The present invention relates to a portable carrying means for an elongated recreational device such as a fishing rod, rifle or shotgun, and specifically, the present invention relates to such a portable carrying means which is convertible to a belt during use of the recreational device, whereby the belt may accommodate accessories related to the use of the device or personal items.

The sport of fishing requires the use of a large number of items such as rods, reels, nets, lures, stringers, etc. A person wishing to fish needs to have all of these items and accessories on hand or readily nearby. Because of the large number of many different accessories, it is extremely difficult to carry all of these accessories at once. This presents a large problem for a person fishing along a shoreline who would like to walk along the shoreline or wade into the water while fishing. This person would have to leave the fishing gear behind or slowly and distractingly move the gear accordingly. Likewise hunting and sports involving the use of guns require accessories such as ammunition, attractants or bird calls, knives, etc.

In the past, the common method for carrying a number of fishing or hunting accessories has been through the use of a vest having a number of pockets. However, these vests tend to restrict complete freedom of movement and are uncomfortable, particularly in warm weather. In cold weather the vest may be covered by an outer garment and not be readily accessible. Additionally, such vests are very limited in storage capacity and cannot hold a fishing rod, gun or rifle or other accessories which must be carried separately at the risk of being lost, dropped or damaged.

To store or transport a rod, a rod tube is most commonly used. A tube is a long cylindrical rigid tube with a cover, in which a rod is placed. However, rod

tubes are bulky and cumbersome and must either be left ashore while wading or must be left in a vehicle, in which case only the rod is carried to a fishing location, thereby exposing the rod to damage from snags on trees and underbrus .

Numerous other attempts have been made to provide a means for carrying fishing accessories. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,957,231 discloses a tackle box belt. This belt however has no means for protecting and transporting a rod. Further, the pockets are not padded and are relatively small to hold lures and such and are incapable of holding a large lure box or other large items.

U.S. Patent No. 4,628,628 discloses a fishing equipment holder having an elongated cylindrical body having notched brackets for holding fishing equipment. This holder however does not wrap around a person's waist, exposes all the gear in the notched brackets, and does not contain accessible compartments for lures and tackle while in use.

U.S. Patent No. 2,817,472 discloses a belt with compartments for use by fishermen. However, their belt has no means of carrying or transporting and is not suitable for all waist sizes, i.e., is not readily adjustable. Further, fishing items are placed into cylinders carried on the belt, thereby restricting the number and size of items that can be carried. There are sleeves in the belt for a rod but the rod still remains exposed and vulnerable to damage.

French Patent No. 1,419,803 relates to a carrier for a fishing rod which is convertible to a belt. In this patent the carrier is doubled over upon itself and an elongated carrying strap for the carrier is disconnected from one end of the carrier and extended around the waist as a belt. This arrangement requires that the carrying strap or handle for the carrier be rather long and that one end of the carrying strap be secured at approximately

the mid-point of the carrier and the other end be connected to an end of the carrier.

The object of this present invention is to solve the foregoing problems related to carrying means for elongated recreational devices.

The present invention provides a carrier for an elongated recreational device comprising a flexible elongated container defined by first and second panels attached to one another and forming at least one elongated compartment therebetween, said container having first and second opposite ends, said container being adaptable to a carrying configuration in which at least one elongated recreational device is contained in said container and a belt configuration in which said container forms an adjustable loop to completely encircle and be worn around a user's waist, means on said container for retaining said container in said loop when said container is in said belt configuration, said means for retaining secured to said front and back panel on at least said first end and said second end, said first end overlapping said second end when said container is in said belt configuration.

The present invention provides an attractive, extremely durable, padded, and water-resistant carrier for fishing, hunting or similar articles and accessories which is convertible into an adjustable wrap around belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is adjustable in length for securely carrying any length fishing rod, regardless if the rod comprises multiple pieces (2, 3, or 4), by allowing the case to be adjustable in length by folding over an end of the rod case to prevent the rods from sliding therein. Likewise in a carrier for a rifle or shotgun, the carrier is adjustable in length.

Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and from the

accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. While the invention is described with reference to a carrier for a fishing rod, it should be understood that a similar carrier could be used for a rifle, shotgun or other elongated recreational device.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use around the waist of a fisherman;

Figure 2 is a front view of the same embodiment of the present invention in a rod transporting position;

Figure 3 is a back view thereof in a rod transporting position;

Figure 4 is a top view thereof in a rod transporting position;

Figure 5 is a bottom view thereof in a rod transporting position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view thereof in a storage position;

Figure 7 is a partially broken away front view thereof in use transporting a rod;

Figure 8 is a partially broken away front view thereof in use transporting a rod, in length adjusting position; and

Figure 9 is a top view of Figure 8.

Figures 1-9 illustrate the embodiment 10 in the present invention as comprising fishing rod and accessories holder or carrier 20. Carrier 20 is two durable and water-resistant, elongated, belt-like pieces of material preferably made of 0.318 cm. (1/8 inch) foam lined T ECO (R.T.M.) and CONDURA (R.T.M.). Carrier 20 has a substantially linear top edge 22, a stepped bottom edge 24 having an upper step edge 24a and a lower step edge 24b, an elongated side edge 26, and a shorter side edge 28, as well as a front panel 30 and a back panel 32. The

front panel 30 is fastened to the back panel 32, a portion of said edges by stitching with zipper means 34 extending along the side edge 26 and the adjacent portion of the top edge 22 and the lower step edge 24b thereby forming an enclosure or rod-holding pocket.

Front panel 30 contains an integral pocket 40, an integral fleece 50, and an integral knife sheath 60. Carrier 20 further contains at least one (preferably two) removable and adjustable pocket 70 which is wrapped around top edge 22, front panel 30, lower step edge 24a, and back panel 32.

Bottom edge 24 has a "D"-ring 82 for attachment of an accessory such as a fish stringer. Bottom edge 24 also has a clip ring 84 for attachment of an accessory such as a fish net 86. However, it should be understood that any number of "D"-rings and/or clip rings may be suitably attached in any location on carrier 20.

Front panel 30 and back panel 32 have fastening means 90 for adjustable fastening invention 10 around the waist of a user. Fastening means 90 is preferably VELCRO (R.T.M.) type fastening material. Hook and loop type fasteners could also be used.

As can been seen in Figure 1, carrier 20 wraps around the waist of a user or fisherman 100 when the carrier is in a fishing position, as illustrated. Fastening material 90 on back panel 32 (not shown) coacts with complimentary fastening material 90 on front panel 30 to securely and snugly wrap invention 10 around the waist of fisherman 100 and hold it thereto. The fisherman is now free to fish without any restrictions in movement. The fisherman can walk along a shoreline or wander into the water 110 and still have all the needed accessories along with and readily accessible. By holding fishing rod 120 having reel 122, line 124 and lure (not shown) in one hand, the other hand is free to access any compartment or location on carrier 20 as desired.

Figures 2-5 and 7 illustrate the carrier 20 in its rod holding or transporting position.

Pocket 40 is shown on front panel 30. Pocket 40 comprises a front wall 42 and a lid 44 which extends over front wall 42 and is removably fastened thereto by complimentary fastening means 92, preferably hook and loop type fasteners.

Similarly, knife sheath 60 is shown on front panel 30 and comprises a front wall 62 and a lid 64 which extends over front wall 62 and is removably fastened thereto by complimentary fastening means 9 , preferably hook and loop type fasteners. Knife sheath 60 is horizontally disposed on front panel 30, however it should be understood that sheath 60 could also be vertically disposed or disposed at an angle.

Two removable and adjustable pockets 70 are wrapped around carrier 20 at top edge 22, front panel 30, upper step edge 24a, and back panel 32 (not shown) . The ends 72, 74 of pockets 70 are removably fastened over back panel 32 (as seen in Figure 3) . Pockets 70 are selectively, adjustable positioned around carrier 20 along the length of upper step edge 24a illustrated by the arrows in Figure 2 and by the phantom line drawings of pockets 70. Pockets 70 include a front wall 76 and a lid 78 which extends over front wall 76 and is removably fastened thereto by complimentary fastening means 79, preferably VELCRO (R.T.M.) type fastening material. Hook and loop type or hook and eyelet type fasteners could also be used.

Handle 80 is shown attached to top edge 22 of carrier 20. By holding handle 80, a user can easily and safely carry a fishing rod and other fishing accessories. Because front panel 30, back panel 32 and all pockets of carrier 20 are padded, should the carrier bump into an object, the fishing rod and accessories in the carrier 20 are shielded from harm.

Front panel 30 has two parallel, spaced apart

long strips of fastening material 90 running horizontally from elongated side edge 26 parallel to and in proximity of top edge 22. The two long strips are substantially equal to the length of lower step edge 24b. Carrier 20 is adjustable along the length of said two long strips by selectively positioning short edge 28 at any location therealong, after wrapping carrier 20 around the waist.

Figures 2, 3 and 7 further show carrier 20 having a small opening or vertical slit 35 between pocket 40 and fleece 50. Slit 35 runs vertically from upper step edge 24b to the level of lower step edge 24a extended. Slit 35 facilitates the wrapping of carrier 20 around a waist and provides more comfort to a user.

Back panel 32 has a plurality of short parallel, spaced apart strips of fastening material 90 running horizontally along substantially the entire length thereof, parallel to and in proximity of top edge 22. Fastening material 90 on back panel 32 is illustrated as two parallel rows of four short strips 90a running horizontally from short side edge 28 to ⁿ D"-ring 82, and two parallel rows of two strips 90b running horizontally from elongated side 26 to approximately the idsection of pocket 40. The two parallel rows of four short strips 90a selectively and adjustably coact with the two long parallel strips of fastening material on front panel 30 when the carrier 20 is wrapped around the waist. Alternatively, the two parallel rows of four short strips 90a selectively and adjustably coact with each other or with the two parallel rows of two strips 90b when the carrier 20 is adjusted in length to snugly carry rods which do not extend to short side edge 28 (as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9) .

Figure 6 illustrates the carrier in its folded position for storage when not in use. Carrier 20 folds into a compact-sized package which is easily storable when not in use. Further, handle 80 and pockets 40, 60 and 70

remain accessible for easy transportation and storage of accessories.

To fold carrier 20 to its folded position, elongated side edge 26 is folded over about vertical slit 35 such that the two parallel rows of two strips 90b of fastening material 90 overlap. Short side edge 28 is then wrapped around the folded portion until the two parallel rows of four short strips 90a of fastening material 90 on back panel 32 coact with the two parallel spaced apart long strips of fastening material 90 on front panel 30. Therefore, the entire carrier is fastened in a compact package having a handle and accessible pockets.

Figure 7 is a partially broken away front view of the present invention 10 illustrating rod 120 and reel 122 inserted into carrier 20. As can be seen, rod 120 comprises two sections 120a and 120b. Rod section 120a has reel 122 attached thereto. Rod 120 and reel 122 rest securely and safely inside carrier 20. Fisherman 100 need only grasp handle 80 and carry invention 10 to a fishing location. Front panel 30 and back panel 32 are preferably stitched together along stitch line 130 from short side edge 28 to slit 35 so that rod section 120a and rod section 120b remain separated while in carrier 20. As can be seen, carrier 20 has enough space to carry a plurality of fishing rods and reels.

Figure 8 is a partially broken away front view of the present invention 10 in use in a length adjusted position transporting rod 120 and reel 122. As can be seen, rod 120 is illustrated comprising four short sections, 120c, 120d, 120e, and 120f. Rod section 120c has reel 122 attached thereto. Rod 120 and reel 122 rest securely and safely inside carrier 20. As can be seen, short sections 120c, 120d, 120e, and 120f of rod 120 extend only to "D"-ring 82. In order to prevent the short sections from sliding around inside carrier 20, the present invention 10 is adjustable in carrying length.

Short side edge 28 is folded over back panel 32 such that the four short strips 90a (Figure 3) selectively and adjustably coact with the two strips 90b (Figure 3) . In this manner, carrier 20 can be adjusted to any length to accommodate any sized rod having any number of sections. Once adjusted, a fisherman need only grasp handle 80 and carry invention 10 to a fishing location. It is foreseen that handle 80 can be selectively and removably fastened by suitable fastening means along the length of top edge 22. Thus, handle 80 can be securely positioned in a desired or optimally balanced position when the carrier is adjusted in length.

Figure 9 is a top view of the length adjusted carrier 20 of Figure 8. As can be seen, short side edge 28 is folded over back panel 32 such that fasteners 90a and 90b (Figure 3) coact. Carrier 20 is adjustable in this manner to any length by selectively positioning edge 28 at any location along back panel 32. All pockets remain accessible.

In use, a fishing pole 120 is inserted into carrier 20 and the zipper means 34 is closed. Carrier 20 is then adjusted to a desired length, if need be. Desired accessories may be inserted into the pockets. The user 100 then grasps handle 80 and carries the carrier 20 to a desired fishing location. The padded carrier 20 protects the fishing rod and accessories from being damaged while in transit. When the user 100 reaches the desired location, the rod 120 is removed and carrier 20 is wrapped around the waist of the user. Short side edge 28 is selectively positioned along fastening material 90a on front panel 30. Fastening material 90a on back panel 32 coacts with fastening material 90 on front panel 30 to securely and comfortably hold the carrier 20 around the waist of the user 100. The user is then free to wander around without restricted movement and fish, while at the same time having any desired fishing accessories readily

at hand .

As described above, pockets 70 are selectably positioned on or removed from carrier 20 according to a user's preference or need. It is foreseen that other pocket options can be made in various shapes or sizes depending on personal preference of a user. For example, an attachable and adjustable pocket similar to pockets 70 could be made for insulated storage for cold items such as a lunch or beverages. Further pockets could be made to hold a large lure box or to store personal belongings such as glasses, a wallet, a camera, etc.

It is to be understood that the embodiment herein described is merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. A similar carrier could be used for a rifle, shotgun or other elongated recreational device with the pocket 40 and pockets 70 accommodating shells or other accessories which may be appropriate to use of the device.