BOAT ACCESSORY RACK

Abstract

A boat accessory rack has a frame typically including at least two members, one of which is movable. An actuation device such as a manually operated actuator, a hydraulically operated actuator or a pneumatically operated actuator applies an actuation force to the movable member thereby moving the movable member from an unclosed position into a closed position in which the wakeboard is secured. A releasable locking mechanism such as a ratcheting mechanism, an interlocking ring mechanism, a ball bearing system or an over-centering system maintains the movable member in the closed position until a user desires to remove the wakeboard from the rack. Also, a cam mechanism transfers the actuation force to the movable member in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the accessory is secured between a rotating wedge mechanism and a second member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/781,139 filed Mar. 10, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment racks. More particularly, it relates to racks for securing and retaining a boating accessory.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Historically, boat design requires careful consideration regarding space allocation of boat components and boating accessories. Such consideration is necessary in order to provide occupants with space for movement around the cockpit and sitting areas of a boat. Space considerations become increasingly important for high speed boats used to pull sports enthusiasts using water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and inner tubes. Boat mass and streamline water flow engineering considerations help minimize turbulence and allow for higher speed travel through water. Ski-boats therefore incorporate highly engineered hulls for optimized water-flow patterns. Further, such high speed recreational and competitive boats are generally very powerful, small, and heavy in order to leave a large wake. Designs for increased water depth and therefore increased wake resulting in higher jumps and over-the-water stunts while maintaining speeds around 21-24 miles per hour are essential. Furthermore, many competition boats carry on-board water tanks to increase overall boat weight in order to produce greater wake. Thus, space in the passenger area of a boat is scarce, and accessories and cargo must be kept to a minimum for optimized performance when towing a wakeboarder.

The sport of wakeboarding is very similar to the sports of waterskiing, kneeboarding, and tubing. A wakeboarder or person riding a wakeboard is towed behind the boat by a rope. Typically, waterskiing, kneeboarding, and tubing use a rope secured to a stem mount on either or both sides of the motor of the boat. However, in the sport of wakeboarding, the rope is typically attached to a mount connected to a tower. The mount on the tower provides a much higher connection point for the tow rope and provides vertical component force on the tow rope held by a wakeboarder thus allowing the wakeboarder to more easily perform aerial stunts and maneuvers. Furthermore, the physical structure of a wakeboard is different than that of a ski. A ski is narrow and long whereas a wakeboard is relatively short and wide. Also, a kneeboard allows the rider to kneel on the board and face frontward whereas a wakeboarder straps into special boots mounted on the wakeboard such that his or her feet align in the major axis of the wakeboard. Such a configuration lends itself to the wakeboarder using body torque, specifically twisting of the hips to, improve stunts both on and out of the water.

Wakeboarders are proud of their sport, which conjures thoughts of novelty, innovation, and up-and-coming international appeal. Therefore, the accessories associated with wakeboarding reflect the attitudes of its participants and the thoughts conjured in the minds of its many onlookers and fans. Wakeboarding accessories, especially the aesthetic appeal of the boat, the tower, and the wakeboard itself, are a significant consideration of many wakeboarders.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus for on-boat storage of a wakeboard, kneeboard, or other board-shaped accessory that is functional, resilient, readily visible, and aesthetically pleasing.

A boat accessory rack meets such needs by providing a functional, resilient, readily visible and aesthetically pleasing apparatus for securing a wakeboard or other accessory to a boat. In one embodiment, an accessory rack for securing an accessory such as a wakeboard to a boat has a frame member and a movable frame member that engages the frame member. The movable member has a cam follower that follows the cam channel of a cam mechanism. The movable member rotates about a pivot point and moves in relation to the frame member, and the accessory is placed between the movable member and the frame member. The cam mechanism rotates about an axis when a user provides an activation force to an activation device engaging the cam mechanism. The activation force causes the cam mechanism to rotate resulting in the movable member moving from an unclosed position to a closed position in which the accessory is secured between the movable member and the frame member with a clamping force.

In another embodiment, an accessory rack for securing an accessory such as a wakeboard to a boat has a frame with first and second frame members. A cam mechanism engages the first frame member at an axis, and the accessory is placed between the cam mechanism and the second frame member. An activation device engages the cam mechanism and provides an activation force to the cam mechanism when activated by a user. The cam mechanism receives the activation force and rotates about the axis moving from an unclosed position to a closed position in which the accessory is secured between the cam mechanism and the second frame member.

In yet another embodiment, an accessory rack for securing an accessory such as a wakeboard to a boat has a frame with a movable frame member and a second frame member, and the accessory is placed between the movable frame member and the second frame member. An activation device engages the movable frame member and upon activation by a user applies an activation force to the movable frame member thereby moving the movable frame member from an unclosed position into a closed position in which the accessory is secured between the movable frame member and the second frame member. A releasable locking mechanism for maintaining the movable frame member in the closed position until a user desires to remove the accessory from the accessory rack.

In each of the above discussed embodiments, the activation device may be chosen from a manually operated actuator, an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulically operated actuator and a pneumatically operated actuator. Likewise, the releasable locking mechanism may be chosen from a ratcheting mechanism, an interlocking ring mechanism, a ball bearing system and an over-centering system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a modified cross-section of one embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of one embodiment of a boat accessory rack having an interlocking ring mechanism used as a releasable locking mechanism.

FIG. 2C is a close-up view of a ball-bearing system used as a releasable locking mechanism in some embodiments of a boat accessory rack.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the boat accessory rack.

FIGS. 4A-4I are various views of an additional embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIGS. 6A-6C are various views of another embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIGS. 7A-7D are various views of another embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of a wakeboard being secured in an embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

FIGS. 9A-9E are various views of another embodiment of a boat accessory rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a boat accessory rack, such as a wakeboard rack, for securing a boat accessory to a powerboat when the boat accessory is not in use. A wakeboard tower typically extends several feet into the air above the passenger compartment of the boat and is attached at both the starboard and the port sides of the boat. Boat accessory racks may be attached to the boat itself or the tower. Preferably the boat accessory rack is attached to the outside portion of the side of the tower. Also, multiple boat accessory racks may be attached to the same side of the tower or may be attached to both sides of the tower.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a modified cross-section of one embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. That is, FIG. 1 is not a true cross-section but rather an illustration including particular components and excluding other components for the sake of ease of illustration and description. In FIG. 1, the frame side member 12 has a cam 14 and a handle 16 attached at the center shaft or axis 17. The cam 14 and the handle 17 rotate about the center shaft 17. An engaging member 18 is attached to the frame side member 12 at engaging member pivot shaft or axis 36 and may rotate about engaging member pivot shaft 36. The cam 14 and the engaging member 18 are slidably connected at cam following shaft 34 located in the cam proximate end 38 of the engaging member 18 and which travels in the cam channel 32 as the handle 16 is moved.

Opposite the cam-proximate end 38 of the engaging member 18 is the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18, which moves in the direction of arrow 22 toward the center arm 48 of the frame side member 12 when the handle 16 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 20. The cam 14 is constructed such that applying force in the direction of arrow 20 on the handle 16 results in the force being translated in the direction of arrow 22 at the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18. Conversely, when handle 16 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 24, the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18 moves away from the center arm 48 of the frame side member 12 and in the direction of arrow 26. This is a result of the construction of the cam 14, which translates a force in the direction of arrow 24 to the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18 in the direction of arrow 26.

In this embodiment, distance 30 is less than distance 28. When handle 16 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 20, the cam 14 rotates counterclockwise about the center shaft 17. As the cam following shaft 34 moves from the lower end 42 of the cam channel 32 to the upper end 44 of the cam channel 32, the distance between the center shaft 17 and the cam following shaft 34 increases from distance 30 to distance 28. Thus, the cam-proximate end 38 of the engaging member 18 moves in the direction of arrow 46. The engaging member 18 pivots about engaging member pivot shaft 36 resulting in the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18 moving in the direction of arrow 22.

Alternatively, when the handle is in a full-closed position where the cam following shaft 34 is at the upper end 44 of the cam channel 38 and the handle 16 subsequently is moved in the direction of arrow 24, the cam following shaft 34 travels along the cam channel 32 from the upper end 44 to the lower end 42, which is referred to as the full-open position. The cam-proximate end 38 of the engaging member 18 travels in the direction of arrow 47 as the cam following shaft 34 travels along the cam channel 38 from the upper end 44 to the lower end 42 and the distal end 40 of the engaging member 18 moves in the direction of arrow 26.

When a wakeboard or other accessory is held by the boat accessory rack 10, engaging member bumper 54 presses against one side of the wakeboard and center arm bumpers 56 and 58 press against the other side of the wakeboard securing it. The bumpers 54, 56, and 58 are preferably made of neoprene or other rubber.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a preferred embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 utilizing the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. This embodiment has two handles 200 and 202 for controlling a pair of engaging members each, handle 200 for controlling engaging members 208 and 212 and handle 202 for controlling engaging members 210 and 214. Handle 200 is attached to cam 204 and both rotate about the central shaft 201. Engaging members 208 and 212 are slidably connected to cam 204 by way of the cam following shaft 220. Similarly, handle 202 is attached to cam 206 and both rotate about the central shaft 201. Engaging members 210 and 214 are slidably connected to cam 206 by way of cam following shaft 222. Engaging members 208 and 212 move about engaging member pivot shaft 224 as handle 200 is moved, and engaging members 210 and 214 move about engaging member pivot shaft 226 as handle 202 is moved. Side plate 228 may be attached to both frame side members 215 and 217. The side plate 228 provides stability in addition to the stability provided by the center shaft 201. Furthermore, the side plate 228 may include mounting holes or other mounting structures which allow the boat accessory rack 10 to be mounted to a boat or a boat tower. A side plate 228 may also be attached to the boat accessory rack 10 on the opposite side of frame side members 215 and 217.

This configuration allows one handle, for example handle 202 to move multiple engaging members 210 and 214. In other embodiments, one handle moves more than two engaging members 18 in order to attach several wakeboards to one boat accessory rack 10 or to attach other accessories especially longer accessories such as water skis, surfboards, or the like. This embodiment also allows for two wakeboards to be attached to the boat accessory rack 10. In an alternate embodiment, cam 206 and cam 204 may be constructed so that moving handle 202 and handle 200 in the direction of arrow 230 causes all engaging members 208, 212, 210, and 214 to move toward center arms 216 and 218. In such an embodiment, moving handles 200 and 202 in the direction of arrow 232 causes engaging members 208, 212, 210, and 214 to move away from center arms 216 and 218.

In other embodiments moving handle 200 in the direction of arrow 230 causes engaging members 208 and 212 to move toward center arms 216 and 218, but moving handle 202 in the direction of arrow 230 causes engaging members 210 and 214 to move away from center arms 216 and 218. Conversely, in another embodiment, moving handle 200 in the direction of arrow 230 causes engaging members 208 and 212 to move away from center arms 216 and 218, but moving handle 202 in the direction of arrow 230 causes engaging members 210 and 214 to move toward center arms 216 and 218. Such alternate embodiments rely on the construction of cams 204 and 206 as discussed regarding FIG. 1 above. Referring back to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, distance 28 is greater than distance 30 and therefore as handle 16 is moved in direction of arrow 20 engaging member 18 moves toward the center arm 48 of the frame side member 12. However, in another embodiment (not shown) where distance 28 is less than distance 30 as handle 16 is moved in direction of arrow 20, engaging member 18 moves away from the center arm 48 of the frame side member 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a bottom view of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. This embodiment includes a releasable locking mechanism referred to as an interlocking ring mechanism 239. When handle 202 is moved into a new position, interlocking ring 234 locks the cam 206 into place, which thereby locks the handle 202 and the engaging members 210 and 214 into place. Thus, if a wakeboard is in position to be secured, the handle is moved to the desired position to secure the wakeboard effectively, the user may let go of the handle 202 and the interlocking ring 234 locks the cam in place thereby securing the wakeboard. When the user wishes to remove the wakeboard from the boat accessory rack 10, the user must push or pull the handle 202 in the open direction with a force great enough to overcome the interlocking ring's 234 locking mechanism. In other embodiments, various other means for locking the cam 206 in place may be used. For example, the interlocking ring 234 may lock into place automatically, and when a user wishes for the interlocking ring 234 to remove its locking force, a manually activated release device such as a button may be activated to release the locking mechanism.

On the underside of interlocking ring 234, ring teeth 240 protrude around the outer circumference of the interlocking ring 234. Similarly, cam teeth 242 protrude from the surface of the cam 206. If a user attempts to move handle 202 from an at rest position, the initial force required to move the handle 202 is much greater than the force required to move the handle 202 once it is in motion. This is a result of the fact that the ring teeth 240 and the cam teeth 242 mate when the handle 202 in motionless. That is, the cam teeth 242 settle into the ring teeth 240. Conversely, when the handle is in motion, the cam teeth 242 slide over the peaks of the ring teeth 240 relatively easily because the cam teeth 242 do not have the opportunity to settle into the ring teeth 240 or in other words mate with the ring teeth 240. In some embodiments, the peak of the cam teeth 242 is rounded to allow the ring teeth 240 to slide across the cam teeth 242 once motion is initiated. Alternatively, the peak of the ring teeth 240 are rounded or the peaks of both the ring teeth 240 and the cam teeth 242 are rounded. Interlocking ring 236 functions similarly to interlocking ring 234 for locking cam 204 and handle 200 into place.

In alternate embodiments, the interlocking ring 234 is spring-loaded in order to provide pressure between the cam 206 and the interlocking ring 234. In one embodiment, a button or switch pulls the interlocking ring 234 away from the cam 206 to allow the cam 206 free motion until the button or switch is released or pressed again. Various locking and releasing mechanisms may be used in order to secure the cam 206 with respect to the boat accessory rack 10 and thereby secure the engaging members 18 (FIG. 1) of the boat accessory rack 10.

In some embodiments a ratcheting mechanism is used as a releasable locking mechanism. A ratcheting mechanism is similar to the interlocking ring mechanism 239 discussed above, but it typically includes inclined teeth between which a releasable locking panel drops and locks the ring or cam into place. It remains locked until the panel is released from between the teeth thus allowing rotation again.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, a ball bearing system 244 is used to lock cam 206 into place. Additionally, in this embodiment, an alternate cam configuration is shown where the cam 206 is part of the handle 200, that is, the cam 206 and the handle are not two, separately machined pieces of the boat accessory rack 10 connected in some way, but rather, they are a cam-handle 246.

The ball bearing system 244 includes a bearing receiver 248 shown in silhouette in FIG. 2C. The bearing receiver 248 has many relatively shallow cylindrical apertures 250 along its outer circumference 252. In alternate embodiments the apertures 250 may be substantially hemispherical or have another shape for receiving ball bearings 254. The apertures 250 are closely spaced so that the ball bearings 254 on the cam-handle 246 roll or slide from one aperture 250 directly into another aperture 250 as the cam-handle 246 is moved in relation to the bearing receiver 248. The ball bearing system 244 functions similarly to the interlocking ring 234 and ring teeth 240 in that the bearings 254 glide from one aperture 250 to another with relative ease once the cam-handle 246 is in motion. When the ball bearings 254 have settled into the apertures 250 of the bearing receiver 248, the force required to move the cam-handle 246 is greater than the force required to maintain a previously initiated movement of the cam-handle 246 in relation to the bearing receiver 248.

The bearing receiver 248 preferably is connected to the frame side member 215 or 217 such that it does not move with respect to the frame side member 215 or 217. Fastener apertures 256 accept fasteners that attach the bearing receiver 248 to the frame side member 215 or 217. As mentioned above, the bearing receiver 248 is shown in silhouette in order to aid in illustration of the interaction among the ball bearings 254 and the apertures 250. In some embodiments, the ball bearings 254 are spring-loaded or otherwise biased toward the bearing receiver 248 in order to assist in the locking function of the ball bearing system 244. In other embodiments, the ball bearings are not forced toward the bearing receiver, but rather, the bearing receiver is spring-loaded or otherwise forced toward the cam-handle 246 and the ball bearings 254. In yet other embodiments, the ball bearings 254 are forced toward the bearing receiver 248 and the bearing receiver is forced toward the cam-handle 246 to collectively provide the releasable locking function of the ball bearing system 244.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of a boat accessory rack 10 is shown with two handles 300 and 302 connected to two cams 304 and 306 (not shown) respectively. The cams 304 and 306 each engage two engaging members. Cam 304 engages engaging members 308 and 310, and cam 306 engages engaging members 312 and 314. In this embodiment, engaging members 308 and 310 are connected by the dual engaging member bumper 316 as well as the cam following shaft 328 and the engaging member pivot shaft 330. Likewise, engaging members 312 and 314 are connected at the cam following shaft 332, the engaging member pivot shaft 334 and the dual engaging member bumper 318. Dual engaging member bumper 316 is attached to engaging members 308 and 310 at attachment apertures 336 and 338 respectively by fasteners. Similarly, engaging member bumper connector 318 is attached to engaging members 312 and 314 at attachment apertures 340 and 342 respectively by fasteners.

In this embodiment, if a dual engaging member bumper 316 or 318 wears and needs replacing, the fasteners may be removed from the attachment apertures 336 and 338, or 340 and 342 respectively, and a new dual engaging member bumper 316 or 318 may be attached. The engaging member bumper connectors 316 and 318 are preferably made of neoprene or other suitable compressible materials which provides some cushion and also provides sufficient pressure to secure a wakeboard or other accessory when it is used in a boat accessory rack 10. The relatively soft characteristic of neoprene or other material limits scratching or other damage to a wakeboard or other accessory.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, another embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. In this figure, the boat accessory rack 10 is attached to the tower 400 of the boat 402. A wakeboard 404 is positioned for securing to the boat accessory rack 10. FIG. 4B shows a closer view of this embodiment without a wakeboard 404 present. This embodiment is a pneumatically operated boat accessory rack 10 that uses air actuated cylinders or actuators 406 and 408 to secure a wakeboard 404 or other boating accessory. In alternate embodiments, hydraulically operated actuators or electromechaincal actuators may be used to secure the boating accessory. In some embodiments, the pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated actuators do not engage a cam or other securing mechanism, but rather perform the function of securing the accessory themselves.

When actuator 406 or 408 is activated it vertically moves a piston 410 or 412 which is connected to an L-bracket 412 or 414. L-bracket 412 is also attached to a cam 416, which turns clockwise in this figure when actuator 406 is activated. In alternate embodiments, the actuator may be attached directly to the cam. Cam 416 or 418 secures a wakeboard 404 or other accessory by pressing the accessory against a frame side member 420 or 422 respectively. Frame side members 420 and 422 are connected to base 424, which is connected to a tower fastener 426 for attaching the boat accessory rack 10 to a boat tower 400. The middle frame member 428 is attached to the base 424 and is positioned in between actuators 406 and 408. Cams 416 and 418 are connected to middle frame member 428 at frame-cam shafts 430 and 432 (FIG. 4D). Cams 416 and 418 are connected to the L-brackets 412 and 414 at the bracket-cam shafts 434 and 436 (FIG. 4H).

Referring now to FIG. 4C, this embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown in a fully actuated position 438. The two cams 416 and 418 can be seen more clearly from this view. Cam 416 has three fingers 440, 442, and 444. Cam 418 also has fingers 446, 448, and 450. Each of the fingers 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, and 450 has a bumper 452 preferably made of rubber or neoprene. Each of the frame side members 420 and 422 also have bumpers 452. Additionally, the base 424 and the middle frame member has bumpers 452. The bumpers 452 function as marring and scratching prevention for wakeboards 400 or other boating accessories secured in the boat accessory rack 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, one side (the right-hand side including cam 416) of the boat accessory rack 10 is in a fully actuated position 438. Actuator 406 is fully activated causing piston 410 to extend vertically. Piston 410 pushes L-bracket 412 vertically putting force on bracket-cam shaft 434 which is attached to the cam 416. This places a clockwise torque on the cam 416 about frame-cam shaft 430 causing the cam 416 to rotate in a clockwise direction about frame-cam shaft 430. FIG. 4E shows the boat accessory rack 10 in a minimally activated position 439. In position 439, the actuator 406 is minimally activated, and the piston 410 is in its lowest vertical position. As the actuator 406 is de-activated from the fully activated position 438 (FIG. 4D) to the minimally activated position 439, the actuator 406 pulls the piston 410 downward, which pulls the L-bracket 412 downward also. This places a downward force on bracket-cam shaft 434 causing a counter-clockwise torque about frame-cam shaft 430. Thus, the cam 416 rotates counter-clockwise and into the minimally activated position 439 shown in FIG. 4E. The actuator 406 may also be activated into a nearly infinite number of partially activated positions in between the minimally activated position 439 of FIG. 4E and the fully activated position 438 shown in FIG. 4D. Such partially activated positions are useful in securing wakeboards or other types of boards of varying thicknesses in the boat accessory rack effectively and without marring or scarring the boards.

Referring back to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4D, a channel 458 has been machined into the frame side member 420, and a bumper 452 extends along the channel 458. Bumpers are also located on the base 424, the middle frame member 428 and frame side member 422. The bumpers 452, as discussed above, are preferably neoprene or some type of rubber that will not mar or scratch the exterior of an accessory and will effectively secure the accessory to the boat accessory rack 10.

FIG. 4F shows the boat accessory rack 10 from underneath the base 424. The actuators are mounted to the base 424 with roll pins 454 to allow slight movement along the minor axis of the base 424 as the cams 416 and 418 secure or release accessories. Air pressure hoses 456 provide air pressure necessary to drive the actuators 406 and 408. In other embodiments, hydraulically activated actuators or electromechanical actuators are used. Referring now to FIG. 4G, the inside 456 of a frame side member 420 is shown.

FIGS. 4G, 4H, and 41 show an expanded diagram of the embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. In FIGS. 4G-4I the actuators 406 and some other components are not shown for ease of illustration of the construction of the cams 416 and 418 and their association with frame members 428, 420 and 422 and the base 424. FIG. 4G shows an expanded view of the cam structure 460. L-bracket 414 is attached to cam 418 by bracket-cam shaft 436, and L-bracket 412 is attached to cam 416 by bracket-cam shaft 434. FIG. HI shows each individual cam component 462 before combination to form the cam structure 460 as shown in FIG. 4I. The cam components 462 are connected to the middle frame member 428 by the frame-cam shafts 430 and 432 as shown in FIG. 4I.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, a remote button 462 is shown. The remote button 462 controls the air pressure delivered to an actuator 406 or 408. The remote button 462 may increase the pressure in an actuator 406 or 408 causing a cam 416 or 418 to move toward a fully activated position 438 (FIG. 4C) or may decrease the pressure in an actuator 406 or 408 causing a cam 416 or 418 to move toward a minimally activated position 439 (FIG. 4E). The remote button 462 may be several buttons in some embodiments including a button to partially or fully activate an actuator 406 and a button to partially or fully deactivate an actuator 406. Furthermore, the remote button 462 may, in practice, not be a button at all, but rather a dial or other suitable mechanism for variably adjusting the activation level or pressure exerted by an actuator 406 in order to rotate a cam 416 to an activation level appropriate to secure an accessory.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. A handle 500 pivots about a handle shaft or axis 502 attached to the base 504. The handle 500 is also connected to the main shaft 506, which is located on the interior of the middle frame member 508. As the handle 500 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 510, the main shaft 506 moves in the direction of arrow 512. The main shaft is connected to bumper arm 514 and bumper arm 516 at arm pivot point 518. Bumper arms 514 and 516 are connected to bumpers 520 and 522 respectively. Bumpers 520 and 522 may be rubber, compressed rubber, neoprene or some other non-marring and non-scratching material. As main shaft 506 moves in the direction of arrow 512, the bumpers 520 and 522 move toward frame side members 524 and 526 respectively. Preferably, frame side members 524 and 526 have bumpers for securing a wakeboard or other accessory without marring or scratching the accessory.

The boat accessory rack 10 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a lever-activated boat accessory rack and many variations of a lever-activated boat accessory rack may include various releasable locking mechanisms to ensure an accessory is locked into place when the lever 500 is activated in the direction of arrow 510.

Referring now to FIG. 6A another embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. A handle 600 is connected to L-brace 608 at pivot point 601. Handle 600 is also connected to air pressure dampener (dampener) 602, which is pressure loaded to exert a force in the direct of arrow 604. The dampener 602 is connected to lever 606, which is also connected to L-brace 608 at pivot point 612. When handle 600 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 604 it pivots about pivot point 601. This results in a force in the direction of arrow 610 on dampener 602. Dampener 602 then pushes lever 606 in the direction of arrow 610 which pulls down on T-joint 614 at pivot point 616. T-joint 614 is also connected to side bumper arms 618 and 620 at pivot points 622 and 624 respectively.

Thus, T-joint 614 pulls in the direction of arrow 610 on side bumper arms 618 and 620. Side bumper arms 618 and 620 each have a bumper 626 and 628 near pivot points 634 and 636 respectively. Middle bumper arms 630 and 632 are connected to side bumper arms 618 and 620 at pivot points 634 and 636. Therefore, as side bumper arms 618 and 620 are pulled in the direction of arrow 610, bumpers 626 and 628 move away from middle plate 638 and toward frame side plates 646 (FIG. 6B) and 648 respectively. This is because middle bumper arms 630 and 632 are attached to middle plate 638 at pivot points 640 and 642. As side bumper arms 618 and 620 pull on middle bumper arms 630 and 632, middle bumper arms 630 and 632 rotate about pivot points 640 and 642. Middle plate 638 is attached to the short arm 644 of the L-brace 608.

Preferably, handle 600 is connected to a locking mechanism such as those discussed herein. As handle 600 is pushed or pulled in the direction of arrow 604, the locking mechanism keeps the handle from moving back in the direction of arrow 610. This, in combination with the dampener 602, provides transferred pressure when a wakeboard is placed between a bumper 626 or 628 and a frame side member 646 or 648. Preferably, the locking mechanism would have a release, which would slowly allow the dampener 602 to push the handle 600 into a fully open position, that is, in the direction of arrow 610.

Furthermore, the dampener 602 provides a gradually increasing outward, linear force on both the handle 600 and the lever 606. As the dampener is compressed, for example by moving handle 600 in the direction of arrow 604, air captured inside the dampener is compressed resulting in additional force on both the handle 200 and the lever 606. This, in combination with a locking mechanism, results in accessories being held very securely by the boat accessory rack 10 while the boat is in motion.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, a cross-section of this embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. Notably, in this embodiment, only one handle need be pushed or pulled in order to close the boat accessory rack on multiple accessories. In FIG. 6B, the boat accessory rack is in a fully open position 654. In the fully open position 654, the handle is positioned in the direction of arrow 610 (FIG. 6A) and the dampener 602 is fully extended

Referring to FIG. 6C, another view of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown including a rocker mechanism 668. The rocker mechanism 668, the middle plate 638 is not fixed. The middle plate 638 may pivot about pivot point 660. FIG. 6C shows the middle plate pivoted to the left of the short arm 644 of the L-brace 608. The rocker mechanism 668 provides for effectively securing wakeboards or other accessories of varying widths. Distance 658 between bumper 626 and frame side plate 646 is greater than distance 656 between bumper 628 and frame side plate 648 in this illustration. This configuration occurs when force is applied to the handle 600 and side bumper arms 618 and 620 pull down on middle bumper arms 630 and 632 and an accessory of width 658 is placed in the right-hand compartment 662.

The boat accessory rack 10 continues closing as additional force is placed on the handle 600. Middle plate 638 rotates about pivot point 660 to transfer the force to bumper 628, which continues to close toward frame side plate 648 until bumper 628 either meets an accessory of width 656 placed in left-hand compartment 664 or meets frame side plate 648 (in such a case distance 656 equals zero). Once bumpers 626 and 628 are both pressed either against accessories resting in compartments 662 and 664 or against frame side plates 646 and 648, additional force on the handle 600 results in the bumpers 626 and 628 compressing against either the accessories or the frame side plates 646 and 648 and the dampener compressing and transferring greater force to the lever 606. Of course, an accessory may be secured in one compartment 662 or 664 while the other compartment is empty. In such a case, the bumper 626 or 628 may be tightened against the corresponding frame side plate 646 or 648 in order effectively to secure the accessory in the opposite compartment 662 or 668. Many variations of the rocker mechanism 668 may function to distribute force from one bumper 626 of the boat accessory rack 10 to the other bumper 628 in order to compensate for accessories of varying widths.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, middle bumper arm 630 is behind middle plate 638, but in the preferred embodiment including a rocker mechanism 668 as shown in FIG. 6C, middle bumper arm 630 as well as middle bumper arm 632 are in front of middle plate 638 so that neither interferes with the middle plate's 638 rotation about pivot point 660.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7D another embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. The default position of this embodiment is a fully closed position 726 as shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 7C. Referring back to FIG. 7A, the tower fastener 700 is connected to frame side member 702. Frame side member 702 is connected to base 704, which is also connected to frame side member 706 opposite frame side member 702. Base 704 is connected to frame middle portion 716, which has a cavity 718 through which linkages 728 and 729 extend. Upper knob 724 engages bumper 714 such that when an actuator (not shown) is connected to upper knob 724 and fixed lower knob 722, bumper 714 closes toward frame side member 702. Fixed lower knob 722 is disposed on the base 704 and is therefore fixed in relation to the frame of the rack 10. The actuator in this embodiment (not shown) is a negative force actuator, that is, it pulls its piston inward. The force produced by the actuator pulls downward on upper knob 724 because fixed lower knob 722 is fixed in relation to the boat accessory rack 10, causing bumper 714 to rotate about pivot point 730 in a counter-clockwise direction. Linkage 729 is connected to bumper 714 at pivot point 736 and is forced downward as upper knob 724 is forced downward by the actuator (not shown). Linkage 729, which extends through cavity 718 inside frame middle portion 716, is also connected to handle 708, which is pushed downward as linkage 729 is forced downward by the negative force actuator (not shown). This results in a fully closed position 726 similar to that shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 7C.

Referring now to FIG. 7B another view of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. FIG. 7B shows the boat accessory rack 10 with frame side member 706 removed for ease of illustration. This figure shows the boat accessory rack 10 from the side opposite from FIG. 7A. A user (not shown) is applying force in the direction of arrow 734 to handle 710, such that the left-hand side of the boat accessory rack 10 is in a fully open position 727. Handle 710 is connected to linkage 728 such that when handle 710 is held in the fully open position 727 (in which the handle is forced in the direction of arrow 734) linkage 728 pushes upward on the bumper 712 at pivot point 732. This forces bumper 712 to pivot in a clockwise direction about pivot point 730 against the negative force of actuator 720.

In other embodiments, actuator 720 is a positive force actuator, which means the actuator 720 pushes its piston 740 outward. The lower end 742 of the actuator 720 is fixed at the base 704 of the boat accessory rack 10, and therefore the outward force of the actuator 720 pushes against the upper end 744 of the actuator 720. The upper end 744 is connected to an upper knob (not shown) connected to bumper 714. This upper knob is similar to the upper knob 724 shown in FIG. 7A and located on the opposite side of the boat accessory rack 10. If the user removed the applied force in the direction of arrow 734 from handle 710 in FIG. 7B, a positive force actuator 720 would push up on the upper knob (not shown) causing the bumper 714 to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot point 730. This would push down on linkage 729 attached to bumper 714 at pivot point 736. Linkage 729 is connected to handle 710, which would cause handle 710 to move downward into the position shown in FIG. 7C. It is important to note that in this positive force actuator embodiment, the illustration shown in FIG. 7D would not be implemented, but rather, a positive force actuator 720 would be connected to a portion of bumper 714 protruding on the left-hand side of pivot point 730 such that the positive force actuator 720 pushes upward on an upper knob (not shown) resulting in a clockwise torque about pivot point 730 and resulting in bumper 714 turning in a clockwise direction and into a closed position. In this embodiment, a linkage attached to a handle pushes the handle downward in the direction of arrow 735 (FIG. 7B) as the positive force actuator 720 forces bumper 714 into a closed position.

Use of either a negative force actuator 720 as shown in FIGS. 7B-7D or a positive force actuator (not shown but discussed above) provides the safety feature that the boat accessory rack 10 defaults to the fully closed position 726 (FIG. 7C) so that a user need not remember to close the rack 10. In these embodiments, the user must force a handle 708 or 710, typically in the direction of arrow 734 (FIG. 7B) in order to move the rack 10 into an open position 727 to insert an accessory. The boat accessory rack 10 then automatically closes its bumper 712 or 714 onto the accessory when the user releases handle 708 or 710. The closure is gradual and not sudden so that damage to the accessory is prevented. Furthermore, the bumpers 712 and 714 are constructed so that they are soft and compressible and do not mar or scratch an accessory and may compensate for varying accessory thicknesses.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the boat accessory rack 10 is shown. In this embodiment, a wakeboard 800 is held in place by a cam 802 mounted on a frame base, wherein the cam has two securing rods 804 and 806. The rods 804 and 806, which as shown have a circular cross-section, may be various shapes and, in this embodiment, have rubbers 808 and 810 for securing the wakeboard without marring or scratching. The cam 802 is secured about the wakeboard as it is turned in the direction of arrows 812 and 814. Preferably, multiple cams 802 are used to secure a wakeboard. Cam 816 is similar to cam 802 but turns in the direction of arrows 826 and 828 to tighten securing rods 818 and 820 against the wakeboard 800. Rubbers 822 and 824 rest against the wakeboard 800 and secure it without marring or scratching. Alternatively, securing rods 804, 806, 818, and 820 and rubbers 808, 810, 822, and 824 are replaced with securing rods 804, 806, 818, and 820 that are rubber, compressed rubber, neoprene or the like. Also, the securing rods 804, 806, 818, and 820 may be surrounded by rubber or the like in a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, only a single cam may be used to secure the wakeboard against a portion of the boat accessory rack frame or a portion of the boat.

With reference to FIG. 8B, another embodiment of a boat accessory rack 10 is shown. In this embodiment, a wakeboard 800 is secured by multiple cams 830 and 836 mounted on a frame base, wherein the cams rotate about cam pivot points 832 and 838 respectively. Cam 830 rotates about pivot point 832 in the direction of arrow 842 in order to make contact with the wakeboard 800 with rubbers 834. Similarly, cam 836 rotates about pivot point 838 in the direction of arrow 844 to make contact with the wakeboard 800 with rubbers 840. Cam 866 engages cam 836 in some embodiments and moves in conjunction with cam 836 to secure the wakeboard 800. In other embodiments, cams 866 and 836 are individually actuated and move independently. Cam 866 rotates about cam pivot point 864 in order to make contact with the wakeboard 800 with rubbers 860. As discussed above, the rubbers 834, 840, and 860 may be rubber, compressed rubber, neoprene or the like in order to provide sufficient pressure against the wakeboard 800 to secure it without marring or scratching it.

In alternate embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B different numbers of cams may be used to secure a wakeboard 800 or other accessory and different directions of rotation may be used to maximize stability of the wakeboard 800. In one embodiment, only a single cam may be used to secure the wakeboard against a portion of the boat accessory rack frame or a portion of the boat. Furthermore, various activating and locking mechanisms as discussed herein may be used to activate the cams and lock them into a securing position in order to hold an accessory.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9E, another embodiment of a boat accessory rack 900 is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, however, the embodiment of FIG. 9 has two accessory ports 902 and 904 and has only one rotatable cam mechanism 906 and 908 per accessory port 902 and 904. As shown in FIG. 9A, the rack 900 has a frame base 910 with a first rotatable cam mechanism 906 (FIGS. 9B and 9D) and a second rotatable cam mechanism 908. Rotatable cam mechanism 908 has two arms 912 and 914 formed to provide a rounded surface in some embodiments in order to limit marring or scratching the surface of an accessory such as a wakeboard. For ease of illustration, FIGS. 9A-9E do not show a second handle or associated gears. In a preferred embodiment, the second handle and gears function similarly to the handle and gear mechanism described herein.

In this illustration, rotatable cam mechanism 908 is in an unclosed position 901 for accepting placement of an accessory such as a wakeboard between arms 912 and 914. If handle 916 is moved in the direction of arrow 922, gear 920 rotates about axis 915 in the direction of arrow 934 because handle teeth 917 engage gear teeth 919 of gear 920. The gear teeth 919 of gear 920 also engage the gear teeth 921 of gear 918 forcing gear 918 to rotate in the direction of arrow 932 along with axis 923. Axis 923 is connected to rotatable cam mechanism 908 through frame base 910, and rotatable cam mechanism 908 rotates in the direction of arrow 936 as gear 918 rotates in the direction of arrow 932, which moves the rotatable cam mechanism 908 toward a closed position 903 as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D.

Alternatively, if handle 916 is moved in the direction of arrow 930, handle teeth 917 engaging gear teeth 919 force gear 920 to rotate in the direction of arrow 926 about axis 915. Gear teeth 919 of gear 920 also engage gear teeth 921 of gear 918 forcing gear 918 to rotate in the direction of arrow 924 along with axis 923. Axis 923, as discussed above, is connected to rotatable cam mechanism 908, and rotatable cam mechanism 908 rotates in the direction of arrow 928, toward an unclosed position 901 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, as gear 918 rotates in the direction of arrow 924.

In FIG. 9B, the rack 900 is shown from an overhead perspective view. Frame member 950 has two outer arms 952 and 954 and one inner arm 956. Outer arm 952 and inner arm 956 form trough 958 for receiving an accessory in port 904 along with rotatable cam mechanism 908. Likewise, outer arm 954 and inner arm 956 form trough 960 for receiving an accessory in port 902 along with rotatable cam mechanism 906. Both troughs 958 and 960 are lined with bumper material similar to the bumpers discussed with regard to other embodiments.

Referring to accessory port 904, an unclosed position 901 is shown, and accessory port 904 including trough 958 and rotatable cam mechanism 908 are ready to receive and secure an accessory. If handle 916 is moved in the direction of arrow 922 as discussed above, rotatable cam mechanism 908 rotates in the direction of arrow 936, and arms 912 and 914 rotate in the directions of arrows 942 and 940 respectively into a closed position as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, which functions, along with trough 958, to secure the accessory in accessory port 904. Accessory port 902 functions in a similar fashion, but as discussed above, its handle and gear mechanisms are removed for ease of illustration.

Referring now to FIG. 9C, the rack 900 is shown from an underneath perspective viewpoint, and accessory port 904 is in a closed position 903. FIG. 9D shows the rack 900 from an overhead viewpoint, and accessory port 904 is also shown in the closed position 903. Moving handle 916 in the direction of arrow 930 forces rotatable cam mechanism 908 to move in the direction of arrow 928 (FIG. 9A) and forces arms 914 and 912 to move in the direction of arrows 944 and 946 respectively. Such a movement moves the rotatable cam mechanism 908 toward an unclosed position 901 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

Referring to FIG. 9E, a view of the rack 900 from the frame member 950 looking down both accessory ports 902 and 904 is shown. As discussed regarding the other embodiments herein, various locking mechanisms and actuation devices may be implemented in the embodiment of FIG. 9. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, wherein two rotatable cam mechanisms or cams are rotated together in order to secure an accessory may be implemented along with the embodiment of FIG. 9. That is, in such an embodiment, frame member 950 is removed and an additional rotatable cam mechanism is disposed opposite rotatable cam mechanism 908 for rotating to secure an accessory. The additional rotatable cam mechanism is coupled with handle 916 in some embodiments such that the two rotatable cam mechanisms rotate simultaneously, and in other embodiments, the additional rotatable cam mechanism has a separate actuation device other than handle 916. In yet other embodiments, accessory port 902 also has an additional rotatable cam mechanism for securing an accessory. In some embodiments, all four rotatable cam mechanisms rotate substantially simultaneously and in others they are actuated individually. In some embodiments, the rotatable cam mechanisms rotate in different directions similar to the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 8A, but in yet other embodiments, the rotatable cam mechanisms rotate in the same direction.

Any of the embodiments described herein may have locking mechanisms in addition to the activation mechanisms described. Such locking mechanisms are typically releasable and include a ratcheting mechanism, an interlocking ring mechanism 239 (FIG. 2B), a ball bearing system 244 (FIG. 2C), an over-centering system or the like. An over-centering system is one in which the activation means, such as a lever, an actuator, or other activation means is activated past a threshold point of activation, deactivation becomes much more difficult. This over-centering type of locking mechanism may be implemented by itself or it may have a releasing means such as a manually activated release such as a button or level that is activated in order to release the over-centering effect of the locking mechanism.

With reference to the above embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the boat accessory rack may be modified to be either manually, pneumatically actuated, hydraulically actuated, electromechanically actuated, or any combination of the above.

Furthermore, although the rack of the present invention is primarily described herein for use with wakeboards, the rack may be used with a multitude of types of sporting equipment, such as skis, kneeboards, and other boating equipment, as well as certain type of non-boating equipment. The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. An accessory rack for securing an accessory to a boat, the accessory rack comprising:

(a) a frame member which is mountable on a portion of a boat,

(b) a movable member rotatably mounted substantially adjacent the frame member and having a cam follower, wherein an accessory is placeable substantially between the movable member and the frame member for securement,

(c) a rotatable cam mechanism, wherein the cam follower slidably engages the rotatable cam mechanism such that the movable member moves from an unclosed position into a closed position in which the accessory is secured between the movable member and the frame member with a clamping force when the rotatable cam mechanism is rotated, and

(d) an actuation device for applying an actuation force to the cam mechanism for rotating the cam mechanism.

2. The accessory rack of claim 1 wherein the actuation device comprises a manually operated actuator.

3. The accessory rack of claim 1 wherein the actuation device comprises one of a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator.

4. The accessory rack of claim 1 wherein the actuation device comprises an electromechanical actuator.

5. The accessory rack of claim 1 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for maintaining the movable member in the closed position until a user desires to remove the accessory from the accessory rack.

6. The accessory rack of claim 5 wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises a ratcheting mechanism which allows the movable member to move from the unclosed position to the closed position if the actuation force is applied to the cam mechanism that is greater than a threshold force and the ratcheting mechanism limiting the movable member from moving from the closed position to the unclosed position until the user releases the ratcheting mechanism.

7. The accessory rack of claim 5 wherein the releasable locking mechanism is an interlocking ring mechanism for limiting the movement of the movable member until an actuation force is applied to the cam mechanism that is greater than a threshold force, the interlocking ring mechanism comprising an interlocking ring having a plurality of ring teeth disposed in a substantially circular arrangement on a surface of the interlocking ring for engaging at least one cam mechanism tooth.

8. The accessory rack of claim 5 wherein the releasable locking mechanism is a ball bearing system for limiting the movement of the movable member until an actuation force is applied to the cam mechanism that is greater than a threshold force, the ball bearing system comprising a bearing receiver defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a substantially circular arrangement on a surface of the bearing receiver for engaging at least one cam mechanism ball bearing.

9. The accessory rack of claim 5 wherein the releasable locking mechanism is an over-centering system for allowing the movable member to move from the unclosed position to the closed position if the actuation force is applied to the cam mechanism that is greater than a first threshold force and for allowing the movable member to move from the closed position to the unclosed position only if a deactuation force substantially opposite the actuation force and greater than a second threshold force is applied to the cam mechanism or if the user releases the over-centering system.

10. An accessory rack for securing an accessory to a boat, the accessory rack comprising:

(a) a frame which is mountable on a portion of a boat, the frame having a first frame member and a second frame member,

(b) a first rotatable wedge mechanism rotatably mounted on the first frame member, wherein an accessory is placeable substantially adjacent the movable member and the second frame member for securement, and

(c) an actuation device for providing an actuation force to rotate the first rotatable wedge mechanism about an axis from an unclosed position into a closed position such that the accessory is secured by the rotatable wedge mechanism against the second frame member.

11. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the second frame member comprises a second rotatable wedge mechanism.

12. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the actuation device comprises an electromechanical actuator.

13. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the actuation device comprises a manually operated actuator.

14. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the actuation device comprises a hydraulic actuator.

15. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the actuation device comprises a pneumatic actuator.

16. The accessory rack of claim 10 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for maintaining the cam mechanism in the closed position until a user desires to remove the accessory from the accessory rack.

17. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the first rotatable wedge mechanism comprises a rotatable cam member.

18. The accessory rack of claim 10 wherein the first rotatable wedge mechanism comprises a fork mechanism including at least two elongate fingers projecting from a rotatable base whereby the accessory is receivable substantially between the two projecting fingers, and further wherein the fingers provide a force against the accessory when the fork mechanism is rotated to secure the accessory against the second frame member.

19. An accessory rack for securing an accessory to a boat, the accessory rack comprising a frame with a first movable member mounted thereto, wherein an accessory is placeable substantially adjacent the first movable member for securement within the rack, and an automated actuation device for actuating the movable member and thereby biasing the movable member from an unclosed position into a closed position such that the accessory is secured within the rack.

20. The accessory rack of claim 19 wherein the automated actuation device comprises one of a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or an electromechanical actuator.