CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of fishing rod holders for use on a boat, and more particularly to a cover for the fasteners attaching the fishing rod holder to the boat.

Accessories such as fishing rod holders are often installed on the side decks of boats. The rod holder has a flange that is bolted on, leaving the fastener heads visible. For yachts and high quality sportfishing boats, attractive appearance is paramount. The heads of fasteners, such as bolts and screws, present an unsightly appearance for such products. There are safety considerations, as well. Heads of screws may have burrs and sharp edges projecting outward. Such burrs and edges can splinter or cut a hand or foot placed thereupon. This is a consideration on a boat, where people often walk on deck barefoot. Of paramount importance in manufacturing a product is fast and easy assembly of the parts using unskilled labor and no assembly fixtures or tools.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a cover for fishing rod holders that will allow fast and easy assembly of the cover to the rod holder.

There is a further need to provide a cover of the type described and that will hide the fastener heads from view, and show an attractive finished surface.

There is a yet further need to provide a cover of the type described and that will shield burrs and sharp edges for safety.

There is a still further need to provide a cover of the type described and that can be installed using unskilled labor.

There is another need to provide a cover of the type described and that can be installed using no assembly fixtures or tools.

There is still another need to provide a cover of the type described and that can be replaced quickly and easily in the event that it becomes dented or scratched.

There is yet another need to provide a cover of the type described and that can be manufactured cost-effectively in large quantities of high quality.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cover for use in connection with a fishing rod holder for a boat having a deck. The fishing rod holder has a tube extending between opposite proximal and distal ends. The fishing rod holder has a flange attached to the tube proximal end. The flange has opposite top and bottom surfaces, and an outer peripheral edge. The flange has a plurality of holes through it. The holes are adapted to receive fasteners with heads for attaching the fishing rod holder to the deck.

The cover comprises a plate having opposite top and bottom surfaces, and an outer peripheral edge. The plate has a hole through it adapted for juxtaposition with the tube. The plate is adapted to cover the flange and the fastener heads, with the plate bottom surface juxtaposed with the flange top surface.

A skirt extends along the plate peripheral edge, and projects outward from the plate bottom surface. The skirt is adapted to cover the flange peripheral edge.

Attaching means is provided for attaching the cover to the fishing rod holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood, while still further objects and advantages will become apparent, in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly perspective view of a fishing rod holder, including a cover for fishing rod holders constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the fishing rod holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side sectional elevational view of the fishing rod holder assembly of FIG. 1, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of another cover for fishing rod holders constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the cover of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a right side sectional view of the cover of FIG. 7, taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly perspective view of another fishing rod holder, including the cover of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the fishing rod holder assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side sectional elevational view of the fishing rod holder assembly of FIG. 10, taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a liner used with the fishing rod holder assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the liner of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the liner of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is an exploded assembly perspective view of yet another fishing rod holder, including yet another cover for fishing rod holders constructed in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a cover is shown at 50, and is for use in connection with a fishing rod holder 20 for a boat having a deck (not shown). The fishing rod holder 20 has a tube 22 extending between opposite proximal 24 and distal 26 ends. The tube 22 has a transverse bar 28 mounted inside the tube distal end 26. The fishing rod holder 20 has a flange 30 attached to the tube proximal end 24. The flange 30 extends between opposite front 32 and rear 34 ends, and between opposite right 36 and left 38 edges. The flange 30 has opposite top 40 and bottom 42 surfaces. The flange 30 has a plurality of holes 44 therethrough. The holes 44 are adapted to receive fasteners 46 with heads 48 for attaching the fishing rod holder 20 to the deck. The fishing rod holder 20 includes a cap 45 adapted for insertion into the tube proximal end 24. A gasket 47 is adapted to be interposed between the flange bottom surface 42 and the boat deck. A flexible hinge 49 connects the cap 45 and the gasket 47.

The cover 50 comprises a plate 52 that extends between opposite front 54 and rear 56 ends and between opposite right 58 and left 60 edges. The plate 52 has opposite top 62 and bottom 64 surfaces. The plate 52 has a hole 66 through it, which is adapted for juxtaposition with the tube 22, upon assembly. The plate 52 is adapted to cover the flange 30 and the fastener heads 48. In the assembled state, the plate front 54 and rear 56 ends will be juxtaposed with the flange front 32 and rear 34 ends respectively. The plate right 58 and left 60 edges will be juxtaposed with the flange right 36 and left 38 edges respectively. The plate bottom surface 64 will be juxtaposed with the flange top surface 40.

A skirt 68 extends along the plate front 54 and rear 56 ends and along the plate right 58 and left 60 edges. The skirt 68 projects outward from the plate bottom surface 64. The skirt 68 is adapted to cover the flange front 32 and rear 34 ends and the flange right 36 and left 38 edges. The skirt 68 has a cutout 70 adapted to clear the hinge 49.

Attaching means is provided for attaching the cover 50 to the fishing rod holder 20. Specifically, the attaching means includes an adhesive (not shown) interposed between the plate bottom surface 64 and the fastener heads 48. Alternatively, the adhesive can be applied between the plate bottom surface 64 and the flange top surface 40.

A method is also disclosed for covering fishing rod holder 20. The method comprises the steps of extending a plate 52 between opposite front 54 and rear 56 ends, between opposite right 58 and left 60 edges, and between opposite top 62 and bottom 64 surfaces, then forming a hole 66 through the plate 52, then extending a skirt 68 along the plate front 54 and rear 56 ends and along the plate right 58 and left 60 edges, then projecting the skirt 68 outward from the plate bottom surface 64. Next, juxtaposing the plate front 54 and rear 56 ends with the flange front 32 and rear 34 ends respectively, then juxtaposing the plate right 58 and left 60 edges with the flange right 36 and left 38 edges respectively, then juxtaposing the plate bottom surface 64 with the flange top surface 40, and then covering the flange front 32 and rear 34 ends and the flange right 36 and left 38 edges with the skirt 68.

Further steps comprise interposing an adhesive between the plate bottom surface64 and the flange top surface 40, then attaching the cover 50 to the fishing rod holder 20 with the adhesive. A final step comprises notching the skirt 68 to clear the hinge 49.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 15, another embodiment of the cover is shown at 150, and is for use in connection with another fishing rod holder 120 for a boat having a deck (not shown). This embodiment is similar to cover 50 and fishing rod holder 20 described above, in that the fishing rod holder 120 has a tube 122 extending between opposite proximal 124 and distal 126 ends. The tube 122 has a transverse bar 128 mounted inside the tube distal end 126. The fishing rod holder 120 has a flange 130 attached to the tube proximal end 124. The flange 130 extends between opposite front 132 and rear 134 ends, and between opposite right 36 and left 138 edges. The flange 130 has opposite top 140 and bottom 142 surfaces. The flange 130 has a plurality of holes 144 therethrough. The holes 144 are adapted to receive fasteners 146 with heads 148 for attaching the fishing rod holder 120 to the deck.

The cover 150 comprises a plate 152 that extends between opposite front 154 and rear 156 ends and between opposite right 158 and left 160 edges. The plate 152 has opposite top 162 and bottom 164 surfaces. The plate 152 has a hole 166 through it, which is adapted for juxtaposition with the tube 122, upon assembly. The plate 152 is adapted to cover the flange 130 and the fastener heads 148. In the assembled state, the plate front 154 and rear 156 ends will be juxtaposed with the flange front 132 and rear 134 ends respectively. The plate right 158 and left 160 edges will be juxtaposed with the flange right 136 and left 138 edges respectively. The plate bottom surface 164 will be juxtaposed with the flange top surface 140. In this embodiment, the plate bottom surface 164 will usually rest upon the tube proximal end 124, but can be made to rest upon the flange top surface 140.

A skirt 168 extends along the plate front 154 and rear 156 ends and along the plate right 58 and left 60 edges. The skirt 68 projects outward from the plate bottom surface 164. The skirt 168 is adapted to cover the flange front 132 and rear 134 ends and the flange right 136 and left 138 edges.

Fishing rod holder 120 differs from fishing rod holder 20 described above, in that fishing rod holder 120 has no cap, gasket, hinge, or skirt cutout.

Attaching means is provided for attaching the cover 150 to the fishing rod holder 120. Specifically, the attaching means includes a hollow liner 170, which is adapted to be inserted through the plate hole 166. The hollow liner 170 is also adapted to be slideably received in the tube 122. The liner 170 extends between opposite proximal 172 and distal 174 ends. The liner 170 has a lip 176 at the liner proximal end 172. The lip 176 is adapted to bear downward on the plate top surface 162, when the liner 170 is assembled into the tube 122. The liner 170 has a notch 178 extending transversely through the liner 170. The notch 178 extends a predetermined distance from the liner distal end 174 to an apex 180. The notch 178 is adapted to receive the tube bar 128 at the apex 180 so as to preclude the liner 170 from rotating in the tube 122. The liner 170 has at least one toe 186 projecting outward from the liner distal end 174. The toe 186 is adapted to engage the tube distal end 126. The liner 170 is constructed from a flexible, resilient material, so that the toe 186 will pass through the tube 122 with bias and engage the tube distal end 126.

The notch 178 further comprises an inverted, U-shaped portion 182 at the apex 180. The U-shaped portion 182 has a width adapted to closely receive the tube bar 128. The notch 178 also has an inverted, V-shaped portion 184 extending downward from the apex 180 to the liner distal end 174 and increasing in width toward the liner distal end 174. The liner 170 preferably comprises a pair of liner legs 188 at the liner distal end 174 defined by the V-shaped portion 184. A toe 186 projects outward from each of the liner legs 188 at the liner distal end 174.

Upon assembly, the cover 150 will be juxtaposed with the flange 130. The liner toes 186 will then be manually pinched toward each other against a bias inherent in the flexible material. The liner 170 will be inserted through the plate hole 166 into the tube 122. The notch 178, and particularly the U-shaped portion 182, will engage the tube bar 128. The toes 186 will expand outward at the tube distal end 126, whereby the liner 170 will attach the cover 150 to the fishing rod holder 120.

A method is also disclosed for covering fishing rod holder 120. The method comprises the steps of providing a hollow liner 170, then extending the liner 170 between opposite proximal 172 and distal 174 ends, then providing a lip 176 at the liner proximal end 172. Next, extending a notch 178 transversely through the liner 170 adjacent the liner distal end 174, then extending the liner notch 178 a predetermined distance from the liner distal end 174 to an apex 180, then projecting at least one toe 186 outward from the liner distal end 174. Next, inserting the liner 170 through the plate hole 166, then receiving the liner 170 slideably in the tube 122, then receiving the tube bar 128 in the liner notch 178 at the apex 180, so as to preclude the liner from rotating in the tube. Next, engaging the tube distal end 126 with the toe 186, and then bearing downward on the plate top surface 162 with the lip 176, thereby attaching the cover 150 to the fishing rod holder 120.

Further steps comprise constructing the liner 170 from a flexible, resilient material, and passing the toe 186 through the tube 122 with bias to engage the tube distal end 126.

Yet further steps comprise forming an inverted, U-shaped notch portion 182 at the liner notch apex 180, then forming an inverted, V-shaped notch portion 184 extending downward from the liner notch apex 180 to the liner distal end 174 and increasing in width toward the liner distal end 174. Next, defining a pair of liner legs 188 at the liner distal end 174 by the V-shaped notch portion 184, then projecting a toe 186 outward from each of the liner legs 188 at the liner distal end 174. Next, juxtaposing the cover 150 with the tube flange 130, then pinching the liner toes 186 manually toward each other against a bias inherent in the flexible material, then inserting the liner 170 through the plate hole 166 and through the tube 122, then receiving the tube bar 128 in the U-shaped portion 182, and finally, expanding the toes 186 outward at the tube distal end 126, thereby attaching the cover 150 to the fishing rod holder 120.

Turning now to FIG. 16, yet another embodiment of the cover is shown at 250, and is for use in connection with another fishing rod holder 220 for a boat having a deck (not shown). This embodiment is similar to cover 50 and fishing rod holder 20 described above, in that the fishing rod holder 220 has a tube 222 extending between opposite proximal 224 and distal 226 ends. The tube 222 has a transverse bar 228 mounted inside the tube distal end 226. The fishing rod holder 220 has a flange 230 attached to the tube proximal end 224. The flange 230 extends between opposite front 232 and rear 234 ends, and between opposite right 236 and left 238 edges. The flange 230 has opposite top 240 and bottom 242 surfaces. The flange 230 has a plurality of holes 244 therethrough. The holes 244 are adapted to receive fasteners 246 with heads 248 for attaching the fishing rod holder 220 to the deck.

The cover 250 comprises a plate 252 that extends between opposite front 254 and rear 256 ends and between opposite right 258 and left 260 edges. The plate 252 has opposite top 262 and bottom 264 surfaces. The plate 252 has a hole 266 through it, which is adapted for juxtaposition with the tube 222, upon assembly. The plate 252 is adapted to cover the flange 230 and the fastener heads 248. In the assembled state, the plate front 254 and rear 256 ends will be juxtaposed with the flange front 232 and rear 234 ends respectively. The plate right 258 and left 260 edges will be juxtaposed with the flange right 236 and left 238 edges respectively. The plate bottom surface 264 will be juxtaposed with the flange top surface 240.

A skirt 268 extends along the plate front 254 and rear 256 ends and along the plate right 258 and left 260 edges. The skirt 268 projects outward from the plate bottom surface 264. The skirt 268 is adapted to cover the flange front 232 and rear 234 ends and the flange right 236 and left 238 edges.

Attaching means is provided for attaching the cover 250 to the fishing rod holder 220. Specifically, the attaching means includes an adhesive (not shown) interposed between the plate bottom surface 264 and the fastener heads 248. Alternatively, the adhesive can be applied between the plate bottom surface 264 and the flange top surface 240.

Fishing rod holder 220 differs from fishing rod holder 20 described above, in that fishing rod holder 220 has no cap, gasket, hinge, or skirt cutout.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications that will come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.