Patent Application
20200391827
This disclosure relates to the field of storage devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to storage devices configured to be suspended from boat tops and to resist sagging and promote desirable storage conditions for stored items.
Storage on sport boats is problematic. Not only is storage space limited and at a premium, storage spaces are also typically located under the deck or under seats and items stored therein are exposed to damp and humid conditions that can promote mold growth and the like.
Life jackets represent one type of item that is difficult to store on a sport boat. Life jackets or other floatation devices are typically a required item to be on a boat. However, life jackets are bulky and when used for skiing, wakeboarding or the like, are wet. After use the life jackets are often stuffed into a storage well under a seat. Then, each time the jacket or jackets are needed persons sitting on the seat must get up for retrieval of the jackets, which is inconvenient and undesirable.
The storage wells are also undesirably prone to dampness and have little if any air circulation, especially with the seat top in place. If left for an extended time, such as for a week until the next time the boat is used, the jackets often remain damp and do not dry and become moldy. For this reason, boaters often leave the seat top off or partially off when the boat is stored to try to provide some air access. This too is undesirable and not a good solution for storage.
Because of this, boaters often will hang life jackets from a boat top or a rail of a boat. This is aesthetically undesirable and can be unsafe for a moving boat. During storage, the exposed jackets can be the target of damage from birds or the like, or targets of theft.
Similar storage issues exist for other items typically used with a sport boat, such as towels, sunscreen, and other items used on a sport boat.
What is desired is an auxiliary storage device that enables convenient storage of sport boat items, and renders the items convenient to access without having to move passengers from seated areas. It is also desirable to have the storage device able to facilitate drying of stored items that are wet and avoids damp storage conditions. It is further desirable to have the storage device able to securely conceal the stored items and to be an aesthetically pleasing addition to the boat.
The current disclosure relates to a boat top storage bag attachable to a top of a boat.
In one aspect, a bag according to the disclosure includes a main body having a plurality of interconnected panels, including a front panel, side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a rear access panel. The rear access panel is connected to the bottom panel and removably connectable to the side panels and the top panel by a closure, and the rear access panel and the closure are configured to cooperate so that the rear access panel folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag.
The bag also includes an interior cavity within the main body, the interior cavity including removable dividers to divide the interior into a plurality of cavity sections and to support the interior cavity against sagging; and a plurality of at least two different style fasteners that cooperate to enable the bag to be securable to a variety of boat tops and support the bag against sagging when it is secured to a boat top.
Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
With reference to the drawings, there is shown a boat top storage bag 10 attached to a top T of a boat B. In
With reference to
The panels of the main body 12 may be provided by a front panel 12a, side panels 12b and 12c, top panel 12d, bottom panel 12e, and a rear access panel 12f. The rear access panel 12f is connected to the bottom panel 12e and removably connectable to the side panels 12b and 12c, and the top panel 12d by a closure, preferably in the form of a zipper 12g.
The rear access panel 12f and the zipper 12g desirably cooperate with the bag 10 so that the panel 12f folds down to facilitate removal and insertion of items to be stored into the bag 10. The top panel 12d is formed of a nylon mesh to promote airflow. The bottom panel 12e includes non-rusting ventilation aluminum grommets 12ee to help prevent moisture buildup and avoid mold and mildew growth.
As shown in
The dividers 16 are configured to support the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e to maintain the interior cavity 14 against sagging. For example, the dividers 16 as installed are sufficiently self-supporting across their height to maintain substantially uniform spacing between the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e. The dividers 16 may be installed onto interior surfaces of the top panel 12d and the bottom panel 12e using fasteners such as hook and loop material, snaps or other removable fasteners.
In the shown embodiment, the bag 10 is configured to have a width of about 37 inches, a depth of about 20 inches, and a height of about 6 inches, with two of the dividers 16. This configuration is configured for storing six type-II life jackets or throwable flotation cushions, with two life jackets in each cavity section 14a-14c.
To enable storage of smaller items such as fire extinguishers, wallets, radio, and phones, the bag 10 also desirably includes a plurality of discrete pockets 18 on the front panel 12a the side panels 12b and 12c. Each of the pockets 18 also desirably includes one or more aluminum grommets 18a in the bottom for drainage and airflow. The pockets 18 may be opened/closed as by closures such as zippers 18b.
Additional storage for other smaller items, such as suntan lotion, sunglasses, and keys, is provided by see-through mesh storage pockets 20 on the side edges of the bottom panel 12e. The pockets 20 may be opened/closed as by closures such as zippers 20a. In addition, a built-in elastic cord 22 on the outside of the bottom panel 12e of the bag 10 allows valuable storage space for exposed drying of wet towels, rags, clothing, or additional life jackets or the like if needed.
As will be appreciated, the bag 10 is configured to be adaptable for installation onto a variety of boat tops, such as see in
As shown, in
In addition, the bag 10 includes a plurality of straps 26, preferably at least seven straps 26, connected thereto and having a cooperating D-ring 26a and hook and loop connectors 26b to enable quick connection to and disconnection from the top T. The straps 26 also help to support the bag 10 so as to avoid sagging. The straps 26 are uniformly arranged on the top panel 12d and are desirably one-inch wide nylon straps.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure provides an auxiliary storage device that enables convenient storage of sport boat items, and offers numerous advantages over the prior art.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62861096 | Jun 2019 | US |
