METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECONFIGURABLE PONTOON BOAT FENCING

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for constructing and mounting pontoon boat perimeter fencing that is made of a frame and lightweight, three-dimensional panels that can be easily changed without tools to alter the color, design and styling of the boat. Further, the present invention permits streamlined manufacture by use of uniform, interchangeable panels.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Appl. Ser. No. 63/487,676 filed on 1 Mar. 2023.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pontoon boats are a type of boat that consists of a deck mounted to two or more pontoons for floatation. A helm and various types of furniture and components are mounted to the top of the deck. Near the perimeter of the deck is typically a barrier wall, commonly referred to as fencing, to keep passengers and contents in the boat. It also can serve as protection from water splashing into the boat. The design, color, and applied graphics of the fencing is what typically determines the exterior appearance of the boat. Most modern pontoon boats use an aluminum frame with colored vinyl or aluminum sheet attached to the frame with fasteners. The sheet is either smooth of ribbed, but generally flat. Some high-end boats use molded fiberglass or stamped aluminum to achieve a more stylish exterior appearance, but these solutions are expensive and mounted directly to the pontoon deck. Regardless of the solution, the color, design, and styling of the boat cannot be easily or economically changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a method, apparatus, and system for constructing and mounting pontoon boat perimeter fencing that is made of a frame and lightweight, three-dimensional panels that can be easily changed without tools to alter the color, design and styling of the boat. The invention provides the ability for the customer to get what they want, change it when they want, and minimize the inventory the dealer needs to carry. Further, the present invention permits streamlined manufacture by use of uniform, interchangeable panels.

The present invention also provides for panels to be removed and replaced as is desired, without the use of tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame for pontoon boat perimeter fencing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a panel used in the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the panel shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the panel shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another panel used in the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the panel shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the panel shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the panel of FIG. 2 being inserted into the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the panel of FIG. 3 being inserted in the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depict a securing device that could be used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 depict another securing device that could be used in the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts the frame of FIG. 1 being populated with the panels of FIGS. 2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

FIG. 1 shows a pontoon boat 10 having a fencing frame 12 according to the present invention. The frame 12 has a top side 14 and a bottom side 16 and a plurality of side bars 18 arranged to from a plurality of openings 20. The frame 12 is mounted on the deck of the pontoon boat 10. There are numerous ways to form the frame 12, for example providing a welded frame made from square aluminum tubing. The frame 12 could be constructed from a variety of tubing or bar shapes and sizes. The frame 12 can be designed in a number of ways to create various patterns of the openings 20. The embodiment shown creates two different shaped openings 20 in the fencing frame 12. The size and shape of the fence openings 20 are not specific to the idea.

FIGS. 2-2B depicts a panel 22 that can be used in the present invention. The panel 22 is triangular in shape, having sides 24, 26, and 28 to form a perimeter 30. The panel 22 has a front side 25 and a back side 27, with a flange 29 located on the back side 27.

FIGS. 3-3B depict a second panel 32 that also can be used in the present invention. The panel 32 is quardrilateral in shape, e.g. a parallelogram, having sides 34, 36, 38, and 40 to form a perimeter 42. The panel 32 has a front side 35 and a back side 37, with a flange 39 located on the back side 37.

It should be understood that reference to a front side and a back side is for spatial understanding of the present invention.

The panels 22 and 32 can be formed in a variety of ways and shapes. The panels could also be circular, wave shape, or some other non-polygonal shape. For example the panels 22 and 32 could be lightweight, three-dimensional panels made from thermoformed plastic. The panels could also be made from stamped aluminum or injection-molded plastic.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the panels 22 and 32 are shown being inserted into the frame 12. The panels are inserted into the inside of the frame so that they can be easily inserted and removed from the deck of the pontoon without the use of tools. The panels 22 and 32 are inserted into the opening 14, with the individual openings 14 having a respective perimeter 44 and 46 that will essentially be of the shape of the individual perimeters 30 and 42. The panels 22 and 32 and the respective flanges 29 and 39 that, when inserted into the frame openings 14 from the back side, will create a stylish, three-dimensional design to the exterior of the boat, as demonstrated in FIG. 8. As is appreciated in FIG. 8, the panel and fencing system of the present invention could also be incorporated into the awning of the pontoon boat. The depth and surface details of the panels can be changed to alter the look. The panels 22 and 32 can be molded in color, painted or film wrapped to achieve the desired color. Furthermore, the panels can be arranged as the owner sees fit, such as replacing various panels as desired.

With respect to panels of the present invention, the discussed perimeters generally are the shape of the particular panel and are shaped to mate with a respective opening. The flanges located on the respective panels extend from that panel's perimeter. However, it is contemplated that individual panels may not entirely cover or mate with a specific opening. For example, the panel 32 may be used within an opening 14′, as shown in FIG. 8. The rectangular opening 14′ and the panel 32 are not the same shape. It may be possible that the panel 32 is designed with a flange that is of the same size or shape as that of the opening 14′, allowing for the flange to mate with the opening 14′. It is also possible that the panel 32 can be secured within the opening 14′, as the heights of the panel 32 and the opening 14′ are the same, allowing for the sides 34 and 38 of the panel 32 to mate with the opening 14′. It should be understood that such arrangements fall within the scope of the present invention. Provided that a panel and opening arrangement allows for the panel to be matingly fit within the opening without the use of tools, the arrangement would fall under the present invention.

The present invention provides a pontoon fencing system that allows for assembly without the requirement of tools for the panels 22 and/or 32 to be secured within the frame 12. FIGS. 6 and 7 depict fasteners that can be used in the present invention to hold the panels 22, 32 in place without requiring tools. For example, FIG. 6 depicts plunger buttons 52 that could be used to secure the panels 22, 32 in place, while FIG. 7 depicts wing screws 54 that alternatively may be used. The panels 22, 32 could also be mounted with ball detent pins, thumb screws, quarter-turn fasteners, hook and loop material, or a variety of other fastening methods that do not require tools. The panels could also have molded in features or attachments that facilitate a snap-in mounting.

It should be also understood that the present invention also allows for the removal of panels without the use of panels, which allows the user to rearrange and redesign the look of the pontoon easily and quickly as desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A pontoon boat comprising:

a fencing system comprising: a frame, said frame having a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and a plurality of openings located in said frame; and

a plurality of panels, each of said panels being inserted into one of said openings,

a plurality of fasteners to hold the panels within said openings,

wherein said panels are held in place without the use of additional tools.

2. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein at least one of said panels is triangular in shape.

3. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein at least one of said panels is a quadrilateral.

4. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein said panels further comprise a flange located on the edge of each of said panels, said flange generally being the shape of the opening.

5. The pontoon boat according to claim 1, wherein said openings are formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars.

6. The pontoon boat according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the side panels is non-polygonal in shape.

7. A fencing system for a pontoon boat comprising:

a frame, said frame having a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and

a plurality of openings located in said frame, said openings having a perimeter; and

a plurality of panels, each of said panels being inserted into one of said openings, each of said openings having a perimeter;

wherein said panels are held in place without the use of additional tools.

8. The fencing system according to claim 7, wherein the perimeter of each of said panels is substantially the same as the perimeter of one of said openings.

9. The fencing system according to claim 7, wherein said openings and said panels are polygons.

10. The fencing system according to claim 9, wherein the shapes of said openings and said panels are selected from triangles and quadrilaterals.

11. The fencing system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the shapes of said openings and said panels are non-polygonal.

12. The fencing system of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of fasteners to hold the panels within the openings.

13. The fencing system of claim 7 wherein said openings are formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars,

14. A method of making a pontoon boat comprising the steps of:

mounting a frame onto a pontoon boat deck, wherein said frame comprises: a top side, a bottom side and a plurality of side bars extending from said top side to said bottom side; and a plurality of openings located in said frame, said openings formed by said top side, said bottom side, and a pair of said side bars;

inserting into at least one of said openings a panel; and

securing said panel in place without the use of tools.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said panels are essentially the same size as the openings in said frame.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

removing the panel without the use of tools.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of

securing another panel into said opening where said removed panel was located.