CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/718,422, filed on Aug. 14, 2018, entitled VENT FOR SHRINK WRAP WATERCRAFT STORAGE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a venting apparatus used in connection with shrink-wrapped storage watercraft, and more specifically, a single piece vent having an improved retaining feature for attaching to the surface of the shrink wrap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many watercraft require storage outside of a body of water, in particular during non-summer months. This storage includes covering portions of the watercraft in shrink wrap, to protect the surface of the watercraft. It is necessary that the shrink wrap be vented to allow for a minimal exchange of air from within the covered areas of the watercraft, and areas outside of the shrink wrap. These vents can be pierced through the shrink wrap material, using a piercable vent having various apertures to allow for the venting of air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, a vent for use with a film-wrapped watercraft includes a body having a piercing tip at a first end and a hood member at a second end. A guide member extends from the body to an area proximate the piercing tip. The guide member includes a positioning structure proximate the piercing tip. A vent member is positioned under the body. Apertures of the vent member are positioned between a lower edge of the vent member and the hood member. The positioning structure is configured to slidably engage a watercraft wrap and allow the piercing tip to pierce the watercraft wrap. The positioning structure and the piercing tip are configured to guide a portion of the watercraft wrap over the body and under the guide member and the positioning structure.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a vent for use with a film-wrapped watercraft includes a body having a piercing tip at a first end and a hood member at a second end. Opposing guide members extend from the body to a positioning structure that slidably engages an upper surface of a watercraft wrap. The opposing guide members and the positioning structure are resilient structures that are selectively biased away from the piercing tip to promote engagement between the upper surface of the watercraft wrap and the piercing tip. A vent member is positioned under the body. Apertures of the vent member are positioned between a lower edge of the vent member and the hood member. The body is inserted through the watercraft wrap. The positioning structure maintains the opposing guide members engaged with the upper surface of the watercraft wrap. The positioning structure and the piercing tip are configured to guide a portion of the watercraft wrap over the body, under the opposing guide members.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for installing a vent within a watercraft wrap that extends around a portion of a watercraft includes engaging a positioning structure against an upper surface of the watercraft wrap. The positioning structure is biased away from a piercing tip of a body. The piercing tip of a body of said vent is inserted through a portion of said watercraft wrap. The positioning structure is slid against the upper surface and contemporaneously slides the body linearly through the portion of said watercraft wrap to position the portion over the body and under opposing guide members. The opposing guide members extend at an angle from an area below the body to the positioning structure.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an aspect of a securable piercing vent for use with film-wrapped watercraft;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1 taken along line II-II;
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 3 with the retaining member removed;
FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1 taken along line VI-VI;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the securing piercing vent of FIG. 6 showing the retaining member removed;
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1 showing the retaining member removed;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 1 showing the securable piercing vent being pierced into a shrink wrap material for a watercraft;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 11 showing further insertion and rotation of the securable piercing vent into the shrink wrap material;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 12 showing full insertion of the securable piercing vent into the shrink wrap material and showing the retaining member in an open position;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 13 and showing the retaining member being moved into the closed position;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the securable piercing vent of FIG. 6 and showing the shrink wrap material being positioned and secured between the body and the retaining member of the securable piercing vent;
FIG. 16 is a linear flow diagram illustrating a method for installing a securable piercing vent within a shrink wrap material extending around the watercraft;
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an aspect of the piercing vent that includes a positioning structure proximate the piercing tip;
FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the piercing vent of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the piercing vent of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the piercing vent of FIG. 18, taken along line XX-XX;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the piercing vent of FIG. 20 showing the piercing vent being pierced into a shrink wrap material for a watercraft;
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the piercing vent of FIG. 21 showing further insertion of the piercing vent into the shrink wrap material;
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the piercing vent of FIG. 22 showing full insertion of the piercing vent into the shrink wrap material; and
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the piercing vent of FIG. 23 showing the shrink wrap material being positioned and secured between the body and the opposing guide members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a piercing vent that can be installed within a shrink-wrap material that is disposed around a watercraft 72, or other vehicle 14 or fixture, for storage purposes. While the use of the piercing vent 10 is typically used in conjunction with a shrink-wrap material for watercraft 72, the piercing vent 10 can also be used in other venting applications that require a vent being inserted within a film-type material, such as watercraft wrap 12, for venting an area being enclosed or otherwise covered or secured.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the piercing vent 10 is used with a film-wrapped vehicle 14. The piercing vent 10 includes a body 16 having a piercing tip 18 at a first end 20 and a hood member 22 at a second end 24. Opposing guide members 26 are included that extend from a portion of the body 16.
In certain aspects, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-15, each of the opposing guide members 26 includes a biasing flange 28 that extends at a biasing angle 46 with respect to the body 16. The piercing vent 10 can be selectively securable. In such an aspect of the device, a retaining member 30 is operably disposed across the top surface 32 of the body 16 and is operable between open and closed positions 34, 36 relative to the body 16. Within the piercing vent 10, the biasing flanges 28 extend upward from an area below the body 16 to outer ends 44 that are positioned at least partially above the body 16. In this manner, the biasing flanges 28 and the piercing tip 18 are configured to guide a portion of a watercraft wrap 12 over the body 16, under the biasing flanges 28 and under the retaining member 30. The retaining member 30 can be operated between the open and closed positions 34, 36 to secure a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 between the retaining member 30 and the body 16.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the piercing vent 10 can have a generally wedge-type shape that extends from a wider portion 50 near the second end 24 and tapers to the piercing tip 18 located at the first end 20 of the body 16. In this configuration, the body 16 can include angled edges 52 that taper toward the piercing tip 18. A plurality of serrations 54 are typically disposed within the angled edges 52. The plurality of serrations 54 work in cooperation with the piercing tip 18 to pierce through the watercraft wrap 12 and also to define and enlarge an opening, typically a slit 56, within the watercraft wrap 12 for securing the piercing vent 10 within the watercraft wrap 12 to allow for venting air 62 between the interior portion 58 and the exterior portion 60 of the watercraft wrap 12. A vent member 38 is positioned at least partially under the body 16. Apertures 40 of the vent member 38 are positioned between a lower edge 42 of the vent member 38 and the hood member 22.
According to various aspects of the device, in order to provide for an efficient flow of air 62 through the vent member 38 of the piercing vent 10, a spacing flange 70 extends downward from the body 16 and can be used to gently engage a portion of the watercraft 72 to at least partially separate the watercraft 72 from the watercraft wrap 12. The spacing flange 70 allows for a gap 74 between the watercraft wrap 12 and the exterior surface 76 of the watercraft 72 to allow for the movement of air 62 through the vent member 38. Accordingly, the spacing flange 70 defines an airspace between the body 16 and the watercraft wrap 12 that allows for airflow through the watercraft wrap 12 when the body 16 is inserted. In addition to the spacing flange 70, the body 16 can also include an offset bumper 78 positioned near the piercing tip 18. The offset bumper 78 serves to bias portions of the watercraft wrap 12 away from the piercing tip 18 when the piercing tip 18 is positioned between the watercraft wrap 12 and the exterior surface 76 of the watercraft 72 (exemplified in FIGS. 13 and 23). The offset bumper 78 displaces the watercraft wrap 12 away from the piercing tip 18 to prevent the piercing tip 18 from secondarily piercing the watercraft wrap 12. Accordingly, the offset bumper 78 serves to displace an underside of the watercraft wrap 12 away from the piercing tip 18 after the piercing vent 10 has been installed within the watercraft wrap 12. The piercing tip 18 can also include a lower bumper 80 that is positioned below the piercing tip 18 and prevents the piercing tip 18 from scratching, colliding with, or otherwise engaging the exterior surface 76 of the watercraft 72 when the piercing tip 18 is positioned below the watercraft wrap 12.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15, the opposing guide members 26 extend from the body 16 and are offset from the angled edges 52 of the body 16 as well as being offset from the plurality of serrations 54. The opposing guide members 26 include the biasing flanges 28 that extend upward from the main portions 90 of the opposing guide members 26. Through the use of the biasing flanges 28, as the piercing vent 10 is inserted into the watercraft wrap 12, the opposing guide members 26 are adapted to remain engaged, in a slidable engagement, to an upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12, similar to skis gliding over snow.
Also, as exemplified in FIGS. 17-24, the opposing guide members 26 define a continuous guide member 190. The continuous guide member 190 helps to secure the watercraft wrap 12 over the body 16. Accordingly, when the piercing vent 10 is inserted into the watercraft wrap 12, portions of the watercraft wrap 12 extend over the body 16 and the angled edges 52 of the body 16. The watercraft wrap 12, while being disposed over the body 16, is also disposed under the opposing guide members 26. In this manner, the body 16 and opposing guide members 26 cooperate to at least partially secure the piercing vent 10 to the watercraft wrap 12.
As exemplified in the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-15, the selectively securable aspect of the piercing vent 10 includes the retaining member 30 that is operably disposed across the top surface 32 of the body 16. Typically, the retaining member 30 is hingedly attached proximate a first guide member 100 of the opposing guide members 26. Within this first guide member 100, a hinge 102 is defined within the top surface 32 of the piercing vent 10. This hinge 102 can also serve as an abutment to prevent overinsertion of the piercing vent 10 into the watercraft wrap 12. The hinge 102 for the retaining member 30 can be in the form of a living hinge, pivot-type hinge, or other similar hinge mechanism that allows for rotational operation of the retaining member 30 relative to the body 16. The second guide member 104 of the opposing guide members 26 typically includes a retaining feature 106 that selectively engages the retaining member 30 to define the closed position 36. This retaining member 30 can be in the form of a clip, hasp, clasp, stud, buckle, or other similar retaining feature 106 that can secure the retaining member 30 in the closed position 36. As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15, the retaining feature 106 is a stud 108 that extends through a securing aperture 110 defined within the retaining member 30. The securing aperture 110 and the retaining feature 106 can include a mating engagement that allows for the retaining member 30 to be secured in the closed position 36 when desired. This engagement can be selectively released to the open position 34 when the piercing vent 10 is intended to be removed from the watercraft wrap 12.
Referring again to FIGS. 4, 7, 9 and 11-15, when the piercing vent 10 is installed within the watercraft wrap 12, a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 is disposed over a top surface 32 of the body 16. A severed edge 120 of the watercraft wrap 12, typically in the form of the slit 56 within the watercraft wrap 12, can be positioned near a securing area 122 of the body 16. Within this securing area 122 of the body 16, one or more retaining protrusions 124 can extend upward and toward the retaining member 30. These retaining protrusions 124 can be configured to engage the retaining member 30 and provide for an interference fit between the body 16 and the retaining member 30. This engagement between the retaining protrusions 124 and the retaining member 30 provides a labyrinth-type securing mechanism for holding a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 between the retaining member 30 and the body 16. To further provide this labyrinth-type engagement, this retaining member 30 can include one or more corresponding retaining apertures 126 that receive a respective retaining protrusion 124 when the retaining member 30 is in the closed position 36. In such an embodiment, the retaining protrusions 124 can extend into the retaining aperture 126 of the retaining member 30, when the retaining member 30 is in the closed position 36.
According to various aspects of the device, the retaining protrusion 124 can include a sloped surface 128 that tapers upward from the body 16. This tapered configuration allows for the severed edge 120 of the slit 56 defined within the watercraft wrap 12 to conveniently slide over the sloped surface 128 of the retaining protrusion 124 and through the securing area 122 of the body 16. Once a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 is disposed within the securing area 122 and over the one or more retaining protrusions 124, a raised edge 130 of each retaining protrusion 124 engages the retaining aperture 126 of the retaining member 30 and helps to hold the portion of the watercraft wrap 12 within the securing area 122. When the retaining member 30 is moved to the closed position 36, the retaining member 30 and the retaining protrusions 124 serve to pinch, compress, or otherwise hold a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 within the securing area 122 defined between the body 16 and the retaining member 30.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the body 16 and the opposing guide members 26 can define a material collection area 140 that is disposed proximate each of the opposing guide members 26. This material collection area 140 is positioned, typically, through the entire securing area 122 defined between the body 16 and the retaining member 30, where the securing area 122 is incorporated. In this manner, the material collection area 140 allows for movement of the piercing vent 10 through the watercraft wrap 12 to define a slit 56 that can extend from corresponding abutment surfaces 142 of each material collection area 140. These abutment surfaces 142 allow for the severed edge 120 of the slit 56 to be positioned substantially over the body 16, or, where included, through the securing area 122 and over the entire retaining protrusion 124 defined within the body 16. These abutment surfaces 142 help to ensure that the piercing vent 10 is fully installed within the watercraft wrap 12, but not overinstalled beyond a particular insertion point.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the body 16 includes a hood member 22 that extends over the vent member 38 of the piercing vent 10. The hood member 22 serves to provide a sheltered area 150 around the vent member 38 to prevent precipitation, debris, and other material from moving through the vent member 38 and into the area proximate the watercraft 72 covered by the watercraft wrap 12. The use of the hood member 22 as part of the piercing vent 10 allows for the piercing vent 10 to be inserted within the watercraft wrap 12 in a variety of orientations. In each of these orientations, the hood member 22 provides for the sheltering functionality to prevent precipitation and debris from entering into the vent member 38. Typically, the piercing vent 10 can be installed in an upward direction so that the vent member 38 is pointed downward. In such a configuration, the hood member 22 provides a drip edge 152 and drip tip 154 to prevent precipitation from running along a surface of the piercing vent 10 and into the vent member 38. This drip edge 152 and drip tip 154 provides a surface that stops the flow of water and allows this precipitation to drip away from the body 16 without entering into the vent member 38.
Through the use of the hood member 22, the piercing vent 10 can also be installed within horizontal portions of the watercraft wrap 12. When installed horizontally, the hood member 22 substantially covers the vent member 38 to prevent infiltration of precipitation and debris through the vent member 38. The piercing vent 10 can also be installed within areas of the watercraft wrap 12 being positioned in a substantially vertical plane and the piercing vent 10 can be installed substantially laterally while the hood member 22 provides for the sheltered area 150 around the vent member 38. Through the use of the hood member 22, the piercing vent 10 can be installed in a wide variety of orientations and positions while preventing the infiltration of precipitation and debris through the vent member 38 and into areas proximate the watercraft 72 being covered.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15, the piercing vent 10 can be used within a film-wrapped watercraft 72. In the various configurations, the piercing vent 10 can include the body 16 having a piercing tip 18 at the first end 20 and the hood member 22 at the second end 24. A retaining protrusion 124 can be defined within at least a portion of the body 16. The opposing guide members 26 extend from the body 16 and each opposing guide member includes biasing flanges 28 that extend at a biasing angle 46 with respect to the body 16. Because the angled biasing flanges 28 begin at an area below the body 16 and terminate at an area above the body 16, the severed edge 120 of the slit 56 defined within the watercraft wrap 12 is biased to be positioned over the body 16 and under the opposing guide members 26. The hinged retaining member 30 is operably disposed across the top surface 32 of the body 16. The hinged retaining member 30 includes a securing formation that matingly engages the retaining protrusion 124 of the body 16 when the hinged retaining member 30 is in the closed position 36. It should be understood that the positioning of the retaining protrusion 124 and the securing formation can be reversed.
According to various aspects of the device, the securing formation of the retaining member 30 and the retaining protrusion 124 of the body 16 can be in the form of various mating engagements that can include, but are not limited to, mating formations, cooperating protrusions and recesses, various labyrinth configurations, cooperating undulating formations, and other similar formations that cooperate to form the labyrinth-type engagement between the body 16 and the retaining member 30.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the vent member 38 is positioned under the body 16 and typically is disposed at an angle extending from an underside of the body 16. At this angle, the vent member 38 extends from the lower edge 42 to an intermediate portion 112 of the body 16. Similarly, the hood member 22 extends from the intermediate portion 112 to the second end 24. Apertures 40 of the vent member 38 are positioned between a lower edge 42 of the vent member 38 and the hood member 22. Typically, the lower edge 42 of the vent member 38 can be substantially aligned with an outer edge 160 of the hood member 22. It is also contemplated that the hood member 22 can extend over and beyond the lower edge 42 of the vent member 38 to provide for a larger sheltered area 150.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15, when the body 16 is inserted through the watercraft wrap 12, the hinged retaining member 30 and the body 16 are configured to retain a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 within a securing area 122 defined therebetween. The retaining protrusion 124 of the body 16 and the securing formation of the retaining member 30 cooperate to define a wrap securing mechanism 170 that substantially prevents removal of the body 16 from the watercraft wrap 12. In this manner, portions of the watercraft wrap 12 are secured to the body 16 by the retaining member 30 so that the piercing vent 10 will not inadvertently be removed from the watercraft wrap 12. The biasing flanges 28 and the piercing tip 18 are configured to guide a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 over the body 16, under the biasing flanges 28 and under the retaining member 30 in the closed position 36. As discussed above, the retaining member 30 is rotationally operable about the hinge 102 between the open position 34 that is distal from the body 16 to a closed position 36 that is substantially engaged with the body 16.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-9 and 17-24, the plurality of serrations 54 positioned along the angled edges 52 of the body 16 can be oriented substantially downward. In this generally downward orientation, the plurality of serrations 54 allow for a cutting operation through the watercraft wrap 12 to form the slit 56 defined within the watercraft wrap 12. Because the plurality of serrations 54 are oriented generally downward, as the watercraft wrap 12 extends over the body 16 and under the opposing guide members 26, the plurality of serrations 54 are orientated in a downward position and generally set apart from the watercraft wrap 12. This orientation of the plurality of serrations 54 prevents unnecessary damage or cutting into the watercraft wrap 12 during and after installation of the piercing vent 10.
Referring to FIGS. 17-24, the piercing vent 10 includes the body 16 having the piercing tip 18 at the first end 20 and the hood member 22 at the second end 24. A single continuous guide member 190 extends from the body 16 to an area proximate the first end 24 and extending beyond the piercing tip 18. The continuous guide member 190 includes the opposing guide members 26 and a positioning structure 192 that is a positioning tip of the continuous guide member 190 located proximate the piercing tip 18. The vent member 38 is positioned under the body 16. Apertures 40 of the vent member 38 are positioned between a lower edge 42 of the vent member 38 and the hood member 22. The positioning structure 192 is configured to slidably engage an upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12 to allow the piercing tip 18 to pierce the watercraft wrap 12.
As exemplified in FIGS. 21-23, engagement of the positioning structure 192 with the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12 serves to bias the positioning structure 192 and the continuous guide member 190 away from the piercing tip 18. Through this engagement between the positioning structure 192 and the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12, the continuous guide member 190 is biased toward a piercing position 194. In this piercing position 194, the piercing tip 18 is separated from the continuous guide member 190 and is exposed to allow for a piercing contact with the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12. As the positioning structure 192 slidably engages the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12, the piercing tip 18 is able to pierce through the watercraft wrap 12 to form the slit 56 through the watercraft wrap 12. Further movement of the piercing vent 10 that slides the positioning structure 192 across the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12 further moves the piercing tip 18 through the slit 56 formed in the watercraft wrap 12. The serrations 54 positioned along the body 16 widen the slit 56 to allow for further insertion of the piercing vent 10 through the watercraft wrap 12.
As exemplified in FIGS. 17-24, the positioning structure 192 can be in the form of a generally spheroid member or otherwise rounded member or curved structure that has a large enough surface area to prevent the positioning structure 192 from piercing through the watercraft wrap 12. In this manner, the continuous guide member 190, which includes the opposing first and second guide members 100, 104 that extend to the first end 20 and support the positioning structure 192, are able to be biased to the piercing position 194. In a rest position 196, the continuous guide member 190 at least partially surrounds the serrations 54 of the body 16. This provides for easy handling of the piercing vent 10 when not in use or when moved to a position for piercing through the watercraft wrap 12. When inserting the piercing vent 10 through watercraft wrap 12, the positioning structure 192 is able to slidably move across the upper surface 92 of the watercraft wrap 12. Through this sliding motion, the continuous guide member 190 and the positioning structure 192 are biased to the piercing position 194. In this piercing position 194, the continuous guide member 190 is biased away from the piercing tip 18 and the serrations 54. By exposing the piercing tip 18 and the serrations 54, the piercing vent 10 is able to pierce and sever portions of the watercraft wrap 12 to form the slit 56, through which the piercing vent 10 can be located within the watercraft wrap 12. After piercing through the watercraft wrap 12, the watercraft wrap 12 is retained between the body 16 and the first and second guide members 100, 104 of the continuous guide member 190. To accomplish this, the positioning structure 192 and the opposing first and second guide members 100, 104 define a resilient structure that, during installation, is selectively biased away from the piercing tip 18 by the watercraft wrap 12 to define a piercing position 194. This resilient structure is generally biased toward the rest position 196 so that the watercraft wrap 12 can be retained between the continuous guide member 190 and the body 16 of the piercing vent 10.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the hood member 22 can include the drip edge 152 and a drip tip 154. This drip edge 152 and drip tip 154 serves to prevent water from infiltrating or otherwise moving across a surface of the piercing vent 10 toward the vent member 38. As discussed previously, piercing vent 10 can be located in a variety of orientations along the watercraft wrap 12. The configuration of the piercing vent 10, including the configuration of the drip edge 152 and the drip tip 154 of the hood member 22, serve to at least partially prevent the infiltration of fluid, such as precipitation, through the vent member 38 and into the interior portion 58 beneath the watercraft wrap 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-24, having described various aspects of the piercing vent 10, a method 400 is disclosed for installing an aspect of the piercing vent 10 within a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 that extends around a watercraft 72. According to the method 400, a piercing tip 18 of the body 16 is inserted through a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 (step 402). By inserting the piercing tip 18 through the watercraft wrap 12, the piercing tip 18 creates a small incision within the watercraft wrap 12 that begins a controlled cutting operation through the watercraft wrap 12 by the piercing vent 10 to ultimately form the slit 56 within the watercraft wrap 12. According to the method 400, the body 16 is slid linearly through the portion of the watercraft wrap 12 and through the incision formed by the piercing tip 18 (step 404). By sliding the body 16 linearly through the incision within the watercraft wrap 12, the portion of the watercraft wrap 12 is slid over the body 16 and under the opposing guide members 26. The opposing guide members 26, as discussed above, extend at the biasing angle 46 from an area below the body 16 to outer ends 44 that are positioned at least partially above the body 16. Through this configuration, the slit 56 defined within the watercraft wrap 12 can be moved through the material collection areas 140 between the opposing guide members 26 and the body 16 in a generally serpentine configuration to at least partially secure the watercraft wrap 12 to the piercing vent 10. According to the method 400, where the retaining feature 106 is included, the body 16 is slid to a position so that a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 extends over a retaining feature 106 defined within the body 16 (step 406). As discussed above, sliding the body 16 to this position places a portion of the watercraft wrap 12 within the securing area 122 of the body 16. The retaining member 30 is then moved to the closed position 36 (step 408). By moving the retaining member 30 into the closed position 36, the watercraft wrap 12 is secured between the retaining feature 106 of the body 16 and the securing formation of the retaining member 30.
According to various aspects of the device, the piercing vent 10 can be made of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, plastic, composite, metal, various polymers, combinations thereof, and other similar substantially rigid materials that can be used to form the piercing vent 10. Through the various configurations of the piercing vent 10 described herein, the installation of the piercing vent 10 into a section of watercraft wrap 12 is a substantially one-handed operation. The piercing tip 18 is fully exposed so that the piercing tip 18 can be directly inserted into the watercraft wrap 12. The biasing flanges 28 of the opposing guide members 26 are angled in a generally upward direction to capture at least a portion of the slit 56 and guide the severed edge 120 under the opposing guide members 26 and over the body 16 of the piercing vent 10. Through the lateral insertion of the piercing vent 10 into the watercraft wrap 12, the severed edge 120 of the watercraft wrap 12 is guided into the proper securing area 122 of the body 16. Once the piercing vent 10 is in the proper position, the user can then rotate the retaining member 30 into the closed position 36 to secure the watercraft wrap 12 within the securing area 122.
While various illustrations included herein disclose the installation of the spacing flange 70 extending from an underside of the body 16, certain embodiments of the piercing vent 10 can be formed without the inclusion of the spacing flange 70.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-15 and 17-24, the body 16 is a generally arcuate-shaped wedge that extends in a generally tapered configuration from the second end 24 of the body 16 to the first end 20 where the piercing tip 18 is located. This curved configuration of the body 16 includes a primary curve 178 and can also include a secondary curve 180 that is generally perpendicular to the arcuate shape of the primary curve 178 of the body 16. In this configuration, the overall shape of the primary curve 178 of the body 16 curves generally downward and the secondary curve 180 can be in a generally upward direction to form a generally hyperbolic paraboloid. This configuration of the body 16 serves to reinforce the first end 20 of the body 16 where the piercing tip 18 is located. As the piercing tip 18 is inserted through the watercraft wrap 12, the hyperbolic paraboloid shape of the body 16 serves to strengthen the first end 20, the piercing tip 18 and the body 16 as a whole, and prevent unwanted bending of the piercing tip 18 during installation of the piercing vent 10.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
