The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1999
Clifton J. Ratza, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Christopher A. Rossman, Comstock Park, MI (US);
Attwood Corporation, Lowell, MI (US);
Abstract
A fishing rod holder includes a cradle shaped to receive and selectively retain a fishing rod therein, and includes a first ratchet half thereon. A support pedestal that has a mount for attaching the fishing rod holder to a support surface, and includes a second ratchet half shaped to selectively lockingly engage with the first ratchet half. A quick-release connector mechanism permits angular adjustment between the cradle and the support pedestal. The quick-release connector mechanism includes an actuator pin extending centrally between the first and second ratchet halves, and rotatably connecting the cradle and the support to permit mutual rotation between a variety of different cradle positions. The actuator pin has a fixed end associated with one of the cradle and the spark pedestal, and a free end associated with the other of the cradle and support pedestal. The quick-release connector mechanism has an actuator lever pivotally operably connected with the free end of the actuator pin, and a cam configured to selectively engage the other of the cradle and the support pedestal when rotated to a locked position, wherein the first and second ratchet halves are converged to retain the cradle at a preselected position relative to the support pedestal. The actuator lever is shiftable to an unlocked position wherein the first and second ratchet halves are separated, such that the cradle may be rotated relative to the support pedestal.