BOAT PROTECTION DEVICE
A boat protection device includes a boat fender having a cushion, a first attachment element and a second attachment element. The first attachment element has a first keyhole aperture. The first keyhole aperture has a first slot and a first passage contiguous with the first slot. The second attachment element has a second keyhole aperture. The second keyhole aperture has a second slot and a second passage contiguous with the second slot.
This application claims the benefit of priority of provisional application 61/548,314 filed Oct. 18, 2011, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to boat protection devices and methods of making and using the same.
BACKGROUNDBoat fenders provide a cushion between a boat hull and/or rail and surrounding objects such as a dock, pier, pylon, or another boat. Boat fenders are typically held in place using ropes. The position of boat fenders must often be adjusted due to the varying heights of different docks, as well as the height difference between a boat and a particular dock caused by changing tides. Obtaining the correct position of the boat fender requires frequent tying and untying of the rope to adjust the length of the line. This process can be difficult to accomplish quickly while the boat is approaching a dock. During an approach, the boat is simultaneously moving under its own power and being rocked by wind and waves. The height of the dock relative to the boat is often unknown and the fenders must be repositioned and secured quickly to prevent damage to the boat and the dock.
SUMMARYIn accordance with an aspect, a boat protection device includes a boat fender having a cushion, a first attachment element and a second attachment element. The first attachment element is attached to the cushion and includes a first keyhole aperture. The first keyhole aperture has a first passage and a first slot contiguous with the first passage. The first passage has a first width and the first slot has a second width smaller than the first width. The second attachment element is attached to the cushion and includes a second keyhole aperture. The second keyhole aperture has a second passage and a second slot contiguous with the second passage. The second passage has a third width and the second slot has a fourth width smaller than the third width.
In accordance with another aspect, a boat protection device includes a fender line, a cushion, a first attachment element, and a second attachment element. The fender line has a length extending between a first end and a second end and a stop positioned along the fender line. The stop has a stop width extending in a direction perpendicular to the length of the fender line. The first attachment element includes a first keyhole aperture having a first passage and a first slot contiguous with the first passage. The first slot has a first slot width smaller than the stop width to prevent passage of the stop through the first slot. The first passage has a first passage width larger than the stop width to permit passage of the stop through the first passage. The second attachment element includes a second keyhole aperture having a second passage and a second slot contiguous with the second passage. The second slot has a second slot width smaller than the stop width to prevent passage of the stop through the second slot. The second passage has a second passage width larger than the stop width to permit passage of the stops through the second passage.
In accordance with a further aspect is a method of positioning a boat protection device on a boat. A fender line having a plurality of stops positioned thereon is attached to a boat-protection device. The fender line is positioned on a support. A first end of the fender line is drawn through a passage of a first or second keyhole slot on the boat protection device. A portion of the fender line between two adjacent stops is selected and the selected portion of the fender line is moved from the passage to a respective slot.
Other embodiments, including apparatus, systems, methods, and the like which constitute part of the invention, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and viewing the drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and therefore not restrictive.
The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods.
In the embodiment shown in
The first attachment element 18 contains an opening 20 and a first keyhole aperture 22. In an exemplary embodiment the opening 20 is a circular hole extending through the first attachment element 18. In various exemplary embodiments the first keyhole aperture 22 includes a passage 24, embodied in
The second attachment element 28 contains a second keyhole aperture 30. Similar to the first keyhole aperture 22, the second keyhole aperture 30 may have a passage 32 in the shape of a circular opening and a slot 34 extending from the passage 32. The slot 34 may have a shape similar or identical to the slot 26 of the first keyhole aperture 22. Although the opening 20 and the passages 24 and 32 are shown having generally circular shapes, it should be understood that each may possess other shapes, including, for example elliptical, polygonal, etc. Various sized openings 20 and keyhole apertures 22, 30 may also be utilized.
As best shown in
One or more additional stops 42 may be connected to or formed integral with the fender line 36. The stops 42 are shown spaced apart from one another by substantially uniform distances along the length of the fender line 36. Additional or fewer stops 42 than shown may be employed, and the spacing is not necessarily uniform. The stops 42 may be cylindrical, elliptical, polygonal, or any other shape. The stops 42 may be made from various materials, for example a polymer, wood, elastomer, metal, etc. The stops 42 may be permanently connected to the fender line 36 in fixed positions along the length of the fender line 36. For example, the stops 42 may be molded or knotted in the fender line 36. Alternatively, one, two, three, or more of the stops 42 also may be releasably or slidably connected to the fender line 36, such as via a clamping mechanism (e.g., circular spring clamp, hose clamp, butterfly clamp), so as to permit the stops 42 to be repositioned along the length of the fender line 36. In various exemplary embodiments the stops 42 are knots formed in the fender line 36.
The stops 42 may include the terminal stop 39 for connecting the first end 38 of the fender line 36 to the cushion 12. For example, the terminal stop 39 may be attached at or near the first end 38 of the fender line 36 which has been threaded through the opening 20 in the first attachment element 18. The terminal stop 39 is larger than the opening 20 and therefore prevents the first end 38 of the fender line 36 from being pulled through the opening 20.
As best shown in
The plurality of stops 42 allows a user to adjust the free length of fender line 36. In various exemplary embodiments, the keyhole apertures 22, 30 are oriented approximately orthogonal to one another. As best shown in
Because of the placement of the keyhole apertures 22, 30, the boat protection device 10 may be attached to a structure in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. This makes the boat protection device 10 suitable for attaching to boat railings, boat posts, cleats, docks, pylons, and other structures. Moreover, the orientation of the keyhole apertures 22, 30 helps ensure that the boat fender body 12 stays securely attached, though various angles of keyhole slots 22, 30 may also be used.
The boat protection device 10C further includes a fender line 36C having a first end 38C and a second end 40C. The first end 38C of the fender line 36C is permanently fixed to the attachment element 18C, for example, by a stitched attachment. The fender line contains a plurality of stops 42C, depicted in
The first attachment element also includes a first keyhole aperture 62. The first keyhole aperture 62 extends through the first attachment element 54 and includes a passage 64 and a slot 66. The passage 64 is embodied in
The second attachment element also includes a second keyhole aperture 70. The second keyhole aperture 70 extends through the second attachment element 56 and includes a passage 72 and a slot 74. The passage 72 is embodied in
The grommets 60, 68, 76 also may be formed from a two-piece construction, having a top and bottom piece located on opposite sides of the attachment element 54 or 56 and connected to one another.
As best shown in
The first attachment element 114 contains an opening 118 and a first keyhole aperture 120. In an exemplary embodiment the opening 118 is a circular hole extending through the first attachment element 114. In various exemplary embodiments the first keyhole aperture 120 includes a passage 122, such as a circular opening, and a slot 124 contiguous with and extending from the passage 122. The slot 124 may have two linear edges extending from the passage 122 and connecting to a semi-circle. Both the passage 122 and the slot 124 extend through the first attachment element 114.
The second attachment element 116 contains a second keyhole aperture 128. Similar to the first keyhole aperture 120, the second keyhole aperture 128 includes a passage 130, such as a circular opening, and a slot 132 contiguous with and extending from the passage 130. The slot 132 may have two linear edges extending from the passage 130 and connecting to a substantially semi-circle. Both the passage 130 and the slot 132 extend through the second attachment element 116. In various exemplary embodiments, the first and second keyhole apertures 120, 128 have different orientations with respect to one another. For example, the first and second keyhole apertures 120, 128 may be oriented orthogonal to one another. Various shapes may be utilized in forming the keyhole apertures 120, 128, for example circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc. Various sizes may also be utilized for the opening 118 and keyhole apertures 120, 128.
As best shown in
The boat protection devices 10, 110 discussed herein may be used in a variety of ways. For example, with reference to the boat protection device 10, it may be stored on a boat and retrieved as the boat approaches a structure, such as a dock, pylon, or another boat. The boat protection device 10 may then be positioned on a support, for example an element on the boat or the structure. Depending on the location and height of the structure, the boat protection device 10 may be positioned on various rails, posts, cleats, etc. The fender line 36 is wrapped, looped, or otherwise positioned around or through the chosen boat element and the second end 40 of the fender line 36 is placed through the passage 24, 32 in the first or second keyhole aperture 22, 30. The user may select a keyhole aperture 22, 30 based on the desired position and orientation of the cushion 12. After the second end 40 of the fender line 36 is drawn through the passage 24, 32, the fender line 36 is drawn to a desired tightness and height. The fender line 36 is then inserted into the respective slot 26, 34. The fender line 36 is held in place by the closest stop 42, securing the boat protection device 10. Alternatively, the boat protection device 10 may be attached to the structure, e.g., a dock, in a similar manner as opposed to being attached to the boat.
As used herein, the term “boat” may encompass other types of water-traversing vehicles, such as a ship, vessel, yacht, liner, cruiser, ferry, kayak, jet-ski, etc.
The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.
Only those claims which use the words “means for” are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claims
1. A boat protection device, comprising:
- a cushion;
- a first attachment element attached to the cushion, the first attachment element comprising a first keyhole aperture having a first passage and a first slot contiguous with the first passage, the first passage having a first width and the first slot having a second width smaller than the first width; and
- a second attachment element attached to the cushion, the second attachment element comprising a second keyhole aperture having a second passage and a second slot contiguous with the second passage, the second passage having a third width and the second slot having a fourth width smaller than the third width.
2. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the first and second passages are substantially circular.
3. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the first slot is orientated substantially orthogonal to the second slot portion.
4. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment element further comprises an opening for receiving a fender line.
5. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are located at opposite ends of the cushion.
6. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are integral with the cushion.
7. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the cushion, the first attachment element, and the second attachment element have rear surfaces coplanar with one another.
8. The boat protection device of claim 1, wherein the cushion is inflatable.
9. A boat protection device, comprising:
- a fender line having a length extending between a first end and a second end;
- a stop positioned along the fender line, the stop having a stop width extending in a direction perpendicular to the length of the fender line;
- a cushion;
- a first attachment element comprising a first keyhole aperture having a first passage and a first slot contiguous with the first passage, the first slot having a first slot width smaller than the stop width to prevent passage of the stop through the first slot, the first passage having a first passage width larger than the stop width to permit passage of the stop through the first passage; and
- a second attachment element comprising a second keyhole aperture having a second passage and a second slot contiguous with the second passage, the second slot having a second slot width smaller than the stop width to prevent passage of the stop through the second slot, the second passage having a second passage width larger than the stop width to permit passage of the stops through the second passage.
10. The boat protection device of claim 9, wherein the first slot is orientated substantially orthogonal to the second slot.
11. The boat protection device of claim 9, wherein the stop is slidably attached to the fender line.
12. The boat protection device of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of stops positioned along the length of the fender line in spaced relation to one another.
13. The boat protection device of claim 12, wherein the stops are fixedly attached to the fender line.
14. The boat protection device of claim 12, wherein the stops are releasably mountable along the length of the fender line.
15. The boat protection device of claim 9, wherein the first end of the fender line is permanently attached to the first attachment element.
16. The boat protection device of claim 9, wherein the first attachment element further comprises an opening, and wherein the fender line is secured to the first attachment element through the opening.
17. The boat-protection device of claim 9, wherein the cushion has a front surface and a rear surface, and wherein the first and second attachment elements have rear surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the rear surface.
18. The boat-protection device of claim 9, further comprising a first keyhole grommet surrounding the first keyhole aperture and a second keyhole grommet surrounding the second keyhole aperture.
19. The boat protection device of claim 18, further comprising fasteners securing the first and second keyhole grommets to the first attachment element and the second attachment element, respectively.
20. A method of positioning a boat-protection device on a boat, comprising:
- attaching a fender line comprising a plurality of stops positioned thereon to the boat-protection device of claim 1;
- positioning the fender line on a support;
- drawing a first end of the fender line through the passage of the first or second keyhole slot;
- selecting a portion of the fender line between two adjacent stops; and
- moving the selected portion of the fender line from the passage to the respective slot.
Type: Application
Filed: May 12, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 5, 2015
Inventor: John C. MARSHALL (Orange Beach, AL)
Application Number: 14/710,065