TETHERING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
A rod tether apparatus includes an end cap. The end cap includes a first opening at a first end of the end cap, an outer wall extending from the first end to a second end of the end cap in a first direction, a second opening at the second end, an inner wall extending from the second opening towards the first opening in a second direction, a base wall surface extending radially from the inner wall to the outer wall in a third direction transverse to the first direction, and a slot proximate to the first end that extends through the outer wall in a second direction transverse to the first direction and into an interior of the end cap.
1 . A rod tether apparatus comprising:
an end cap including:
a first opening at a first end of the end cap,
an outer wall extending from the first end to a second end of the end cap in a first direction,
a second opening at the second end,
an inner wall extending from the second opening towards the first opening in a second direction,
a base wall surface extending radially from the inner wall to the outer wall in a third direction transverse to the first direction, and
a slot proximate to the first end that extends through the outer wall in a second direction transverse to the first direction and into an interior of the end cap.
2 . The rod tether apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is configured and/or sized to receive a portion of a fishing rod.
3 . The rod tether apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is configured and/or sized to receive a fastener.
4 . The rod tether apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the second wall includes a series of grooves extending in the first direction.
5 . The rod tether apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner wall is a first inner wall,
wherein the end cap further includes a disc mating surface inside the end cap closer to the first end than to the second end, and
wherein a second inner wall extends from disc mating surface to the second end of the end cap.
6 . A rod tether system, comprising:
a fishing rod; and
an end cap coupled to the fishing rod, the end cap including:
a first opening at a first end of the end cap,
an outer wall extending from the first end to a second end of the end cap in a first direction,
a second opening at the second end,
an inner wall extending from the second opening towards the first opening in a second direction,
a base wall surface extending radially from the inner wall to the outer wall in a third direction transverse to the first direction, and
a slot proximate to the first end that extends through the outer wall in a second direction transverse to the first direction and into an interior of the end cap.
7 . The rod tether system of claim 6 , wherein the end cap further includes a magnetic portion.
8 . The rod tether system of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic portion is a disc seated in the end cap.
9 . The rod tether system of claim 6 , wherein the second opening is configured and/or sized to receive a fastener.
10 . A rod tether system, comprising:
an end cap including:
a first opening at a first end of the end cap,
an outer wall extending from the first end to a second end of the end cap in a first direction,
a second opening at the second end,
an inner wall extending from the second opening towards the first opening in a second direction, and
a base wall surface extending radially from the inner wall to the outer wall in a third direction transverse to the first direction; and
an anchor mechanism including:
a first end configured to attach to a floating apparatus, and a second end configured to receive the end cap thereon.
11 . The rod tether system of claim 10 , wherein the second opening is configured and/or sized to receive a portion of a fishing rod.
12 . The rod tether system of claim 10 , wherein the end cap further includes:
a mounting surface at the second end, the mounting surface configured to engage with a handle of a fishing rod.
13 . The rod tether system of claim 10 , wherein the anchor mechanism includes a tether having:
a plug configured to fit within the first opening, the plug having:
a first surface at a first end, and
a loop at a second end opposite the first end;
a cable having a first end coupled to the loop; and
a clip coupled to a second end of the cable.
14 . The rod tether system of claim 13 , wherein:
the first surface is magnetic, and
a portion of the end cap is magnetic.
15 . The rod tether system of claim 10 , wherein:
the end cap further includes a slot extending through a sidewall, the slot being closer to the first opening than to the second opening, and
the anchor mechanism includes a tether including:
a cable, including:
a first loop at a first end, the first loop configured to be routed through the slot, and
a second loop at a second end of the cable, and a fastener coupled to the second loop.
16 . The rod tether system of claim 10 , wherein the anchor mechanism includes a rod mount, having:
an upper portion configured to be disposed within the first opening of the end cap,
a body, and
a fastener having a head being shaped such that in a first orientation, the head is accommodated passage through a slot in a mounting rail, and in a second orientation, the head is prevented from passage through the slot in the mounting rail.
17 . The rod tether system of claim 16 , wherein the body includes at least one of:
a textured portion extending at least partially radially around a lower portion of the body, and
a flared portion extending at least partially radially around a lower portion of the body, the flared portion having one or more lobes extending in a direction away from the body.
18 . The rod tether system of claim 16 , wherein the body is constructed of anodized aluminum.
19 . The rod tether system of claim 16 , wherein the upper portion includes a magnetic surface configured to couple with a portion of the end cap.
20 . The rod tether system of claim 16 , wherein the fastener is connected to the body such that, via rotational movement of the fastener within the body, a tension of the rod mount relative to the mounting rail is adjustable to secure the rod mount to the mounting rail.