Abstract: A self-supporting boat cover includes a cover member having a plurality of sleeves that extends substantially longitudinally from a bow end of the cover member to a stern end. A corresponding plurality of flexible poles are insertable in the sleeves through either end of the sleeves and are releasably securable in the sleeves. The self-supporting boat cover is easily installed and inexpensive to manufacture. Additionally, the flexible poles can be readily disassembled into a plurality of pole sections into a compact and easily transportable configuration.

Abstract: A portable cover unit includes a fabric cover supported by a flexible frame. The fabric cover has sleeves that secure members of the flexible frame, which is constructed with primary frame members extending in a first direction and at least one secondary frame member extending in a second substantially perpendicular direction between the primary frame members. A plurality of connectors are attachable to an object to which the portable cover unit is installed, each including an aperture sized to receive the primary frame members. Structure is also provided for securing the fabric cover to the object to which the portable cover unit is installed. The portable cover unit can be mounted to any open portion of a vehicle such as a boat, golf cart or the like or can be used independently. The structure can be readily disassembled and stored in a compact package.

Abstract: A connector facilitates securing a boat canvas to a boat frame. One portion of a conventional snap is attached to a boat surface in a known manner. The complementary portion of the snap forms part of a two-sided connector, including a surrounding component with one half of a repositionable fastener facing away from the boat surface. In this manner, a boat canvas including the other half of the repositionable fastener can be readily secured to the boat. Preferably, a connecting force between the first and second halves of the repositionable fastener is greater than a connecting force of the first and second halves of the snap connector so that the two-sided connectors remain attached to the canvas when the canvas is removed. With this structure, the boat company can install the snaps in the windshield earlier in the boat assembly process, and the connector allows for adjustment in the field to compensate for shrinkage, stretching, etc. of the boat canvas.

Abstract: A connector facilitates securing a boat canvas to a boat frame. One portion of a conventional snap is attached to a boat surface in a known manner. The complementary portion of the snap forms part of a two-sided connector, including a surrounding component with one half of a repositionable fastener facing away from the boat surface. In this manner, a boat canvas including the other half of the repositionable fastener can be readily secured to the boat. Preferably, a connecting force between the first and second halves of the repositionable fastener is greater than a connecting force of the first and second halves of the snap connector so that the two-sided connectors remain attached to the canvas when the canvas is removed. With this structure, the boat company can install the snaps in the windshield earlier in the boat assembly process, and the connector allows for adjustment in the field to compensate for shrinkage, stretching, etc. of the boat canvas.

Abstract: A boat cover assembly utilizes a windshield bottom trim element which mounts a boat windshield to also mount a boat cover or canopy. The windshield bottom trim element comprises an upper portion defining a windshield receiving channel, a bottom portion having a generally convex outer lower surface, a substantially hollow interior, and a side access opening, and a middle portion comprising a fastener-receiving side opening. A number of different types of fasteners may be received within the fastener-receiving side opening, each connected, or connectable, to a fabric (such as canvas) which can cover the windshield, and also serve as a boat top. The fastener may have a substantially flat first face, a second face having a stem, and first and second flexible projections extending outwardly from the stem, and fabric substantially permanently attached to the elongated body by stitching. The flexible projections may be received by undercut recesses at the access to the fastener-receiving side opening.

Abstract: A camper back assembly for attachment to a boat includes a plurality of strut members having one end anchored to the boat, with the end opposite ends of the strut members anchored to the awning or boat structure. The length of the strut members is greater than the linear distance between the anchor points on the boat transom and the awning to provide a dome-like support for a cover portion which is releaseably secured to the boat.

Abstract: A track system for a movable panel, such as a companionway door on a boat, allows adjustment after installation of the tracks for the panel, and allows the panel to be removed without removing the tracks. Typically a number of adjustable slide block assemblies are utilized each including a slide block of a low friction material (or a wheel on a shaft with a ball bearing mount) and a panel mounting element, the position of the slide block being adjustable with respect to the panel mounting element in a dimension non-aligned with the dimension of the elongation of the tracks.

Abstract: A glazing material assembly for closing a window, hatch, or windshield opening in a boat is simple and easy to install and does not require the use of chemicals nor have the time delays associated with conventional installation procedures. The glazing material assembly includes a transparent or translucent piece of glass, or other conventional glazing, having a circumferential portion, and first and second opposite faces, and at least one relatively rigid angle (made of aluminum, fiberglass, molded plastic, or the like) connected to the second face and extending adjacent and generally coincident with the circumferential portion. The angle has first and second substantially transverse interior surfaces which cooperate with like surfaces on a boat cabin body defining an opening which the glass assembly closes. The glass may have a substantially polygonal shape having a plurality of sides, and the at least one angle preferably comprises a plurality of angles, one for each of the sides of the polygon shape.

Abstract: A fastener clip is provided for use with a boat windshield assembly which includes at least one trim piece extending along an upper edge of the glass or other transparent material, an elongated gasket secured within the trim piece and enclosing the upper edge of the glass. The fastener clip includes a pair of obliquely angled leg portions, one of which mounts a male snap fastener component, and the other of which is wedged between the glass and the gasket in such a way that the fastener clip does not engage the trim piece.

Abstract: A latching and locking sliding door construction includes an elongated handle pivotally mounted to the door, the handle including a latch member located along one edge of the handle, the latch member adapted to cooperate with a catch member fixed to a portion of the entranceway. A key lock assembly is mounted in the door and adapted to lock the door in a closed position by preventing rotation of the handle and thereby disengagement of the latch member from the catch member. The lock assembly includes a manually actuable locking cam mounted on the other side of the door which permits the door to be locked and unlocked from inside the cabin independent of the rotational position of the key lock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a product, and the product, such as a buoy with a plastic outer skin or shell and a plastic foam interior are provided. A first charge including, in one exemplary embodiment, a cross-linkable resin is added to a mold component, followed by a second charge, isolated from the first, and including in the exemplary embodiment expandable polystyrene beads. The apparatus is rotated about two mutually perpendicular axes. Initially, the cross-linkable composition is rotation molded against the walls of the mold to form the outer shell. Thereafter, the second charge of polystyrene beads is released within the mold, at a sufficient temperature to cause expansion of said beads against the shell.

Abstract: A replaceable inflation valve for a marine fender wherein, in one embodiment, the valve is slidably received in a valve seat formed in the fender, and wherein a bored collar is threadably received in the valve seat to hold a flexible member of the valve in place in the fender. The upper portion of the flexible member of the valve is received within the bore formed in the collar to provide access to the flexible member of the valve when the collar is in place. The flexible member of the valve comprises an elongated tubular member with one open end and one normally closed end. The normally closed end is openable by insertion of a needle valve through a slit therein. Upon removal of the needle valve, the slit closes on itself by reason of the inherent resiliency of the flexible member.

Abstract: A locking member for use on a article of furniture, the article of furniture having frame means carrying a fixed seat section and a movable common section, the support member rotatably mounted on the frame and movable from a first non-locked seat back position to a second locked table top position, the support member being maintained in its first non-locked seat back position by gravity, and in its second locked table top position by the locking member. The support member comprises a box-shaped housing member rotatably carried on the frame means, with the locking member loosely contained between the frame member and the housing member for rotational movement with the housing member. The locking member is longitudinally movable from a first non-wedging position to a second wedging position to lock by wedging action the support member in its second or table top position.

Abstract: The mount includes an elongated extrusion of aluminum having upper, intermediate and lower portions connected one to the other. The upper portion has a generally channel-shaped cross-section for receiving an edge of the curved windshield. The intermediate portion extends along one side of the member and connects to the lower portion. The lower portion is arcuate in cross-section, terminating in a free end spaced from the upper portion along the opposite side of the member. Indicia is provided along the inside of the arcuate portion for locating openings for receiving screws to secure the mounting member to a boat deck. The compound curvature of the windshield glass is accommodated while maintaining continuous flush line contact between the mount and the deck.

Abstract: Discloses a portable chimney device for removing creosote deposits and soot from a chimney flue while the chimney is in operation, or during a chimney fire, and without said device causing damage to the chimney flue, its liner, or chimney bottom. The device has a frame mounting a drum reel whose cable is operatively connected to an impacting weight freely carrying upper and lower cutters with a spacer ring therebetween, with such cutters disposed between upper and bottom rings fixed to the impacting weight. Upward and downward movements of the frame transmit ramming impact by means of the fixed rings to the cutters to effect removal of the creosote deposits and soot. Also discloses a portable chimney device to clean the chimney flue of creosote deposits and soot as a matter of periodic maintenance.