Universal accessory mount for watercraft

Abstract

A socket (11) designed to be installed on the surface of a watercraft such as a sailboard or a stand-up paddle board can accept a number of alternate accessory mounting plug-in inserts such as an adapter mount (12) for a vent plug (9), a paddle strap mount (16), leash or universal joint ball mount (18), for example. The insert can be positioned in a number of discrete horizontally angular orientations byway of commensurate interlocking crenelations in the form of equidistantly angularly spaced apart splines (35) and keyways (36), and secured into the socket by a pair of locking screws engaging angled channels (27,28). A top flange (22), lateral gusset blades (25,29) and a resin dam (40) facilitate the insertion and gluing of the socket into the foam core of the board.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61750262 filed Jan. 8, 2013 incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to watercraft accessories, and more specifically to attachments to sailboards, stand-up paddle boards and surfboards.

BACKGROUND

Surfboards have been widely available for many years, and more recently sailboards, paddle boards and related aquatic floatation devices have become increasingly popular. Surfboards exist in various sizes and shapes, for example, shortboards and longboards. Longboards are typically greater than 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length measured from nose to tail. In contrast, shortboards are typically less than 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length.

In order to establish an appropriate buoyancy and be relatively lightweight, durable and inexpensive to manufacture, many watercraft such as sailboards, paddle boards and surfboards are made of a foam core surrounding a stringer or other structural support, and covered with a fiberglass skin. This structure can also exhibit a relatively soft surface for comfort and safety reasons primarily.

Watercraft use many types of accessories which need to be mounted or secured to various parts of the craft. It is rather difficult to attach an accessory to the typically relatively soft surface of a paddleboard. Suction cup-type attachments have been used but are prone to unintended release. Providing some means to alternately attach various types of accessories such as a leash, a temporary mast, a vent plug or a paddle to a water board may require a number of mounts which, when not in use clutter the board and interfere with its use.

Because watercraft are subjected to wet and often sandy or silty environments, components used with the watercraft are often prone to clogging and the resultant unwanted binding of relatively moving parts.

The invention results from an attempt to address one or more of the above identified difficulties.

SUMMARY

The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provide an improved water craft mechanism for securing accessories to it. These and other objects are achieved by a watercraft having a universal type of attachment that can accommodate a variety of substitutable accessories.

In some embodiments the attachment is packaged into a housing buried into a cavity formed into the board with an opening lying substantially flush with the top surface.

In some embodiments the disclosed attachment may also be incorporated into other types of floatation devices such as canoes, kayaks and boat hulls.

In some embodiments there is provided an accessory-mounting socket to be inserted into the top layers of a water board comprises a tubular body imbedded into the foam core and capped by a wide flange designed to rest on the board skin.

In some embodiments there is provided an accessory-mounting socket to be inserted into the top layers of a water board comprises a tubular body imbedded into the foam core and capped by a wide flange designed to rest under the board skin.

In some embodiments tapering blades running downwardly along the sides of the socket facilitate its insertion and anchor it into the foam.

In some embodiments a variety of accessory mounts can be alternately plugged into the socket at a number of discrete orientations.

In some embodiments lateral oblique channels between top of the flange and the inner wall surface of the socket can receive screws to releasably lock the two components together.

In some embodiments there is provided a device for mounting accessories on a watercraft board having a skin and a solid core, said device comprising: a socket comprising: a tubular wall; a radial flange projecting outwardly from an upper edge of said wall; a pair of opposite radial blades projecting outwardly from said wall and tapering down toward said lower edge; a plurality of equally spaced apart radial splines formed inwardly into said wall; and, at least one tubular channel extending from said flange to an inside surface area of said wall.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises at least one accessory mounting insert having an outer peripheral geometry commensurate with said inside surface.

In some embodiments said geometry comprises a plurality of peripheral keyways intimately matching said splines.

In some embodiments said tubular channel has an interior threaded surface.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises a pair of diametrically opposite, inwardly angled ones of said tubular channel.

In some embodiments said socket further comprises a circular bottom proximate a lower edge of said wall.

In some embodiments said bottom has a plurality of bores.

In some embodiments said insert has a circular groove in line with said channel when said insert is positioned within said socket.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises in combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is inserted through a skinned surface of the board and secured into its core.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises in combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is inserted and secured into the core of the board, and partially covered by an applied skinned surface of the board.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises locking screws inserted in said channel and penetrating said groove.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises at least one of said splines or keyways having at least one elongated longitudinal drainage furrow extending along a length of said at least one of said splines or keyways.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises said insert including at least one fastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastener commensurate with said receptacle.

In some embodiments there is provided a device which further comprises a load spreader having said insert including at least one fastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastener commensurate with said receptacle.

The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a socket and of various plug-in accessory mounting inserts according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the socket installed into the foam core of a watercraft.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the socket.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional inverted side view thereof taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a plug-in accessory mounting insert.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a socket and a threaded post-type plug-in accessory mounting insert according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a socket engaged by a threaded post-type plug-in accessory mounting insert of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a socket engaged by a threaded post-type plug-in accessory mounting insert taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a load spreader component of a watercraft accessory mounting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a strap mounting-type plug-in accessory mounting insert having a swivelling U-shaped pin according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing there is show in FIG. 1 a socket 11 designed to be inserted into the upper surface of a stand-up paddle board or the like as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be understood that the socket could also be installed into the deck or the hull of a boat or other watercraft. The socket is shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a plurality of plug-in accessory mounting inserts such as a subsurface line or strap mount 13, a blade mount 14, or a threaded post mount 15. The latter can accommodate a variety of accessory-holding mounts such as a paddle mount 16, or a ball mount 18. The plug-in accessory mounting insert can be an adapter for other mounts or off-the-shelf devices, such as a vent plug adapter 12 shaped to mount a vent plug 9 such as a GORE brand vent plug commercially available from W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del., and include a resilient material O-ring 17 for hermetically sealing the interface between the adapter and the socket. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the socket can therefore releasably secure plug-in inserts providing mounts or devices of myriad shapes and sizes including adaptors for off-the-shelf accessories, such as camera slide mounts, accessory bag buckles, and mobile phone holders. The insert thus can mount the accessory directly or indirectly using an additional holder, fastener, adapter, or some other structure attachable directly or indirectly to the insert.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, typically, the socket 11 can be inserted and fastened in place into a well 19 cut into the solid or foam core 20 of a watercraft board 21. A radial flange 22, projecting outwardly from the upper edge of the tubular wall 23 of the socket, compresses, and is glued to, the outer skin 24 of the board. Thus the thickness T1 of the flange can be selected to be large enough to provide the necessary strength but thin enough to avoid its top surface extending beyond the top surface of the skin. In many surfboard or standup paddleboard applications that thickness can be about 2.5 millimeters. The flange can be located axial distance G of about 1.5 millimeter below an upper extent 55 of the socket to form an annular resin dam 40 on the top surface of the flange to facilitate sanding after installation while keeping part of the skin over the remaining part of the flange. The undersurface 37 of the flange can be tapered outwardly at an angle M of about 20 degrees to facilitate the insertion of the socket by depressing or dimpling the skin and allowing a flush alignment of the socket with the top of the board.

As more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a first pair of diametrically opposite blades 25, 26 project outwardly from the tubular wall and taper down toward its lower edge. The diametrical lateral extent of the blades can be a distance E of about 4 centimeters, while the vertical height F of the blades can be about 2.5 centimeters. A pair of diametrically opposite tubular channels 27, 28 extend from the upper surface of the flange to median inner surface areas of the circular wall at an angle B of about 20 degrees from the central axis 50 of the socket. The interior surfaces of the channel are threaded to receive plug-locking screws. A second pair of down-tapering blades 29, 30 run along the channels from the under surface of the flange to the lower edge of the tubular wall. The first pair of blades 25, 26 helps to catch the lamination coat during insertion. Gaps 31, 32 between the barb-forming top of these blades and the undersurface of the flange hold the socket in place while the resin or other gluing compound is curing. The second pair of blades 29, 30 cut a path through the foam core for the tubular channels. The two sets of blades generally help to split the skin and foam core during installation.

A flat bottom 33 closes the interior of the socket proximate its lower edge. Four bores 34 are partially drilled in the floor of the bottom piece at a slight outward angle. They can be used to open vent holes. If the socket is mounted above a stringer of other structural component, the holes provide venting on both sides of it. The slight slanting of the central axis of the bores away from the central axis 50 of the interior of the socket keeps the drill from damaging the interior wall surface of the socket during drilling. Alternately molded bores need not be slanted.

A series of equally spaced apart splines 35 can be formed on the inside peripheral surface of the circular wall at 30 degree intervals. They are intimately matched by a series of keyways 36 on the periphery of each accessory insert or mount 12-15 whose insertable parts of their periphery are commensurate with the inside surface of the socket. Accordingly, the insert or mount can be conveniently positioned in twelve different discrete angular orientations within the socket. Discrete orientations can ensure orientation of mounts, such as the strap mount 13, in a desired front-to-back angular orientation with respect to the watercraft. Once placed in the desired position the insert can be immobilized with screws inserted into the channels 27, 28. The travel of the insert down into the socket can be limited by the height dimension H of the insert or mount, and/or the length of the keyways engaging a bottom lip 53 of the runs 54 between the splines 35 to prevent the top of the insert from going below the top surface of the skin. This travel limitation provides enough space below the insert for venting the inside of the board.

Alternately, the socket can be inserted into the foam core during manufacturing prior to application of the skin. The flange consequently can depress the surface of the core. After application of the skin a hole can be formed through the skin sized to allow penetration of the socket therethrough while keeping part of the skin over the flange.

Radial notches 38, 39 cut diametrically into the flange above the first pair of blades act as a viewing window and overflow relief for the resin during installation.

As shown in FIG. 7, an inwardly and downwardly slanting peripheral section 41 of each insert or mount forms a groove above the upper extent of the keyways 36 that provides a convenient shoulder 42 in line with the threaded channels against which the insert immobilizing screws can rest. The bottom extent of the keyways occur a distance 51 from the substantially circular bottom surface 52 of the insert or mount to create an annular space between the mount or insert and the socket wall for collecting potentially clogging sand or silt below the interface between the splines and keyways. Thus, the substantially circular bottom of the insert or mount can be sized to have a diameter D of between about 2.0 and about 3.0 centimeters, and be smaller than the diameter of the substantially circular bottom 33 of the socket.

Once in the desired position it can be immobilized with screws inserted into the channels 27, 28. The travel of the insert down into the socket is limited by length of the keyways to prevent the top of the insert from going below the top surface of the skin. This travel limitation provides enough space below the insert for venting the inside of the board.

A pair of spaced apart sockets can be mounted to the surface of a watercraft to allow for different types of mounts to be simultaneously used on the same watercraft. One of the sockets can hold an insert having a fastener receptacle such as the strap mount 13 to which can be secured a leash which can have a free end secured to an accessory mounted upon the other socket. In other words, for example, a camera can be mounted to a first socket, where the camera has a first end of a leash secured to it and the second end secured to a strap mount. In this way a user can remove and replace the camera from the first mount without risking losing its loss by dropping it.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10 there is shown an alternate embodiment of socket 61 similar to the socket of FIGS. 3-6, however, in this embodiment the equally spaced apart splines 62 are formed on the inside peripheral surface 63 of the circular wall at 45 degree intervals. The splines are intimately matched by a series of keyways 64 on the periphery of each accessory insert 65 or mount similar to those of FIGS. 12-15 so that the insertable parts of their periphery is commensurate with the inside surface of the alternate embodiment socket. Accordingly, the insert or mount can be conveniently positioned in eight different discrete angular orientations within the socket. Further, each spline and keyway and surface between two adjacent keyways can have an elongated drainage furrow 70 extending lengthwise along the center of its respective spline or keyway or surface between two keyways. Each furrow has a top end 71 open to the upper surface of the watercraft and a bottom end 72 open to the interior of the socket when the insert is emplaced therein. Thus the furrow is in fluid communication between the bottom of the interior of the socket and the outside of the universal attachment device. The furrow allows sand and silt which would potentially clog and bind the interface between the socket and inserts to wash or otherwise pass from the top of the socket through to bottom of socket interior and into the cavity, thereby enhancing ease of removability of the insert. The insert can further include an internal cavity 75 formed into its bottom undersurface thus increasing the volume of sand or silt which can be collected.

As shown in FIG. 11, a load spreader component 80 for the universal attachment device can be used to spread the load between an insert such as the threaded post accessory mounting insert 15 and an accessory mount adapted to releasably fasten to the insert such as one of the threaded post accessory mounts 16,18 for example. The load spreader component can be formed by a substantially washer-shaped body 81 made from a durable material such as hard plastic. The body can have a central aperture 82 sized large enough to accept passage of the fastener therethrough but small enough to provide a bearing surface zone 83 surrounding the aperture for contact by the accessory mount surface peripheral to the fastener. For example, the aperture can be circular and sized to accept passage of the threaded post fastener 85 therethrough to releasably engage a threaded receptacle 88 in the insert, and provide a bearing surface rigidly supporting the surface 86 peripheral to the post. A pair of screwdriver access holes 87 are equidistantly spaced radially outwardly from the center and are diametrically opposite one another to provide access to the channels of the socket.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a strap mounting-type plug-in accessory mounting insert 90 having a swivelling U-shaped pin 91 to more readily accept spring-loaded clip type fasteners.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, modifications may be made and other embodiment may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for mounting accessories on a watercraft board having a skin and a solid core, said device comprising:

a socket comprising: a tubular wall; a radial flange projecting outwardly from an upper edge of said wall; a pair of opposite radial blades projecting outwardly from said wall and tapering down toward said lower edge; a plurality of equally spaced apart radial splines formed inwardly into said wall; and, at least one tubular channel extending from said flange to an inside surface area of said wall.

2. The device of claim 1, which further comprises at least one accessory mounting insert having an outer peripheral geometry commensurate with said inside surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said geometry comprises a plurality of peripheral keyways intimately matching said splines.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said tubular channel has an interior threaded surface.

5. The device of claim 4, which further comprises a pair of diametrically opposite, inwardly angled ones of said tubular channel.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein said socket further comprises a circular bottom proximate a lower edge of said wall.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said bottom has a plurality of bores.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein said insert has a circular groove in line with said channel when said insert is positioned within said socket.

9. The device of claim 8, in combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is inserted through a skinned surface of the board and secured into its core.

10. The device of claim 8, in combination with a watercraft board, wherein said socket is inserted and secured into the core of the board, and partially covered by an applied skinned surface of the board.

11. The combination of claim 9, which further comprises locking screws inserted in said channel and penetrating said groove.

13. The device of claim 3, which further comprises at least one of said splines or keyways having at least one elongated longitudinal drainage furrow extending along a length of said at least one of said splines or keyways.

14. The device of claim 2, which further comprises said insert including at least one fastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastener commensurate with said receptacle.

15. The device of claim 14, which further comprises a load spreader having said insert including at least one fastener receptacle, and a accessory mount having a fastener commensurate with said receptacle.