STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of devices made for protecting a watercraft. More specifically, the invention relates to a protective fender for a watercraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
A boat fender is a device used to prevent damage to a watercraft when the watercraft is moored to a berthing structure. Fenders often rest on the outside of the boat or are directly attached to a berthing structure, such as a dock or pier.
A detailed view of a prior art fender is shown in FIG. 1. The prior art fender 10 has a main body 12, a first end 14 and a second end 16, where both ends have an eyelet 18. Main body 12 is typically cylindrical, filled with air and flexible. Prior art fenders 10 are manufactured out of plastic, rubber, or foam elastomer to assist with absorbing the energy of a watercraft as it berths against a structure. Eyelets 18 on each end of prior art fender 10 allow a rope to pass through to tie the fender 10 to the watercraft 20, as illustrated in prior art FIG. 2. The prior art fenders 10 typically attach to the cleat 22 on the side of the watercraft 20.
Prior art fenders 10 are bulky and because of their cylindrical shape, often roll out of place when up against a berthing structure, such as a dock or a pier. Additionally, fenders 10 that attach directly to the berthing structure often are unsightly and become damaged from constant exposure to the elements. Therefore, the use of the prior art fenders often do not serve their purpose.
What is needed is a more effective fender that is not bulky and stays in place when moored. The present invention achieves the objective. The device has additional advantages further discussed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fender having a backbone with a first end and a second end and two sides, a series of ribs on both sides of the backbone. The first and second ends have a connection point to attach the fender to a watercraft either vertically or horizontally. The fender is made of a flexible, resilient and buoyant material. The fender is capable of bending such that it can be wrapped around dock pilings to better engage with a berthing structure. This is one example of how the fender better protects the watercraft and berthing structure from damage.
Fender is also capable of connecting nearly seamlessly to additional fenders, where the ribs interlock with one another. The expandable fenders can be securely connected by way of a hook and loop cable tie or other known method of connecting the fenders. In its connected form, fenders can be used as a sunbathing float (Note: fender is not a coast guard approved PFD), a sunshade or to provide additional coverage to the side of a watercraft when moored. The reader will appreciate that the number of fenders that can be added to, and the different configurations of, the expandable fender are limitless.
Additionally fender is capable of being rolled into a cylindrical shape if the user desires a more conventional cylindrically shaped fender or if the user desires to create added distance between the vessel and the dock/piling or other object.
The present invention allows a user of a watercraft to avoid using bulky fenders. This fender stows flat inside a storage compartment and does not consume as much precious storage space when compared to conventional cylindrical fenders. It provides an easy, sleek and efficient way to protect a watercraft from damage when against a berthing structure, such as a dock or a pier or when moored near other boats and the user seeks to prevent the two vessels from damaging one another. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present fender are better understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
The term “and/or,” as used in this disclosure, is inclusive of the items which it joins linguistically, and each item by itself.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing a prior art fender.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing prior art fenders attached to a watercraft.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing the present fender.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the present fender attached to a watercraft.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the manipulation of the ribs of the present fender.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the present fender attached to a watercraft.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing the present fender against a dock piling.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view, showing multiple fenders.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, showing multiple fenders.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
10 prior art fender
12 prior art main body
14 prior art first end
16 prior art second end
18 eyelet
20 watercraft
22 cleat
24 fender
26 backbone
28 ribs
30 eyelet
32 first end
34 second end
36 dock piling
38 fender system
40 dock line
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present fender 24 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The fender 24 has a backbone 26 that extends from a first end 32 to a second end 34 and has two sides. Along each side of backbone 26 a series of ribs 28 extend outward away from backbone 26. Ribs 28 on either side of backbone 26 are positioned in an alternating fashion. In other words, ribs 28 on the first side of backbone 26 do not align with ribs 28 on the second side of backbone 26 (instead ribs 28 on a first side of backbone 26 are opposite an empty space between ribs 28 on a second side of backbone 26). First end 32 and second end 34 of backbone 26 includes at least one eyelet 30. Eyelet 30 is large enough to allow a rope or line pass through it. Although an eyelet 30 is illustrated, any connection point (or mechanism) could be provided to connect fender 24 to another object. First end 32 of backbone 26 is a T-shape and second end 34 is a clamp shape.
Fender 24 is preferably manufactured from ethylene-vinyl acetate (“EVA”) foam. EVA foam allows for the manipulation of fender 24. Fender 24, including backbone 26 and ribs 28 can therefore be manipulated in a preferred direction. This is particularly useful when mooring the watercraft because fender 24 can bend around a piling or other structure. Absent the application of a force applied to fender 24, fender returns to the position shown in FIG. 3. Fender 24 also includes a tear proof membrane to prevent tearing during extreme loads.
FIG. 4 illustrates two fenders 24 attached to a watercraft 20. Fenders 24 are attached to the watercraft's cleat 22 by looping a rope through eyelet 30 of fender 24. Although a rope attaches fender 24 to watercraft 20 in the present view, any known method of connecting fender 18 to watercraft 20 can be utilized. For example, eyelets 30 are not required-instead, a small plastic piece could be molded to first end 32 of fender 24 and a line or rope could attached the cleat 22 to the plastic piece. Fenders 24 can rest flat against the side of watercraft 20 and provide an aesthetically pleasing design. Fenders 24 can be attached in a vertical position or in a horizontal position. To attached fender 24 in a horizontal position, a rope is threaded through eyelet 30 at first end 32 and eyelet 30 at second end 34 and then attached to cleat 22. There can be more than two cleats 22 on the watercraft 20 and more than two fenders 24. Additionally, multiple fenders 24 could be attached to each cleat 22, either by expanding the fenders 24 themselves (as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8) or by doubling up the fenders (back to back) to provide additional thickness to the fender 24.
FIG. 5 shows an example of how the EVA foam construction allows ribs 28 to be flexible. This flexibility is a key feature for the present fender 24 as it allows fender 24 to be configured in a limitless number of configurations and can conform to the shape of any vessel or dock or other object. Although EVA foam is described as a compatible material for the present fender 24, any known material that allows for the flexible manipulation of the fender 24 could be used.
Another example of the flexibility of fender 24 made possible by the flexible nature of the EVA foam material and the unique shape of the fender 24 itself is illustrated in FIG. 6. Fender 24 can be rolled into a cylindrical shape to replicate the shape of conventional fenders available today thereby creating a bulkier fender 24 on the outside of the watercraft 20. First end 32 (T-shaped portion) is inserted into second end 34 (clamp shaped portion) and a dock line 40 is slotted through each eyelet 30 to secure the two ends together. The opposite end of dock line 40 is then attached to cleat 22 of watercraft 20 and fender 22 is suspended down on the outside of the watercraft 20. In the alternative dock line could secure fender 24 to the dock or another fixed object. This configuration of the present fender 24 allows a user to increase the distance (approximately 8-9 inches of thickness or width) between the user's own watercraft 20 and the berthing structure or another watercraft when fender 24 is in position.
Fender 24 is shown against a dock piling 35 in FIG. 7. This view, with watercraft removed for clarity, illustrates the manner in which fender 24 can hug or wrap around piling 35 which introduces the benefit of protecting the piling and the vessel from up to 360 degrees of possible impact angle. If secured tightly, fender 24 will remain exactly where the user has secured fender 24 until it is removed from the piling, eliminating the concern of whether fender 24 rolls out of position when the wind or water current and tide moves the vessel. And if secured loosely to the piling, fender 24 will float on the surface of the water and travel up or down the length of the piling as the water level increases or decreases in tidal zones. This is a large benefit for the user as most often damage occurs at water's edge where organisms such as barnacles and oyster shells tend to cling to pilings and other dock surfaces. In this example fender 24 would remain between the dock piling and the vessel regardless of where the tide may rise to or lower to. Although a dock piling 36 is illustrated, fender 24 can manipulate to any surface to assist with positional stability.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the present fender system 38. Fenders 24 can be interlocked together to form additional protection for the watercraft or to create a number of different useful objects (such as a seat cushion, sunshade or float). In FIG. 8, fenders 24 are shown connected in a horizontal manner, or side to side. Ribs 28 of fenders 24 interlock together and because of the specific arrangement of the ribs 28 on the fenders 24, fenders 24 fit together nearly seamlessly. Any number of fenders 24 can be added in this manner. Again, the connected fenders 24 form a nearly seamless system 28. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9, fenders 24 can be connected vertically, or end to end. First end 32 and second end 34 interlock together. This allows a user to lengthen fender 24 for additional protection or other uses. Although not shown, the reader will appreciate that fenders 24 can be added side-to-side and end-to-end within the same fender system 38.
FIG. 10 illustrates another view of the present fender 24, showing ribs 28, backbone 26, first end 32 (having a T-shaped portion) and second end 34 (having a clamp-shaped portion). Again, backbone 26 is capable of being manipulated such that first end 32 engages with and interlocks with second end 34.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, fenders 24 can include any number of ribs 28 and the ribs 28 can be varying lengths. Additionally, fender 24 can include various different methods of attaching fenders 24 to watercraft. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.
Patent Application
20240317369
