초록 ▼

The present invention is a collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment. In an embodiment, the case includes at least one equipment retaining panel, at least one end panel, at least one reel protective cover, at least one rod protective cover, at least one retaining member for securi

The present invention is a collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment. In an embodiment, the case includes at least one equipment retaining panel, at least one end panel, at least one reel protective cover, at least one rod protective cover, at least one retaining member for securing fishing reel and rod within the case, and a case closure mechanism for placing the case alternatively in a closed position and an open position, wherein the open position is at least one of an open, collapsed position and a partially open position. The at least one reel protective cover, the at least one rod protective cover, and the at least one retaining member are positioned in a certain arrangement whereby fishing reels and rods of at least a pair of fishing reels and rods do not make damaging contact with one another.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment comprising: a first equipment retaining panel and a second equipment retaining panel, wherein each of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel comprises a first end, a second end, an outer surface

1. A collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment comprising: a first equipment retaining panel and a second equipment retaining panel, wherein each of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel comprises a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner, securing surface, and wherein each inner, securing surface of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel is planar along a substantial length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel;at least one end panel secured to said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel such that said case may be placed alternatively in a closed position and in at least one open position, wherein said at least one open position is selected from the group consisting of a fully open, collapsed position and a partially open position;a plurality of retaining members for securing the fishing reels and the fishing rods within said case and to at least one equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel,wherein the fishing reels and the fishing rods are secured by said plurality of retaining members in a predetermined, offset arrangement that has at least two offset positions whereby a reel and a rod of a first rod and reel may be secured in a first offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said first end of said first equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a first lateral direction about said first end of said first equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint or a center of said first equipment retaining panel, and whereby a reel and a rod of a second rod and reel may be secured in a second offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said second end of said first equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a second lateral direction about said second end of said first equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel, such that a tip end of the rod of the first rod and reel points toward the reel of the second rod and reel, that a tip end of the rod of the second rod and reel points toward the reel of the first rod and reel, and that the rod of the first rod and reel and rod of the second rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when a reel and a rod of a third rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of the third rod and reel may be secured in a third offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said first end of said second equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a first lateral direction about said first end of said second equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint or a center of said second equipment retaining panel, and wherein, when a reel and a rod of a fourth rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of the fourth rod and reel may be secured in a fourth offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said second end of said second equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a second lateral direction about said second end of said second equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel, such that, when applicable, a tip end of the rod of the third rod and reel points toward the reel of the fourth rod and reel, that a tip end of the rod of the fourth rod and reel points toward the reel of the third rod and reel, and that the rod of the third rod and reel and rod of the fourth rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when applicable, the first rod and reel and the third rod and reel are positioned in proximity to one another when said case is in said closed position such that the reel of the first rod and reel and the reel of the third rod and reel are at similar ends of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel and such that the first rod and reel and the third rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when applicable, the second rod and reel and the fourth rod and reel are positioned in proximity to one another when said case is in said closed position such that the reel of the second rod and reel and the reel of the fourth rod and reel are at similar ends of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel and such that the second rod and reel and the fourth rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and rod of the first rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and rod of the third rod and reel when said case is in said closed position,wherein said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and rod of the second rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and rod of the fourth rod and reel when said case is in said closed position; anda case closure mechanism for securing said first equipment retaining panel, said second equipment retaining panel, and said at least one end panel to one another. 2. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, wherein at least one equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel further comprises at least one impression for accommodating a corresponding reel clamp and ring. 3. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of retaining members is at least one of at least one reel retaining member and at least one rod protective cover which also secure the fishing rod within said case. 4. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, wherein said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel are a pair of opposing equipment retaining panels when said case is in said closed position. 5. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one side panel, wherein each side panel comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein said at least one side panel is secured to said at least one end panel, said first equipment retaining panel, and said second equipment retaining panel. 6. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rod butt retaining member, wherein each rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a rod butt to a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel. 7. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spare rod butt retaining member, wherein each spare rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a spare, detachable rod butt to a corresponding panel of said first equipment retaining panel, said second equipment retaining panel, and said at least one end panel. 8. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one carrying handle. 9. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one vent. 10. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hinges. 11. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, further comprising at least one reel protective cover for protecting a plurality of fishing reels secured within said case and secured to at least one equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel; and at least one rod protective cover for protecting a plurality of fishing rods secured within said case and secured to at least one equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel, wherein said at least one reel protective cover, said at least one rod protective cover, and said plurality of retaining members are positioned in said predetermined, offset arrangement. 12. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 1, wherein each inner, securing surface of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel is planar along an entire length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of said corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel. 13. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 4, wherein distances between two corresponding opposing points along said first ends to said second ends of said pair of opposing equipment retaining panels are about the same. 14. A collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment comprising: a pair of opposing equipment retaining panels, wherein each of said pair of equipment retaining panels comprises a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner, securing surface, and wherein each inner, securing surface of said pair of equipment retaining panels is planar along a substantial length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels;a pair of opposing side panels secured to said pair of equipment retaining panels, wherein each side panel comprises a first end and a second end;a pair of opposing end panels secured to said pair of equipment retaining panels and said pair of side panels such that said case may be placed alternatively in a closed position and in at least one open position, wherein said at least one open position is selected from the group consisting of a fully open, collapsed position and a partially open position, and wherein said case has a generally rectangular configuration when said case in said closed position;a plurality of reel protective covers for protecting a plurality of fishing reels secured within said case and secured to said pair of equipment retaining panels;a plurality of rod protective covers for protecting a plurality of fishing rods secured within said case and secured to said pair of equipment retaining panels;a plurality of retaining members for securing the fishing reels and the fishing rods within said case and to said pair of equipment retaining panels,wherein the fishing reels and the fishing rods are secured by said plurality of retaining members in a predetermined, offset arrangement that has at least two offset positions whereby a reel and a rod of a first rod and reel may be secured in a first offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said first end of a first equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels, that is directed toward a first lateral direction about said first end of said first equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint or a center of said first equipment retaining panel, and whereby a reel and a rod of a second rod and reel may be secured in a second offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said second end of said first equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a second lateral direction about said second end of said first equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel, such that a tip end of the rod of the first rod and reel points toward the reel of the second rod and reel, that a tip end of the rod of the second rod and reel points toward the reel of the first rod and reel, and that the rod of the first rod and reel and rod of the second rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when a reel and a rod of a third rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of third rod and reel may be secured in a third offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said first end of a second equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels, that is directed toward a first lateral direction about said first end of said second equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint or a center of said second equipment retaining panel, and wherein, when a reel and a rod of a fourth rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of the fourth rod and reel may be secured in a fourth offset position of said predetermined, offset arrangement that is a predetermined distance from center of said second end of said second equipment retaining panel, that is directed toward a second lateral direction about said second end of said second equipment retaining panel, and that is a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel, such that, when applicable, a tip end of the rod of the third rod and reel points toward the reel of the fourth rod and reel, that a tip end of the rod of the fourth rod and reel points toward the reel of the third rod and reel, and that the rod of the third rod and reel and rod of the fourth rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when applicable, the first rod and reel and the third rod and reel are positioned in proximity to one another when said case is in said closed position such that the reel of the first rod and reel and the reel of the third rod and reel are at similar ends of said first equipment retaining panel and second equipment retaining panel and such that the first rod and reel and the third rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein, when applicable, the second rod and reel and the fourth rod and reel are positioned in proximity to one another when said case is in said closed position such that the reel of the third rod and reel and the reel of the fourth rod and reel are at similar ends of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel and such that the second rod and reel and the fourth rod and reel are separated by a non-damaging, contact distance,wherein said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and rod of the first rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and rod of the third rod and reel when said case is in said closed position,wherein said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and rod of the second rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and rod of the fourth rod and reel when said case is in said closed position; anda case closure mechanism for securing said pair of equipment retaining panels, said pair of side panels, and said pair of end panels to one another. 15. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, wherein each of said pair of equipment retaining panels further comprises at least one impression for accommodating a corresponding reel clamp and ring. 16. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said plurality of retaining members is at least one of at least one reel retaining member and at least one rod protective cover which also secure the fishing rod within said case. 17. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising at least one rod butt retaining member, wherein each rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a rod butt to a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels. 18. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising at least one spare rod butt retaining member, wherein each spare rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a spare, detachable rod butt to a corresponding panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels, said side panels, and said end panels. 19. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising at least one carrying handle. 20. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising at least one vent. 21. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of hinges. 22. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, further comprising at least one rod butt retaining member, at least one spare rod butt retaining member, and at least one carrying handle, wherein said plurality of retaining members is at least one of at least one reel retaining member and at least one rod protective cover which also secure the fishing rod within said case,wherein each rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a rod butt to a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels, andwherein each spare rod butt retaining member is adapted for securing a spare, detachable rod butt to a corresponding panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels, said side panels, and said end panels. 23. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 22, wherein each of said pair of equipment retaining panels further comprises at least one impression for accommodating a corresponding reel clamp and ring. 24. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 22, further comprising at least one vent. 25. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 22, further comprising a plurality of hinges. 26. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, wherein each inner, securing surface of said pair of equipment retaining panels is planar along an entire length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of said corresponding equipment retaining panel of said pair of equipment retaining panels. 27. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 14, wherein distances between two corresponding opposing points along said first ends to said second ends of said pair of opposing equipment retaining panels are about the same. 28. A collapsible, carrying and storage case for fishing equipment comprising: a first equipment retaining panel and a second equipment retaining panel, wherein each of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel comprises a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner, securing surface, and wherein each inner, securing surface of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel is planar along a substantial length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel;at least one end panel secured to said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel such that said case may be placed alternatively in a closed position and in at least one open position, wherein said at least one open position is selected from the group consisting of a fully open, collapsed position and a partially open position;a plurality of reel protective covers for protecting a plurality of fishing reels secured within said case and secured to said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel;a plurality of combinations of a rod protective cover flap hinge and a rod protective cover flap closure for protecting a plurality of fishing rods secured within said case and secured to said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel;a plurality of retaining members for securing the fishing reels and the fishing rods within said case and to said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel,wherein the fishing reels and the fishing rods are secured by said plurality of retaining members in a predetermined, offset arrangement that has at least two offset positions whereby a reel and a rod of a first rod and reel is secured in a first offset position that is offset toward right or left of center about said first end of said first equipment retaining panel and offset at a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel, and whereby a reel and a rod of a second rod and reel is secured in a second offset position that is offset toward right or left of center about said second end of said first equipment retaining panel and offset at a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel, such that the reel and the rod of the first rod and reel and the reel and the rod of the second rod and reel do not make damaging contact with one another when said case is in said closed position,wherein, when a reel and a rod of a third rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of the third rod and reel is secured in a third offset position that is offset toward right or left of center about said first end of said second equipment retaining panel and offset at a predetermined distance from said first end toward a midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel, and wherein, when a reel and a rod of a fourth rod and reel are needed to be secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement, the reel and the rod of the fourth rod and reel is secured in a fourth offset position that is offset toward right or left of center about said second end of said second equipment retaining panel and offset at a predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel, such that, when applicable, the reel and the rod of the third rod and reel and the reel and the rod of the fourth rod and reel do not make damaging contact with one another when said case is in said closed position,wherein the fishing reels and the fishing rods are secured by said plurality of retaining members in said predetermined, offset arrangement whereby the reel and the rod of the first rod and reel and the reel and the rod of the second rod and reel, when applicable, the reel and the rod of the third rod and reel and the reel and the rod of the fourth rod and reel do not make damaging contact with one another when said case is in said closed position,wherein said predetermined distance from said first end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said first end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and the rod of the first rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and the rod of the third rod and reel when said case is placed in said closed position, andwherein said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said first equipment retaining panel is sufficiently different from said predetermined distance from said second end toward said midpoint of said second equipment retaining panel such that, when applicable, the reel and rod of the second rod and reel do not make damaging contact with the corresponding reel and rod of the fourth rod and reel when said case is placed in said closed position;at least one combination of a rod butt hinge and a rod butt pocket closure, wherein each combination of a rod butt hinge and a rod butt pocket closure is adapted for securing a rod butt to a corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel;at least one combination of a spare rod butt retaining pocket flap and a spare rod butt retaining pocket closure, wherein each combination of a spare rod butt retaining pocket flap and a spare rod butt retaining pocket closure is adapted for securing a spare, detachable rod butt to a corresponding panel of said first equipment retaining panel, said second equipment retaining panel, and said at least one end panel; anda case closure mechanism for securing said first equipment retaining panel, said second equipment retaining panel, and said at least one end panel to one another. 29. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, wherein said plurality of retaining members is at least one of at least one reel retaining member and at least one rod protective cover which also secure the fishing rod within said case. 30. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, wherein each of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel further comprises at least one impression for accommodating a corresponding reel clamp and ring. 31. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, further comprising at least one vent. 32. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, further comprising a plurality of hinges. 33. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, wherein each inner, securing surface of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel is planar along an entire length of said each inner, securing surface from said first end to said second end of said corresponding equipment retaining panel of said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel. 34. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, wherein said first equipment retaining panel and said second equipment retaining panel are a pair of opposing equipment retaining panels when said case is in said closed position. 35. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 34, wherein distances between two corresponding opposing points along said first ends to said second ends of said pair of opposing equipment retaining panels are about the same. 36. The collapsible, carrying and storage case according to claim 28, further comprising at least one carrying handle.