Rail and panel system for pontoon boat

Abstract

The invention relates to boundaries used on a watercraft. Specially, the invention relates to boundaries used on pontoon boats. The boundaries generally include a rail and panel system positioned around an outer periphery of the pontoon boat. The invention also relates to a method of forming and installing the boundaries on a watercraft.

Description

This Continuation-In-Part application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/132,483 filed May 19, 2005, and Continuation-In-Part application Ser. No. 11/346,835 filed Feb. 3, 2006, the complete disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to boundaries used on a watercraft. Specially, the invention relates to boundaries used on pontoon boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Watercraft such as pontoon boats generally include a plurality of rails supported by the deck of watercraft. The rails sometimes are positioned around the outer periphery of the deck to prevent passengers from falling overboard and to provide support of passengers. Typically, the rails cooperate with the deck or some other area of the watercraft to enclose a panel. The rail and panel may form a boundary around the outer periphery of the watercraft. In general, the panels are constructed of a metal such as aluminum.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention includes a watercraft having a frame; at least one rail supported by the frame, the rail including an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position; and a non-metallic panel supported by the rail and held in position by the extension.

The non-metallic panel may include interlocking portions along the top and bottom edges thereof. The interlocking portions of the panel may be substantially perpendicular to a main plane defined by the panel. A top rail and a bottom rail having extensions may be provided with interlocking portions configured to mate with the interlocking portions on the non-metallic panel.

The rail may include a cross-section having at least two areas separated by a stiffener. One of the rail areas may be smaller than the other, and the extension can be connected to the smaller of the enclosed areas.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a watercraft having a top rail and a bottom rail and at least one intermediate rail extending therebetween. The intermediate rail may have a width that is less than the width of the top and bottom rails, and the watercraft may further include at least one rib located interstitial to a non-metallic panel and the intermediate rail. The rib can be attached to the non-metallic panel, and the rib may include a pair of flanges and a raised portion. The rib may include flanges with recessed areas, and an adhesive may be located in the recessed areas to attach the rib to the non-metallic panel.

The watercraft may include a pair of side rails, each having extensions, and trim members held in position by the extensions. The extensions may have interlocking portions, and the trim members may have interlocking portions configured to mate with the interlocking portions on the extensions. The trim members may be configured to include a receiving area, and side edges of the panel can be positioned in respective receiving areas of the trim members. The side edges of the panel can be loosely clamped in the receiving area of the trim member when the extension of the rails is in the locked position to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the panel.

In another embodiment of the invention, a boundary for a watercraft is provided, wherein the boundary includes at least one rail having an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position, and a panel including first and second ends, the first end including an interlocking portion. The panel is held in position by the extension when the extension is in the locked position.

The boundary may include a top rail and a bottom rail having extensions with interlocking portions, and the second end also includes an interlocking portion, wherein the rail interlocking portions are configured to mate with the panel interlocking portions.

The rail may include a cross-section having at least two enclosed areas, and one of the enclosed areas may be smaller than the other, with the extension connected to the smaller of the enclosed areas.

The boundary may include a top rail, a bottom rail, and at least one intermediate rail extending therebetween, and may further include at least one rib located interstitial to the panel and the intermediate rail. The rib may include recessed areas and adhesive tape located in the recessed areas to attach the rib to the panel.

The panel may be constructed of polycarbonate. The boundary may further include a pair of side rails with extensions and a pair of trim members locked in position by respective extensions. The extensions can include interlocking portions, and the trim members can have interlocking portions configured to mate with the interlocking portions on the extensions. The trim members can include a receiving area, and side edges of the panel may be loosely clamped in the receiving areas to accommodate thermal changes in the length of the panel.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a boundary for a watercraft that includes at least one rail including an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position; a non-metallic panel configured to be attached to the rail; and cooperative interlocking members associated with the panel and the rail, the interlocking members configured to attach the panel to the rail.

The boundary for a watercraft may include a top rail and a bottom rail, both having interlocking members. The panel can be configured from a non-metallic material. The rail may include a cross-section having at least two enclosed areas. One of the enclosed areas may be smaller than the other, and the extension can be connected to the smaller of the enclosed areas. The boundary for a watercraft may further include an intermediate rail extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, and at least one rib located interstitial to the panel and the intermediate rail. The rib may include flanges and recessed areas in each flange for receipt of an adhesive member.

The boundary for a watercraft may also include a pair of side rails with extensions and a pair of trim members, with one trim member held in position by respective extensions.

The boundary may further include cooperative interlocking members associated with the extensions on the side rails and the trim members that are configured to attach the trim members to the rail. The trim members may include a receiving area, and side edges of the panel can be positioned in the receiving areas. The panel may be held in the receiving areas in a manner that accommodates thermal changes in the length thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a pontoon boat;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one prior art embodiment of a rail used on a watercraft, such as the pontoon boat shown in FIG. 1, the rail is shown in its preassembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of one embodiment of a rail and panel system through lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, and as shown, is configured to be used on a watercraft, such as the pontoon boat shown in FIG. 1, the rails are shown in their preassembled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 3, with the rails shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of another embodiment of a rail and panel system configured to be used on a watercraft, such as the pontoon boat shown in FIG. 1, with the rails shown in their preassembled configuration;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 5, with the rails shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of another embodiment of a rail and panel system using the rail shown in FIG. 2, the system is configured to be used on a watercraft, such as the pontoon boat shown in FIG. 1, the rails are shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatical view showing a method of manufacturing the panel and rail system described;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of another embodiment of a rail and panel system configured to be used on a watercraft, such as a pontoon boat, as shown in FIG. 1, the rails are shown in their preassembled configuration;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 9, with the rails shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rail and panel system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system through lines 12-12 of FIG. 11, and as shown, is configured to be used on the watercraft, such as the pontoon boat, shown in FIG. 1, the rails being shown in their preassembled configuration;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the top rail area indicated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the bottom rail area indicated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 12, with the rails shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system through lines 14-14 of FIG. 11, with the rails shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the rib area indicated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system through lines 15-15 of FIG. 11, showing side trim members and side rails in their preassembled configuration;

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the side rail area and trim member indicated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional assembly view of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 15, with the side rails and trim members shown in their assembled configuration;

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of the side rail area and trim member indicated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is an end view of the rails for use with the rail and panel system of FIG. 11 shown in the preassembled configuration;

FIG. 18 is an end view of an intermediate rail of the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the rib used with the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 20 is an end view of the side trim members used with the rail and panel system shown in FIG. 11.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention in several forms and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments discussed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

A watercraft, generally indicated as 10, is shown in FIG. 1, and in this embodiment, watercraft 10 is a pontoon boat. Watercraft 10 includes a frame, generally indicated as 12, an engine, generally indicated as 14, pontoons 16, and deck 18. Watercraft 10 also includes a plurality of rails 20 and panels 22 supported by frame 12 and deck 18. Rails 20 are positioned above and below panels 22 to form a boundary around an outer periphery of deck 18 to safely surround passengers on watercraft 10.

A cross-sectional view of a prior art embodiment of one rail, generally indicated as 19, is shown in FIG. 2. Rails 19 are used similarly to rails 20 as shown in FIG. 1 to secure panels 22 to the watercraft to form an outer boundary of the watercraft. Each rail 19 is constructed of an extruded metallic tube and includes a rail member 17 having a substantially square profile. Rail 19 also includes an extension 15 coupled to one side of rail member 19. This configuration of rail 19 is commonly called a “Q tube.” Extension 15 includes a pair of teeth 21. A receiving area, generally indicated as 23, is formed between extension 15 and rail member 17. In FIG. 2, rail 19 is shown in the unassembled orientation. In use, a panel, such as panel 22 in FIG. 1, is positioned in receiving area 23, and extension 15 is bent or crimped toward rail member 17 to secure the panel in receiving area 23 in position. Teeth 21 engage the panel when extension 15 is crimped.

A partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of upper and lower rails 20 in accordance with the present invention with one panel 22 positioned between is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Upper and lower rails 20 are identical with respect to form and function and differ only in orientation. Panel 22 is shown in partial for simplicity, and it should be understood that opposite ends are also substantially identical and only differ in orientation.

As shown in FIG. 3, each rail 20 includes a rail member 24, an extension 26, and a recess or recessed area 30. In this embodiment, rail 20 is an extruded aluminum tube. In other embodiments (not shown), rail 20 may be constructed of another metallic material, a non-metallic material, or any other suitable material. Rail member 24 has a substantially square profile and a hollow central region. Rail member 24 includes a side, generally indicated as 25, from which an extension 26 extends. Side 25 and extension 26 form a receiving area, generally indicated as 29, for receiving an end of panel 22, as will be described herein. Extension 26 extends from side 25 of rail member 24 and includes an interlocking or engaging portion 28, which is shown as a tab, positioned at one end of extension 26. A recessed area or recess 30 is formed in side 25 of rail member 24. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, recessed area 30 extends about half of the length of side 25.

Panel 22 includes a panel member 32, which is continuous between an upper end 31 and a lower end 33. Upper and lower ends 31 and 33 each include an interlocking or engaging portion 34, which is shown as a tab that extends substantially perpendicularly from panel member 32. In this embodiment, panel 22 is constructed of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is dent- and scratch-resistant and has excellent thermal expansion, toughness, and forming capabilities. Additionally, polycarbonate has heat deflection properties and can be produced in a wide variety of colors, which may reduce the need for further processing such as painting. Supplemental components, such as ultraviolet blockers and stabilizers, may be added to polycarbonate to optimize the polycarbonate for the desired application. It should be understood that panel member 22 may be constructed from a polymer-based material, a non-metallic material, or any other suitable material.

It should be appreciated that FIG. 3 shows a preassembled position, where panel 22 is shown poised for interconnection to rails 20. In this position, upper end 31 and lower end 33 of panel member 32 are positioned in corresponding recessed areas 30, with respective interlocking portions 34 extending in an overlapping manner with interlocking portions 28 of extensions 26.

Referring now to FIG. 4, rails 20 are shown with extensions 26 bent or crimped to secure panel 22 in position between upper and lower rails 20. When extensions 26 are crimped, interlocking portions 28 interlock with respective interlocking portions 34 to secure panel member 32 in recessed areas 30. As shown in FIG. 1, rails 20 and panels 22 extend along the length of watercraft 10. Assembly of the boundary formed by rails 20 and panels 22 generally includes the steps of positioning a panel 22 between upper and lower rail 20, as shown in FIG. 3, and providing a roller or other crimping device (see FIG. 8) configured to bend extensions 26 from the position shown in FIG. 3 into a position to secure panel 22, as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, upper and lower rails, generally indicated as 40, are provided and positioned to cooperate with a panel, generally indicated as 52. Upper and lower rails 40 each include a rail member 42, an extension 44, a recess or recessed area 48, and a receiving area, generally indicated as 50. In this embodiment, recess 48 defines a notch. Panel 52 includes a panel member 54 and interlocking portions 56, which are shown as tabs. Panel 52 is substantially similar to panel 22 with the exception that the orientation of the interlocking portions is reversed relative to the rails 40, that is, interlocking portions 56 are facing towards rails 40 rather than away from rails 40. Rails 40 are similar to rails 20 with the exceptions that extensions 44 do not include interlocking portions and recesses 48 are configured to accept interlocking portions 56 of panel 52.

As shown in assembled view FIG. 6, extensions 44 are bent or crimped, as described above, toward rail members 42 to contact panel member 54 and secure interlocking portions 56 in recesses 48. Interlocking portions 56 interlock with rail members 42 in recesses 48. Extensions 44, interlocking portions 56, and recesses 48 prevent panel 52 from becoming dislodged if a force is applied to flex panel member 54.

Another alternative embodiment of the rail and panel system is shown in FIG. 7. This rail and panel system utilizes rails 19 of FIG. 2 and a non-metallic panel, generally indicated as 70. Rails 19 and panel 70 are shown in an assembled partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 7. As discussed above, rail 19 includes an extension 15 having teeth 21. Non-metallic panel 70 is substantially flat and includes ends 72, which are configured to be positioned in receiving areas 23 (not shown) of rails 19 during assembly. Extensions 15 are then crimped, which is described below, to secure panel 70 in position. Teeth 21 on extensions 15 contact ends 72 of panel 70 to secure panel 70 between rails 19. In this position, non-metallic panel 70 directly contacts rail members 17 and extensions 15.

With reference now to FIG. 8, a method of installing the rail and panel system will be described. The method is shown with the rail and panel system of FIGS. 3 and 4, but the method is equally applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

With respect to the manufacturing of the rails themselves, the rails may be extruded from a material such as aluminum. The cross-section of rails 20 or 40 is conducive to an extrusion process, as all of the configuration is continuous along its entire length. That is, for instance, in the embodiment shown, rail 20 is designed such that all of the features, including rail member 24, extension 26, interlocking portion 28, and recess 30, are continuous along the entire length of the rail, which may make an extrusion process a suitable means for producing rails 20 or 40.

Once the rails are provided, the panel is provided. In one embodiment, panels 22, 52 may be formed by a molding or extrusion process. The configuration of panels 22, 52 is also compatible for either process. In either case, the panels are formed to include the interlocking portions 34 at the upper and lower ends 31, 33 of panel 22. It should be appreciated that the panels are formed such that the interlocking portions are spaced apart at the proper distance between extensions 26.

Once two rails are positioned as shown in FIG. 3, the panel 22 can be slidably received longitudinally into the receiving areas 29, until the panel 22 is fully installed. At that point, a crimping roller, such as 60 (FIG. 8), which is rotatable about axis A-A, can be used to crimp extensions 26 into place. For example, roller 60 can begin at one end of rail 20 and move longitudinally along the length of rail 20 to roll the extensions from the preassembled position of 26-1, shown in outline form, to the assembled position of 26-2, where interlocking portions 28 overlap and interlock with interlocking portions 34.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another alternate embodiment of a rail and panel system is shown. The rail and panel system utilizes upper and lower rails, generally indicated as 80, respectively. Rails 80 may be an extruded aluminum tube or may be constructed using another process or another metallic material, non-metallic material or any other suitable material. Rail member 84 has a substantially square profile and a hollow central region. Each rail member 84 also includes a side, generally indicated as 85, from which an extension 86 extends. Side 85 and extension 86 form a receiving area, generally indicated as 89 (FIG. 9), for receiving an end of a panel, generally indicated as 100, as will be described herein. Extension 86 extends from side 85 of rail member 84 and includes an interlocking or engaging portion 88, which is shown as a tab or a lip, positioned at one end of extension 86. In this embodiment, a recessed area or recess 90 is formed in side 85 of rail member 84. In this embodiment, recessed area 90 extends about one-half of the length of side 85.

Panel 100 includes a panel member 102, which is continuous between an upper end 101 and a lower end 103. Upper and lower ends 101 and 103 each include an interlocking or engaging portion 104, which is shown as a tab or a lip that faces away from rail members 84. In the embodiment shown, interlocking portions 104 form an acute angle with a face of panel member 102. Panel member 102 may be constructed of a polycarbonate or may be constructed from another polymer-based material, a non-metallic material, a metallic material, or other suitable material.

FIG. 9 shows a preassembled position, where panel 100 is shown poised for interconnection to rails 80. In this position, upper end 101 and lower end 103 of panel member 102 are positioned in corresponding recessed areas 90, with respective interlocking portions 104 extending in an overlapping manner, with interlocking portions 88 of extensions 86.

Referring to FIG. 10 again, rails 80 are shown with extensions 86 bent or crimped, such as with a crimping roller 60 shown in FIG. 8, to secure panel 100 and positioned between upper and lower rails 80. When extensions 86 are crimped, interlocking portions 88 interlock with respective interlocking portions 104 to secure panel member 102.

Now referring to FIG. 11, another alternate embodiment of a rail and panel system in accordance with the present invention is shown, generally indicated as 110. Rail and panel system 110 includes an upper or top rail 120a and a lower or bottom rail 120b. Upper and lower rails 120a and 120b are identical with respect to form and function and differ only in orientation. Rail and panel system 110 also includes a panel 122, side or end rails 124a and 124b, intermediate rails 126, an auxiliary rail portion 128 (which is known), and a support rib 130.

Referring to FIGS. 12-13 and 17, upper rail 120a and lower rail 120b, are shown in detail in a preassembled configuration (FIGS. 12, 12A, 12B, and 17) and as assembled (FIG. 13) with respect to panel 122. Rails 120a and 120b each have a cross-section with a larger enclosed area 132 and a smaller enclosed area 134. Areas 132 and 134 are separated by a stiffener 136. Stiffener 136 may completely separate areas 132 and 134 as shown or just partially separate the areas. An extension 138 is attached to and extends from a corner of each area 134. Also, an interlocking portion 140 is located on the end of each extension 138. In the embodiment shown, interlocking portion 140 extends generally perpendicular to extension 138; however, it should be realized that other suitable interlocking configurations may be employed. As with the other rail embodiments, rails 120a and 120b may be extruded from aluminum or any other suitable material.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, panel 122 includes an interlocking portion 142 along the upper and lower edges thereof, that is configured to mate and interlock with respective interlocking portions 140 of rails 120a and 120b. It should be appreciated that the panel may be constructed of a polycarbonate or other non-metallic material, as discussed above with respect to the previous embodiments. The side edges of panel 122 are generally planar and do not include any interlocking portions where the panel is attached to side rails 124a and 124b (FIGS. 15 and 16) for reasons discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 15-16A, and 17, it can be seen that side rails 124a and 124b have the same configuration as upper and lower rails 120a, 120b, and each includes an enclosed area 132 and 134 separated by stiffener 136. Side rails 124a and 124b also include extension 138 with interlocking portion 140 at the end thereof. Accordingly, side rails 124a and 124b are identical to one another and to upper and lower rails 120a and 120b and differ only in orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 18, intermediate rails 126 have a generally rectangular cross-section, and in the embodiment shown, do not include any extensions, interlocking portions or areas separated by a stiffener. Intermediate rails 126 may also be extruded from aluminum or any other suitable material. As shown in FIG. 14, the width of intermediate rails 126 may be less than the width of rails 120a, 120b, 124a, and 124b.

Now referring to FIG. 19, it can be seen that rib 130 includes a raised portion 150 and a pair of laterally extending flanges 152a and 152b. Rib 130 may also be extruded from an aluminum or other suitable material. A recess 154 is located in each flange for receipt of an adhesive member 156, which may include a double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive strip.

Rail and panel system 110 also includes trim members, generally indicated as 160, as shown in FIGS. 15-16 and 20. Trim members 160 extend for the length of side rails 124a and 124b and may be made from a polycarbonate or other material that will not scratch panel 122. Each trim member 160 has a generally V-shaped configuration and includes a first leg 162 and a second leg 164 (FIG. 20). Leg 164 includes an interlocking slot 166 extending along the length thereof and an inwardly bent lip 168 extending along the far end of the leg. Trim member 160 also includes a receiving area, generally indicated as 170, between legs 162 and 164 for receiving the side edges of panel 122.

To assemble rail and panel system 110, the side rails 124a and 124b are welded or otherwise attached in a known manner to respective top and bottom rails 120a and 120b. Intermediate rails 126 are also welded or otherwise attached in a known manner at the top and bottom thereof to respective top and bottom rails 120a, 120b. Auxiliary rail portion 128 may also be welded or otherwise attached to top rail 120a or side rails 124a, 124b to complete a rail frame.

Panel 122 may be attached to upper rail 120a and lower rail 120b in a manner similar to the previously discussed embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, extensions 138 are bent or crimped towards the respective rail so that the respective interlocking portions 140 extend in an overlapping manner with interlocking portions 142 at the top and bottom of panel 122, as shown in FIG. 13, to secure panel 122 to rails 120a and 120b.

Then, panel 122 can be attached to respective side rails 124a, 124b using rail extensions 138 and trim members 160. As noted above, the side edges of panel 122 are planar and do not include an interlocking portion. Rather, extensions 138 are bent or crimped towards the side rails so that interlocking portions 140 are engaged in the interlocking slot 166 of the respective trim member, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A. It should be appreciated as seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 that trim members 160 are compressed when extensions 138 are bent or crimped so that leg 164 is forced closer to leg 162. Accordingly, the panel side edges are not interlocked but are loosely clamped within the receiving area 170 of trim members 160. As such, the side edges of panel 122 can move or slide within the trim members to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. This prevents the panel from bulging or buckling due to any difference in thermal expansion between panel 122 and the rails. As noted above, the trim members may be made out of a polycarbonate or other material that will not scratch panel 122 during thermal movement. Also, it should be appreciated that the length of the panel is sufficient that the side edges will not slip out of the trim members regardless of the temperatures and thermal movement to which it is subjected.

Since intermediate rails 126 are not as wide as the outer rails, as noted above, it should be appreciated that this will create a space between the intermediate rails and panel 122 as shown in FIG. 14. To fill the space and buttress the panel, rib 130 is placed interstitially between the intermediate rails and panel 122. A double-sided adhesive tape or other adhesive is placed in recesses 154 of flanges 152a, 152b so that the rib will adhere to panel 122, as shown in FIG. 14. The raised portion 150 of rib 130 is sized such that when the rib is attached to the panel, the raised portion abuts intermediate rails 126.

When rail and panel system 110 is thusly assembled, it can be welded or attached with fasteners to deck 18. The assembly will have an attractive and finished appearance, and the panel 122 will be firmly supported between the rails and stiffened by rib 130. In addition, as the side edges of the rails can thermally expand and contract within trim members 160, panel 122 should not buckle or bulge due to temperature changes.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. For example, most of the embodiments depicted can be manufactured without a recessed area on the rail adjacent the extension. In addition, the shape, size and orientation of the interlocking portion or tabs on the extension and panel can be modified to other suitable forms.

It should also be appreciated that the trim members may be held in the top and bottom rails, and the interlocking portions may be on the side rail and sides of the panel. Also, the extension may be attached to the larger area of the rail cross-section, and the stiffener may only partially close off the areas from one another. This application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising:

a frame;

at least one rail supported by the frame, said rail including an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position; and

a non-metallic panel supported by said rail and held in position by said extension.

2. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said non-metallic panel includes interlocking portions along the top and bottom edges thereof.

3. The watercraft as set forth in claim 2, wherein said interlocking portions of said panel are substantially perpendicular to a main plane defined by said panel.

4. The watercraft as set forth in claim 3, including a top rail and a bottom rail having extensions with interlocking portions configured to mate with said interlocking portions on said non-metallic panel.

5. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rail includes a cross-section having at least two areas separated by a stiffener.

6. The watercraft as set forth in claim 5, wherein one of the rail areas is smaller than the other, and said extension is connected to the smaller of the areas.

7. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, including a top rail and a bottom rail and at least one intermediate rail extending therebetween, the intermediate rail having a width that is less than the width of said top and bottom rails.

8. The watercraft as set forth in claim 7, further including at least one rib located interstitial to said non-metallic panel and said intermediate rail.

9. The watercraft as set forth in claim 8, wherein said rib is attached to said non-metallic panel.

10. The watercraft as set forth in claim 9, wherein said rib includes a pair of flanges and a raised portion.

11. The watercraft as set forth in claim 10, wherein said rib includes flanges and a recessed area in each flange, and an adhesive is located in said recessed areas to attach said rib to said non-metallic panel.

12. The watercraft as set forth in claim 1, including a pair of side rails, each having extensions, and trim members held in position by said extensions.

13. The watercraft as set forth in claim 12, wherein said extensions have interlocking portions, and said trim members have interlocking portions configured to mate with said interlocking portions on said extensions.

14. The watercraft as set forth in claim 13, wherein said trim members are configured to include a receiving area, and side edges of said non- metallic panel are positioned in respective receiving areas of said trim members.

15. The watercraft as set forth in claim 14, wherein said side edges of said non-metallic panel are loosely clamped in said receiving area of said trim member when said extension of said rails are in the locked position to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of said panel.

16. A boundary for a watercraft, the boundary comprising:

at least one rail including an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position; and

a panel including first and second ends, said first end including an interlocking portion held in position by said extension when said extension is in the locked position.

17. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 16, including a top rail and a bottom rail having extensions with interlocking portions, and said second end also includes an interlocking portion, said rail interlocking portions configured to mate with said panel interlocking portions.

18. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 16, wherein said rail includes a cross-section having at least two enclosed areas, and one of said enclosed areas is smaller than the other, and said extension is connected to the smaller of said enclosed areas.

19. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 16, including a top rail and a bottom rail and at least one intermediate rail extending therebetween, and further including at least one rib located interstitial to said panel and said intermediate rail.

20. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 19, wherein said rib includes recessed areas and adhesive tape is located in a recessed area to attach said rib to said panel.

21. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 20, wherein said panel is constructed of polycarbonate.

22. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 16, including a pair of side rails with extensions and a pair of trim members locked in position by respective extensions.

23. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 22, wherein said extensions include interlocking portions, and said trim members have interlocking portions configured to mate with said interlocking portions on said extensions.

24. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 23, wherein said trim members include a receiving area, and side edges of said panel are loosely clamped in said receiving areas to accommodate thermal movement of said panel.

25. A boundary for a watercraft, the boundary comprising:

at least one rail including an extension movable from an open receiving position to a locked position;

a non-metallic panel configured to be attached to said rail;

and

cooperative interlocking members associated with said panel and said rail, said interlocking members configured to attach said panel to said rail.

26. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 25, including a top rail and a bottom rail, each having one of said interlocking members.

27. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 25, wherein said panel is configured from a non-metallic material.

28. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 27, wherein said rail includes a cross-section having at least two enclosed areas.

29. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 28, wherein one of said enclosed areas is smaller than the other, and said extension is connected to the smaller of said enclosed areas.

30. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 26, further including at least one intermediate rail, extending between said top rail and said bottom rail, and at least one rib located interstitial to said panel and said intermediate rail.

31. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 30, wherein said rib includes flanges and recessed areas in each of said flanges for receipt of an adhesive member.

32. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 25, including a pair of side rails with extensions and a pair of trim members, with one trim member held in position by each extension.

33. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 32, further including cooperative interlocking members associated with the extensions on the side rails and the trim members, said interlocking members configured to attach said trim members to said rail.

34. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 33, wherein said trim members include a receiving area, and side edges of said panel are positioned in said receiving areas.

35. The boundary for a watercraft as set forth in claim 33, wherein said panel is held in said receiving areas in a manner that accommodates thermal movement of said panel.