SHELTER BASE COVER AND ORGANIZER
A cover and organizer, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for holding and protecting stowed fishing gear. The cover provides access openings which allow the user to have full access to the cavity. The cover further provides other compartments, integrally formed into the cover, which prevents the comingling of select fishing gear during transport of the base. The openings and the compartments are covered with hinged and reinforced lids. One such compartment is preferably a rod locker which is specifically configured as a long and narrow compartment to stow and protect fishing rods and rod combos in particular. The lids are reinforced such that a seat can be mounted atop the lids without collapsing the cover into the base. The cover can also be used with a tent frame and tent to complete a fully functional structure that is well designed for ice fishing applications.
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Pat. No. 61/461,901 filed Jan. 25, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to items and accessories used by anglers in the sport of fishing. More particularly, it relates to a cover and organizer of the type that would be used with the shelter base of an ice shelter during the ice fishing season. It also relates to a combined cover and organizer that protects stowed fishing gear while also making the stowed gear fully accessible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFishing has evolved from being a means of human survival in ancient times to being a competitive and recreational sport in modern times. Accordingly, modern anglers spend substantial amounts of time conducting their outdoor fishing expeditions exposed to the elements, but do so with some minimal expectation of comfort and convenience. This is particularly true when it comes to ice fishing, a known cold weather endeavor.
In the experience of this inventor, ice fishing for many anglers requires the use of an ice shelter of some sort, temporary shelters being preferred for ease in transport, set-up and take-down. Further, ice shelters have long been provided with a base, which is used primarily as a transport device much like a snow sled but which is usually much deeper. That is, the ice shelter base is typically a sled-like structure that is used to hold fishing gear in such a way that the base and gear can be pulled over frozen ice to a desired fishing location on the ice. The base can be used by itself or can be combined with other structures such as seats, tent frames, tents, etc., all for the comfort of and the functionality use by the angler.
Also in the experience of this inventor, shelter bases of the type described above come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Most shelter bases are a rectangular shape and have a certain depth to them such that, when fishing gear is put into the base, the gear does not fall out during transport of the base over rough winter terrain. However, an open ice shelter base does not adequately protect the fishing gear stowed in the base from snow, water or ice. Further, the stowed gear tends to be shifted during transport, which can result in a tangled mess of intertwined gear and time wasted by the angler in untangling the gear.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful cover and organizer for an ice shelter base that, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for stowing and protecting the angler's gear, such as fish locators, cameras, heaters, tackle boxes, fishing rods and the like, thereby keeping that gear clean and dry. It is another object of the present invention to provide one or more access openings in the cover. This would allow the angler full and convenient access to the interior cavity that is formed between the cover and the base. Preferably, the access openings would be lidded. As such, it is still another object of the present invention to provide reinforced lids to the openings to allow seats to be secured to several of the lids.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cover and organizer that minimizes, or avoids altogether, any comingling of certain stowed fishing gear, and fishing rods in particular, during transport of the base thereby allowing the angler to keep the stowed gear organized for efficiency. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a shelter base cover and organizer that can be fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight, preferably fabricated by using a thermal molding process. It is still another object to provide such a shelter base cover and organizer that can be fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe combined cover and organizer structure of the present invention has obtained these objects. The combined cover and organizer of the present invention, when used with an ice shelter base as intended, provides an interior cavity for holding and protecting stowed gear, which keeps the user's gear unexposed to the elements, thereby keeping it clean and dry. The combined cover and organizer of the present invention also provides access openings that are defined within the cover. The openings allow the user to have full and convenient access to the interior cavity which is formed between the cover and the base. The openings are preferably covered with hinged and reinforced lids. The combined cover and organizer provides other compartments that are integrally formed into the cover which provides means for minimizing or avoiding any comingling of select fishing gear during transport of the base which allows the user to keep that select fishing gear organized. Those compartments are likewise covered with hinged and reinforced lids. One such compartment, in particular, is a rod locker which is specifically configured as a long and narrow compartment that is formed within the cover to stow and protect fishing rods and rod combos in particular.
In the preferred embodiment of the combined cover and organizer, the structure and its components are fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight. This is preferably accomplished by using a thermal molding process. Other methods of fabrication, such as injection molding and blow molding, could be used but would be more expensive in the view of this inventor. The combined cover and organizer and its lids are reinforced such that a seat can be mounted atop the lids without collapsing the cover into the base. Further, the combined cover and organizer structure is fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures. The cover and organizer can also be used with a tent frame and tent to complete a fully functional structure that is well designed for ice fishing applications.
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.
Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,
In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in
The sidewalls 11, 13, 15, 17 terminate at upper sidewall edges 21, 23, 25, 27, respectively, which edges define the perimeter of a substantially flat cover top 20. It is to be understood that the peripheral lip 12, the sidewalls 11, 13, 15, 17 and the top 20 are configured as a unitary structure and are integrally formed as components of a single structure. The top 20 of the cover 10 also includes a plurality of openings 22, 24, 26, 28 that are defined in it. See
The openings 22, 24 that provide access to the cavity 101 of the assembly 100 are preferably covered by hinged lids 42, 44, respectively. Again, see
In the cover 10 of the first preferred embodiment, the openings 22, 24 to the cavity 101 flank the opening 26 to the first compartment 36. On the other hand, the opening 28 to the second compartment 38 runs the length of the cover top 20 and is disposed opposite the other openings 22, 24, 26. The second compartment 38 is configured to be long and narrow so as to accommodate fishing poles within the compartment 38 as mentioned above.
The cover 10 of the first preferred embodiment also comprises a pair of cup holders 39 defined within the cover top 20. It is to be understood that the cover top 20, the compartments 36, 38 and the cup holders 39 are all integrally formed as a single unitary structure. With the lids 42, 44 closed, exposure of the cavity 101 and its contents (not shown) to the elements is prevented. With the lids 46, 48 closed, exposure of the respective compartments 36, 38 and their contents (also not shown) to the elements is prevented.
It should also be mentioned that the lids 42, 44 in the first preferred embodiment shown in
In the first preferred embodiment, the cover top 20 further comprises a centrally disposed cover support member 71. See
As with the first embodiment, the second preferred embodiment illustrated in
The sidewalls 111, 113, 115, 117 terminate at upper sidewall edges 121, 123, 125, 127, respectively, which edges define the perimeter of a substantially flat cover top 120. It is to be understood that the peripheral lip 112, the sidewalls 111, 113, 115, 117 and the top 120 are configured as a unitary structure and are integrally formed as components of a single structure. The top 120 of the cover 110 also includes a plurality of openings 122, 124, 126, 128 that are defined in it. See
The first compartment 136 can hold a variety of fishing gear items and the elongated second compartment 138 is again functionally adapted to receive fishing poles, pole combos and the like. The opening 122 that provides access to the cavity 201 of the assembly 200 is covered by a hinged lid 142. See
The cover 110 of the second embodiment also comprises a pair of cup holders 139 defined within the cover top 120. It is also to be understood that the cover top 120, the compartments 136, 138 and the cup holders 139 are all integrally formed as a unitary structure. With the lid 142 closed, exposure of the cavity 201 and its contents (not shown) to the elements is prevented.
It should also be mentioned that each of the lids 142, 144, 146, 148 in the second preferred embodiment are reinforced. To that end, each lid 142, 144, 146, 148 comprises one or more support ribs 143, 145, 147, 149 to provide support for each structure. In particular, the hinged lid 142 of the opening 122 is functionally adapted to support the swivel base of an OEM boat seat (not shown) on it. This functionality is the same as that described above as to
It should also be mentioned that, in both of the preferred embodiments, the elongated second compartments 38, 138 include a generally V-shaped bottom 37, 137. This provides a drip edge for each of the compartments 38, 138, the compartments 38, 138 also including transverse support members 39, 139 for elevating stowed fishing poles and pole combos (not shown) above the V-shaped bottom 37, 137. See
In both of the preferred embodiments of the combined cover and organizer, 10, 110 the structure and its components are fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight. This is preferably accomplished by using a thermal molding process. Other methods of fabrication, such as injection molding and blow molding, could be used but would be more expensive in the view of this inventor. Further, it is to be understood that both assemblies 100, 200 of the present invention would require additional hardware, a tubular frame and tent or other covering in order to be used as a completely functional ice fishing shelter under normal use conditions.
Based upon the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a new and useful cover and organizer for an ice shelter base that, when used with an ice shelter base, provides an interior cavity for stowing and protecting the angler's gear, such as fish locators, cameras, heaters, tackle boxes, fishing rods and the like, thereby keeping that gear clean and dry. The cover and organizer of the present invention provide a number of lidded access openings in the cover. This allows the angler full and convenient access to the interior cavity that is formed between the cover and the base. Further, the lids to the openings are reinforced to allow seats to be secured to several of the lids. The cover and organizer of the present invention minimizes, or avoids altogether, any comingling of certain stowed fishing gear, and fishing rods in particular, during transport of the base which allows the angler to keep stowed gear organized for efficiency. The shelter base cover and organizer of the present invention is fabricated of a plastic material that is strong yet light-weight, and is preferably fabricated by using a thermal molding process. The shelter base cover and organizer can also be fabricated in different configurations to accommodate different ice shelter base structures.
Claims
1. A cover and organizer for use with an ice shelter base comprising:
- a cover top, the top and base forming an interior cavity; and
- an opening in the top to access the cavity.
2. The cover and organizer of claim 1 further comprising:
- a compartment in the top.
3. The cover and organizer of claim 1 further comprising:
- a lid for the opening.
4. The cover and organizer of claim 2 further comprising:
- a lid for the compartment.
5. A cover and organizer for use with an ice shelter base, the cover and organizer comprising:
- a cover top;
- at least one opening defined within the cover top for accessing an interior cavity formed by the cover and organizer overlaying the base;
- a lid for covering the at least one opening;
- at least one compartment defined within the cover top, the at least one compartment being integrally formed with the cover top; and
- a lid for covering the at least one compartment.
6. The cover and organizer of claim 5 wherein the ice shelter base is a generally rectangular tub-like or trough-like structure having an upper peripheral lip and wherein the lip of the cover and organizer is functionally adapted to overlay the peripheral lip of the base.
7. The cover and organizer of claim 6 wherein the peripheral lip and the cover top are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
8. The cover and organizer of claim 7 wherein the unitary structure is made of plastic.
9. The cover and organizer of claim 7 further comprising hinges and wherein the lids are hinged to one side of the at least one opening and to one side of the at least one compartment such that the lids are rotatably movable about the hinges between an open and a closed position.
10. The cover and organizer of claim 7 wherein the lids are reinforced by at least one support rib.
11. The cover and organizer of claim 10 wherein the lids are made of plastic.
12. The cover and organizer of claim 7 further comprising support members and wherein the lids are reinforced by such support members.
13. The cover and organizer of claim 12 wherein each support member comprises a first end and a second end and wherein each opening or compartment comprises a shoulder for supporting the first and second ends of the support member when the lid is in the closed position.
14. The cover and organizer of claim 7 further comprising a top cover support member.
15. The cover and organizer of claim 5 wherein one of the at least one openings is configured to receive a cylindrical bucket and the lid for the at least one opening is configured to be received within a top circular opening of the bucket.
16. The cover and organizer of claim 5 further comprising at least one seat attached to a lid and frame members for supporting an ice shelter base covering.
17. A cover and organizer for use with an ice shelter base, the base being a sled-like structure having an upper peripheral edge, the cover and organizer comprising:
- a peripheral lip;
- a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lip, each sidewall comprising an upper edge, the upper edges of the sidewalls defining a cover top wherein the top, sidewalls and peripheral lip are integrally formed as a unitary structure;
- at least one opening defined within the cover top for accessing an interior cavity formed by the cover and organizer overlaying the base;
- a lid for covering the at least one opening;
- at least one compartment defined within the cover top, the at least one compartment being integrally formed with the cover top; and
- a lid for covering the at least one compartment.
18. The cover and organizer of claim 17 wherein the ice shelter base is a generally rectangular tub-like or trough-like structure having an upper peripheral lip and wherein the lip of the cover and organizer is functionally adapted to overlay the peripheral lip of the base.
19. The cover and organizer of claim 17 wherein the unitary structure is made of plastic.
20. The cover and organizer of claim 17 further comprising hinges and wherein the lids are hinged to one side of the at least one opening and to one side of the at least one compartment such that the lids are rotatably movable about the hinges between an open and a closed position.
21. The cover and organizer of claim 17 wherein the lids are reinforced by at least one support rib.
22. The cover and organizer of claim 17 wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a cylindrical bucket and the lid for the at least one opening is configured to be received within a top circular opening of the bucket.
23. The cover and organizer of claim 17 wherein the lids are made of plastic.
24. The cover and organizer of claim 17 further comprising at least one seat attached to a lid and frame members for supporting an ice shelter base covering.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2012
Inventor: Timothy S. MAKOS (Brookfield, WI)
Application Number: 13/357,317
International Classification: E04H 15/02 (20060101); E04H 15/34 (20060101); E04H 15/54 (20060101);