Monopod for marine vessels for powering and using of electrical and non-electrical accessories and method of attachment

• US 9,381,976 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christian L. Corley
• Original Assignee: Christian L. Corley
• Inventors: Corley, Christian L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary
• Application Number:
  US14/660,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20160214684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/00 Accessories for angling fish stringers A01K65/00; landing-nets or landing-spoons for fishing A01K77/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/103 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/00 Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for vehicle fittings for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles in general B60R25/00; propeller guards, line cutters or other means for protecting propellers or rudders B63H5/165; protection of power legs of outboard propulsion units B63H20/36; locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof E05B73/007
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2017/0054 Rests or supports for movable ship-borne equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/05 Vessels specially adapted for hunting or fishing
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 in fisheries management

Abstract

A monopod for mounting to the navigation light power port of a marine vessel, such as a bass boat or speed boat, which provides power for mobile accessories, such as cameras and smart phones. The monopod may be fitted with extendable, bendable arms for mounting additional cameras or for providing additional accessories. An embodiment of the monopod includes an extension arm which may be maneuvered and bent such that it provides a fisherman access to multiple accessories even while the fisherman is located in the fishing chair of a bass boat.

Claims

1. A monopod for interfacing with the navigation light port of a marine vessel, said monopod comprising:

a cylindrical elongated body portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

a base portion located in proximity to the proximal end of said elongated body, said base portion configured to interface with a navigation light port of a marine vessel;

a tip portion located in proximity to the distal end of said elongated body;

wherein said monopod is configured to interface with a portable accessory;

said tip portion comprising at least one power port, said power port capable of providing electrical power to said portable accessory;

said navigation light port providing said electrical power for said power port;

said tip portion further comprising an accessory mount configured for receiving and connecting said portable accessory; and

said tip portion configured to position said portable accessory such that a power cable is capable of connecting said at least one power port to said portable accessory.

2. The monopod of claim 1, wherein said power port comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port.

3. The monopod of claim 1, wherein said portable accessory is one of the accessories chosen from the list comprising:

a smart phone;

a tablet computer;

a digital camera;

a geographical positioning system (GPS) unit; and

a fish finder.

4. The monopod of claim 1, further comprising:

a telescoping arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said telescoping arm proximal end affixed to said tip portion, and said telescoping arm distal end comprising an interface configured to hold said portable accessory;

said telescoping arm comprising at least a first arm portion and a second arm portion, wherein said first arm portion is configured to envelop said second arm portion; and

a locking element configured to lock said second arm portion in a telescoping position relative to said first arm portion.

5. The monopod of claim 4, further comprising:

a bendable arm pivotally connected to said telescoping arm, said bendable arm comprising at least two arm segments hinged at an elbow; and

said bendable arm comprising an interface configured to hold a second portable accessory.

6. The monopod of claim 5, wherein said portable accessory is one of the accessories chosen from the list comprising:

a smart phone;

a tablet computer;

a digital camera;

a geographical positioning system (GPS) unit;

a fish finder; and

a cup holder.

7. The monopod of claim 1, further comprising:

a forked accessory stand affixed to said tip portion, said accessory stand comprising a single base post affixed to said tip portion, said base post terminating at a cross member, and at least two branch posts branching away from said cross member; and

each said branch post terminating at an interface, each interface configured to hold a portable accessory.

8. The monopod of claim 7, wherein said portable accessory is one of the accessories chosen from the list comprising:

a smart phone;

a tablet computer;

a digital camera;

a geographical positioning system (GPS) unit;

a fish finder; and

a cup holder.

9. A method of mounting an accessory to a marine vessel, the method comprising:

connecting monopod to a navigation light port of said marine vessel, said monopod comprising a cylindrical elongated body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is inserted into said navigation light port;

interfacing said monopod with a portable accessory in proximity with said distal end of said monopod;

telescoping a telescoping arm affixed to said distal end of said elongated cylindrical body of said monopod, said arm comprising an interface configured to receive said portable accessory;

said telescoping arm configured to be extended from a first, compact position to a second, extended position; and

locking said telescoping arm into said second, extended position with a locking mechanism.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps:

providing electrical power from said navigation light port through a base portion of said monopod, said base portion being located at the proximal end of said monopod cylindrical elongated body; and

transferring power from said monopod to said portable accessory via a power port located on said monopod.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said power port comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said portable accessory is one of the accessories chosen from the list comprising:

a smart phone;

a tablet computer;

a digital camera;

a geographical positioning system (GPS) unit; and

a fish finder.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps:

affixing a bendable arm to said telescoping arm such that said bendable arm is configured to pivot about said telescoping arm, said bendable arm comprising at least two arm segments hinged at an elbow, and further comprising a second an interface configured to receive a second portable accessory; and

positioning said bendable arm such that said second portable accessory is located in a desired position.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps:

affixing a forked accessory stand affixed to said distal end of said elongated cylindrical body, said accessory stand comprising a single base post affixed to said tip portion, said base post terminating at a cross member, and at least two branch posts branching away from said cross member; and

each said branch post terminating at an interface, each said interface configured to hold a portable accessory.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said portable accessory is one of the accessories chosen from the list comprising:

a smart phone;

a tablet computer;

a digital camera;

a geographical positioning system (GPS) unit; and

a fish finder.