BOAT SHADE SYSTEM
In some embodiments, a shading system is disclosed that includes a shade panel and a pole. The pole being configured to support the shade panel. The shading system further includes a plurality of cords. Each cord of the plurality of cords includes a first end and a second end. The shade panel being coupled to the first end of each cord of the plurality of cords. The shading system further includes a plurality of clamps. Each clamp of the plurality of clamps being coupled to the second end of a corresponding cord of the plurality of cords. The plurality of clamps being configured to engage corresponding portions of a boat to inhibit removal of the plurality of cords from the boat.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/222,688, entitled “RIGID INFLATABLE BOAT SHADE SYSTEM,” filed on Jul. 16, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE SPECIFICATIONThis application generally relates to a boat shade, and in particular, a shading system for the bow section of rigid inflatable boats.
While there is a well-established product range for shading systems pertaining to the stern section of inflatable boats/rigid inflatable boats (“RIBs”), shading systems for the bow section of RIBs are at best rudimentary or non-existent. As a result, users of RIBs are constrained in their ability to use the bow section of their boats for extended periods of time due to lack of protection under the sun. This is mostly relevant and important when boaters want to enjoy water activities (e.g., swimming, sun bathing, etc.) and typically drop anchor at a spot of choice to do so. The inability to fully benefit from use of the bow section of the boat, where in most RIBs seating/sun bathing decks can be found, more often than not results in limited time spent using the boat at anchor as lack of protection against the sun is for most people unpleasant and/or problematic. This also often results in boaters “fighting” for shade at the stern section of the boat leading to crammed seating conditions and inability to fully enjoy the boat and time on the water.
SUMMARYIn an embodiment, a boat shading system is disclosed that comprises a shade panel and a pole. The pole is configured to support the shade panel. The boat shading system further comprises a plurality of cords. Each cord of the plurality of cords comprises a first end and a second end. The shade panel is coupled to the first end of each cord of the plurality of cords. The boat shading system further comprises a plurality of clamps. Each clamp of the plurality of clamps is coupled to the second end of a corresponding cord of the plurality of cords. The plurality of clamps is configured to engage corresponding portions of a boat to inhibit removal of the plurality of cords from the boat.
In another embodiment, a boat shading system is disclosed that comprises a shade panel and a plurality of poles supporting the shade panel. The shade panel is coupled to a first end of each of the plurality of poles. The boat shading system further comprises a plurality of clamps. Each clamp of the plurality of clamps is coupled to a second end of a corresponding pole of the plurality of poles. The plurality of clamps comprises fastening devices that are attachable to portions of a boat.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
The embodiments illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of exemplary embodiments in whole or in part. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The disclosed shading system fills a gap in the market for rigid inflatable boat (“RIB”) shading and vastly increases boaters’ options in terms of using and enjoying their boats throughout the day. In addressing the above-mentioned market gap and user experience shortcomings, illustrative embodiments of the disclosed shading system provide the following benefits:
- a) ease and speed of assembly/disassembly - the disclosed shading system is simple and quick to assemble/disassemble. In some scenarios, it may take two operators less than five minutes to mount/dismount the shading system. In other scenarios a longer or shorter amount of time may be needed, e.g., depending on the skill and experience of the operators.
- b) flexible usage - the disclosed shading system includes a design with flexibility in positioning the shading system at various mounting angles, e.g., side to side and front to back. This flexibility provides users with the ability to choose different shading settings in order to account for changes in the position of the sun in the horizon during the day. Also, in some embodiments, the disclosed shading system may allow an adult of average height to be fully upright when standing under the shade (e.g., a clearance of two meters from the floor of a RIB to the top of the shade). Any other clearance may alternatively be provided.
- c) durability - high quality, lightweight yet durable materials may be used to construct the disclosed shading system in illustrative embodiments.
- d) portability - the disclosed shading system may be easily transportable and stowed away in the form of an easy to carry bag when not in use.
Shade panel 114 may include a plurality of surfaces 120 for interfacing with telescopic poles 110. The telescopic poles 110 may extend to any desired length, for example, sufficient for shade panel 114 to be supported at a height that provides head clearance of an average adult person or any other clearance. The telescopic poles 110 may be anchored or secured to the deck of RIB 102. The telescopic poles 110 may be flexible and resilient in nature and made from material, such as fiberglass, graphite, metal, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or any other material having an appropriate flexible and resilient nature.
A plurality of cords with tensioner 112 are attached to the shade panel 114 at attachment points 116 with shade hooks 104 at a first end of the plurality of cords with tensioner 112. The attachment points 116 may include D-rings for attachment with the shade hooks 104. The cords with tensioner 112 are further attached to a plurality of clamps 108 with clamp hooks 106 at a second end of the plurality of cords with tensioner 112. The plurality of clamps 108 may comprise semi-circular shaped fastening devices that can be placed around and tightened to any portion of air tubes 118. The plurality of cords with tensioner 112 may comprise nylon ropes or straps attached to adjustable tensioners. Once the plurality of clamps 108 are secured to air tubes 118, the plurality of cords with tensioner 112 may be tensioned to adjust slack such that shade panel 114 is properly aligned or fitted with respect to RIB 102.
Telescopic pole 110 may be extended or retracted at sections 906 and 908 according to a desired height of the shade panel 114.
Shade panel 1014 may include a plurality of grommets 1016 for interfacing with telescopic poles 1010. The telescopic poles 1010 may extend to any desired length, for example, sufficient for shade panel 1014 to be supported at a height that provides head clearance of an average adult person or any other clearance. The telescopic poles 1010 are further attached to a plurality of clamps 1008 via a plurality of pole mounting brackets 1006. The plurality of clamps 1008 may comprise semi-circular shaped fastening devices that can be placed around and tightened to any portion of air tubes 1018. The telescopic poles 1010 may be flexible and resilient in nature and made from material, such as fiberglass, graphite, metal, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or any other material having an appropriate flexible and resilient nature.
A plurality of cords with tensioner 1012 are attached to the shade panel 1014 at grommets 1016 at a first end of the plurality of cords with tensioner 1012. The cords with tensioner 1012 are further attached to air tubes 1018 at a second end of the plurality of cords with tensioner 1012. The plurality of cords with tensioner 1012 may comprise nylon ropes or straps attached to adjustable tensioners. Once the plurality of telescopic poles 1010 are secured to clamps 1008 and shade panel 1014, the plurality of cords with tensioner 1012 may be tensioned to adjust slack such that shade panel 1014 is properly aligned or fitted with respect to RIB 1002.
As indicated above, telescopic poles 1010 attach to clamps 1008 via a plurality of pole mounting brackets 1006. Each pole mounting bracket 1006 has a corresponding pole mounting bracket lever 1804. Pole mounting bracket 1006 may be loosed by pole mounting bracket lever 1804 for moving the pole mounting bracket 1006 with respect to clamp 1008. This enables adjustment of the tilting angle of telescopic poles 1010 at different positions to account for the rotation of the sun/shade panel 1014 during the day. The pole mounting bracket 1006 may then be locked into a desired position by tightening the pole mounting bracket lever 1804.
Clamp 1008 may be folded up or collapsed at a hinge 1808 into a fold-up position, as shown in
The foregoing description will so fully reveal the general nature of the illustrative embodiments that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the illustrative embodiments. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).
Claims
1. A boat shading system comprising:
- a shade panel;
- a pole, the pole being configured to support the shade panel;
- a plurality of cords, each cord of the plurality of cords comprising a first end and a second end, the shade panel being coupled to the first end of each cord of the plurality of cords; and
- a plurality of clamps, each clamp of the plurality of clamps being coupled to the second end of a corresponding cord of the plurality of cords, the plurality of clamps being configured to engage corresponding portions of a boat to inhibit removal of the plurality of cords from the boat.
2. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein the pole comprises a ball joint, the ball joint being configured to engage a portion of the shade panel and to adjust an angle of the shade panel relative to the boat.
3. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein the pole comprises a base comprising a fastening device, the fastening device being configured to engage with a portion of a boat deck of the boat to inhibit removal of the pole from the portion of the boat deck.
4. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein the pole comprises a telescopic pole, wherein the telescopic pole is configured to extend and retract relative to the boat to adjust a length of the telescopic pole, a height of the shade panel relative to the boat being adjustable based at least in part on the length of the telescopic pole.
5. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of clamps further comprises a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw being configured to engage the corresponding clamp to a corresponding structure of the boat.
6. The boat shading system of claim 5 wherein the clamp jaw is configured to be tightened or loosened by a knob.
7. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of clamps further comprises a hinge, the hinge being configured to collapse the corresponding clamp into a fold-up position.
8. The boat shading system of claim 1 wherein the boat shading system is configured to be stowed away in a carry bag when not in use.
9. A boat shading system comprising:
- a shade panel;
- a plurality of poles supporting the shade panel, the shade panel being coupled to a first end of each of the plurality of poles; and
- a plurality of clamps, each clamp of the plurality of clamps being coupled to a second end of a corresponding pole of the plurality of poles, the plurality of clamps comprising fastening devices that are attachable to portions of a boat.
10. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of clamps further comprises a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw being configured to engage the corresponding clamp to a corresponding structure of the boat.
11. The boat shading system of claim 10 wherein the clamp jaw is configured to be tightened or loosened by a lever.
12. The boat shading system of claim 10 wherein the clamp jaw is configured to be tightened or loosened by a screw top.
13. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of clamps further comprises a hinge, the hinge being configured to collapse the corresponding clamp into a fold-up position.
14. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein the first end of each of the plurality of poles comprises a socket head cap screw.
15. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein the second end of each of the plurality of poles includes a base that is removably attachable to the plurality of clamps via a pole mounting bracket to inhibit removal of the pole from the plurality of clamps.
16. The boat shading system of claim 15 wherein:
- the pole mounting bracket is configured to be moved along the plurality of clamps via a pole mounting bracket lever;
- the pole mounting bracket lever is adjustable between at least a first position and a second position;
- the pole mounting bracket is inhibited from moving when the pole mounting bracket lever is in the first position; and
- the pole mounting bracket is movable when the pole mounting bracket lever is in the second position.
17. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of poles comprises telescopic poles, wherein each of the telescopic poles is configured to extend and retract relative to the boat to adjust a length of the corresponding telescopic pole, a height of the shade panel relative to the boat being adjustable based at least in part on the lengths of the telescopic poles.
18. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein the shade panel comprises a plurality of vent holes.
19. The boat shading system of claim 18 wherein the vent holes are configured to be covered by a top cap.
20. The boat shading system of claim 9 wherein the shade panel further comprises a plurality of tubings that are configured to provide structural support to the shade panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2022
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2023
Inventors: Ioannis Repoulis (Larchmont, NY), Nina V. Ragone (Larchmont, NY)
Application Number: 17/867,619