Storage rack with tapered slots

Abstract

Storage devices allow for the efficient storage of objects which include a substantially cylindrical member such as a fishing rod. The storage device includes a support member which is coupled to a retaining member. The retaining member includes multiple protruding members positioned substantially perpendicular to the support member to form multiple tapered slots which can have openings of varying widths. The substantially cylindrical member of an object is inserted into the tapered slot to create a friction fit to retain the object in a substantially vertical position.

1 . A storage device for storing objects, the storage device comprising:
 a support member;   a retaining member coupled to the support member, the retaining member comprising a first tapered slot configured to retain a first object, the first tapered slot having a first width defined between distal ends of two adjacent protruding members;   wherein the first tapered slot is configured to retain the first object through a friction fit;   a second tapered slot in the retaining member, the second tapered slot having a second width defined between distal ends of two adjacent protruding members and configured to retain a second object through a friction fit;   wherein the first width is different from the second width; and   a third tapered slot in the retaining member, the third tapered slot having a third width defined between distal ends of two adjacent protruding members and configured to retain a third object through a friction fit;   wherein the first width is substantially the same as the third width.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tapered slot is configured to retain a substantially cylindrical member of the first object in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 1 degree and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member further comprises at least two protruding members arranged substantially perpendicular to the support member to form the second tapered slot. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth tapered slot in the retaining member, the fourth tapered slot having a fourth width defined between distal ends of two adjacent protruding members and configured to retain a fourth object through a friction fit, wherein the second width is substantially the same as the fourth width. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 5 , wherein the second tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 1 degree and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 5 , wherein the second tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees; wherein the second tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees; wherein the second tapered slot comprises a taper angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the storage device is a one-piece construction. 
     
     
         10 . The storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the storage device is composed of metal or plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The storage device of  claim 10 , wherein the retaining member further comprises a vinyl coating. 
     
     
         12 . A storage device for storing objects that include a substantially cylindrical member, the storage device comprising:
 a support member; and   a retaining member coupled to the support member, the retaining member comprising a plurality of tapered slots, each of the plurality of tapered slots configured to retain an object, the retaining member further comprising a plurality of protruding members to form the plurality of tapered slots, each of the plurality of tapered slots having a fixed width defined between distal ends of two adjacent protruding members;   wherein the plurality of tapered slots are configured to retain the object through a friction fit.   
     
     
         13 . The storage device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of tapered slots each comprises a taper angle of between 1 degree and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The storage device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of tapered slots each comprises a taper angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The storage device of  claim 12 , the plurality of tapered slots each comprises a taper angle of about 9.5 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A method for storing fishing rods in a storage device comprising:
 inserting a first fishing rod into a first of a plurality of tapered slots in a storage device, the storage device including a support member and a retaining member, wherein the first fishing rod creates a friction fit with first of the plurality of tapered slots and such that a reel of the first fishing rod is located beneath the retaining member; and   inserting a second fishing rod into a second of the plurality of tapered slots wherein the second fishing rod creates a friction fit with the second of the plurality of tapered slots such that a reel of the second fishing rod is positioned at an offset height from a height of the reel of the first fishing rod.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inserting the first fishing rod into the first of the plurality of tapered slots to create the friction fit includes inserting a wrap which secures a guide to the first fishing rod into the first of the plurality of tapered slots. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein inserting the second fishing rod into the second of the plurality of tapered slots to create the friction fit includes inserting a wrap which secures a guide to the second fishing rod into the second of the plurality of tapered slots. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting one of a plurality of wraps of the first fishing rod to insert into the first of the plurality of tapered slots. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising selecting one of a plurality of wraps of the second fishing rod to insert into the second of the plurality of tapered slots such that the reel of the second fishing rod is positioned at the offset height from the height of the reel of the first fishing rod.