Patent Application
20220194522
Boats used for fishing such as, for example, bass fishing often have carpet-like surfaces or other loop-type surfaces (hereinafter, collectively, “boat carpet”). Common fishing gear includes one or more hooks that form part of a fishing rig. These rigs are stored on boats in specific areas while not in use and often come into contact with the boat carpet surfaces found on many boats in these areas. It is common for the hooks in fishing rigs to become entangled with boat carpet, making it difficult to disentangle the hooks from the boat carpet causing damage to carpet and risk of injury to detangler.
What is needed, therefore, is a means to protect fishing rig hooks and/or lures from boat carpet while such fishing rigs are stored on a boat.
The above and other needs are met by embodiments of the present invention, which are directed to a protective mat for keeping fishing gear untangled with boat surfaces including a first layer including a hard upper surface and a second layer for engaging the protective mat with boat carpet.
According to embodiments of the invention, a protective mat includes a first layer comprising a polymer-based material, the first layer comprising a first first layer surface and a second first layer surface; a second layer adhered to the second first layer surface and configured to physically engage with boat carpet.
In some embodiments, the protective mat also includes an adhesive layer for adhering the first layer to the second layer.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises small hook fasteners for engagement with boat carpet.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises a first second layer surface and a second second layer surface wherein the first second layer surface is adhered to the second first layer surface and wherein the second second layer surface comprises a plurality of spikes extending out from the second second layer surface. In some such embodiments, the first layer and the second layer are made of plastic.
According to embodiments of the invention, a protective mat for adherence to an interior boat surface includes (a) a first layer including a first surface and a second surface, (b) wherein the first layer is made of a polymer-based material and comprises a plurality of spikes extending out from the second surface.
In some embodiments, the protective mat also includes an adhesive layer for adhering the first layer to the second layer.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises small hook fasteners for engagement with boat carpet.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises a first second layer surface and a second second layer surface wherein the first second layer surface is adhered to the second first layer surface and wherein the second second layer surface comprises a plurality of spikes extending out from the second second layer surface. In some such embodiments, the first layer and the second layer are made of plastic.
According to embodiments of the invention, a protective mat for adherence to an interior boat surface includes (a) one or more magnets configured to secure one or more pieces of equipment to the protective mat, (b) wherein the protective mat is made of a polymer-based material.
In some embodiments, the protective mat also includes an adhesive layer for adhering the first layer to the second layer.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises small hook fasteners for engagement with boat carpet.
In some embodiments, the second layer comprises a first second layer surface and a second second layer surface wherein the first second layer surface is adhered to the second first layer surface and wherein the second second layer surface comprises a plurality of spikes extending out from the second second layer surface. In some such embodiments, the first layer and the second layer are made of plastic.
Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
The figures are provided to illustrate concepts of the invention disclosure and are not intended to embody all potential embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosure in any way, a function which is reserved for the appended claims.
A protective mat 100 for use in fishing boats is disclosed. Generally speaking, embodiments of the invention provide for a plastic, rubber, metal, or other material formed and shaped into specific sizes and shapes in order to be applied to a surface to protect from hook or other metal penetration. The protective mat 100 may use, in various embodiments, different methods for attachment to the surface, such as by hook and loop fastener system, sewing system, adhesive such as glue, screws, nails, pop-rivets or the like. A primary use-case of the invention is for fishing vessels that have an exposed penetrable surface such as carpeting on the floor of a fishing boat. Hooks can become caught in the vessel's carpeting, thereby causing damage to both lures and carpeting. Typically, to remove hooks caught in carpeting requires the angler to use hands or tools, running the risk of injury to the angler.
The protective mat 100 of the present invention stops or inhibits penetration and prevents damage. The protective mat 100 allows the angler to use time more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary waste of time removing hooks from carpeting and saves resources by prevention of damage to costly lures.
Some embodiments of the invention provide that the protective mat 100 includes a first layer 102 attached to a second layer 104. The first layer 102 may be or include a hook non- penetration material and/or may include a first surface 106 that is hard in order to prevent fishing hooks from becoming engaged with or otherwise entangled with the first layer 102. The second layer 104 may be a layer including flexible hook-type fastener material 108 with tiny flexible hooks for engaging with a loop-type material 110. The loop-type material 110 may be or include carpeting disposed on a boat subfloor 112. In some embodiments, the loop-type material 110 is included on a third layer which is attached to the boat subfloor 112 and may include carpeting or be without carpeting. The carpeting may itself function as the loop-type material 110 for coupling with a hook-type fastener material 108. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with a preexisting carpeted boat flooring without requiring removal of carpeting or other intrusive modifications to the boat flooring. An example of the flexible hook-type fastener material 108 includes the hook fastening material used with Velcro™ brand materials.
The first layer 102 may be made of a polymer-based material such as, for example, plastic. Specific examples include polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, and nylon. Other materials can be used other than polymer-based materials so long as the material can be adhered to the second layer 104 and so long as the material forms a hard outer surface. For example, the protective mat, including the first layer 102 may be made of metal, metal alloys, or a combination of polymers and metals.
The second layer 104 is preferably made of small flexible nylon hook-type material common with hook and loop fastening systems such as Velcro™. Other materials other than nylon can be used including, for example, polyester and polypropylene.
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In an alternative embodiment, a protective mat is disclosed including a first layer. The first layer includes a first surface that is hard. The protective mat further includes a plurality of spikes extending outward along or proximate to a second surface of the first layer. In some embodiments, the plurality of spikes are formed as a part of the first layer on the second surface of the first layer using polymer molding techniques known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, the protective mat includes a second layer adhered to the second surface of the first layer wherein the second layer includes the plurality of spikes. An adhesive layer may be used to adhere the first layer to the second layer. Any adhesive known to persons having ordinary skill in the art can be used. The first layer may be made of a polymer-based material such as, for example, plastic. Specific examples include polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, and nylon. The second layer may also be made of these same materials, but other materials are contemplated including rubber and metal.
In various embodiments, the protective mats disclosed herein may be installed such that their upper surfaces are flush or nearly flush with the surface of the sub-floor or other hard flooring surface of the boat. In this regard, the flooring or sub-flooring of the boat may have a depression or other gap configured for receiving and coupling with the installed protective mat.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6.
This application is a non-provisional application tracing priority and claiming benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/130,337, entitled “FISHING HOOK PENETRATION GUARD FOR BOAT SURFACES”, filed Dec. 23, 2020, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. This disclosure relates to the field of fishing accessories and equipment. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a protective mat for use inside fishing boats for keeping fishing gear untangled with boat surfaces.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63130337 | Dec 2020 | US |
