DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, a fishing rod holder 10 of the present invention comprises a base 12 , a first upstanding member 14 pivotally coupled to the base and a second upstanding member 16 pivotally coupled to an opposing portion of the base 12 such that an angler can place a fishing rod 11 onto the first and second upstanding members 14 , 16 then readily remove the fishing rod 11 from the upstanding members 14 , 16 when a fish strikes a fishing lure coupled to a line extending from the fishing rod.

[0042] Also as shown, stabilizing members 18 , 20 extend from the base member 12 so as to provide extra stability for the base member 12 on a slippery surface such as ice.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2 , fishing rod 11 is conveniently mounted onto the first and second upstanding members 14 , 16 by being placed into respective notches 32 , 34 ( FIG. 2 ) in respective first and second upstanding members. Upon sensing a strike, for example by noticing movement at the tip of the rod 11 , the angler can readily remove the fishing rod 11 from the fishing rod holder 10 by merely picking the fishing rod 11 up. This enables the angler to quickly set the hook without encumbrance from the fishing rod holder 10 .

[0044] The fishing rod holder 10 of FIG. 1 is further shown in FIG. 2 . As shown, a cross member 26 is coupled to base member 12 and has stabilizing members 18 , 20 coupled thereto. Each of stabilizing members 18 , 20 comprises an elongate member pivotally coupled to the cross member 26 and having a respective extension member 28 , 30 coupled thereto such that the stabilizing members 18 , 20 each contact the ice surface or other surface to thereby stabilize the rod holder 10 .

[0045] Notches 32 and 34 are shown in corresponding upstanding members 14 , 16 . These notches can receive portions of the fishing pole and cradle the pole therein. In one embodiment, the notches 32 , 34 are configured such that when a fish strikes and pulls on the fishing line, the rod presses against the upstanding members, but does not slip out of the notches. Nevertheless, upon receiving a strike, the angler can readily remove the fishing pole from rod holder 10 .

[0046] Rear notch 34 is preferably larger than front notch 32 in order to retain handle 34 therein. Front notch 32 may be configured to prevent an eylet or other portion of rod from moving past member 14 (see FIG. 1 ). Rear notch 34 may be similarly configured to prevent handle from moving past member 16 , e.g. by contacting a portion of the handle of a rod. Notches 32 , 34 may have a variety of different sizes. In one embodiment, notch 32 is the front notch and holds a front portion of the rod and has a length of less than about ¾ inch (e.g., has a length of about ½ inch) across while notch 34 is a back notch and holds the rod handle and has a length of more than about {fraction (3/4)} inch (e.g., has a length of about 1 inch to about {fraction (11/4)} inch) across, although a variety of sizes are available.

[0047] Upstanding members 14 , 16 may be sufficiently rigidly connected to base member 12 that the strike of the fish will not cause the rod to be moved off of the holder 10 . In one embodiment, however, the purpose of the rod holder is not necessarily to prevent the rod from moving, but rather to allow the fisherman to elevate the rod above a surface, such as an ice surface, such that movement of the rod tip can be readily observed such that the fishing rod can be readily grasped upon noticing such rod tip movement or other sign of a strike.

[0048] Optionally, or in addition, slit 36 may be made in one or more of members 14 , 16 so that when the member is bent downwardly an eyelet of the fishing rod may be inserted into the slit 36 to thereby retain the eyelet therein (see e.g., FIG. 12 ).

[0049] In one embodiment, members 14 , 16 are pivotally coupled to member 12 through the use of respective self-closing hinges 22 , 24 e.g., spring loaded, self-closing, position-retaining cabinet hinges, such that upon movement of the upstanding members past a certain angle toward the base member (see e.g., angles α, β FIG. 6 ), the members 14 , 16 snap into the storage position shown in FIG. 3 , in which upstanding members 14 , 16 are shown in a storage position.

[0050] FIG. 4 demonstrates each of the members 14 , 16 , 18 and 20 in the storage position demonstrating the convenience of the device which readily allows the rod holder 10 to be placed into the pocket, bag, pack, box, or other container used by an angler. The top view of the rod holder 10 is shown in FIG. 5 .

[0051] FIG. 6 demonstrates the thin storage profile that may be achieved through the use of the pivoting members. In one embodiment, the pivotal coupling enabled through the self closing hinges of the present invention is such that the upstanding members may be adjusted into and retained in a desired upstanding position until reaching angles α, β (e.g., of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 50 degrees for each angle β, β) above the base, after which they snap into the storage position. The upstanding members are retained in the storage position of FIG. 6 (non-phantom lines) until a force is generated to move the upstanding members back past the angles angles α, β into positions in which the upstanding members are retained in the selected angle by a retaining portion of the hinges.

[0052] In one embodiment, angles α, β are less than 90 degrees, e.g., less than 75 degrees or less than 50 degrees, e.g. about 25 to about 45 degrees, or about 30 to about 40 degrees.

[0053] The base and each upstanding member has a portion of a respective hinge 22 , 24 coupled thereto. The respective hinge portions may be injection molded integrally with the respective upstanding member and/or base plate, for example. A threaded axle and nut may be employed to selectively connect the molded hinge portions. For example, in one embodment, the molded upstanding member/hinge portions are retained at a desired angle through the use of a threaded axle and a nut (e.g., a wing nut or other nut connected to a handle) that is tightened sufficiently to retain the upstanding member/hinge portion in a selected angle with respect to the base.

[0054] FIG. 7 further demonstrates the sleek design and function of the stabilizing members 18 , 20 .

[0055] Also featured in a schematic view in FIG. 8 is an example of a possible optional upstanding member 14 ′ that may be included in a kit comprising the rod holder 10 with an optional taller upstanding member 14 ′ so that an angler can further adjust the angle of inclination of the fishing rod (e.g., angle the rod significantly with the taller member 14 ′ toward the river so that the rod tip extends high into the air during bank fishing) by employing a significantly larger upstanding member.

[0056] Member 14 ′ can optionally replace member 14 or member 16 if a larger upstanding member is desired by decoupling member 14 or 16 from base 12 , then coupling member 14 ′ to the base in its place. This selective decoupling and coupling may occur through the use of hinge portions on member 14 ′ and members 14 or 16 that can be selectively coupled and decoupled from base 12 .

[0057] Thus, in one embodiment, the hinge portions that collectively form the hinges are selectively coupled to each other, in order to make replacement of upstanding members convenient. This may be achieved, for example, through the use of threaded pin extending through mating hinge portions, the threaded pin being selectively coupled to a corresponding nut, such as a wing nut or other nut having a handle thereon such that the hinge portions may be selectively coupled together. The nut/thread may also be configured such that tightening of the nut causes the upstanding member to be locked in a desired position with respect to the base.

[0058] In one embodiment such as shown in FIG. 9 which features the underside of rod holder 10 , one or more spikes 40 , 42 are shown in phantom lines. These one or more spikes 40 , 42 may be employed in order to prevent the rod holder 10 from sliding along the ice and may protrude downwardly sufficient so as to grasp a slippery surface such as ice. Such one or more spikes may also be mounted on the rear portion of the rod holder 10 .

[0059] FIGS. 10 and 11 further show respective front and rear views of rod holder 10 demonstrating the sleek efficient design and functionality of the device.

[0060] FIG. 12 illustrates the rod holder of FIG. 1 with the front upstanding member rotated toward a downward position such that the rod tip is more shielded from the elements such as wind that my shake the rod, simulating a false strike and potentially confusing the angler. As shown in FIG. 12 , the rod tip can be moved downwardly when at least one of the upstanding members is angled, such that the rod tip can be more protected from the effects of wind.

[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates the positioning retaining hinge 22 employed in an embodiment of the present invention. Hinge 22 comprises a first portion 22 a that is coupled to upstanding member 14 and a corresponding second portion 22 b that is affixed to base 12 . As shown, a retainer 23 (comprising for example, a plastic or elastomeric material) is affixed to first portion 22 a of hinge 22 . Retainer 23 contacts the cylindrically shaped portion 22 c of second hinge portion 22 b and through friction causes hinge portion 22 a to remain in a fixed position until sufficient force is generated to move the hinge portion 22 a with respect to hinge portion 22 b . Such force may be movement by a hand of an angler, for example. Hinge 24 may be constructed similarly to or the same as hinge 22 , for example.

[0062] The hinges 22 , 24 , thus retain the upstanding members in a desired angled position even with the rod thereon until additional force is added thereto, or until the upstanding members are moved to closing angle α, β ( FIG. 6 ). As discussed above, in one embodiment spring loaded cabinet hinges are employed such that upon reaching a certain angle of inclination, the upstanding member snaps into the compact storage position. For example, in one embodiment upon reaching approximately a desired angle selected by an angler the upstanding member snaps into the compact storage position.

[0063] In another embodiment, the desired retained position can be achieved through the use a nut and a corresponding screw extending through mating upstanding member and base hinge portions, with the nut being tightened to retain the upstanding member in the desired postion when the desired angle of inclination is achieved.

[0064] One significant advantage of the rod holder of the present invention is that it provides a repeatable position that the fishing rod can be placed in. One advantage to repeatedly placing the rod tip adjacent the surface of the water as shown in FIG. 1 or 12 is that such placement can provides helps that angler consistently (i) establish where the bottom of the lake or other body of water is; and (ii) place his or her rod there.

[0065] For example, once the angler finds the bottom by releasing 100 feet of line with the rod tip one inch above the surface of the water, the angler can find the bottom again by releasing the same amount of line and by placing the rod tip in the same rod tip position. This is very useful for anglers who identify schools of fish at a certain depth, such as a few feet from the bottom, for example.

[0066] The upstanding members may have a variety of different shapes and configurations, any of which may be useful in achieving the function of the present invention such as thinner members, members made of a dowel, rod, stick or wire, or a variety of other structures, any of which may be sufficiently rigid to hold a fishing rod above a surface. For example, front stabilizing members similar to rear stabilizing members 18 , 20 may be employed.

[0067] In one embodiment, at least the primary parts of the fishing rod holder are configured to be injection or insertion molded. For example, in one embodiment, a hinge portion is injection molded integrally with a respective upstanding member, then pivotally linked with a base member having respective hinge portions injection molded therewith. The two parts can then be linked through the use of an axle. The resulting hinge may be a resistance hinge, for example, with an associated adjustable wing nut or similar mechanism such that it is possible to adjust and selectively retain the hinge, base and upstanding members into a desired angled position with respect to each other (similar to the use of hinge 22 of FIG. 13 ) by threading and unthreading the adjustable nut.

[0068] The base, upstanding and stabilizing members may be comprised of a variety of different materials, such as wood (e.g., with a verithane finish), metal (e.g., aluminum) or plastic (e.g., ABS or injected polycarbonate), or other elastic material eg. rubber, any of which may be suitable for manufacturing and using the present invention. The hinges may be comprised of stainless steel, for example.

[0069] In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a lanyard is connected to the fishing rod at one end and secured to the ground, ice, or wrist of the angler, for example (e.g, with an ice stake) or to the rod holder 10 itself such that a massive strike will not drag the fishing rod into the lake or river. Such a lanyard may comprise a retractable lanyard, for example, but is preferably designed so as not to interfere with movement of the rod out of the rod holder when a strike is detected.

[0070] As shown in all of the views shown herein, the rod holder also has a sleek appealing design that may be desirable for anglers during display and use.

[0071] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.