FISHING ACCESSORY SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A PEDESTAL BOAT SEAT

Abstract

A fishing accessory support device for a pedestal of a boat seat. The device can include a sleeve including a hollow bore extending therethrough, a main support arm having a first end coupled to the sleeve, the support arm being oriented at an oblique angle to the sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom, and a carrier coupled to a second end of the support arm, wherein the sleeve is rotatable about the pedestal of the boat seat.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a device for supporting fishing accessories. Conventional fishing seats lack a convenient structure to access fishing accessories by a user. Moreover, this lack of structure leads to the static placement of fishing accessories, which when in close proximity to the user may lead to accidents causing harm to the user or destruction of the fishing accessories. The likelihood of these problems can increase during a sudden increase of activity by the user, such as during periods where there is a possibility of hooking or landing a fish. Placement of fishing accessories to avoid such problems may require the user to place them at an inconvenient distance. The inconvenient distance creates opportunity loss and a less enjoyable fishing experience. Therefore, a convenient and secure solution for placement of fishing accessories is desired.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a fishing accessory support device for a pedestal of a boat seat is disclosed. The device can include a sleeve including a hollow bore extending therethrough, a main support arm having a first end coupled to the sleeve, the support arm being oriented at an oblique angle to the sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom, and a carrier coupled to a second end of the support arm, wherein the sleeve is rotatable about the pedestal of the boat seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fishing accessory support device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a fishing accessory support device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention, Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may he devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a fishing accessory support device for a pedestal boat seat is disclosed. The fishing accessory support can include a sleeve for mounting the support on a pedestal of a boat seat, and a carrier wherein fishing accessories can be placed. The carrier can be supported by a support arm and disposed such that the carrier is placed at a convenient distance to a user sitting in the boat seat, The sleeve can allow for the fishing accessory support device can be rotated about the boat seat pedestal.

As shown in exemplary FIGS. 1-2, a fishing accessory support device for a pedestal boat seat 100 may include a sleeve 102 and a carrier 120. Sleeve 102 can be substantially cylindrical and include a sidewall 104 enclosing a hollow 106. Hollow 106 can be sized to receive a post or other structural member therethrough, for example a pedestal of a boat seat. Sleeve 102 may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metals such as aluminum or polymers such as PVC. In addition, sidewall 104 of sleeve 102 may have a thickness sufficient to provide support to device 100 while it is in use. In other exemplary embodiments, sleeve 102 may have any desired shape, for example rectangular. Sleeve 102 may have any desired length that enables device 100 to function as described herein, for example, between 6 inches and 10 inches. As a further example, sleeve 102 may have a length of about 8 inches.

Device 100 may include a main support arm 108 and auxiliary support arm 110. Main support arm 110 may extend between sleeve 102 and the base 122 of carrier 120. Main support arm 108 may be coupled to sleeve 102 and carrier 120 by any manner known in the art, including, but not limited to, fasteners, welding or chemical bonding. Further, main support arm 108 may be disposed at an oblique angle to sleeve 102 and extend outwardly therefrom. For example, main support 108 arm can extend diagonally, outwardly and upwardly from sleeve 102. As a further example, the angle between main support arm 108 and sleeve 102 may be approximately 30″. An auxiliary support arm 110 may extend between sleeve 102 and main support arm 110, and may be disposed at a right angle to sleeve 102. Auxiliary support arm 110 may be coupled to sleeve 102 and main support arm 108 by any manner known in the art, including, but not limited to, fasteners, welding or chemical bonding. The auxiliary support arm 110 can provide additional load-bearing support to main support arm 104.

The length of main support arm 108, as well as the angle between main support arm 108 and sleeve 102 may be such that it allows device 100 to avoid an overhead obstruction that is disposed above sleeve 102, for example a portion of a boat seat, thereby allowing unobstructed rotation of device 100. An exemplary length for main support arm 108 may be in the range between about 14 inches and about 22 inches, for example about 18 inches. The use of main support arm 108 and auxiliary support arm 110 may, provide sufficient support to carrier 120 and a weight loaded thereon, Each of main support arm 108 and auxiliary support arm 110 may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metals such as aluminum or polymers such as PVC. Each of main support arm 108 and auxiliary support arm 110 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or any other desired shape.

A carrier 120 can include a base 122 and a retaining structure 124 coupled to the base. The retaining structure 124 can include a rim 126 and a plurality of support spans 128 extending between and coupled to base 122 and rim 126. In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of rings 130 may be coupled to the support spans 128 and disposed between base 122 and rim 126, at desired intervals.

In one exemplary embodiment, carrier 120 may be substantially cylindrical, with support spans extending substantially vertically from base 122, and with rim 126 having a diameter substantially similar to that of base 122. In another exemplary embodiment, carrier 120 may be substantially frusto-conical, with support spans 128 extending at an angle from base 122, and with rim 126 having a diameter larger than that of base 122. In yet other exemplary embodiments, carrier 120 may be sized and shaped so as to receive a standard minnow bucket therein and to maintain the bucket securely therein. In an exemplary embodiment, carrier 120 may have a height in the range of about 4 inches to about 8 inches, for example about 6 inches.

The base 122 of carrier 120 may have a diameter in the range of about 7 inches to about 10 inches, for example about 8.5 inches. The rim 126 of carrier 120 may have a diameter in the range of 8 inches to about 12 inches, for example about 8 inches. These dimensions can facilitate receiving a standard minnow bucked within the carrier, In yet further embodiments, carrier 120 may have any desired shape, for example rectangular. Carrier 120 and the components thereof may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metals such as aluminum or polymers such as PVC. The components of carrier 120 may be coupled by any manner known in the art, including, but not limited to, fasteners, welding or chemical bonding.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, base 112 may include perforations. The perforations can facilitate draining of liquids from base 112. Additionally, in yet another exemplary embodiments, carrier 120 may include a solid sidewall (not shown) in lieu of support spans 128.

In a further exemplary embodiment, carrier 120 may include a set of securing plates 132 adapted to removably couple to base 128, rim 126, and/or rings 130. Each securing plate 132 can include at least one aperture 134 therein. Apertures 134 may be provided in diverse diameters. Securing plates 132 can thus facilitate securely maintaining objects of smaller sizes within carrier 100 by placing the smaller objects within apertures 134. Coupling between securing plates 132 and base 128, rim 126, and/or rings 130 may be accomplished by any desired manner, for example by use of fasteners. In some embodiments, securing plates 132 may include tabs around the periphery thereof The tabs may be oriented perpendicularly to the plane of a securing plate 132, and may be positioned so as to engage, for example, the outer perimeter of rim 126 or rings 130. In yet other exemplary embodiments, any coupling structure that enables carrier 120 to function as described herein may be contemplated and provided as desired.

In some exemplary embodiments, device 100 can incorporate a braking feature. For example, a braking member 134 having a head 136, a threaded shaft 138, and a contact plate 140 may be received through a threaded aperture 142 in sleeve 102. The user can then adjust the position of braking member 134 within aperture 142 so as to bring contact plate 140 in contact with, or away from, the structural member on which sleeve 102 is disposed. Friction between contact plate 140 and the structural member can thus impede movement of device 100 about the member. Contact plate 140 may be made of any appropriate material, for example rubber or another resilient compound.

In operation, a user may removably mount device 100 onto a structure, for example the post of a boat seat, by inserting the structure into hollow 106 of sleeve 102. Sleeve 102 can allow device 100 to rotate freely around the axis of the structural member disposed within hollow 106. The radial rotation allowed by sleeve 102 can allow the user to situate device 100 at different locations relative to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of sleeve 102 and main support arm 108, as well as the angle therebetween, may be such that carrier 120 is positioned at a height convenient for the user when the user is sitting in a typical boat seat, for example, such that the contents of carrier 120 are within arm's reach of the user.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A fishing accessory support device for a pedestal of a boat seat, comprising:

a sleeve including a hollow bore extending therethrough;

a main support arm having a first end coupled to the sleeve, the main support arm being oriented at an oblique angle to the sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom;

an auxiliary support arm extending between the sleeve and the main support arm; and

a carrier coupled to a second end of the support arm;

wherein the sleeve is rotatable about the pedestal of the boat seat.

2. (canceled)

3. The fishing accessory support device of claim 21, wherein the auxiliary support arm is oriented at a right angle to the sleeve.

4. The fishing accessory support device of claim 1, wherein the main support arm is oriented at a 30° angle to the sleeve.

5. The fishing accessory support device of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes a base coupled to the second end of the support arm, a plurality of support spans, each support span having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being coupled to the base, the support stand extending upwardly therefrom, and a rim coupled to the upper ends of the support spans.

6. The fishing accessory support device of claim 5, wherein the carrier further includes at least one ring coupled to the support spans and disposed between the base and the rim.

7. The fishing accessory support device of claim 5, wherein the base includes perforations.

8. The fishing accessory support device of claim 1, wherein the carrier is sized to hold a standard minnow bucket.

9. The fishing accessory support device of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing plate removably coupleable to the carrier.

10. The fishing accessory support device of claim 1, further comprising a braking member receivable through the sleeve for frictionally engaging the pedestal of the boat seat.