Accessories for boats and systems and methods for installation and removal of such accessories
Accessories for boats, and in particular folding inflatable boats, are described. The accessories may be installed and removed from the boats rapidly and easily, hence not impeding folding of the boats for transport or storage.
This invention relates to accessories for boats and more particularly (although not exclusively) to accessories for inflatable boats and to systems and methods for installing and removing such accessories rapidly and easily.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPurchasers of boats sometimes customize the boats prior to use. Consequently, many boats currently are sold without accessories such as seats, steering mechanisms, and controls. Purchasers then outfit their boats as desired, often adding these accessories as well as, for example, storage compartments, fuel tanks, radios, and lights.
Consoles frequently added to boats often incorporate remote steering mechanisms (i.e. steering wheels) and engine speed and gear controls. These consoles typically contain storage batteries for engine-starting purposes. The batteries may as well power radios, lights, and other electrical equipment.
Consoles of this sort, together with seats, usually are bolted—or otherwise permanently attached—to the decks of their associated boats. Such permanent attachment is logical when the decks are rigid and adapted to receive bolts securely as, for example, when the boats are RIBs (rigid inflatable boats). Likewise, permanent attachment of outboard engines to transoms of RIBs is not disadvantageous, as these boats are not intended to be dismantled for transport or storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,348 to Roy, hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, illustrates an exemplary RIB having a console formed into its deck. Included as part of the console are a jockey seat and a block forming a piloting post, both of whose upper portions may be raised or removed to allow access to drive mechanisms underneath the console. Otherwise, however, the console is not intended to be removed; indeed, an advantage of incorporating the console into the deck is to increase the strength of the assembly, particularly when the RIB is piloted at high speeds at sea.
By contrast, permanent attachment of various accessories to certain other inflatable boats is problematic. Folding inflatable boats, for example, are marketed as adapted to be dismantled, deflated, and folded (or rolled) for transport and storage, sometimes in compact bags. These boats often include removable deck sections and use air as their sole means of providing rigidity and buoyancy. Permanently attaching accessories such as consoles, seats, and engines to these boats would inhibit, if not completely thwart, their dismantling and folding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention accordingly provides boating accessories that may be installed and removed rapidly and easily. As a result, the accessories may be utilized advantageously in folding inflatable boats, as they need not be permanently connected thereto. These accessories, together with their installation and removal systems and methods, likewise may be used with other boats (including RIBs). As well some or all of the accessories, systems, and methods of the invention may be used in connection with vehicles other than boats.
Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate including plates, tracks, D-rings (or eyes), or other receptacles prepositioned and fitted onto a deck. The plates, rings, and receptacles will provide anchor points for accessories and be adapted to receive quick-release hooks or similar devices. When the accessories are installed, the hooks will be received by complementary mechanisms of the plates so as firmly to latch the accessories in position. By contrast, the quick-release action of the hooks permits rapid removal of the accessories when desired. If such rapidity is undesirable (e.g. to minimize possibility of theft of the removable accessories), the hooks may be fitted with a locking system.
Various embodiments of the invention additionally may include a self-contained steering control console. Adapted for connection to an engine via appropriate electrical and mechanical cables, the console also may include a steering wheel and mechanism and incorporate engine gear and throttle levers and an instrument panel. As well, within the console may be included a starting battery. By fitting it with quick-release hooks (or similar devices), the console may be rapidly installed and removed from the deck.
The invention further may include one or more seats likewise adapted for connection to and removal from the deck. In some embodiments the seats are molded and form part of a module also including storage space, a fuel tank, or both. Alternatively, other types of seats attachable to plates positioned in the deck may be used.
Yet additionally, the invention may comprise a mechanism for mounting an outboard motor in a manner permitting its ready removal from the boat. A quick-release motor bracket intermediate the motor and transom would be acceptable for this purpose. If cables connect the engine to a remote steering device (such as a steering wheel on the console), they too either may be equipped with quick-release devices or, in some cases, simply allowed to remain in position.
It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide boats with removable accessories.
It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide accessories for folding inflatable boats that may be rapidly and easily installed and removed.
It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for such rapid and facile installation of accessories.
It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide consoles or other components that may be fitted to receptacles within decks of boats.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant field with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 2A-B are perspective views of an exemplary seat structure consistent with the present invention.
FIGS. 6A-B are views of an alternate fastening mechanism useful in connection with the present invention.
Illustrated in
Included as part of boat 10 may be deck 22, which as shown in
Formed in or on deck 22 are receptacles 30. Such receptacles 30 may be included in plates positioned within deck 22 or as part of tracks either formed therein or positioned thereon. Alternatively, other types of receptacles may be employed. In particular, receptacles 30 may, if desired, comprise rings (preferably D-rings) bolted or otherwise attached to the plates or directly to deck 22. Such rings, if present, further may be foldable so that rest flat (or almost so) against the plates or deck when not in use. Preferably, however, the presence of receptacles 30 does not impede either removal of deck 22 from boat 10 or folding of sections 26 upon each other (if the deck 22 is removable or has foldable sections 26).
FIGS. 2A-B show an exemplary structure 34 adapted for placement into one of more receptacles 30. Depicted as a seating module, structure 34 may include seat 38 and container 42. In some embodiments of the invention, seat 38 is molded and mounted onto container 42. Those skilled in the art will, however, recognize that structure 34 may consist of components other than seat 38. Likewise, although container 42 may provide storage space for liquids (such as engine fuel) or solid items, it need not do so, nor need it necessarily be present as part of structure 34.
Illustrated in
Illustrated in
FIGS. 6A-B detail another alternative mechanism 100 for use in connection with the invention. Mechanism 100 may include one or more D-rings 200, each connected to a corresponding plate 204. In use, D-rings 200 receive hooks or other portions of equipment (or connectors) to be attached to deck 22. When not in use, by contrast, D-rings 200 may rest flat against their corresponding plates 204 to minimize their projection above deck 22. Although the D-ring depicted in
Preferred versions of mechanism 100 may include bottom plates 208, sleeves 212, and bolts 216 (or similar fasteners). Each of bolts 216, adapted to engage both a plate 204 and an associated bottom plate 208, may function to secure the position of a D-ring 200 relative to deck 22. To avoid bolts 216 damaging interior 220 of deck 22, sleeves 212 spanning the interior depth of deck 22 may be used to receive bolts 216 and isolate them from interior 220.
When assembly 102 is in use, motor M is mounted to transom 18 by sliding plate 106 downward into receptacle 110. Although gravitational forces assist in maintaining plate 106 within receptacle 110, a suitable clamping or latching mechanism may be used as well to secure the position of motor M. Hence, to remove motor M, one need merely disengage the clamping or latching mechanism and lift plate 106 from receptacle 110, providing a quick release of motor M without need for fasteners (e.g. bolts, screws, etc.) to connect the motor to transom 18.
By utilizing accessories, methods, and systems such as those disclosed herein, boat 10 may be outfitted or customized with desirable accessories. If boat 10 is designed to be deflated and folded or rolled for transport of storage, the removable nature of the accessories permits removal of deck 22 and facilitates compacting boat 10. Thus, although the foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing exemplary embodiments and certain benefits of the present invention, modifications and adaptations to the illustrated and described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A boat comprising:
- a. a deck including a receptacle; and
- b. an accessory firmly connected to the deck but removable therefrom, the accessory (i) being fitted into the receptacle in use and (ii) including a quick-release fastener received by the receptacle in use.
2. A boat according to claim 1 further comprising at least one buoyancy tube.
3. A boat according to claim 2 further comprising a transom to which an outboard motor may be mounted and in which the accessory is a console.
4. A boat according to claim 3 further comprising means for connecting the console to any outboard motor mounted to the transom.
5-6. cancelled
7. A boat according to claim 61 in which the receptacle is included in a plate incorporated into the deck.
8. A boat according to claim 7 in which the deck is removable and comprises multiple foldable sections.
9. A boat according to claim 1 in which the accessory comprises a seat structure.
10. A boat according to claim 9 in which the seat structure comprises:
- a. a seat; and
- b. a container.
11. A boat according to claim 10 in which the container is a fuel tank.
12. A method of making an inflatable boat having a length more compact for storage or transport, comprising:
- a. deflating an inflatable element;
- b. disconnecting at least one accessory from a deck spanning substantially the length of the boat; and
- c. removing the deck.
13-20. cancelled
21. A boat according to claim 1 further comprising at least one D-ring, connected directly or indirectly to the deck, for connecting the accessory thereto.
22. A boat according to claim 21 in which the D-ring is moveable and projects only slightly above the deck when not in use.
23. A boat according to claim 21 further comprising:
- a. a plate to which the D-ring is attached;
- b. a bottom plate positioned underneath the deck; and
- c. a fastener connecting the plate and the bottom plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2003
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2005
Inventor: Timothy Fleming (Chambourcy)
Application Number: 10/619,319