U.S. patent application number 13/488503 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for walking/wading staff with integral fishing net.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Blood, Carl Caylor.
Application Number | 20120305611 13/488503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47260729 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120305611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blood; Jeffrey ; et
al. |
December 6, 2012 |
WALKING/WADING STAFF WITH INTEGRAL FISHING NET
Abstract
The invention discloses ball projection cup connector assemblies
for holding or carrying outdoor recreational equipment, especially
gear such as traditional fishing nets, hiking sticks, water bottles
or walking staff/fishing net combinations. The pieces of gear have
a ball projection that is integral or attached as a separate piece.
The cup connector can attach to a person's outerwear via a standard
clip, a clip holder assembly or other fastening means.
Alternatively, the cup connector may be incorporated into the
clothing of the outerwear.
Inventors: |
Blood; Jeffrey; (Cranberry
Twp, PA) ; Caylor; Carl; (Ashtabula, OH) |
Family ID: |
47260729 |
Appl. No.: |
13/488503 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61520209 |
Jun 6, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.4 ;
224/576; 29/525.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 9/04 20130101; A45B
2009/007 20130101; Y10T 29/49959 20150115; A45B 1/00 20130101; A45B
3/00 20130101; A01K 77/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.4 ;
29/525.08; 224/576 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20060101
A45F005/02; B23P 11/00 20060101 B23P011/00 |
Claims
1. A method for connecting a piece of gear to an article of
clothing on a person comprising: attaching a cup connector to said
article of clothing person, said cup connector comprised of a cup,
said cup having a front and a back, said cup also having an
opening, the opening being wider towards its top and being more
narrow towards the front of said cup, and a fastening attachment
located on the back of said cup for connecting said cup to the
article of clothing of the person; and inserting a projection of
the piece of gear into said cup via the opening of said cup, the
projection having an end, and the projection capable of being
inserted into and interlocking with said cup.
2. The method of claim 1 where the piece of gear is a walking
staff/fishing net combination.
3. The method of claim 1 where the end of the projection is a
sphere.
4. The method of claim 1 where the cup is a funnel-shaped cup.
5. The method of claim 1 where the fastening attachment is a clip
integral with the back of the cup, said clip being inserted into an
opening of a holder that attaches to a person's clothing.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the holder is further comprised
of a plurality of catches.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the projection having an end is
integral with the piece of gear.
8. A method for connecting gear to a person wearing an article of
clothing comprising: incorporating a cup connector into the article
of clothing, said cup connector comprised of a cup, said cup having
a front and a back, said cup also having an opening, the opening
being wider towards its top and being more narrow towards the front
of said cup; and inserting a projection that is integral to the
gear into said cup via the opening of said cup, the projection
having an end and the projection capable of being inserted into and
interlocking with said cup.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cup connector is incorporated
into the article of clothing by sewing the cup connector into the
article of clothing.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the cup connector is
incorporated into the article of clothing by a means selected from
the group consisting of a snap, a D-ring attachment, or a shirt
loop.
11. A piece of outdoor recreational gear, said piece of gear having
a ball projection.
12. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a
walking staff/fishing net combination.
13. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a
hiking stick.
14. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the piece of gear is a
water bottle.
15. The piece of gear of claim 11, wherein the ball projection is
integral.
16. An item of clothing capable of connecting a piece of gear with
a ball projection to a person comprising: a cup, said cup having a
front and a back, said cup also having an opening, the opening
being wider towards its top and being more narrow towards the front
of said cup, wherein said cup is incorporated as part of said
clothing.
17. The item of clothing in claim 16, where the item of clothing is
selected from a group consisting of a fishing vest, a wading
jacket, or a fishing shirt.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/520,209 filed on Jun. 6, 2011, entitled
WADING STAFF WITH INTEGRAL FISHING NET, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is directed to assemblies for holding or
carrying outdoor recreational equipment. For example, this
invention addresses the need for those who need to use a wade or
walking staff to get to a favorite fishing spot, but are reluctant
or discouraged because of the awkwardness or difficulty of stowing
the same while fishing. Specifically, this invention provides for a
ball projection and cup connector assembly design that allows
someone to hold or carry on their person outdoor recreational
equipment such as hiking sticks, fishing nets, water bottles or any
other equipment commonly used by outdoors persons including the
walking staffs/fishing net combinations that are disclosed in
provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional
application Ser. No. 13/482,046.
[0004] Many outdoor sporting activities such as hunting, fishing or
hiking require persons to carry several pieces of gear to a
specific place. For example, fly-fishing in rivers and streams
requires transporting multiple pieces of fishing gear to a desired
fishing spot near a river's edge or midstream. Until reaching their
preferred spot for repeated fly-castings, these fishermen must keep
all necessary gear with them within reach. The less "equipment"
they need to worry about or potentially leave behind, the better.
The invention allows people to carry such equipment by using an
interlocking ball projection and cup connector assembly design.
This invention also allows equipment to be stowed on the person so
that it is always available and within reach.
[0005] 2. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The ball projection and cup connector assembly design of
this invention allows outdoor recreational gear to easily attach to
its user for transport and for stowing. One embodiment of the
invention has the assembly design being utilized on a combination
walking staff/fishing net with a telescopic staff such as that
disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister
non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/482,046. On the top of the
disclosed walking staff/fishing net is a handle for gripping the
staff while walking, wading, or hiking. The ball projection and cup
connector design can also be used with other pieces of outdoor gear
including but not limited to traditional fishing nets, hiking
sticks and water bottles.
[0007] The design contemplates a projection, preferably a
projection that ends in a sphere (the ball), as a part of a
specific piece of outdoor gear. This projection slideably
interlocks with a cup connector attached to a person via an opening
in the front of the cup. Though end of the projection is preferably
spherical, any feasible end shape that can slideably interlock with
the cup is contemplated by the invention. Though any practical
design of an interlocking cup is contemplated by the invention, a
funnel cup design is preferred. The cup connector may be affixed
directly to the sportsperson's outerwear clothing via a simple clip
attachment, a clip plus holder attachment or any other fastening
means. Likewise, the cup connector may be incorporated as part of a
user's outerwear such as a fishing vest, a wading jacket or a
fishing shirt. Incorporation designs can include, but not limited
to, the cup connector being sewn in the clothing, or attachment via
snaps, a D-ring attachment or a shirt loop for easy removability of
cup from the person.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] Further features, objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become clearer when referring to the following
detailed description made with reference to the drawings in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1a is an upper perspective view of the cup connector
with one embodiment of a clip assembly according to this
invention;
[0010] FIG. 1b is an exploded view of said cup connector with
holder detached.
[0011] FIG. 1c is a rear plan view of said cup connector with
holder attached.
[0012] FIG. 1d is a left plan view of said cup connector with
holder attached.
[0013] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
cup connector with a standard clip.
[0014] FIG. 2b is a right side perspective said cup with a standard
clip.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a
ball projection used on a walking staff/fishing net.
[0016] FIG. 4a is a side perspective view showing a ball projection
on a walking staff/fishing net situated over a cup connector.
[0017] FIG. 4b is a side perspective view showing a ball projection
on said walking staff/fishing net situated most of the way into a
cup connector.
[0018] FIG. 4c is a side perspective view showing a ball projection
on said walking staff/fishing net "locked" into the bottom of a cup
connector for transport.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a walking staff/fishing net
with a ball projection closer to the base of the fishnet frame.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view after the walking
staff/fishing net depicted in FIG. 5 has been "locked" into a cup
connector.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the FIG. 5 walking
staff/fishing net with its ball projection "locked" into a cup
connector 180 degrees inverted from the position shown in FIG.
6.
[0022] FIG. 8a is an embodiment of the cup connector incorporated
into the front of the outerwear of a sportsperson.
[0023] FIG. 8b is an embodiment of the cup connector incorporated
into the back of the outerwear of a sportsperson.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a hiking stick with a ball
projection design.
[0025] FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a water bottle with an integral
ball projection design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The disclosed invention solves a problem encountered by many
sportspersons, especially fishermen during their day of
sport/relaxation. While walking/wading through streams, ponds,
marshes, swamps, and river or lake shores, they run into unseen
perils including sharp rocks, litter and other foreign objects,
tree branches, and surprise terrain drop-offs any of which may
cause the fishermen to fall and risk serious bodily injury. Such
perils may be averted by using a walking/wading staff for better
balance, It may prove difficult, however, for one to carry his/her
own tackle box, fishing rod/reel, netting and several other
accessories while traversing to one's favorite fishing spot. Also,
staff storage after reaching one's preferred destination poses a
secondary concern.
[0027] A preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention alleviates
the foregoing problem by incorporating a interlocking connecting
system with a telescopic walking staff having a handle grip
situated over a fully functional fishing net such as that disclosed
in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional
application Ser. No. 13/482,046. Though the accompanying drawings
show one preferred fishnet shape (i.e., teardrop) and width/size,
it should be understood that other sizes and shapes of fishing nets
and frames may be substituted for same. The invention is a means
that for easily connecting the walking staff/fishing net to a user
via a ball-projection cup connector interlocking design eliminating
handling/storage concerns. FIGS. 8a and 8b depict some embodiments
of stowing options with a cup incorporated into a fishing vest.
With the embodiment shown FIG. 8b, a fisherman can either reach
over his/her shoulder, or down and behind his/her own back for
snapping the device out of its own funnel cup holder.
[0028] The examples set forth in the drawings show only some
possibilities for present embodiments. After studying same, still
further variations may be made clear.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a cup connector of
the disclosed invention. Cup connector 1 is comprised of funnel cup
2 which has an opening 3 that is wide on the top and narrows along
the front, clip 4 attached to the back of funnel cup 2, and holder
5 which receives clip 4 in slot 6 from funnel cup 2 and connects
the funnel cup to the user via catches 7. FIG. 2 shows a second
embodiment of a cup connector of the present invention. Cup
connector 8 is comprised of funnel cup 9 with opening 11 that is
wide on the top and narrows along the front and a standard clip 10
attached to the back. Though the funnel cup is a preferred
embodiment, the invention contemplates any feasible cup design that
can interlock with the ball projections described in the following
figures. Likewise, the invention also contemplates any fastening
means known in the art in addition to the clip-holder assembly or
the standard clip design shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0030] One object of this invention is to provide a new and
improved way to stow a walking staff-fishnet combination such as
that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209 and sister
non-provisional application 13/482,046, Though FIGS. 3-7 depict
some preferred embodiments related to this device, the ball
projection and cup connector assembly can also be used with
traditional fishing nets, hiking sticks and any other type of
outdoor gear that is practical to carry on one's person. FIG. 3
shows an embodiment of a telescopic walking staff/integral fishing
net such as that disclosed in provisional application 61/520,209
and sister non-provisional application 13/482,046 projection.
Walking staff/fishing net 20 is comprised of frame 21 holding
fishing net 24, staff 22 connected at the bottom of frame 21,
handle 23 connected at the top of frame 21 and the ball projection
27 comprised of projection 25 having spherical end 26 located on
the front of frame 21 towards the top end near the handle 23.
Though the ball projections in this and the following figures are
depicted with spherical ends, the end of a ball projection can be
any feasible shape that can interlock with a cup connector of the
disclosed invention, FIG. 4 depicts the walking staff/fishing net
20 from FIG. 3 interlocking with cup connector 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4a
shows the ball projection 27 of a retracted walking staff/fishing
net 20 situated over cup connector 1, FIG. 4b shows the ball
projection 27 of the walking staff/fishing net 20 situated most of
the way into cup connector 1, and FIG. 4c shows the ball projection
27 of the walking staff/fishing net 20 "locked" into the bottom of
cup connector 1 as necessary for transport.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment for the telescopic
walking staff/integral fishing net such as that disclosed in
provisional application 61/520,209 and sister non-provisional
application 13/482,046 projection. Walking staff/fishing net 30 has
ball projection 31 located on the top of staff 32 where it connects
to the bottom of frame 33. FIG. 6 shows the staff 30 of FIG. 5
without netting being interlocked with the cup connector 8 depicted
FIG. 2 via ball projection 31 protruding through opening 11 in
funnel cup 9. FIG. 7 depicts staff 30 interlocking with cup
connector 8 in an alternative (180 degree opposite)
orientation.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows embodiments of a cup connector incorporated
into the outerwear of sportsperson. FIG. 8a depicts a front
orientation embodiment of vest 40 having cup connector 41 that can
interlock with staff 30 as depicted in FIG. 5 via ball projection
31. FIG. 8b depicts a back orientation embodiment of vest 42 with
cup connector 43 that can interlock with staff 20 as depicted in
FIG. 3 via projection 27. The outerwear used for incorporation can
be any clothing worn by a sportsperson, including but not limited
to, a fishing vest, a wading jacket or a fishing shirt.
Incorporation designs can include but not limited to the cup being
sewn into the clothing, or attachment via snaps, D-ring attachment,
or a shirt loop for easy removability of cup from the person.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a ball projection 50 used with
a hiking stick 51. Preferably the hiking stick is comprised of
telescopic segments 52 that are retractable so that the hiking
stick is easier to carry on one's person. FIG. 10 depicts a water
bottle 53 with an integral ball projection 54. Though only certain
outdoor sporting gear is depicted in the figures, the invention
contemplates using a ball projection on any piece of outdoor
recreational gear that is practical to carry around on one's person
by interlocking with the cup connectors disclosed in the present
invention.
[0034] Cup connectors can be comprised any materials with enough
strength to support a piece of outdoor gear with a ball projection.
Ball projections can be integral to the piece of gear or they can
be attached as separate pieces by any means known in the art.
[0035] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the
art will readily recognize from the accompanying drawings and
claims that various changes or modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *