The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in FIG. 1. Most boats are equipped with a rub rail. This is the most outboard point on a boat and is designed to protect the boat sides when a dock, piling or other boat, is contacted see (1). This rub rail is typically made of a fairly hard rubber, metal strip, wood or hard rubber or some combination. They are rarely an integral part of the hull so they can be inexpensively replaced in case of a collision. (2) shows a typical hard rubber rub rail in cross section. Note that in the illustration the rub rail is hollow though not always hollow, it is common. (3) shows a modified rub rail is slightly larger and has surfaces that could allow holes that would shoot down and up. (4) shows a section of rub rail with the appropriate holes to direct streams of water up and inboard and down the boat sides. (5) shows the hose connections at the stern for the two rub rails to supply water from a dock water supply. (6) describes a “Salt Away” mixing bowl that mixes fresh water with “Salt Away” to quickly remove the salt accumulations. (8) describes a soap mixing bowl that mixes fresh water with a soap solution to wash the boat. (7) describes a set of 3 way valves that can supply either soap, “Salt Away” or fresh water to the perforated rub rails and (9) describes the outlet part to the rub rails.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in FIG. 1. Through FIG. 7. Most boats are equipped with a rub rail. This is the most outboard point on a boat and is designed to protect the boat sides when a dock, piling or other boat is contacted.
FIG. 1. (Rub Rail on Boat) describes this function. The boat (1) has a rub rail (2) around the edge, most outboard point of the boat so that if the boat contacts or collides with a piling (4) the boat is protected by the rub rail (3). The rub rail protects the boat since it is the closest part of the boat (5) to the piling.
FIG. 2. (Rub Rail Detail) describes the rub rail in more detail. The rub rail can be made of wood, rubber, plastic or even metal. The most common is an extruded soft plastic with a cross section as shown (1). The rub rail is a soft rubber like plastic that has a hole through it (2) to make the rub rail “bouncy”. The hole continues throughout the length of the rub rail (3).
FIG. 3. (Modified Rub Rail) describes how this invention would modify the rub rail. The rub rail is made wider (1) and has a larger hole (2) to allow for better fluid flow. The sides of the center section of the rub rail are perforated with either holes or nozzles to spray fluid either up (3) or down (4) to wash the top or sides of the boat.
FIG. 4. (Hose Connection to Rub Rail) describes how a high pressure fluid source is attached to the rub rail. At the front of the boat the starboard (right) side rub rail (5) and the port (left) side rub rail (5) are both plugged. An adapter is used to attach a hose to the other end of each rub rail (6) then two small hoses are extended from the adapter and are fitted with female hose connections (3). These are attached to a high pressure fluid source (1) through two male hose connections (2).
FIG. 5. (“Salt Away”/Soap Mixing Bowl) describes how various fluids are supplied to the rub rail. A high pressure water source (1) is connected to the mixing bowl. The mixing bowl has a two way valve (2). One setting mixes a small amount of fluid in the storage cap with water. The second setting turns off the fluid in the storage can and supplies pure water for a rinse. The mixing bowl also contains a storage can (3) that is used to deliver “Salt Away” (a liquid that removes dried salt on a boat) or soap. The output of the mixing bowl is split into two hoses that have male connectors (4) to connect to the port and starboard rub rails.
FIG. 6. (“Salt Away”/Soap/Rinse Setup) describes how a single system could supply a series of fluids to the rub rails. The high pressure water source (1) goes first to a valve (2) on the first mixing bowl that delivers either diluted “Salt Away” or just water. The “Salt Away” is kept in the storage can (3). The output of the first mixing bowl is connected to the second mixing bowl. The second valve (5) either supplies diluted soap or clear water. The soap is stored in the storage can (4). The output that now contains either just water or diluted “Salt Away” or diluted soap to a split hose that connects to both sides of the rub rail through two male connectors (6).
FIG. (7) (Use of the Invention) describes the use of the invention. A high pressure water input (1) is either mixed with a small amount of “Salt Away” (2) or soap (3) or allowed to flow free for a clear water rinse. The rub rail (4) then delivers the appropriate fluid by spraying down the hull (5) and up to wash the top of the boat (6). The sequence (7) that one would use is, first one rinses the boat, then one applies diluted “Salt Away”, then rinses again, then one applies diluted soap and finally applies a final rinse. This five minute procedure replaces about a two hour manual operation.
