US20140262873A1

US20140262873A1 - Carrying case for outdoor sporting equipment

Info

Publication number: US20140262873A1
Application number: US14/202,330
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron Richard Lorentz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-12
Filing date: 2014-03-10
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

A carrying case for carrying a collapsible folding chair and a plurality of tubular elements, such as fishing rods, sand spikes, beach umbrellas, shotguns, and the like. The carrying case includes a tubular shaped body having an outer surface, an open end, and a closed end. The tubular shaped body defines an inner chamber designed to accommodate a collapsible folding chair. The outer surface includes a plurality of limited depth pockets proximate to the closed end of the tubular shaped body and a plurality of adjustable straps positioned along the length of the tubular shaped body. The limited depth pockets and the adjustable straps are aligned along the length of the tubular shaped body and the limited depth pockets and the adjustable straps are sized and configured to accommodate and secure the tubular elements being carried.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/777,131, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to carrying cases and bags, especially suitable for carrying sporting equipment, including fishing poles, a collapsible chair, beach umbrella, baseball bats/gloves/balls, shotguns, and like objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When visiting the beach, on a fishing trip, going camping, hiking, or otherwise traveling by foot to a remote location, there are a number of items a person often needs to carry with them. For example, a person often brings a collapsible folding chair, one or more fishing poles, sand spikes, beach umbrella, coolers, towels, and the like. Many of these items are awkwardly shaped and difficult to carry. Thus, the beach goer, fisherman, hunter, hiker, camper or sporting event attendee may be required to make a number of separate trips, potentially over rough terrain, in order to carry all of the gear to the destination. Traditional bags, packs, and carrying cases may only be able to accommodate a single item, such as the collapsible folding chair, or a small number of objects. In addition, most carrying cases are not able to carry disparate objects, such as fishing poles, sand spikes, beach umbrellas or other elongated objects. Thus, there are a number of drawbacks with traditional carrying cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome these and other drawbacks, the present invention provides a specially designed carrying case able to accommodate a number of different sized objects, including a large pocket suitable for holding a collapsible folding chair, tackle box, coolers, towels, etc. and a plurality of limited depth pockets and adjustable straps sized to accommodate one or more tubular elements, such as fishing rods, sand spikes, baseball bats, shotguns, beach umbrellas, and the like. Thus, the avid outdoorsman is able to carry a number of different objects of different sizes and shapes, including pole or rod shaped elements, to a remote location in a single trip.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a carrying case apparatus for carrying a plurality of tubular elements includes a tubular body having an outer surface, an open end, and a closed end. The tubular body defines an inner chamber and has a length extending from the open end to the closed end. The outer surface of the tubular body includes a plurality of limited depth pockets proximate to the closed end of the tubular body and a plurality of adjustable straps positioned along the length of the tubular body. The plurality of limited depth pockets and the plurality of adjustable straps are aligned along the length of the tubular body and the plurality of limited depth pockets and the plurality of adjustable straps are sized and configured to accommodate and secure a plurality of tubular elements.
The tubular elements may include, for example, fishing rods, sand spikes, beach umbrellas, baseball bats, shotguns, and the like. The inner chamber of the tubular body may be sized and configured to accommodate one, or more, larger objects, such as collapsible folding chairs, coolers, thermoses, tackle boxes, towels, and the like.
The limited depth pockets are limited in length, i.e., they do not extend along the entire length of the tubular body. The limited depth pockets provide a base area to secure a first end of the tubular element (e.g., the butt of a fishing rod or beach umbrella), or for carrying miscellaneous sporting equipment (e.g., baseball gloves, balls). The limited depth pockets may extend from the closed end to a position less than half way along the length of the tubular body. For example, the limited depth pockets may extend from the closed end to a position about a third of the length of the tubular body.
The adjustable straps may be made from hook-and-loop fastener, also called Velcro™, an elastic material, or other known fasteners able to adjust and secure the tubular elements of varying width to the carrying case. The adjustable straps may also include a coupling member to allow the hook-and-loop fastener to surround at least one of the plurality of tubular elements. A first set of adjustable straps may be positioned proximate to the open end of the tubular body and a second set of adjustable straps may be positioned approximately centrally along the length of the tubular body allowing for fastening items of varying length.
The carrying case may further include one or more handles or straps designed for a person to carry the case on their shoulder or in their hand. For example, the carrying case may include an adjustable, padded shoulder harness affixed along the length of the tubular body. In addition, the open end of the tubular body may have an opening which can be closed and secured via a drawstring closure, for example.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case includes a tubular body having an outer surface defining a main compartment sized and configured to accommodate a collapsible folding chair. The tubular body includes an open end, a closed end, and a longitudinal length defined by the open end and the closed end. The outer surface includes a plurality of longitudinal pockets, each longitudinal pocket including an open top and a closed bottom proximate to the closed end of the tubular body. Each longitudinal pocket is sized and configured to receive a first portion of a tubular element (e.g., to secure the butt of a fishing rod, baseball bat, shotgun, beach umbrella, etc.). The outer surface also includes a plurality of adjustable straps positioned along the length of the tubular body and aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets. Each adjustable strap is sized and configured to receive and secure a second portion of the tubular element.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a carrying case apparatus for carrying at least one tubular element having a first portion and a second portion includes a tubular body including an outer surface having a first face and a second face and defining a main compartment sized and configured to accommodate a collapsible folding chair. The tubular body includes an open end and a closed end and a longitudinal length defined by the open end and the closed end. The first face of the outer surface includes at least first and second longitudinal pockets each sized and configured to receive the first portion of the tubular element and at least first and second corresponding adjustable straps aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets, each sized and configured to receive and secure the second portion of the tubular element. The second face of the outer surface includes at least first and second longitudinal pockets each sized and configured to receive the first portion of the tubular element and at least first and second corresponding adjustable straps aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets, each sized and configured to receive and secure the second portion of the tubular element.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a carrying case without any equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 1 equipped with two fishing rods;

FIG. 2A shows a close-up top view of the adjustable strap used in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B shows a close-up side view of the adjustable strap used in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C shows a close-up view of the coupling member used with the adjustable strap in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a top view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 shows the opposite side of the carrying case shown in FIG. 1 equipped with two sand spikes of different lengths;

FIG. 3A shows a close-up top view of the adjustable strap used in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B shows a close-up side view of the adjustable strap used in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C shows a close-up view of the coupling member used with the adjustable strap in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 1 equipped with two parts of a beach umbrella;

FIG. 5 shows a picture of a side view of a hanging carrying case according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a picture of an alternate side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a picture of another alternate side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a picture of another alternate side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows a picture of carrying case with sand spikes attached with straps;

FIG. 10 shows a picture of carrying case with beach umbrella, both top and bottom, attached with straps; and

FIG. 11 shows a picture of carrying case with baseball bat attached with strap;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a carrying case specifically designed for carrying a plurality of tubular objects as well as one or more other possibly larger objects, such as a collapsible chair.
Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a carrying case apparatus 1, without equipment or gear, suitable for carrying a plurality of tubular elements. The tubular elements may include, for example, fishing rods 60, sand spikes 70, and beach umbrellas 80, rifles/shotguns, shovels, baseball bats 90, ski poles, kites, tent poles, or any other tubular-like equipment. FIG. 2 depicts a first side or first face of the carrying case apparatus 1 holding equipment such as two fishing rods 60, for example. FIG. 3 depicts a second side or second face of the carrying case apparatus 1 holding equipment such as two sand spikes 70, for example. FIG. 4 depicts an alternate view of the first side of the first face of the carrying case apparatus 1 holding equipment, such as a beach umbrella 80. Although described as “tubular” elements herein, these elements may be of any cross-sectional shape and dimension and need not necessarily be cylindrical in shape.
The carrying case apparatus 1 includes a tubular shaped body 10 having an outer surface 16, an open end 12, and a closed end 14. The tubular shaped body 10 defines an inner chamber or main compartment 18 sized and configured to hold a large object, such as a collapsible folding chair (not shown). As seen in FIG. 1, the tubular body 10 has a length L extending from the open end 12 to the closed end 14. The length L of the tubular shaped or tubular body 10 may be of any suitable size, but is preferably sized to house the one or more objects in the main compartment 18 (e.g., a collapsible folding chair) and designed to secure one or more tubular elements. FIG. 2D depicts a top view of the carrying case apparatus 1 looking down into the open end 12 and into the inner chamber or main compartment 18. The inner chamber or main compartment 18 of the tubular body 10 may be sized and configured to accommodate one or more larger objects, such as collapsible folding chairs, coolers, thermoses, tackle boxes, towels, and like objects, which may be used for fishing, beach activities, camping, hiking, boating, or other outdoors activities.
Although the body shape is described as “tubular,” the tubular body 10 may be of any suitable shape, size and configuration, which may be of any cross-sectional shape and dimension and need not necessarily be cylindrical in shape. The tubular body 10 is preferably designed to accommodate a number of different objects, and in particular, the inner chamber 18 is preferably designed to accommodate a collapsible folding chair. These collapsible folding chairs are not described in detail herein because they are well known in the art. For example, suitable collapsible chairs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,032, No. 8,091,962, and No. 7,717,503, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.
The outer surface 16 of the tubular body 10 includes a plurality of limited depth pockets 20. These pockets 20 are also referred to as longitudinal pockets 20 herein to describe that the pockets 20 are longitudinally oriented along the length L of the tubular body 10. The limited depth pockets 20 include an open end 22 and a closed end 24. The open end 22 is sized and configured to receive one end of a tubular element (e.g., the butt 66 of the fishing rod 60). The closed end 24 is closed (e.g., sewn shut) such that the tubular elements are secured and cannot slip through the limited depth pockets 20.
As shown, the limited depth pockets 20 are limited in length, i.e., they do not extend along the entire length L of the tubular body 10. The limited depth pockets 20 provide a base area to secure one end of the tubular element. FIG. 2 depicts the first side or face of the carrying case apparatus 1 with two fishing rods 60 (one separated into two pieces) where the first end 62 of the fishing rod 60 (e.g., the butt 66 of the fishing rod 60) is secured in one of the limited depth pockets 20. FIG. 3 depicts the opposite side or second face of the carrying case apparatus 1 with two sand spikes 70 of varying length with the first ends 72 secured in the limited depth pockets 20. FIG. 4 depicts an umbrella 80 provided in two parts with first ends 82, 82 a secured in the limited depth pockets 20.
The limited depth pockets 20 may extend any suitable distance along the length L of the tubular body so long as the pockets 20 are able to secure a variety of differently sized and shaped objects, such as fishing rods 60 having reels 68. For example, the limited depth pockets 20 may extend from the closed end 14 of the tubular body 10 to a position less than half way along the length L of the tubular body 10. In particular, in one preferred embodiment, the limited depth pockets 20 may extend from the closed end 14 of the tubular body 10 to a position about a third of the length L or a quarter of the length L of the tubular body 10, for example. The limited depth pockets 20 may be sized such that the open end 22 is positioned beneath the reel 68 of the fishing rod 60, when present. Preferably, the limited depth pockets 20 are positioned proximate to the closed end 14 of the tubular body 10, but may also be positioned further away from the closed end 14 of the tubular body 10.
The outer surface 16 of the carrying case apparatus 1 and the pockets 20 may be made from any suitable materials known in the art, such as textiles, fabrics, plastic materials, and the like. The outer surface 16 may include netting or other breathable materials, water resistant or water proof materials, or other materials suitable for beach activities, fishing, and camping applications, for example.
The outer surface 16 of the tubular body 10 also includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of adjustable straps 30 positioned along the length L of the tubular body 10. The plurality of adjustable straps 30 are sized and configured to accommodate and secure one or more tubular elements. The adjustable straps 30 may be made from any suitable materials known in the art to assist as a fastener to releasably secure the tubular elements. The adjustable straps 30 may be made from hook-and-loop fastener, also called Velcro™, an elastic material, or other known fastener materials able to adjust and secure the tubular elements to the carrying case apparatus 1. Releasable hook-and-loop fasteners typically consist of two components: two lineal fabric strips which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. In the alternative, releasable hook-and-loop fasteners may consist of a single component: one lineal fabric strip attached at opposing surfaces. The first component features tiny hooks; the second features even smaller and “hairier” loops. When the two components or two portions of a single strip are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. As best seen in FIGS. 2C and 3C, the adjustable straps 30 may also include a coupling member 36 to allow the hook-and-loop fastener to surround, and securely hold at least one of the plurality of tubular elements when present. The coupling member 36 may include any durable releasable connector formed from durable materials, such as plastic, metal, and the like. The coupling member 36 may include D-rings, snaps, clips, clasps, grommets, buttons, buckles, hooks, and the like.
As best seen in FIG. 2A, the adjustable strap 30 may encircle two tubular elements, in this case the fishing rod 60 and a second portion 60 a of the fishing rod 60. For example, surf rods 60 may be about 11 to 12 feet in length and may come in two pieces. Thus, the rod 60 may be unassembled to be carried in two pieces. Shorter rods 60, for example, 6 to 8 feet in length, can also be carried in one or two pieces, which is one reason for the positioning of the multi-level adjustable straps 30. When carrying shorter rods 60, the reel 68 may be much closer to the pocket 20, since the butt 66 of the rods 60 are much shorter than on regular rods 60.
In order to secure the tubular elements, as one example, a first end 32 of the adjustable strap 30 may be inserted into an opening in the coupling member 36, wrapped around or folded over the coupling member 36, and secured to a separate portion of the adjustable strap 30, for example, a “hook portion” may be secured to a “loop portion” of the hook-and-loop fastener. FIG. 2B shows a top view of the adjustable strap 30 around the fishing rod 60 and the second portion 60 a of the fishing rod 60. As can be seen in FIG. 2C, a second end 34 of the adjustable strap 30 may be permanently affixed to the other side of the coupling member 36, for example. Similarly, FIG. 3A depicts the adjustable strap 30 substantially surrounding a single tubular element, namely, sand spike 70 with the first end 32 positioned through an opening in the coupling member 36 and folded back on itself to secure the sand spike 70. FIG. 3B shows a top view adjustable strap 30 around the sand spike 70. FIG. 3C shows the second end 34 of the adjustable strap 30, for example, permanently affixed to the other side of the coupling member 36.
The adjustable straps 30 may be positioned at any suitable locations along the length L of the tubular body 10 in order to secure tubular elements having varying length. For example, the adjustable straps 30 may be positioned proximate to the open end 12 of the tubular body 10 or approximately centrally along the length L of the tubular body 10. Accordingly to one embodiment, a first set of adjustable straps 30 may be positioned proximate to the open end 12 of the tubular body 10 and a second set of adjustable straps 30 may be positioned approximately centrally along the length L of the tubular body 10. Although two adjustable straps 30 are depicted proximate to the open end 12, and two adjustable straps 30 are depicted approximately centrally along the length L of the tubular body 10 in FIGS. 1-4, any number or placement of adjustable straps 30 may be selected based on the size and positioning of the tubular elements. The adjustable straps 30 may be fixed in place at set positions along the length L of the tubular body 10. For example, the centrally located adjustable straps 30 were selected to not only accommodate shorter tubular elements, such as sand spike 70 in FIG. 3, but also to support heavier elements, such as to support above or below the reels 68 on the fishing rods 60 in FIG. 2. In one preferred embodiment, the adjustable straps 30 may be positioned proximate to the reel 68 of the fishing rod 60 when present.
Preferably, the plurality of limited depth pockets 20 and the plurality of adjustable straps 30 are aligned along the length L of the tubular body 10. In other words, one limited depth pocket 20 should be aligned with at least one adjustable strap 30 such that the limited depth pocket 20 secures a first end or portion of the tubular element (e.g., end 62 of fishing rod 60) and the corresponding adjustable strap 30 secures a second end or distal portion of the same tubular element (e.g., centrally and/or closer to end 64 of fishing rod 60).
Depending on the length of the tubular elements, the second ends of the tubular elements may extend to a given length along the length L of the tubular body 10 or may extend past the open end 12 of the tubular body 10. For example, FIG. 2 shows the first side or face of the carrying case apparatus 1 with two fishing rods 60 (one separated into two pieces) where the second end 64 of the fishing rod 60 extends beyond the length L of the tubular body 10. FIG. 3 depicts the opposite side or second face of the carrying case apparatus 1 with first and second sand spikes 70. The shorter sand spike 70 extends only about half way along the length L of the tubular body 10 and the second end 74 is secured by the substantially centrally located adjustable strap 30. The second end 74 of the longer sand spike 70 extends past the open end 12 of the tubular body 10 with this longer sand spike 70 being secured by two adjustable straps 30. It is also possible to see, in FIG. 3, the fishing rods 60 extending above the tubular body 10 from the first face. FIG. 4 depicts an umbrella 80 provided in two parts with second ends 84, 84 a extending past the open end 12 of the tubular body 10. Although certain lengths are depicted for the fishing rods 60, sand spikes 70, and beach umbrella 80, these tubular elements may be of any length and dimension known in the art.
The carrying case apparatus 1 may further include, as shown in FIG. 1, one or more handles 44 or straps or harness 40 designed for a person to carry the apparatus 1 on their shoulder or in their hand. For example, the carrying case apparatus 1 may include an adjustable, padded shoulder harness 40 or a dual harness (not shown) affixed along the length L of the tubular body 10. The shoulder harness 40 may be affixed using one or more fasteners 42 known in the art. The shoulder harness 40 may be attached to and extend along the length L of the tubular body 10. The shoulder harness 40 preferably has a length to allow the carrying case apparatus 1 to be slung over a person's shoulder or back. For example, a suitable harness 40 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,342, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. In addition, the open end 12 of the tubular body 10 may have an opening which can be closed and secured with a closure or fastener, such as a zipper, snaps, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening may be reversibly closed via a drawstring closure 46, for example. FIGS. 5-8 provide four alternative views of the carrying case apparatus 1 and the elements described in detail herein.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case includes the tubular body 10 having the outer surface 16 defining the main compartment 18 sized and configured to accommodate a collapsible folding chair. The tubular body 10 includes the open end 12, the closed end 14, and the longitudinal length L defined by the open end 12 and the closed end 14. The outer surface 16 includes one or more longitudinal pockets 20, each longitudinal pocket 20 including the open top 22 and the closed bottom 24 proximate to the closed end 14 of the tubular body 10. Each longitudinal pocket 20 is sized and configured to receive a first portion of a tubular element (e.g., to secure the butt 66 of the fishing rod 60). The outer surface 16 also includes one or more adjustable straps 30 positioned along the length L of the tubular body 10 and aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets 20. Each adjustable strap 30 is sized and configured to receive and secure a second portion of the tubular element (e.g., above or below the reel 68 of the fishing rod 60 or at another suitable location along the fishing rod 60).
Although illustrated and described above with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is expressly intended, for example, that all ranges broadly recited in this document include within their scope all narrower ranges which fall within the broader ranges. In addition, features of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A carrying case apparatus for carrying a plurality of tubular and non-tubular elements as described in the specification of this application.

2. A carrying case apparatus for carrying a plurality of tubular elements, the carrying case apparatus comprising:

a tubular shaped body having an outer surface, an open end, and a closed end, the tubular shaped body defining an inner chamber and having a length extending from the open end to the closed end,

the outer surface comprising a plurality of limited depth pockets proximate to the closed end of the tubular shaped body and a plurality of adjustable straps positioned along the length of the tubular shaped body,

wherein the plurality of limited depth pockets and the plurality of adjustable straps are aligned along the length of the tubular shaped body and the plurality of limited depth pockets and the plurality of adjustable straps are sized and configured to accommodate and secure a plurality of tubular elements.

3. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tubular elements are selected from the group consisting of fishing rods, sand spikes, beach umbrellas, rifles, shotguns, baseball bats, ski poles, kites, and tent poles.

4. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inner chamber is sized and configured to accommodate at least one of collapsible folding chairs, coolers, thermoses, tackle boxes, and towels.

5. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjustable straps comprise hook-and-loop fastener.

6. The carrying case apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adjustable straps comprise a coupling member to allow the hook-and-loop fastener to surround at least one of the plurality of tubular elements.

7. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjustable straps comprise an elastic fastener.

8. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of limited depth pockets extend from the closed end to a position less than half way along the length of the tubular shaped body.

9. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of adjustable straps are positioned proximate to the open end of the tubular shaped body.

10. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of adjustable straps are positioned approximately centrally along the length of the tubular shaped body.

11. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2 further comprising an adjustable, padded shoulder harness affixed along the length of the tubular shaped body.

12. The carrying case apparatus of claim 2, wherein the open end of the tubular body defines an opening and comprises a drawstring closure.

13. A collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case comprising:

a tubular body having an outer surface defining a main compartment sized and configured to accommodate a collapsible folding chair, the tubular body having an open end, a closed end, and a longitudinal length defined by the open end and the closed end,

the outer surface comprising a plurality of longitudinal pockets, each longitudinal pocket including an open top and a closed bottom proximate to the closed end of the tubular body, wherein each longitudinal pocket is sized and configured to receive a first portion of a tubular element,

the outer surface further comprising a plurality of adjustable straps positioned along the length of the tubular body and aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets, wherein each adjustable strap is sized and configured to receive and secure a second portion of the tubular element.

14. The collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case of claim 13, wherein the tubular element is a fishing rod having a butt and a reel.

15. The collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case of claim 14, wherein the plurality of longitudinal pockets have a limited depth sized to secure the butt of the fishing rod.

16. The collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case of claim 14, wherein the plurality of longitudinal pockets have a limited depth such that the plurality of pockets are sized to be positioned beneath the reel of the fishing rod.

17. The collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case of claim 13, wherein a subset of the plurality of adjustable straps are positioned proximate to the reel of the fishing rod.

18. The collapsible folding chair and sporting equipment carrying case of claim 13, wherein a subset of the plurality of adjustable straps are positioned proximate to the open end of the tubular body.

19. A carrying case apparatus for carrying at least one tubular element having a first portion and a second portion, the carrying case apparatus comprising:

a tubular body including an outer surface having a first face and a second face and defining a main compartment sized and configured to accommodate a collapsible folding chair, the tubular body including an open end and a closed end and a longitudinal length defined by the open end and the closed end,

the first face of the outer surface comprising at least first and second longitudinal pockets each sized and configured to receive the first portion of the tubular element and at least first and second corresponding adjustable straps aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets, each sized and configured to receive and secure the second portion of the tubular element,

the second face of the outer surface comprising at least first and second longitudinal pockets each sized and configured to receive the first portion of the tubular element and at least first and second corresponding adjustable straps aligned with the plurality of longitudinal pockets, each sized and configured to receive and secure the second portion of the tubular element.

20. The carrying case apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of adjustable straps are positioned proximate to the open end and substantially centrally along the longitudinal length of the tubular body, and wherein the adjustable straps comprise elastic hook-and-loop fasteners or related fastening device.