Patent Application
20070045973
n/a
n/a
The present invention relates to a fishing cart and more specifically to a mobile, compact fishing cart that stores fishing equipment within and upon its frame and that includes movable support trays that pivot outward when in an open position in order to support the fishing equipment and which form at least a portion of the frame of the cart when in a closed position.
Fishing has grown into an extremely popular recreational pastime. Although one can escape to a lake or stream with just their fishing pole, a few hooks and some bait, all stored in a tackle box, more experienced fisherman understand that many different types of fishing equipment are usually needed to make the outing a more rewarding, enjoyable and successful one. If more than one fisherman is present on the outing, more than one fishing pole will be needed. This would require additional bait, lures, hooks, and other fishing tools. Thus, it is evident that a simple tackle box would not sufficiently hold all the equipment necessary for the fishing outing.
In addition to the fishing equipment, other items such as food, drinks, cups, eating utensils, chairs or stools, ice, coolers, or reading material would have to be carried separately to the site. Needless to say, a simple fishing trip could turn into a major excursion due to the amount of equipment and ancillary items that would need to be brought to the fishing site.
Prior art fishing carts exist that can be wheeled to the fishing site and include storage compartments or hooks for various types of equipment. However, the prior art fishing carts do not have integrated shelves that can rotate to form a portion of the cart itself, thus forming a lower profile cart that is easier to move as well, nor do they have a frame that can protect the contents of the fishing equipment within the cart during transport. Further, prior art carts are bulky and expensive to manufacture, fail to include a drainage system to protect the equipment within the cart from water damage, fail to include space for the fisherman to skin and de-bone the fish, or remove hooks from the fish's mouth, and do not include proper recesses adapted for use with specific fishing equipment, such as fishing poles, bait buckets, and tackle boxes. The present invention is directed to a fishing cart that avoids these and other disadvantages.
The present invention advantageously provides an apparatus that stores fishing equipment in one, compact fishing cart. According to one aspect of the invention, a fishing cart comprising a frame forming an enclosed area is provided. The enclosed area is defined by top and a bottom wall, a rear and a front wall, and opposing side walls. The front wall includes one or more pivotable substantially planar support members, wherein the support members form at least a portion of the front wall when in a closed position and may support an object thereon when in an open position.
In another aspect of the invention, a fishing cart is provided that includes a frame forming an enclosed area defined by top and a bottom wall, a rear and a front wall, and opposing side walls, where each side wall includes attachment hooks. The cart also includes one or more substantially planar support trays rotatable between and open position and a closed position, such that when in the closed position, each said support tray forms at least a portion of the front wall of the frame.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention advantageously provides a portable fishing equipment storage cart that can store a variety of fishing-related objects and equipment in a low-profile, easy-to-maneuver enclosed frame in order to safely transport fishing equipment to a fishing site. The cart includes an enclosed frame having a series of planar support trays. The trays form a portion of the front wall of the frame and can pivot outward in order to provide a storage surface thereon. The shelves can be folded upward and returned to their original position after use, thus minimizing the size of the cart. Advantageously, the cart includes attachment hooks on one side to receive a mountable fishing pole attachment fin. The fin is designed to receive and secure fishing poles thereto. Additional recesses and compartments adorn the frame for additional storage capability.
Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements there is shown in
Referring again to
Lowermost tray 26, when open, rests upon or proximate the ground. Thus, tray 26 may support larger and more bulkier objects such as ice or a cooler. Tray 26 includes a raised lip 36, which is raised above a lower ledge of frame 12. The shape of lip 36 allows tray 26 to be opened and placed upon the floor, thus allowing heavier items to be supported thereon. Each of the trays shown in
Frame 12 is advantageously equipped with drainage slots 40. Drainage slots 40 can be included throughout frame 12 including its bottom wall 20, side walls 14 and 16, and rear wall 21. A handle 41 is connected to frame 12 toward the back of side walls 14 and 16. Handle 41 can swivel to allow the user to grasp the handle 41 at different positions in order to facilitate moving and steering of cart 10. Handle 41 can be folded across top wall 18 when not in use in order to maintain the low profile of the cart.
Fin 30 includes an upper bracket 44 and a lower bracket 46. Upper bracket 44 contains a series of indentations 46, each sized to receive and secure the distal end of a fishing pole 27. Lower bracket 46 contains a series of larger recesses 50, each aligned with a corresponding indentation 48 in upper bracket 44. Recess 50 houses the larger, proximate end of the fishing pole. Thus, fin 30 provides an attachment device that can be placed on each side or both sides of frame 12 and which can hold several fishing poles thus obviating the need to hand-carry or separately carry each pole.
Fin 30 can be seen attached to each side of frame 12. The narrow profile of cart 10 is due to the flush relationship of removable fins 30 with their respective side walls 14 and 16, the ability of handle 41 to rotate flush against top wall 18, and the collapsibility of each storage tray 22, 24, and 26 when not in use. The narrow profile of cart 10 is maintained since fins 30 can store fishing poles up against the sides of frame 12, and holders 52 and 56 can store such items as folded stools against rear wall 21. Thus, frame 12 of cart 10 provides a compact storage compartment that can provide safe storage for objects both within the frame 12 and against its exterior.
The trays 22, 24 and 26 are each shown in an open configuration, where each is rotatably connected to its corresponding shelf (23, 25 and 20) via a hinge (not shown). Any type of support hinge can be used to rotatably connect each of the trays to the frame 12. Thus, trays 22 and 24 can be folded along the hinge, separating the tray from its respective shelf. A clasp or other type of locking mechanism can be used to maintain each tray in a closed configuration. Fin 30 is affixed to side wall 14, shown in phantom in, and includes handles 42 to assist the user in placing the fin 30 on frame 12. In
Each tray, when in a closed configuration, forms all or a portion of the frame's front wall.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.
