Compact rod holder

Abstract

The fishing rod holder has a rod support cup and a waistband clip. The waistband clip includes an interconnecting part and a distal part, with the interconnecting part pivotally connected between the rod support cup and the distal part. The holder can be used in two configurations: a compact configuration in which the parts are closed together and the clip is inside the cup, and an in-use configuration in which the clip is pivoted away from the cup. In the in-use configuration, the parts are held on the waistband and can be opened to suspend the rod support cup. The holder can be carried in a person's pocket in its compact configuration. When needed, the holder can be quickly assembled and attached to the waistband with one hand while the other hand is fighting a fish. Flexion between the rod support cup and the cup provides movement tolerance when walking.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact device for holding a fishing rod. [Background technology]

[0002] A fishing rod harness is a device that secures and supports a fishing rod while allowing the angler's hands to be free for other tasks.

[0003] Fishing rod harnesses typically consist of straps or harness-like components that can be worn around the angler's body with retainers or attachments that can position the fishing rod to hold it in place and allow the angler to perform other activities without constantly holding the fishing rod.

[0004] This type of harness is particularly useful when fishing from a standing position and can provide convenience and comfort during extended fishing sessions.

[0005] However, these harnesses can limit an angler's movement and comfort due to the added weight and constraints they impose, especially during extended fishing trips. Harnesses can also be cumbersome to put on and take off, which can cause frustration when an angler wants to quickly switch between different fishing techniques or fishing locations.

[0006] Additionally, storing these bulky harnesses when not in use can be a challenge. Harnesses can take up a significant amount of space in a shed, on a boat, or in a tackle box. This can be problematic, especially if the angler has limited storage options available.

[0007] Furthermore, fishing rod holder harnesses are not particularly portable, so carrying the harness to and from a fishing location can be inconvenient, especially if the angler must travel or walk long distances to reach their preferred fishing spot.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a rod holder which overcomes or substantially ameliorates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides an alternative.

[0009] Where any information of the prior art is referred to herein, it should be understood that such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Provided herein is a compact rod holder that includes a rod support cup and a waistband clip.

[0011] The clip consists of an interconnecting part and a distal part, the interconnecting part being pivotally connected between the cup and the distal part.

[0012] The retainer can thus be in a compact configuration with the parts closed together, or in an in-use configuration in which the clip is pivoted away from the cup to engage the waistband and suspend the cup without the need for a harness.

[0013] The retainer can be carried in a person's pocket in a compact form, and when needed for use, can be quickly assembled and attached to a waistband with one hand while the other hand is fighting the fish.

[0014] The pole support cups can be positioned comfortably on the thighs and the flexion between the pole support cups provides movement tolerance when walking.

[0015] The clip components can be magnetically attached to grip the waistband using permanent magnets of opposite polarity. The cups can have a convex back surface to ergonomically press against the legs and a concave inner surface to center the butt of the fishing rod.

[0016] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

[0017] While any other form may be considered which may fall within the scope of the invention, by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 shows a rod holder in a compact form. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rod holder in use. [Figure 3] A rear view of the rod holder is shown. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] A side cross-sectional view of the rod holder is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a rod holder 100 comprising a rod support cup 101 and a waistband clip 102 .

[0020] The waistband clip 102 comprises an interconnecting piece 103 and a distal piece 104. The interconnecting piece 103 is pivotally coupled between the rod support cup 101 and the distal piece 104.

[0021] Thus, the retainer 100 can be configured into the compact form shown in FIG. 1, where the parts 103, 104 are closed together and the clip 102 is retained within the cup 101.

[0022] Additionally, retainer 100 can be configured into an in-use configuration shown in FIG. 2 in which waistband clip 102 can be pivoted away from cup 101 and opened so that parts 103, 104 engage the waistband and suspend rod support cup 101 therebetween.

[0023] In its compact form, the rod holder 100 is small enough to be carried in a pocket. Furthermore, unlike using a traditional harness, the rod holder 100 can be opened as shown in FIG. 1 and the clip 102 can be opened to clip onto a waistband for suspending the rod support cup 100 therefrom. The rod support cup 100 can be ergonomically positioned on a person's thigh so that it can more comfortably withstand the force exerted by the rod support cup 101 when the butt of a fishing rod is held within the cup 100. The pivot between the interconnecting piece 103 and the rod support cup 101 allows the rod support cup 101 to flex with walking movements.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, parts 103, 104 are magnetically attracted to one another to sandwich the waistband therebetween. Referring to Figure 5, each part 103, 104 may define a respective interior 105 in which a respective magnetic strip is held. In an embodiment, both interiors 105 have permanent magnets that attract with opposite polarities.

[0025] Referring to Figure 3, rod support cup 101 preferably includes a convex underside 106 for ergonomically compressing a person's leg. Similarly, referring to Figure 2, rod support cup 101 may define a concave inner side 107 for centering the butt of a fishing rod regardless of its diameter.

[0026] The concave inner surface 107 may be surrounded by side walls 115 to prevent the butt of the fishing rod from slipping off the concave inner surface 107 .

[0027] Additionally, the inner surface 107 may have protrusions (generally shown as triangular protrusions) thereon that aid in frictional grip of the butt of a fishing rod.

[0028] 4, the rod support cup 101 may be formed by an outer piece 108 that clips onto an inner piece 109. The outer piece 108 may define a concave inner surface 107, and the inner piece 109 may define a convex underside surface 106.

[0029] A split head hinge pin 110 joins the rod support cup 101 and the interconnecting piece 103, and may also join the interconnecting piece 103 and the distal piece 104. The heads of the hinge pin 110 may be pushed together to remove the hinge pin 110 for disassembly.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, the rod support cup 101 may define a pair of side pivot attachment points 111 that pivotally retain a central pivot barrel 112 of the interconnection piece 103 therebetween.

[0031] The cup 107 may define a side channel 113 aligned with the attachment point 111, the side channel 113 having a width greater than the width of the interconnecting piece 104 so that the interconnecting piece 104 can fit into the channel 113 when the rod holder 100 is in the compact configuration as shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The parts 103, 104 may define flat contact surfaces. The distal part 104 may have a convex outer surface 115 for ergonomic fit when the rod holder 100 is in the compact configuration.

[0033] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific terminology to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required to practice the present invention. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, as many modifications and variations are apparent in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, so that others skilled in the art can best utilize various embodiments with various modifications suited to the invention and the particular uses contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A rod holder comprising a rod support cup and a waistband clip, the waistband clip comprising an interconnecting piece and a distal piece, the interconnecting piece pivotally coupled between the rod support cup and the distal piece, whereby the holder comprises: a compact configuration in which the parts are closed together and the clip is retained within the cup; and In use configuration, the clip can be pivoted away from the cup and opened so that the components engage a waistband therebetween and suspend the rod support cup therefrom. A rod holder that can be configured as follows.

2. 2. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein the components are magnetically attracted to one another.

3. 3. A rod holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein each part defines an interior in which a respective magnetic piece is retained.

4. 10. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein the rod support cup comprises a convex underside.

5. 5. The rod holder of claim 4, wherein the rod support comprises a concave inner surface.

6. 6. The rod holder of claim 5, wherein the concave inner surface is surrounded by a sidewall.

7. 2. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein the rod support comprises an interconnected outer piece and an inner piece, the outer piece defining a concave interior and the inner piece defining a convex underside.

8. 2. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein the cup defines a pair of side pivot attachment points between which a central pivot barrel of the interconnecting piece is pivotally held, and side channels aligned with the attachment points that are wider than the width of the interconnecting piece.

10. 10. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein the component defines a flat contact surface.

11. The rod holder of claim 1 , wherein the distal component has a convex outer surface.

12. 2. The rod holder of claim 1, wherein a split-head hinge pin joins the rod support cup and the interconnecting piece and also joins the interconnecting piece and the distal piece.

13. 10. A method of holding a fishing rod with the rod holder of claim 1, said method comprising: fastening said waistband clip to a waistband and suspending said rod support cup therefrom; and inserting a butt of a fishing rod into said rod support cup.

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