Gun and fishing rod holder

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

p-0002The technology herein relates generally to the storage of guns and/or fishing rods in vehicles, and more particularly to locking storage units for the same mounted in a pickup truck bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-0003Gun and fishing rod racks for vehicles are well known. Generally, such racks mount the guns or fishing rods inside and/or outside the vehicle. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,976 to Jernigan, et al. shows a series of sleeve holders mounted to a connector plate that connects directly to an exterior bumper of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,446 to Murray et al. shows a gun mount apparatus that securely attaches to one or more of the seat frames inside the vehicle. Other apparatuses for mounting hunting equipment to vehicles, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,444 to Church, show rotatable locking mechanisms to secure a hunting bow or rifle to the rear of an all terrain vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0004In various example embodiments, the technology described herein provides an apparatus for storing guns (i.e., rifles, shotguns and the like) and fishing rods on a vehicle. The apparatus can be mounted inside a storage unit that is part of the vehicle, i.e., one that is part of a pickup truck bed. Optionally, the storage unit can be a locking storage unit. An example of such a locking storage unit is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0074532 A1 to Dupret, et al. Such storage units provide additional storage in a sidewall of a bed of a pickup truck without reducing overall storage space in the bed itself. The opaque, locked unit deters theft and protects the items from damage.

p-0005The apparatus consists of two upright stands. The stands are adjustable to provide variable length storage and can be rotated about a vertical axis to provide storage for more than one type of item. For instance, in a first configuration, the stands comprise a pair of opposing U-shaped brackets for holding guns. The U-shaped brackets each form a channel with isolating fingers to secure guns, and have covers to hold the guns in each channel. The isolating fingers on the brackets provide stabilization for variable sized items, and are padded to prevent degrading the stored items. In a second configuration, achieved by rotating the stands 90 degrees, the stands provide a plurality of fishing rod slots.

p-0006The stands are mountable to a table in a plurality of positions, to provide variable length storage. In one embodiment, the stands are fastened directly to the table. Screws or other fasteners on the base of the stands hold the stands to the table. In another embodiment, the stands are seated within a track. Spring loaded thumbscrews, for example, hold the stands to the table in this embodiment, but when unscrewed, allows the stands to be rotated within the track to change the configuration of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0007The technology is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, and in which:

p-0008<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A and 1B</figref> show perspective views of a first embodiment of a gun and fishing rod holder in a first (gun holding) configuration and a second (fishing rod holding) configuration, respectively.

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a top down view of the gun and fishing rod holder in the first (gun holding) configuration.

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref> shows a side view of the gun and fishing rod holder in the second (fishing rod holding) configuration.

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref> shows a side view of the gun and fishing rod holder in the first (gun holding) configuration.

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows a side view of the gun holding side of a stand of the <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A-1B</figref> gun and fishing rod holder.

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a side view of the fishing rod holding side of a stand of the <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A-1B</figref> gun and fishing rod holder.

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a perspective view of the gun holding side of a stand of the <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A-1B</figref> gun and fishing rod holder with an engaged cover.

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a side view of a stand of a track-equipped second embodiment of a adjustable long gun and fishing rod holder in a first (gun holding) configuration.

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a top down view of the track-equipped second embodiment of the adjustable long gun and fishing rod holder in the first (gun holding) configuration.

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a perspective view of the <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A-1B</figref> gun and fishing rod holder being installed in a storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

p-0018Before describing the disclosed embodiments of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A and 1B</figref> show a first embodiment of a gun and fishing rod holder <b>100</b> in a first (gun holding) configuration and second (fishing rod holding) configuration, respectively. Holder <b>100</b> consists of a table <b>110</b> having a plurality of stabilizers <b>112</b> and fastening points <b>116</b>. A pair of stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>are releasably secured to the table at certain fastening points <b>116</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref> shows stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>mounted in a first, gun holding configuration, and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref> shows stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>mounted in a second, fishing rod holding configuration.

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a top-down view of the holder <b>100</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>, with table <b>110</b> secured to a surface <b>198</b>, e.g., a floor of a storage unit <b>190</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>). Table <b>110</b> is affixed to floor <b>198</b> by a plurality of locking points <b>118</b>, using bolts or screws, scrivets, or other known fastening devices. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>each also have a plurality of fastening points <b>126</b>. Stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>are installed on table <b>110</b> by aligning fastening points <b>116</b> and <b>126</b>, and inserting fasteners, such as, e.g., screws or scrivets. In this manner, the length d between stands <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b</i>, in a longitudinal direction of the table, can be adjusted to accommodate different sized guns and fishing rods. A plurality of stabilizers <b>112</b> are arranged about an outside edge of the table <b>110</b> for securing holder <b>100</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref> shows a side view of holder <b>100</b> in the second, fishing rod holding configuration, showing fishing rod <b>180</b> mounted thereon. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 313</figref> shows a side view of holder <b>100</b> in the first, gun holding configuration, showing gun <b>182</b> mounted thereon. As can be seen, the holder <b>100</b> accommodates and protects a gun <b>182</b> with a scope <b>183</b>.

p-0021The two spaced apart stands <b>120</b><i>a</i>, <b>120</b><i>b </i>hold and stabilize the guns and fishing rods mounted thereon, where a first stand <b>120</b><i>a </i>supports/holds a portion of the supported gun or rod and the second spaced apart stand <b>120</b><i>b </i>supports/holds another portion of the same gun or rod. For example, one end of a gun is held by one stand <b>120</b><i>a </i>while the other end of the gun is held by the other spaced stand <b>120</b><i>b</i>. In this manner the holder is configured to support a plurality of guns and fishing rods.

p-0022Stands <b>120</b><i>a</i>, <b>120</b><i>b </i>are configured so that they can be installed in one of two configurations. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows an exemplary stand <b>120</b>, as it would be installed on table <b>110</b> in the first, gun holding configuration as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref>. Stand <b>120</b> comprises a cross-shaped supporting column <b>124</b> and circular base <b>122</b>. Of course it is understood that the shapes of supporting column <b>124</b> and base <b>122</b> are exemplary, and that supporting column <b>124</b>, for example, could be cylindrical and base <b>122</b> rectangular, or any other suitable shape.

p-0023A pair of U-shaped channels <b>140</b><i>a </i>and <b>140</b><i>b </i>are formed by carrier <b>130</b>, which is attached to the top of supporting column <b>124</b>. In a preferred embodiment, carrier <b>130</b> is formed from a single piece of plastic, metal, hardened rubber, or resilient material, e.g., an overmolded rubber structure. It is, however, understood that carrier <b>130</b> could be formed of a pair of U-shaped brackets machined, coated or otherwise fabricated. Isolating fingers <b>135</b> in the channels <b>140</b><i>a</i>, <b>140</b><i>b </i>provide stabilization for guns held therein, and are preferably formed of a flexible and resilient padding, such as rubber, or neoprene, so as to not degrade the guns. The fingers <b>135</b> are configured and positioned to hold and stabilize a portion of a gun therein, to isolate the gun from the vibrations inherent to being transported in the vehicle. This is beneficial for protecting more delicate accessories such as gun scopes <b>183</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>). A knob <b>131</b> and plurality of flanges <b>132</b> provide attachment points for a rubber cover or retention strap <b>136</b> (as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>), which further secures any guns within the channels <b>140</b><i>a</i>, <b>140</b><i>b</i>. Of course it is understood that the rubber cover <b>136</b> is a retaining member, and may take other forms so long as it secures the gun within the U-shaped channels <b>140</b><i>a </i>and <b>140</b><i>b. </i>

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows stand <b>120</b> rotated 90 degrees in the second, fishing rod holding configuration as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref>. A plurality of fishing rod slots <b>160</b><i>a</i>-<i>d</i>, <b>162</b><i>a</i>-<i>b </i>of differing size (slots <b>160</b><i>a</i>-<i>d </i>are larger to accommodate larger diameter rods) are arranged about an upside-down U-shaped support <b>150</b> perpendicularly to carrier <b>130</b>. Of course, it is understood that rod holders <b>160</b><i>a</i>-<i>d</i>, <b>162</b><i>a</i>-<i>b </i>could all be of different, or the same sizes, depending on need. As can be seen in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, carrier <b>130</b> is arranged over top support <b>150</b>, but support <b>150</b> could also be arranged over top carrier <b>130</b>. Each fishing rod slot <b>160</b><i>a</i>-<i>d</i>, <b>162</b><i>a</i>-<i>b </i>has resilient material fingers or retention flaps <b>165</b>, e.g., rubber or neoprene to hold and stabilize the fishing rods therein while not degrading the rods.

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref> show a second embodiment of a gun and fishing rod holder <b>200</b>. In this embodiment, holder <b>200</b> is equipped with a track <b>211</b> that runs lengthwise across table <b>210</b>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, stand <b>220</b> is mounted in an upside-down T-shaped aperture in a track <b>211</b>, permitting the stand to be moved longitudinally along the track <b>211</b>. A complementary protrusion <b>223</b> on the stand <b>220</b> extends downward to engage the upside-down T-shaped aperture. In this manner, track <b>211</b> keeps stand <b>220</b> attached to table <b>210</b>. Stand <b>220</b> is held secure to table <b>210</b> by a plurality of fasteners <b>226</b>, e.g., thumbscrews that engage fastening points <b>216</b> on table <b>210</b>. Like the first embodiment the second embodiment has a plurality of locking points <b>218</b> for attaching the table <b>210</b> to a surface <b>198</b>, e.g., the floor of a storage unit (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>). When the fasteners <b>226</b> are not engaged, stand <b>220</b> is free to rotate about its center (shown by arrow <b>214</b>) to change holder <b>200</b> from a first, gun holding to a second, fishing rod holding configuration. Optionally, the thumbscrews can be spring-loaded so they do not actually come out of the base <b>222</b>.

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows the stabilizers <b>112</b> of the <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref> holder <b>100</b> aligning with corresponding notching <b>192</b> on interior sidewalls of a storage unit <b>190</b>. When lid <b>194</b> is closed, the items stored on holder <b>100</b> can be secured out of sight. Optionally, lid <b>194</b> can be locking, providing the items with further protection from theft and damage.

p-0027It should be understood that although the first and second configurations of the described embodiments hold long guns with scopes and fishing rods, configurations for holding other items, such as bows or sporting equipment (e.g., hockey and lacrosse sticks) are possible.

p-0028Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the technology and are intended to be covered by the following claims.