Rod holder mounting system

Abstract

A rod holder mounting system including first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies adapted to couple to first and second opposing ends of a rod holder sub-assembly. The first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies respectively couple to first and second opposing ones of a vehicle's existing tie down bracket coupling locations, existing tie down brackets, or a tool box, and the rod holder sub-assembly includes a cross bar with rod holder tubes and first and second locking systems adapted to removably couple the cross bar to the first and second mounting bracket sub-assemblies, respectively. The rod holder mounting system allows for the transportation of fishing rods and reels in a vehicle and locks both the rod holder sub-assembly to the vehicle and the rods and reels to the mounting system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rod holder system for holding a fishing rod in a truck bed of a vehicle, wherein the truck bed has an interior and opposing first and second vertical sidewalls respectively having first and second fastener apertures that extend horizontally into the respective first and second sidewalls, the rod holder system comprising:
 a mounting bracket adapted to couple to the first fastener aperture;   a cross support having opposing first and second ends, the first end is adapted to removably couple to the mounting bracket; and   a holder coupled to the cross support between the first end and the second end and adapted to hold the fishing rod.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is adapted to couple to the first fastener aperture along with an existing first tie down bracket of the vehicle, and allow the tie down bracket to be useable when the mounting bracket is coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism adapted to lock the first end of the cross support to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a lock guard extending from the mounting bracket and adapted to restrict access to a cam of the lock mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable lock extending from the first end to the second end and adapted to lock one or more fishing rods to the cross support. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer disposed between the mounting bracket and the first end and 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer is adapted to restrict removal of the mounting bracket from the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a tie down portion adapted to be useable when the mounting bracket is coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A rod holder system for holding a fishing rod in a truck bed of a vehicle, wherein the truck bed has an interior and opposing first and second vertical sidewalls respectively having first and second tie down brackets that extend inwardly towards the interior, the rod holder system comprising:
 a mounting bracket assembly adapted to couple to the first tie down bracket;   a cross support having opposing first and second ends, the first end is adapted to couple to the mounting bracket assembly; and   a holder coupled to the cross support between the first and second ends.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting plate adapted to be disposed on a first side of the first tie down bracket, and a spacer adapted to be disposed on a second side of the first tie down bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be disposed adjacent the spacer, and the mounting bracket is adapted to couple to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a tie down portion adapted to be useable when the mounting bracket assembly is coupled to the first tie down bracket of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a lock mechanism adapted to lock the first end of the cross support to the mounting bracket assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A rod holder system for holding a fishing rod in a truck bed of a vehicle, wherein the truck bed has an interior and a structure disposed in the interior and coupled to the truck bed, the rod holder system comprising:
 a mounting bracket assembly adapted to couple to the structure;   a cross support having opposing first and second ends, the first end is adapted to couple to the mounting bracket assembly;   a lock mechanism including a lock cam adapted to lock the first end of the cross support to the mounting bracket assembly; and   a holder coupled to the cross support between the first and second ends.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting plate adapted to be disposed adjacent to a side of the structure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be disposed adjacent the mounting plate, and the mounting bracket and the mounting plate area adapted to couple to the side of the structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a tie down portion adapted to be useable when the mounting bracket assembly is coupled to the structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a cable lock extending from the first end to the second end and adapted to lock one or more fishing rods to the cross support. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the structure is a toolbox.