Abstract:
A combination bait bucket and tackle box comprises a cylindrical container providing a means for dry storage of fishing supplies and also live bait. The bait container comprises a top portion of the device. The container further comprises a hinged access lid, a carrying handle, and a pair of slots adapted for securely receiving an aerator pump and a lantern. A bottom portion of the bait container lockably engages a top portion of the tackle box in order to allow the entire apparatus to be carried as unitary device. The tackle box comprises a round bottom portion of the apparatus which includes a plurality of drawers for storage of fishing supplies.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/383,422 filed on Sep. 16, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a storage unit for fishing supplies, and in particular, to a combined bait bucket and tackle box apparatus particularly adapted for use during fishing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fishing is an intricate activity which encompasses many thousands of styles of equipment and strategies. The list of common equipment that is necessary to enjoy and succeed at fishing is seemingly endless. This list includes fishing poles, tackle boxes, bait boxes, chairs, hooks, rods, sinkers, bobbers, bait, lures, and the like. The long list of equipment and supplies that the fisherman has to carry sometimes creates a burden that can tend to spoil that enjoyment, calmness, and simplicity that are associated with fishing. 
     While a fishing tackle box provides a great means of organizing such fishing materials and supplies, depending on the user&#39;s methods and intent, a bait bucket must be carried separately. Each of these devices provides different benefits in terms of permanent storage for inanimate accessories for the tackle box versus temporary preservation of live bait in the case of the bait bucket. However, just these two (2) devices already occupy the available hands of a single fisherman and as soon as additional items such as rods and chairs are taken into account it can be seen that it can be unduly cumbersome for the fisherman to transport their equipment to a fishing spot. This is doubly true in the cases where the fisherman&#39;s point of arrival is distant from their fishing spot or when the fisherman likes to move about on a regular basis, particularly in dark conditions. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide storage devices for use while fishing. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,170; U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,789; U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,544; U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,291; U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,981; U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,298; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,608. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many such devices do not provide a desirable range of storage and utility features advantageous for fishing activities. Many such devices are difficult to transport. Many such devices cannot be separated or adapted for accommodating specific tasks or uses without requiring undue complexity on the part of the user. Many such devices are not adapted to accommodate live bait while also providing organization to inanimate fishing accessories. Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable storage device for fishing accessories without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a fishing device that can accommodate fishing accessories and live bait while providing a range of separable, portable utilities advantageous during fishing activities. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a combined bait bucket and tackle box in a separable, unitary receptacle. The device allows a fisherman to manually transport all of the supplies needed for a successful fishing trip. 
     Another object of the present invention is to enable quick separation and connection of the bait bucket and tackle box via a twist-locking coupling mechanism. Both the bait bucket and tackle box comprise a generally circular perimeter shape such that the bait bucket can be locked in place atop the tackle box in order to form a continuous cylindrical unit. This enables the fisherman to transport both portions of the device together but to physically separate the bait bucket and tackle box during use for purposes of placement, convenience, ease of access, and the like. The device includes a pair of handles to facilitate manual transportation. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a range of features associated with conventional bait buckets and tackle boxes including a water reservoir within the bait bucket for storing live bait, a lid for the bait bucket, a perforated access door within the lid of the bait bucket for quickly accessing bait, and a plurality of hinged storage drawers within the tackle box for storing small fishing accessories such as bait, hooks, lures, bobbers and the like. The lid can comprise a number of attachment means to the bait bucket including a friction fit rim, a threaded perimeter, a unitary integral construction, or the like. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a removable battery powered aerator for aerating the water within the water reservoir during use. The aerator is removably retained within a slot in a side wall of the bait bucket and is in fluid communication with the water reservoir via an air hose and air stone that are routed through an aperture in a top of the bait bucket. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a lantern that illuminates the device during use. The lantern is battery powered and is removably retaining within a slot located in a side wall of the bait bucket opposite the aerator. The lantern can be removed when the lid is off in order to be utilized as a handheld flashlight. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a combination bait bucket and tackle box  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the combination bait bucket and tackle box  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the combination bait bucket and tackle box  10  depicting a threaded top cover  140 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the combination bait bucket and tackle box  10  depicting a second upper portion  120 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 combination bait bucket and tackle box 
               
               
                 15 
                 upper wall 
               
               
                 20 
                 first upper portion 
               
               
                 21 
                 male interlocking feature 
               
               
                 23 
                 post 
               
               
                 24 
                 lamp slot 
               
               
                 25 
                 aerator slot 
               
               
                 26 
                 hose aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 lower portion 
               
               
                 31 
                 drawer 
               
               
                 32 
                 slot 
               
               
                 33 
                 female receiving slot 
               
               
                 34 
                 handle 
               
               
                 35 
                 locking groove 
               
               
                 40 
                 first top cover 
               
               
                 41 
                 hinged lid 
               
               
                 42 
                 gripping protrusion 
               
               
                 50 
                 lamp 
               
               
                 60 
                 aerator 
               
               
                 70 
                 handle 
               
               
                 120 
                 second upper portion 
               
               
                 140 
                 second top cover 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a combination bait bucket and tackle box (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means by which fishing supplies, materials, and bait, can be stored, transported, and used in a functional manner. The use of the device  10  allows fishermen to carry all supplies needed for a successful fishing trip in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The device  10  combines the functionality of a bait bucket and a tackle box into a unitary receptacle. The device  10  generally includes a cylindrical container approximately ten (10) inches in diameter and twelve (12) inches tall. The device  10  includes first upper section  20  and a lower portion  30  being removably attached to each other, each having generally cylindrical shapes. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective and exploded views of the combination bait bucket and tackle box  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The first upper portion  20  of the device  10  provides a bait container function having a first top cover  40  further comprising a hingedly attached lid  41  mounted to said first top cover  40 . The first upper portion  20  provides a hollow internal reservoir for the storage of water, bait fish, or other fresh bait. In the preferred embodiment the cylindrical sidewall of the first upper portion  20  is made of a thermally insulating material. The first top cover  40  comprises a stepped perimeter profile to provide a snug friction fit into the first upper portion  20 . The hinged lid  41  is preferably a semi-circular door hingedly mounted to the first top cover  40  to provide access to the internal reservoir. The hinged lid  41  also includes a plurality of apertures to allow air to freely pass into and out from the internal reservoir. The first top cover  40  also includes a gripping protrusion  42  extending across a central axis which provides a user a gripping interface for removal of the first top cover  40 . 
     A lower portion  30  of the device  10  provides a cylindrical tackle box function having an upper wall  15  spanning a diameter of said first sidewall subjacent from an upper end of said first sidewall providing access to a lower portion interior. The lower portion also has a plurality of swing out drawers  31  which may contain various fishing equipment such as, but not limited to: hooks, bait, sinkers, bobbers, or similar fishing related bait and tackle items. The lower portion  30  also provides a hollow interior to contain the swing out drawers  31  when in a stored stated. The lower portion  30  also includes a plurality of generally wedge-shaped slots  32  correspondingly sized to slidably receive respective drawer portions  31 . Each drawer  31  includes a generally wedge-shaped storage member having a flat bottom and three upwardly extending sidewalls. Each drawer  31  is hingedly attached to the lower portion  30  at one (1) end being adjacent to the corresponding slot  32 , thereby allowing the drawer  31  to slide in and out from the corresponding slot  32 . Each drawer  31  also includes a small pull handle  34  at an end portion opposite the hinge for the user to engage when pulling out and returning the drawer  31 . The sidewall defined between the hinge and the pull handle  34  has an arcuate shape to correspond to the outer shape of the cylindrical lower portion  30  when the drawer  31  is in the stored state. The shape of the drawers  31  are adapted to swing out from the respective slot  32  without any interference between the two (2) structures  31 ,  32 . 
     The first upper  20  and lower  30  portions are removably connected to each other via a pair of opposed twist-locking male interlocking features  21  which extend downwardly from a bottom side of the first upper portion  20 . Said male interlocking features  21  comprise “L”-shaped male interlocking features  21  which engage a matching female receiving slot portion  33  along a top perimeter edge of the lower portion  30 . Said male interlocking features  21  slide downwardly within said female receiving slots  33  and in turn enter a subjacent locking groove  35  comprising an annular inner groove around an upper edge portion of the lower portion  30 . The male interlocking features  21  are inserted into the corresponding female receiving slots  33  and subsequently twisted within the locking groove  35  to securely retain the first upper  20  and lower  30  portions together. 
     The first upper portion  20  comprises a lamp slot  24  and an aerator slot  25  along an upper perimeter edge for convenient storage and transport of purchased lamp  50  and aerator  60  devices. The lamp  50  removably attaches to the lamp slot  24  being particularly sized to receive said lamp  50  within. In like manner, the aerator  60  removably attaches to the aerator slot  25  being particularly sized to receive said aerator  60  within. The lamp  50  is envisioned to be a commercially-available battery-operated portable LED light for providing illumination during periods of low ambient light. The aerator  60  is envisioned to comprise a commercially-available compact water resistant battery-operated unit comprising an aerator pump, a length of hose, and an air stone. The hose and air stone portions are envisioned to be routed through a wall portion of the first upper portion  20  and submerged into contained water through a hose aperture portion  26  located within the aerator slot  25  for aeration of the water stored within the upper portion reservoir. 
     The device  10  also includes a pair of handles  70  which are removably coupled to the first upper portion  20  via looping strap members to allow for easy transportation of the device. The handles  70  are preferably lengths of rope, braided nylon cord, or similar light-weight and durable cord material. In the preferred embodiment the handles include a loop at each opposing end which removably attached to a plurality of respective integral post portions  23  located along an upper outer surface of the first upper portion  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front perspective view of the device  10  depicting a threaded top cover  140 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The invention may be provided with an alternate threaded top cover  140  and a corresponding threaded second upper portion  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a front perspective view of the device  10  depicting a second upper portion  120 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The invention may be provided with a second upper portion  120  comprising a top cover portion being integrated into sidewall portions. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.