition of the fishing rod rack in a closed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken on line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of the stationary component of the fishing rod rack; and 
       FIG. 5  is a view of the moveable portion of the fishing rod rack in condition prior to bending during manufacture. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings, the lockable fishing rod rack is designated generally at  10  and is made up of a stationary rack member  12  and moveable rack member  14 . The stationary rack member  12  is adapted to be mounted within a building or vehicle but more particularly in a boat on a generally vertical bulkhead or in an overhead horizontal position within the cabin portion of a fishing vessel. The stationary rack member  12  has a rear edge  16  which is adapted to be fitted against a wall bulkhead or ceiling and held in position by various means such as screw fasteners or adhesive to mount the device securely in position. As an example, a cleat  17  can be provided on one side of member  12  and fastened thereto by adhesive or screws, Screws  19  can be used to fasten the cleat and attached member  12  to the selected subframe. 
   The rack member  12  preferably is made of a plastic board material which does not require painting and is weather resistant. Opposite the rear edge  16 , stationary rack member  12  is provided with a plurality of hook portions  18  and a corresponding number of bight or seat portions  20  in which horizontally disposed fishing poles can rest. Although three hook portions  18  are shown, if should be understood that a larger number or lesser number could be provided depending on the requirements and available space. Also, only one complete lockable rack  10  is required to support one end of the elongated items such as fishing poles. The opposite end of the fishing poles may be supported on hooks of a stationary rack member  12  with or without a moveable rack  14  or the need for a lock mechanism. 
   The moveable rack member  14  forming a portion of the rack  10 , is preferably made of sheet metal such as stainless steel that is bent from a flat condition seen in  FIG. 5  to form a U-shaped cross-section as shown in  FIG. 3  having leg portions  22  and  24  that are disposed in parallel relationship and spaced apart a sufficient distance to slidably receive the stationary rack member  12  as best seen in FIG.  1  and FIG.  2 . As viewed from one side as seen in FIG.  1  and  FIG. 2 , the moveable rack member  14  is provided with hook portions  28  corresponding in number to the hook portions  18  on the stationary rack member  12 . 
   The moveable rack member  14  is held in position relative to the stationary rack member  12  by means of slots  30  which receive double headed rivets  32  secured in fixed positions  34  in the stationary rack member  12  as best seen in FIG.  2 . The slots  30  permit limited relative sliding movement of the moveable member  14  relative to the stationary rivets  32  in member  12  as best seen in FIG.  1  and FIG.  2 . In  FIG. 1  the associated hook portions  18  and  28  are in a position to accept fishing rods which can be moved into position through the opening or gaps indicated at  36 . In  FIG. 2  the moveable member  14  has been moved to the position closing the gaps  36  so that any rod members lying in the bight  20  of the hook portions  18  cannot be removed laterally from the rack  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5. , the moveable rack member  14  is originally flat and has its sides  22  and  24  joined together by connecting portions  38  joining hook portions  28 . To bring the two sides  22  and  24  into parallel relationship with each other as shown in  FIG. 2 , the flat member  39  is bent along the connecting portions  38  to bring the sides  22  and  24  into parallel relationship to each other. This also brings the pairs of the slots  30  and the pair of lock openings  40  into alignment. 
   A push button type of keyed lock  46  is used to maintain the members  12  and  14  in locked, stationary position relative to each other. For this purpose the moveable member  14  is provided with aligned openings  40  in the sides  22  and  24 . The openings  40  are brought into alignment with an opening  42  in the stationary member  12  in the closed condition of the rack  10 . In that condition a plug type lock or push button type lock  46  as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , can be positioned to be in the three aligned openings  40  and  42 . If the lock is of the push button type it can be permanently fixed to one of the sides  22  or  24  in the associated opening  40 . In the locked condition of the rack  10 , the portion  47  of lock  46  is pushed to the right as viewed in  FIG. 3  to interfere with the opening  42  in the stationary member  12 . This reduces the exposed size of the lock to make most tools such as bolt cutters ineffective in any attempt to force opening without a key. In the case of a plug type lock (not shown) the entire lock is insertable in aligned openings  40  and  42 , leaving even less structure exposed to tools attempting to force opening. 
   If desired, the rack  10  can be placed in condition to receive the shackle of a conventional padlock by providing aligned openings in the walls  22  and  24  of the moveable member  14  and in the stationary member  12  when the rack is in its closed Condition as seen in FIG.  2 . Such a lock arrangement does not take full advantage of the security afforded by the mounting of a push button lock  46  or the use of a plug type lock. 
   A lockable rack for fishing poles and other elongated items has been provided in which a stationary rack member and a moveable rack member are moved relative to each other between an open, pole receiving position and a closed pole secured position. In the closed position a push button lock or plug type lock can be locked in aligned openings to prevent relative movement of the rack members with the lock substantially concealed within the rack member to prohibit access with tools in an attempt to overcome the locked condition.