Boat Shelter and Washing System and Method

Abstract

A shelter and washing system is provided with a cover, supporting trusses, and a cleaning system. The cover is locatable over an area of water and includes cover trusses connectively arranged in a skeletal structure, a border structure, and a roof. The supporting truss may elevate the cover above the area of water and include vertical and horizontal members that include tubes of varying diameters. The cover trusses may be partially bowed and or made with aluminum. The cleaning system may include jets to eject a liquid to clean the watercraft. The liquid may be driven by a pump. A method is provided for sheltering and washing a watercraft.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/671,085 filed Jul. 12, 2012. The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety herein by references.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a shelter and washing system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system used to shelter and clean a boat or other watercraft.

BACKGROUND

Boats and other watercraft have been used and enjoyed by people for a great number of years. Being a significant investment, many users desire to care for their watercraft and protect it from the elements. However, boats are often large, and cannot conveniently be stored in a garage or dedicated structure. Removable covers can be placed on a boat, but such covers are often cumbersome and inconvenient to apply after each use of the boat. Additionally, private boat storage companies may offer service programs, but such services can be expensive and operating hours may be inconvenient.

Some users choose to trailer their boats, removing it from the water after every use. However, towing may require a specialized trailer and vehicle, which adds to the expense of boat ownership. Also, the user is still left to determine where the boat must be stored once been removed from the water. What is needed is a convenient way to store a boat or watercraft without requiring removal from the water.

As an alternative to storing a boat out of the water, many boat owners maintain a dock. However, most docks are uncovered and leave the boat exposed to the elements when located in the dock. A few docks may have a roof or enclosure, but such construction typically requires custom installation, which is typically expensive and likely includes materials prone to corrosion or decay, such as steel or wood. What is needed is a shelter system that can be easily installed or located on a dock and/or pilings that resists corrosion or decay.

Additionally, as a boat is used, it may become exposed to corrosive natural elements which may damage the boat is not removed. For example, after a boat has been operated in salt water, it may be covered in a corrosive salty residue. To prevent premature corrosion and reduce the speed at which the boat ages, many boat owners must wash the watercraft after each use. This can be a laborious task. What is needed is a boat shelter system that can facilitate and/or automate the boat washing process. What is needed is a method for cleaning a boat or watercraft using a boat shelter and cleaning system.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a boat shelter and washing system is described that may conveniently store a boat or watercraft without requiring it be removed from the water. Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a boat shelter and washing system is described that can be easily installed or located on a dock and/or pilings that resists corrosion or decay. Furthermore, a boat shelter and washing system is provided that can facilitate and/or automate the boat washing process. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for cleaning a boat or watercraft using a boat shelter and cleaning system.

The boat shelter and washing system of the present invention advantageously provides an easy to construct shelter to protect a boat or other watercraft. The boat shelter and washing system may include a cleaning system to rinse and/or wash a watercraft after use, removing potential corrosive agents. The cleaning system may advantageously save a boat operator significant time that would otherwise be required to wash the watercraft manually.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a shelter is provided having a cover and a supporting truss. The cover is locatable over an area of water. The cover further may include cover trusses connectively arranged in a skeletal structure. The cover may also include a border structure extending approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure. A roof may be attached to the skeletal structure. The supporting truss may elevate the cover above the area of water. The supporting truss may include a top end connectable to the cover and a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling. The supporting truss may also include vertical members that include tubes of varying diameters extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end and horizontal members that include the tubes of varying diameters located between the vertical members. A watercraft may be located under the cover.

In another aspect, the cover trusses may be at least partially bowed.

In another aspect, the cover trusses and supporting truss may be aluminum.

In another aspect, the varying diameters may be wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

In another aspect, the shelter may additionally include a cleaning system with jets to eject a liquid to clean the watercraft.

In another aspect, the cleaning system may additionally include a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jets.

In another aspect, the jets may be located on the supporting truss, the cover, or both the supporting truss and the cover.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a shelter for a watercraft is provided having a cover, a supporting truss, and a cleaning system. The cover may be located over an area of water. The cover may include cover trusses that are at least partially bowed and connectively arranged in a skeletal structure. The cover may also include a roof attached to the skeletal structure. The supporting truss may be provided to elevate the cover above the area of water and the watercraft that is locatable under the cover. The cleaning system may include jets locatable on the supporting truss and the cover. The jets may eject a liquid to clean the watercraft.

In another aspect, a border structure may extend approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure. Additionally, the supporting truss may include a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling and a top end attachable to the cover.

In another aspect, the supporting truss may additionally include vertical members extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end and horizontal members located between the vertical members.

In another aspect, the vertical members and the horizontal members may be tubes of varying diameters.

In another aspect, the varying diameters may be wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

In another aspect, the cover truss and supporting truss may be aluminum.

In another aspect, the cleaning system may additionally include a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jets.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method aspect is provided for sheltering and cleaning a watercraft using a cover. The method may include locating the watercraft at least partially under the cover that is located over an area of water. The cover may include cover trusses that are at least partially bowed and connectively arranged in a skeletal structure. The cover may also include a roof attached to the skeletal structure. The cover may be supported by a supporting truss to elevate the cover above the area of water and the watercraft locatable under the cover. The method may also include cleaning the watercraft using a cleaning system having jets to eject a liquid. The jets may be located on the supporting truss and/or the cover.

In another aspect of the method, a border structure may extend approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure. The supporting truss may include a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling and a top end attachable to the cover.

In another aspect of the method, the supporting truss may additionally include vertical members having tubes of varying diameters extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end and horizontal members having the tubes of varying diameters located between the vertical members.

In another aspect of the method, the varying diameters may be wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

In another aspect of the method, the cover trusses and supporting truss may be aluminum.

In another aspect of the method, the cleaning system may additionally include a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jet.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a shelter, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a shelter, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a shelter with a cleaning system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a boat shelter and washing system will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the boat shelter and washing system as a system, shelter system, washing system, the invention, or other similar names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of alternative labels as limiting in any way.

Additionally, throughout this disclosure, the invention will be discussed in the context of sheltering and washing a boat. A boat is discussed in the interest of clarity, and is not intended to limit the type of object or apparatus locatable below the cover of the system. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the system, as disclosed below, may be applicable to shelter and wash any type of watercraft. Skilled artisans will additionally appreciate aspects of the present invention that are applicable to sheltering and washing other objects and devices, in addition to its application for marine use.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a boat shelter and washing system 10 will be discussed. The system may be used to protect and clean boats. The system may include trusses, a cover 20, and a cleaning system that may include jets 72. Each of these components will be discussed in greater detail below.

Supporting trusses 40 may elevate a cover 20 above a space to be occupied by a boat 80. The cover 20 may be constructed from number of cover trusses 22. An area of navigable water may be located within the space below the cover 20, such that a boat may be pulled into the area and located at least partially within the space below the cover. Supporting trusses 40 are used to position and support the weight of the cover 20 above the space. The supporting trusses 40 may be mounted on docks 60, pilings 62, a combination of docks and pilings, or other similar locations.

The trusses may be constructed from circular, rectangular, oval, or otherwise shaped tubes. In one embodiment, aluminum and/or other metals may be used to construct the trusses. More specifically, the tubes may be constructed using marine grade 64-63 anodized aluminum (schedule 40). Additional materials may be used in alternate embodiments. The tubes may be attached to one another using bolts, nuts, welding, or other metal construction techniques apparent to a skilled artisan. Throughout this disclosure, the trusses may be discussed in the context of metallic tubes, which is intended to assist in the understanding of the invention and not impose any limitations.

The system includes a plurality of trusses, which are used to construct the cover 20 and supporting members. The cover 20 and supporting trusses 40 may be constructed as one monolithic component. Alternatively, the supporting trusses 40 may be constructed separately form the cover 20 and may be connected to the cover 20. The supporting trusses 40 may position the cover 20 in a desired location, and maintain the cover 20 over a space in which a boat may be located.

Cover trusses 22, or trusses used to construct the cover 20, may be arranged to create a skeletal structure 30 and positioned above a space to be occupied by a boat 80. The cover 20 may be constructed using bow trusses, providing a partially concave cover 20 with slopes to drain rain or other precipitation and deflect debris. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments, wherein the cover 20 includes a slope, flat roof, peaking, or other structural configuration that decreases exposure of a boat from the elements, such as the rain or debris.

Provided in the interest of clarity and without limitation, a specific example of a cover 20 will now be discussed along with FIGS. 3-4. The cover 20 may be measured by a length and a width. The cover may be approximately 35 feet long with a width that varies along the length of the cover 20. A widest portion of the cover 20 may be located about at its center. In the example cover, this width may be approximately 15 feet at its widest portion. Conversely, the narrowest potions of the cover may be located near its ends. The cover may be approximately 13 feet and 6 inches wide at its narrowest portion. However, skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments of the cover 20 that is definable by different dimensions. For example, embodiments of the cover 20 may include an even width, a width that gradually decreases along its length, or other variations of width along the length of the cover 20.

A border structure 28 may extend approximately along the edges of the cover 20. The border structure 28 may include tubes of a width larger than the cover trusses 22 located within the edges of the border structure 28. The border structure 28 may help define the shape of the cover 20, for example, by providing rounded edges and corners for the cover 20. The shape defined by the border structure 28 may add to the structural integrity of the cover 20 while enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

In the specific example, two long cover trusses 52 may extend the length of the cover 20 long ways, or along the approximately 35 foot length of the cover 20. The two long cover trusses 52 may be located approximately within the area enclosed by the border trusses 28. The two long trusses 52 may be located approximately in parallel to one another and spaced about 56 inches apart. The two long cover trusses 52 may be approximately equally offset from a center axis of the cover 20 along its length.

A number of wide cover trusses 54 may also be included to create a skeletal structure 30 of cover trusses 22. In the specific example illustrated by FIGS. 3-4, eleven wide cover trusses 54 may be used. The wide trusses 54 may be arranged to be substantially orthogonal to the long trusses 52. The wide trusses 54 may span the width of the cover 20 approximately in parallel, with a length of each wide cover truss 54 varying respective to the width of the cover 20 at the position where the wide cover truss 54 is located. The width of the cover 20 may be at least partially defined by the shape of the boarder structure 28. The wide cover trusses 54 may be spaced an approximately equal distance apart, for example, 36 inches. The long and wide cover trusses 52, 54 may be covered by a canvas or other material to form a roof 36.

The cover 20 may include bow trusses. More specifically, some of the cover trusses 22 may be bow trusses. The bow trusses may be used for their structural properties to increase the strength of the cover 20. The bow trusses may also provide peaking or sloping to assist in covering the boat from the elements. Using bow trusses, the area of the cover 20 nearest its center may be elevated higher than areas of the cover 20 nearest its ends. The cover trusses 22 may be covered by a roof 36, which may include canvas, material, sheeting, roofing, or other coverings that could protect a boat from sun, rain, and other natural elements. With the peaking or sloping, natural elements that contact the cover 20 may be deflected or guided away from the boat located below. For example, a cover 20 may include downward sloping form a high center point so that rain may run along the surface of the cover 20 and off its edges.

As discussed above, and referring to FIGS. 1-2, the cover 20 may be connected to a dock 60 or pilings 62 by supporting trusses 40. The supporting trusses 40 may be connected at a bottom end 44 to the dock 60 and/or pilings 62. The supporting trusses 40 may extend approximately vertically from the dock 60 and/or pilings 62 to a position adjacent to the cover 20. A top end 42 of the supporting trusses 40 may be attached to at least part of the cover 20. In a specific example, the supporting trusses 40 may attach to the cover 20 at the cover trusses 22 and/or border structure 28.

The supporting trusses 40 may be constructed using metallic tubes, for example, using anodized aluminum. The supporting trusses 40 may include vertical members 46 and horizontal members 48, which may be configured such to support the cover 20 above the space in which a boat may be located. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the vertical members 46 and horizontal members 48 need not be oriented exactly vertical or horizontal, respectively (for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 5). The vertical members 46 may extend upwardly from the dock 60 or pilings 62, ending at the cover 20. The vertical members 46 may optionally be angled such to support a cover 20 with a width that differs from the distance between the docks 60 and/or pilings 62. The vertical members 46 may also be angled to offset the cover 20 from being located directly above the docks 60 and/or pilings 62. The horizontal members 48 may be positioned between two or more vertical members 46 to provide additional strength and rigidity to the supporting trusses 40.

As discussed above, a bottom end 44 of the supporting trusses 40 may be connected to a dock 60 or piling 62 and a top end 42 of the supporting trusses 40 may be connected to the cover 20. In an example, on one side of the shelter, the supporting trusses 40 may be attached to a dock 60. The shelter 10 could extend outward from the dock 60 and end at another dock 60. Alternatively, the shelter 10 may extend outward from the dock 60 and be attached to pilings 62 located outward from the dock 60. Multiple shelters 10 may be installed across a number of docks 60 and/or pilings 62, which may include multiple covers 20 and be used to cover and wash multiple boats.

A specific example will now be discussed to clearly describe an embodiment of the invention along with FIGS. 1-4. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the following example is provided for illustrative purposes, and is not in tended to limit the other embodiments of the invention in any way. In a specific example, the bottom ends 44 of a first set of supporting trusses 44 may be attached to a dock 60. The first set of supporting trusses 50 may extend upward from the dock 60 terminating at a first long edge of the cover 20, which may be part of a border structure 28. The top ends 42 of the first set of supporting trusses 50 may be connected to the first long edge. A second set of supporting trusses 51 may be connected to the cover 20 opposite the first set 50, extending downwardly from the cover 20 to pilings 62. The top end 42 of the second set of supporting trusses 51 may be connected to the second long edge of the cover 20, which may be part of a border structure 28. The second long edge may be located opposite the first long edge. The second set of supportive trusses 51 may extend downwardly from the cover 20. The bottom ends 44 of the second set of supporting trusses 51 may be connected to the pilings 62, such that the second set of supporting trusses 51 may additionally support the cover 20.

The supporting trusses 40 may include tubes of differing diameters. More specifically, the diameters of tubes may be scaled relative to the weight to be supported by each tube. For example, primary structural tubes of the supporting trusses 40 may have a larger diameter than secondary structural tubes. Tubes that do not support a significant amount of weight may have a diameter smaller than the secondary structural tubes. This scaling of tubes may be continued as different tubes in the trusses may be designed to support different weights and loads. The term diameter, as used in this disclosure, is intended to generally refer to the crosswise distance from one side of a tube to another. In embodiments where the tube includes an at least partial edge, the term diameter may be used to describe a crosswise width across one side of the tube to a part of the other side of the tube, without limitation.

In a specific example, as perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of tube diameters may be used. For example, primary structural tubes, such as the tubes labeled 93 and 94, may have a diameter of about 2 inches. Secondary structural tubes, such as the tubes labeled 91 and 92, may have a diameter of about 1 and ½ inches. Other tubes, such as the tubes labeled 90, may have a smaller diameter, for example, about 1 inch. As indicated by the tubes labeled 96, additional supportive members may be included as shapes other than round tubes, for example being about 1 and ⅞ inch ovals. For other components of the trusses, non-round structures may be used, for example the bout 4 inch by 6 inch rectangles indicated by the label 95. Those of skill in the art will appreciate additional dimensions that may be used for the tubes and other structures discussed in the preceding example after having the benefit of this disclosure. Some possible diameters for tubes may include, but should not be limited to 0.5″, 0.625″, 0.75″, 0.875″, 1″, 1.125″, 1.25″, 1.375″, 1.5″, 1.625″, 1.75″, 1.875″, 2″, 2.25″, 2.5″, 2.75″, 3″, 4″×6″ rectangular, and other sizes that would be apparent to a skilled artisan.

Referring additionally to FIG. 5, the cleaning system will now be discussed in greater detail. A cleaning system may be located on at least some of the trusses 22, 40 and/or at least partially on the cover 20. The cleaning system may perhaps be best illustrated by FIG. 5. The cleaning system may include jets 72, which may eject a liquid 74 to wash and/or rinse a boat 80 located below the cover 20. The liquid 74 may be water, which may originate from a reservoir, utility hookup, or other source. The liquid 74 may also include a cleaning solution, such as soap. The liquid 74 may also include foam.

The jets 72 may be included in the shelter 10 to eject or spray the liquid 74 in a desired direction, such as in the direction of a boat 80. The jets 72 may be located above the boat 80, and may be attached to the cover 20. For example, jets 72 located on the cover 20 may spray the liquid 74 downward toward the boat 80, cleaning the boat 80 from the top down. The jets 72 may be attached to the underside of the cover 20, for example, the cover trusses 22 or border structure 28. Locating the jets 72 under the cover 20 may help protect the jets 72 from natural elements.

Jets 72 may also be located to the sides of the boat 80. For example, the jets 72 may be located on one or more supporting truss 40, such as provided by the vertical and/or horizontal members 46, 48. More specifically, the jets 72 may be located on one or more tubes of a supporting truss 40. If jets 72 are included on the supporting trusses 40, the jets 72 may be included on one, two, or more sides of a boat 80 that may be located within the area under the cover 20. For example, jets 72 located on the supporting trusses 40 may be used to wash the bow, stern, port, and starboard sides of the boat 80.

The jets 72 can be positioned to eject the liquid 74 in a desired direction, such as to wash or rinse the boat 80 located below the cover 20. The jets 72 may eject the liquid 74 in a fixed direction or may be adjustable to eject the liquid 74 in variable directions. As discussed above, the jets 72 may be connected to fresh water, a washing solution, or other liquid that may be sprayed to wash or rinse a boat 80. The jets 72 may be fed by the natural pressure provided by the connected source. Alternatively, a pump 76 may be included to pump the liquid 74 to the jets 72.

In operation, a method may be provided for sheltering and cleaning a watercraft using a cover. The method may include locating the watercraft at least partially under the cover. The cover may be located over an area of water. As discussed above, the cover may include cover trusses that are at least partially bowed and connectively arranged in a skeletal structure. The cover may also include a roof attached to the skeletal structure. The cover may be supported by a supporting truss to elevate the cover above the area of water and the watercraft locatable under the cover. The method may also include cleaning the watercraft using a cleaning system having jets to eject a liquid. As discussed above, the jets may be located on the supporting truss and/or the cover.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A shelter comprising:

a cover locatable over an area of water, the cover further comprising: cover trusses connectively arranged in a skeletal structure, a border structure extending approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure, and a roof attached to the skeletal structure; and

a supporting truss to elevate the cover above the area of water, the supporting truss comprising: a top end connectable to the cover, a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling, vertical members that comprise tubes of varying diameters extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end; and horizontal members that comprise the tubes of varying diameters located between the vertical members; wherein a watercraft is locatable under the cover.

2. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the cover trusses are at least partially bowed.

3. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the cover trusses and supporting truss are aluminum.

4. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the varying diameters are wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

5. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning system with jets to eject a liquid to clean the watercraft.

6. The shelter of claim 5, wherein the cleaning system further comprises a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jets.

7. The shelter of claim 5, wherein the jets are located on the supporting truss, the cover, or both the supporting truss and the cover.

8. A shelter for a watercraft comprising:

a cover locatable over an area of water, the cover further comprising: cover trusses that are at least partially bowed and connectively arranged in a skeletal structure, and a roof attached to the skeletal structure;

a supporting truss to elevate the cover above the area of water and the watercraft that is locatable under the cover; and

a cleaning system comprising jets locatable on the supporting truss and the cover, wherein the jets eject a liquid to clean the watercraft.

9. The shelter of claim 8, wherein a border structure extends approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure, and wherein the supporting truss comprises a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling and a top end attachable to the cover.

10. The shelter of claim 9, wherein the supporting truss further comprises:

vertical members extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end; and

horizontal members located between the vertical members.

11. The shelter of claim 10, wherein the vertical members and the horizontal members are tubes of varying diameters.

12. The shelter of claim 11, wherein the varying diameters are wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

13. The shelter of claim 8, wherein the cover truss and supporting truss are aluminum.

14. The shelter of claim 8, wherein the cleaning system further comprises a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jets.

15. A method of sheltering and cleaning a watercraft using a cover, the method comprising:

(a) locating the watercraft at least partially under the cover that is located over an area of water, wherein the cover comprises cover trusses that are at least partially bowed and connectively arranged in a skeletal structure and a roof attached to the skeletal structure, and wherein the cover is supported by a supporting truss to elevate the cover above the area of water and the watercraft locatable under the cover; and

(b) cleaning the watercraft using a cleaning system comprising jets to eject a liquid, the jets being locatable on the supporting truss and the cover.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a border structure extends approximately along an edge of the skeletal structure, and wherein the supporting truss comprises a bottom end attachable to a dock, a piling, or both the dock and the piling and a top end attachable to the cover.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the supporting truss further comprises vertical members comprising tubes of varying diameters extending approximately upwardly from the bottom end to the top end and horizontal members comprising the tubes of varying diameters located between the vertical members.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the varying diameters are wider near the bottom end of the supporting truss and narrower near the top end of the supporting truss.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the cover trusses and supporting truss are aluminum.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the cleaning system further comprises a pump to move the liquid from a source to the jet.