Fishing-hook-retention system

Abstract

A system for securing items such as fishing hooks is disclosed. The system may include an elastomeric material having a slit formed therein. The elastomeric material may be compressed across the slit in order to reduce the width of the slit. A substrate with extensions may hold the elastomeric material in this compressed state. While the elastomeric material is held in the compressed state, an item such as a fishing hook may be inserted into the slit. The compression may enable the slit to securely grip the item.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a box having an interior and comprising a planar substrate and extensions extending from the planer substrate;   an elastomeric material overlaying the planar substrate and the extensions so as to be within the interior of the box;   the elastomeric material comprising a slit having
 a length extending in a first direction, 
 a width extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and 
 a depth extending less than all the way through the elastomeric material in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; 
   the box, wherein the extensions apply a compressive load to the elastomeric material across the slit in the second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a first aperture on one side of the slit and a second aperture on an opposite side of the slit such that a first distance separates the first aperture from the second aperture when the elastomeric material is in a neutral, uncompressed condition. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the extensions comprise a first extension shaped to fit within the first aperture and a second extension shaped to fit within the second aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a second distance that is less than the first distance separates the first extension from the second extension. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first extension is positioned within the first aperture and the second extension is positioned within the second aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the elastomeric material has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and   the slit opens at the top surface and the first and second apertures both open at the bottom surface.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises other slits extending parallel to the slit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each slit of the other slits comprises:
 a length extending in the first direction,   a width extending in the second direction, and   a depth extending less than all the way through the elastomeric material in the third direction.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the extensions apply a compressive load to the elastomeric material across each of the other slits in the second direction. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the elastomeric material is planar such that the top surface is substantially parallel to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber having a Shore hardness in a range from about 40 A to about 60 A. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the silicone rubber has a Shore hardness of about 50 A.