Patent Application
20250026453
The present invention relates generally to the field of boats. More specifically, the present invention relates to a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device that can be attached to a boat to provide a retractable and extendable diving board and step. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
In the world of recreational boating, many enthusiasts dream of having a diving board installed on their vessel. However, integrating a diving board onto a boat is not as simple as it sounds. One of the primary challenges is the significant amount of space a diving board demands. Boats, especially smaller ones, have limited deck space, and every square foot is crucial for passengers, equipment, and other amenities. Allocating a sizable chunk of this space to a diving board can be impractical and might compromise other essential functions or areas of the boat.
Further, individuals like the elderly or young children may experience difficulties when trying to board a boat. Both may struggle to do so because of reduced mobility or balance, size, and developing (or lack thereof) motor skills. Further, a boat's movement and potential wet surfaces can make boarding even more difficult for these groups.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that provides a diving board for a boat. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that aids users in boarding a boat. As a result, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device that provides a diving board that can be used on a boat without taking up important boat space. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device that aids a user in boarding a boat.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device. The device is comprised of a diving board that can preferably be attached on the underside of a boat deck. The board can be remotely extended/retracted from under the deck via a wired or wireless control. The device may also be comprised of a handrail that aids a user in stepping onto the board (and then onto the boat) from a ground surface or a dock.
In this manner, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device of the present invention accomplish all the foregoing objectives and provides a device that provides a diving board for a boat and that also aids users in boarding a boat. More specifically, the device provides a diving board that can be used on a boat without taking up important boat space due to the ability of the board to retract. In addition, the board aids a user in boarding a boat by providing a stepping/walking surface between a dock or ground surface and the deck of a boat.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device. The device is preferably comprised of at least one housing which attaches to a boat. At least one board is stored within the housing, wherein the board can be extended or retracted from the housing via at least one air cylinder in one embodiment. The housing is preferably attached to the underside of a deck of a pontoon boat.
In one embodiment, the housing completely encloses the board such that the board is completely stored within the housing when not in use. In this embodiment, the housing is comprised of at least one track to which the board may be fixedly or removably attached.
The track is attached to at least one air cylinder that controls the movement of the track (i.e., forward and backward relative to the x-axis of the housing). In this manner, the air cylinder allows the board to be extended outwards from an opening of the housing and retracted into the housing via the same opening.
In one embodiment, the cylinder is comprised of at least one transmitter in wireless electrical communication with at least one receiver of at least one control. In this manner, the control can be used to wirelessly extend and retract the board from the housing. The control may be in the form of a remote, a switch, a button, etc. In another embodiment, the control is in wired electrical communication with the cylinder and is mounted on a fixed location of the boat.
The board functions as a rectangular diving board and may be comprised of at least one diving board spring to allow the board to move up and down when a user jumps on the board. In this manner, the board can be extended from the housing and a user can jump off the board into a body of water. The board can also be extended to serve as a step or walkway to exit the boat.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a retractable and extendable board that attaches to a boat and is comprised of at least one spring, at least one air cylinder, at least one track, and at least one. Then, a housing of the device can be secured to the underside of a deck of a boat. Then, the control can then be used to extend the board from the housing and from under the deck such that a user can use the board as a diving board and jump off the board into a body of water. The control can also be used to retract the board into the housing.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a retractable and extendable board that attaches to a boat and is comprised of at least one spring, at least one air cylinder, at least one track, and at least one control. Then, a housing of the device can be secured to the underside of a deck of a boat. Then, the control can then be used to extend the board from the housing and from under the deck such that a user can use the board as a step to get onto the boat. A user can also grab and use a handrail of the device to aid in stepping onto the boat. The control can also be used to retract the board into the housing.
Accordingly, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that provides a diving board for a boat and that also aids users in boarding a boat. More specifically, the device provides a diving board that can be used on a boat without taking up important boat space due to the ability of the board to retract. In addition, the board aids a user in boarding a boat by providing a stepping/walking surface between a dock or ground surface and the deck of a boat. In this manner, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device overcomes the limitations of existing boats known in the art as they relate to diving boards and to boarding the boat.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that provides a diving board for a boat. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that aids users in boarding a boat. As a result, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device that provides a diving board that can be used on a boat without taking up important boat space. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device that aids a user in boarding a boat.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device. The device is preferably comprised of at least one housing which attaches to a boat, wherein at least one board is stored within the housing. Further, the board can be extended or retracted from the housing via at least one air cylinder in one embodiment. The housing is preferably attached to the underside of a deck of a pontoon boat.
In one embodiment, the housing completely encloses the board such that the board is completely stored within the housing when not in use. In this embodiment, the housing is comprised of at least one track to which the board may be fixedly or removably attached.
The track is attached to at least one air cylinder. The cylinder controls the movement of the track (i.c., forward and backward relative to the x-axis of the housing). In this manner, the air cylinder allows the board to be extended outwards from an opening of the housing and retracted into the housing via the same opening.
In one embodiment, the cylinder is comprised of at least one transmitter in wireless electrical communication with at least one receiver of at least one control. In this manner, the control can be used to wirelessly extend and retract the board from the housing. The control may be in the form of a remote, a switch, a button, etc. In another embodiment, the control is in wired electrical communication with the cylinder and is mounted on a fixed location of the boat.
The board functions as a rectangular diving board and may be comprised of at least one diving board spring to allow the board to move up and down when a user jumps on the board. In this manner, the board can be extended from the housing and a user can jump off the board into a body of water. The board can also be extended to serve as a step or walkway to exit the boat.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a retractable and extendable board that attaches to a boat and is comprised of at least one spring, at least one air cylinder, at least one track, and at least one. Then, a housing of the device can be secured to the underside of a deck of a boat. Then, the control can then be used to extend the board from the housing and from under the deck such that a user can use the board as a diving board and jump off the board into a body of water. The control can also be used to retract the board into the housing.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a retractable and extendable board that attaches to a boat and is comprised of at least one spring, at least one air cylinder, at least one track, and at least one control. Then, a housing of the device can be secured to the underside of a deck of a boat. Then, the control can then be used to extend the board from the housing and from under the deck such that a user can use the board as a step to get onto the boat. A user can also grab and use a handrail of the device to aid in stepping onto the boat. The control can also be used to retract the board into the housing.
Accordingly, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that provides a diving board for a boat and that also aids users in boarding a boat. More specifically, the device provides a diving board that can be used on a boat without taking up important boat space due to the ability of the board to retract. In addition, the board aids a user in boarding a boat by providing a stepping/walking surface between a dock or ground surface and the deck of a boat. In this manner, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device overcomes the limitations of existing boats known in the art as they relate to diving boards and to boarding the boat.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The housing 110 is preferably made from a steel or aluminum material. The housing 110 is preferably attached to the underside 14 of a deck 12 of a pontoon boat 10. However, the device 100 may be positioned on any location of any type of boat 10 in various embodiments. The housing 110 is secured to the underside 14 of the deck 12 via at least one fastener 160 such as, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, a bolt, and nut, etc.
In one embodiment, the housing 110 completely encloses the board 130 such that the board 130 is completely stored within the housing 110 when not in use. In this embodiment, the housing 110 is comprised of at least one track 120 to which the board 130 may be fixedly or removably attached. The track 120 may be any type known in the art. In another embodiment, there is no housing 110 and the board 130 directly attaches to the track 120 which directly attaches to the underside 14 of the deck 12, as seen in
The track 120 is attached to at least one air cylinder 140. The cylinder 140 controls the movement of the track 120 (i.e., forward and backward relative to the x-axis of the housing 110). In this manner, the air cylinder 140 allows the board 130 to be extended outwards from an opening 112 of the housing 110 and retracted into the housing 110 via the same opening 112, as seen in
In one embodiment, the cylinder 140 is comprised of at least one transmitter 142 in wireless electrical communication with at least one receiver 152 of at least one control 150. In this manner, the control 150 can be used to wirelessly extend and retract the board 130 from the housing 110. The control 150 may be in the form of a remote, a switch, a button, etc. In another embodiment, the control 150 is in wired electrical communication with the cylinder 140 and is mounted on a fixed location of the boat 10.
The board 130 is preferably made from a wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, etc., or other material of the like. The board 130 is comprised of a slip-resistant top surface 134. The top surface 134 may be comprised of a raised texture to increase grip. The board 130 functions as a rectangular diving board and may be comprised of at least one diving board spring 130 to allow the board 130 to move up and down when a user jumps on the board 130. In this manner, the board 130 can be extended from the housing 110 and a user can jump off the board 130 into a body of water. The board 130 can also be extended to serve as a step or walkway to exit the boat 10.
In one embodiment, the housing 110 may be comprised of at least one additional locking mechanism 114. The mechanism 114 further secures the board 130 to/within the housing 110 such that the board 130 cannot inadvertently exit the housing 110. The mechanism 114 may be any type such as, but not limited to, a clip, a clasp, a latch, a lock, etc.
In one embodiment, the housing may also be comprised of at least one handrail 116. The rail 116 may be any size, shape, configuration, and style of handrail 116 known in the art. The handrail 116 aids a user in stepping onto the boat 10 via the board 130. In one embodiment, the rail 116 is telescopic and collapsible such that it can be stored when not in use. In this embodiment, the rail 116 may be comprised of at least one locking member 117 (of any type known in the art) that locks the rail 116 at a specific height.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 300 the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the boat-attachable diving board and walking plank device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/514,133, which was filed on Jul. 18, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63514133 | Jul 2023 | US |
