Canoe lantern holder

Claim 1

A holder for mounting lanterns on boats comprising: a base plate assembly formed from weatherproof material and defining a generally trapezoid-shaped surface, said base plate assembly having a first larger trapezoid-shaped surface with a narrower forward end and a second smaller trapezoid-shaped surface with a narrower forward end, said larger base plate portion being pivotally mounted at said narrower forward end to said narrower forward end of said smaller base plate portion; a bolt mounted in said first surface, said bolt aligned to move through a slot in said second surface whereby said first and second surfaces are adjustable to conform to the end configuration of the gunwales of the boat and whereby said holder is secured by a nut on said bolt; a compressible cylindrical receptacle vertically mounted upon said base plate assembly, a latch within a spaced opening in said cylindrical receptacle being operable to compressibly retain a lantern therewithin; and two channel edges on the opposite nonparallel sides of said base plate assembly, said channel edges turned downward and inward to conform to the shape of the gunwales of the boat, said channel edges, together with a strap adapted to be attached from the aft portion of the holder to an eyelet in a floor of the boat, being operable to retain said holder thereon.