The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a system and method for creating additional storage on a marine vehicle.
Many marine vehicles have a lack of storage. This has been a problem for years with very few viable solutions being provided to solve said problem. This is particularly an issue for those who own a single marine vehicle that they use for multiple marine activities. Many recreational fishing boats are suitable for marine activities other than fishing, but besides the fishing pole holders mounted about recreational fishing boats, storage can be lacking. This is readily apparent when performing the marine activity of tubing, wherein a large innertube is pulled by a marine vehicle at high speeds. However, though the innertube is pulled behind the marine vehicle during the activity, it often isn't desirable to pull the innertube until a desired location has been reached. Carrying these innertubes in the marine vehicle really limits available room for passengers of a boat while simultaneously reducing space that might be used for other equipment, such as coolers.
Drink holders and fishing pole holders are often located on gunnels of marine vehicles, creating natural anchor points that might be used for storage. However, many current storage solutions for marine vehicles require permanent attachment to various points about said marine vehicle. This essentially forces owners of marine vehicles to choose which marine activity their marine vehicle will be optimized to do since putting a large storage rack around the perimeter of a marine vehicle might seriously hamper an owner's ability to use said marine vehicle for fishing. Further, these storage solutions are often bulky and themselves not easy to store when not in use. These inconveniences make it less likely that owners of marine vehicles will use said solutions since the time and effort to modify the marine vehicle is often not worth the inconvenience. Nor is the cost of these more permanent solutions something many owners of marine vehicle may want to pay.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a modular system that allows one to create storage using fishing pole holders as a mounting point so that recreational equipment can be more easily transported.
A system for modular storage that can be used to create additional storage for recreational equipment used for marine activities is provided. In one aspect, the system converts storage for one type of equipment to storage for another type of equipment. In another aspect, the system is designed to allow a user to convert a plurality of fishing rod holders into a support rack, wherein said support rack is also designed to break down so that the rod holders may be used for their intended purpose when said support rack is not needed. Generally, the system is designed to create storage space on marine vehicles for recreational equipment, such as floats.
The system of the present disclosure may comprise a support configured to secure to a rod holder. Parallel bars of the support extend horizontally from the rod holder to create additional storage space. Multiple supports may be placed in multiple rod holders to create a collection of parallel bars that may be used together to support larger marine/recreational equipment. Straps of the support may secure marine equipment thereto. A holding post of the support secures the support within the rod holder. In some embodiments, a brace may be used to connect two or more supports in order to increase structural stability. For instance, a first support and a second support secured to a marine vehicle via their respective holding rods may be secured to one another via a connecting rod. In other preferred embodiments, hinges may be used to decrease the footprint of the support when not in use. The hinges may also increase the support's ability to conform to the shape of a marine vehicle. In yet other embodiments, a buffer of the support may prevent the support from damaging the marine vehicle. Additionally, a board arm may be connected to two or more supports to increase storage functionality.
The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the system and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system and method of the present disclosure.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
The system 500 generally comprises two or more supports 100 configured in a way such that they may be secured in two or more rod holders 315, wherein parallel bars of the two or more supports 100 extend horizontally from said two or more rod holders 315 to create additional storage space. A brace 425 may be used to connect two or more supports 100 in order to increase structural stability. In other embodiments, a board arm 410 may be connected to a support 100 to increase storage functionality. The rod holders 315 of the marine vehicle 305 are preferably spaced from one another in a way such that the distance between a plurality of supports 100 positioned within said rod holders 315 is short enough so that marine equipment 310 may contact two or more supports 100. In a preferred embodiment, the rod holders 315 are located on the gunnel 405 of a marine vehicle 305, as illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, a support 100 comprises a holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, and connecting rod 115. Types of materials that may be used to create the support 100 include, but are not limited to aluminum, steel, polymer, carbon fiber, or any combination thereof. The holding post is configured to fit within a rod holder 315 of a marine vehicle 305. As illustrated in
The holding post is connected to the first parallel bar 110 at a first end of the first parallel bar 110. In a preferred embodiment, the angle created between the holding post and first parallel bar 110 is such that the first parallel bar 110 is positioned on or near the top of a gunnel 405 of a marine vehicle 305 when said holding post is positioned within the rod holder 315. For instance, the length of the holding post and angle created between the holding post and first parallel bar 110 may be configured such that the first parallel bar 110 is positioned above the gunnel 405 of a marine vehicle 305 by one foot or less. The connecting rod 115 is preferable attached to the second end of the first parallel bar 110 and oriented in a direction that is generally downward when the holding post is positioned within the rod holder 315. In a preferred embodiment, the angle created by the first parallel bar 110 and the connecting rod 115 is such that the connecting rod 115 rests on or near the exterior surface of the marine vehicle 305. For instance, the length of the first parallel bar 110 and angle created between the first parallel bar 110 and holding rod 105 may be configured such that the connecting rod 115 is positioned beside the exterior of a marine vehicle 305 by one foot or less.
Some preferred embodiments of a first parallel bar 110 and/or connecting rod 115 may further comprise a buffer 420 positioned such that it inhibits the first parallel bar 110 and/or connecting rod 115 from directly contacting the marine vehicle 305, reducing the likelihood that the rigid first parallel bar 110 and/or connecting rod 115 will damage said marine vehicle 305 when connected thereto. Types of material that may be used as the buffer 420 include, but are not limited to, silicon, rubber, foam, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the buffer 420 comprises rubber, which may provide a friction force that may reduce movement of the support 100 while the marine vehicle 305 is in motion. For instance, a foam and neoprene pad having a plurality of textured rubber pads on an exterior surface may be used to prevent damage to the marine vehicle 305 while simultaneously providing friction force that may prevent the support 100 from moving while said marine vehicle 305 is in motion.
The second parallel bar 120 is connected to said connecting rod 115 at a second connector end of said connecting rod 115 and provides a platform on which a user may secure marine equipment 310. In a preferred embodiment, the second parallel bar 120 is connected to the connecting rod 115 generally perpendicularly. In another preferred embodiment, the second parallel bar 120 is connected to the connecting rod 115 such that the second parallel bar 120 is angled slightly away from the water when the marine vehicle 305 is upright in the water and when the holding post is positioned within a rod holder 315 of said marine vehicle 305, as illustrated in
A strap 130 of the support 100 may be used to secure marine equipment 310 thereto. Materials that may be used to construct the strap 130 include, but are not limited to, nylon, rayon, polyester, polypropylene, rubber, or any combination thereof. Buckles 125 may be used to in combination with the strap 130 in order to secure marine equipment 310 to said support 100. In a preferred embodiment, a first buckle 125 of the first parallel bar 110 and a second buckle 125 of the second parallel bar 120 may be arranged on said first parallel bar 110 and said second parallel bar 120 so that marine equipment 310 may be secured to the top side of the support 100. In another preferred embodiment, a third buckle 125 located between said first buckle 125 and said second buckle 125 may be used in conjunction with said second buckle 125 to allow a strap 130 to secure marine equipment 310 to said support 100 therebetween. In some embodiments, a second strap 130 may be used to secure marine equipment 310 between said second buckle 125 and said third buckle 125. Types of buckles 125 that may be used with the strap 130 include, but are not limited to, cam buckles 125, ratchet buckles 125, roller buckles 125, side-release buckles 125, slide buckles 125, snap buckles 125, or any combination thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the strap 130 and buckle 125 comprise a bungee cord and bungee attachment point, such as a hook or a U-bolt.
As mentioned previously, two or more supports 100 may be used in conjunction with one another to create a support rack 400, wherein marine equipment 310 may be secured to said supports 100 of said support rack 400. For instance, as illustrated in
In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, connecting rod 115, and brace 425 may be adjustable. In one such embodiment, at least one of the holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, connecting rod 115, and brace 425 is configured to extend in length. This may allow the support 100 to fit multiple marine vehicles 305 and marine equipment 310 of varying sizes as well as allow for a user to create support racks 400 from supports 100 positioned within rod holders 315 at varying distances. In one such embodiment, the holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, connecting rod 115, and brace 425 may be partially or fully telescopic. Users may lock the holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, connecting rod 115, and brace 425 into a desired position using a locking element and, in some embodiments, an at least one aperture of the holding rod 105, first parallel bar 110, second parallel bar 120, connecting rod 115, and brace 425. Apparatuses that may act as the locking element include, but are not limited to, push-pull pins, clamps, set knobs, snap locks, spring buttons, and clutch locks, or any combination thereof.
Some preferred embodiments of the support 100 may also comprise at least one rotating mechanism, allowing the even more of a custom fit to a marine vehicle 305 as well as giving the user the option to reduce the profile of the support 100 when not in use, making it easier to store. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating mechanism comprises hinges 415 and pivots. For instance, the holding post may be rotatably attached to the first parallel bar 110 via a hinge 415 such that the holding post may be folded in a generally parallel position relative to said first parallel bar 110 when not in use. For instance, the first parallel bar 110 may be rotatably attached to the connecting rod 115 via a stop hinge 415 such that the first parallel bar 110 may be folded in a generally parallel position relative to said holding post when not in use. For instance, the holding post may be rotatably attached to the second parallel bar 120 via a pivot hinge 415 such that the holding post may be folded in a generally parallel position relative to said second parallel bar 120 when not in use.
By using a plurality of hinges 415, a user may fold a support 100 into a much smaller profile as illustrated in
In another preferred embodiment, a flag holder of the support 100 may be used to secure a flag to the marine vehicle 305. The flag holder is preferably situated on said support 100 such that a flag placed in said flag holder is situated in an upright position. In some preferred embodiments, the flag holder may be moveably attached to the support 100, allowing a user to orient the flag holder in a way that changes the orientation of the flag when placed in said flag holder. For instance, a user may rotate a flagpole holder about said support 100 via a pivot hinge 415, wherein a locking element of said pivot hinge 415 allows a user to adjust friction of the pivot hinge 415 to prevent the flagpole holder from rotating about said support 100 when said flagpole holder reaches a desired orientation. Therefore, users may secure the holding rod 105 to the marine vehicle 305 via the rod holder 315 and orient the various pieces of the support 100 as described herein without having to worry about the orientation of the flag holder since said user can subsequently adjust it as needed.
In yet another preferred embodiment, a board arm 410 may be attached to at least one of said first parallel bar 110 and said second parallel bar 120. In a preferred embodiment, the board arm 410 is oriented in a vertical direction when said support 100 is secured to said marine vehicle 305. A strap 130 of said board arm 410 may be used to secure marine equipment 310 thereto. In some preferred embodiments, a buckle 125 of said board arm 410 may be used to secure said marine equipment 310 in conjunction with a buckle 125 of said support 100, as illustrated in
In some preferred embodiments, the holding rod 105 may be secured to the second parallel 120 bar via an S-section 605 to create a curved support 600, as illustrated in
The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.
This claims priority to pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 17/872,219, filed on Jul. 25, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/237,983, filed on Aug. 27, 2021, in which said applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63237983 | Aug 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17872219 | Jul 2022 | US |
Child | 18230495 | US |