Granted Patent B2

US 6,880,480 · App. 10/193,610 · Granted Apr 19, 2005

Abstract

Claims (70)

1. A tackle organizer system for organizing fishing tackle and fishing tackle boxes in a boat, the system comprising:

a) a storage structure, the storage structure including:

i) a lower storage region defining a plurality of generally vertical storage compartments for vertically storing fishing tackle boxes;

ii) an upper storage region defining:

1) a plurality of generally horizontal storage compartments for horizontally storing fishing tackle boxes;

2) a utility storage compartment located adjacent the horizontal storage compartments; and

iii) a top storage tray mounted above the upper storage region, the top storage tray defining at least one recess for storing fishing tackle.

2. The tackle organizer system of claim 1 , wherein:

a) the horizontally stored fishing tackle boxes are secure in a stored position by a detachable cord.

3. The tackle organizer system of claim 2 , wherein:

a) the vertically stored fishing tackle boxes are secured in a stored position by ribs formed in the lower storage region of the storage structure.

4. A tackle organizer system for organizing fishing tackle in a boat, the system comprising:

a) a storage box, the storage box including:

i) a lower region; and

ii) a first upper region;

b) at least a first organizer insert positioned within the storage box at the first upper region, the first insert defining a plurality of lateral storage slots for lateral receipt of fishing tackle; and

c) a plurality of vertical storage slots located in the lower region of the tackle organizer system.

5. The tackle organizer system of claim 4 , wherein:

a) the lower region includes a first side wall;

b) the first upper region includes a first base; and

c) the first side wall and the first base are configured to define a first step.

6. The tackle organizer system of claim 5 , wherein the first organizer insert is positioned above the first base of the first upper region.

7. The tackle organizer system of claim 5 , further including:

a) a second upper region, the lower region being located between the first upper region and the second upper region.

8. The tackle organizer system of claim 7 , wherein:

a) the lower region includes a second side wall;

b) the second upper region includes a second base; and

c) the second side wall and the second base are configured to define a second step.

9. The tackle organizer system of claim 7 , further including a second organizer insert, the second insert being positioned within the storage box at the second upper region.

10. The tackle organizer system of claim 4 , further including a securing member for securing fishing tackle and equipment within the lateral storage slots.

11. The tackle organizer system of claim 10 , wherein:

a) the securing member includes an elastic cord extending across the lateral storage slots, the elastic cord having an end that is detachable from a secured position to provide access to the lateral storage slots.

12. The tackle organizer system of claim 4 , wherein the first insert further defines a utility storage area having an opening adjacent the lateral storage slots.

13. The tackle organizer system of claim 4 , wherein the storage box includes a flange located along a perimeter of the box, the flange including a plurality of holes for mounting the tackle organizer system to the boat.

14. The tackle organizer system of claim 13 , further including a mounting strip, the mounting strip having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface being adhesively joined to a deck portion of the boat, the second surface including a plurality of mounting studs that extend through the holes in the storage box flange for mounting the tackle organizer system to the boat.

15. A boat, comprising:

a) at least one storage location configured within the boat;

b) a tackle organizer system mounted at the storage location of the boat, the tackle organizer including:

i) a storage box having at least a first stepped portion, the first stepped portion defining a lower region and a first upper region;

ii) at least a first multiple slot organizer located at the first upper region, the first multiple slot organizer defining a plurality of storage slots each configured to receive a storage container; and

iii) a plurality of vertical storage slots located in the lower region of the tackle organizer system, the vertical storage slots each configured to vertically receive a storage container.

16. The boat of claim 15 , wherein:

a) the plurality of storage slots of the first multiple slot organizer is configured to laterally receive the storage container.

17. The boat of claim 16 , wherein:

a) the storage box further includes a second stepped portion defining a second upper region.

18. The boat of claim 17 , further including:

a) a second multiple slot organizer positioned at the second upper region, the second multiple slot organizer defining a plurality of storage slots configured to laterally receive a storage container.

19. The boat of claim 18 , further including:

a) a first storage tray located adjacent the first multiple slot organizer; and

b) a second storage tray located adjacent the second multiple slot organizer.

20. The boat of claim 15 , wherein:

a) the storage location at which the tackle organizer system is mounted is located below an opening in a deck of the boat.

21. A method of making an organized compartment within a boat for organizing fishing tackle and equipment, the method comprising:

a) providing a tackle organizer system, the tackle organizer system comprising:

i) a storage box having a lower region and at least a first upper region, the lower region defining a plurality of generally vertical storage slots;

ii) at least a first multiple slot organizer, the first multiple slot organizer defining a plurality of storage compartments; the first multiple slot organizer being configured to provide lateral accessibility to the storage compartments; and

iii) a mounting strip;

b) installing the tackle organizer system beneath a decking of the boat; the step of installing the system including:

i) providing an opening in the decking of the boat;

ii) adhering the mounting strip to the decking of the boat adjacent the opening in the decking;

iii) positioning the multiple slot organizer within the upper region of the storage box; and

iv) fastening the storage box to the mounting strip.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein:

a) the step of providing the tackle organizer system includes providing system further comprising at least a first storage tray.

23. The method of claim 22 , further including the steps of:

a) positioning the storage tray adjacent the multiple slot organizer; and

b) attaching the storage tray to mounting structure adjacent the opening in the decking.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein:

a) the step of providing the tackle organizer system includes configuring the generally vertical storage slots to receive utility boxes of a first size;

b) the step of providing the tackle organizer system includes configuring the storage compartments of the first multiple slot organizer to receive utility boxes of a second size, the second size of utility boxes being different than the first size of utility boxes.

Assignments (21)