Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6283056
-
Patent Number
6,283,056
-
Date Filed
Thursday, May 25, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 4, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Russell; Dean W.
- Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 114 345
- 114 357
- 114 219
- 441 40
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
Boats having one or more inflatable inner members or tubes incorporated into their fenders are described herein. Also described are valve assemblies for use with such inner tubes, the assemblies permitting relatively easy removal of the inner tubes when necessary as well as inflation and deflation thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fixtures for use in connection with inflatable objects and more particularly for valves or other components connected to inner tubes of inflatable boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,978 to Garnier, incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, illustrates an exemplary boat having inflatable tubes as fenders and, among other components, a transom. The tubes of the boat are designed to be inflated with air to make the boat buoyant in water. The transom, to which an outboard motor may be fitted, typically is formed of wood or another sturdy material such as (but not limited to) metal.
Because in use the exteriors of the tubes contact multiple objects, their puncture and wear characteristics may be significant. To reduce the likelihood of premature puncture or wear of many tubes, manufacturers coat or cover them with puncture-inhibiting chemicals or fabrics. Alternatively or additionally, manufacturers may fill the tubes with foam (rather than air) to minimize their buoyancy loss should the tubes be punctured or torn. U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,436 to Hansen describes certain variations of such foam-filled tubes, calling them “stabilizing members.” Notwithstanding inclusion of buoyant foam in the members, the boats of the Hansen patent may nevertheless need the exteriors of the stabilizing members to be coated or covered “with a protective material, such as a rubber, liquid vinyl or some other plastic material” to “increase damage tolerance.” See Hansen, col. 6, 11. 21-25.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,685 to Hemphill, et al., also incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, describes additional foam-collared boats. Disclosed in the Hemphill patent are two coatings for the collars, preferably a urethane elastomer for use as one coating and two-component polyurethane system for the other. Both coatings are detailed as being capable of providing at least some abrasion-resistance, with the first above-described coating also designed to supply “strength” and “elongation.” See Hemphill, col. 4, 11. 28-64.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides alternative methods of enhancing the damage resistance of objects such as boats, particularly those having inflatable tubes or “fenders.” Rather than filling foam into the fenders, the present invention incorporates one or more inflatable inner members or tubes into the fenders Additionally included as part of the invention is an innovative valve assembly, which facilitates inflation and deflation of the inner tubes.
Thus, rather than requiring the tubular fenders to be coated or covered with further protective material, the present invention permits the fenders themselves to function as protective material for the inflatable inner tubes. The fenders may, of course, be coated or covered for additional protection. Nevertheless, such coating or covering is not absolutely necessary for satisfactory damage resistance.
Inner tubes of the invention typically are inserted within the fenders and inflated so that the fenders fit snugly about them. However, because the fenders themselves are usually sealed (or nearly so) from the ambient environment, removal of the inner tubes from the fenders for repair, replacement, addition of air, or otherwise may be difficult. The invention therefore includes a valve assembly adapted for connection to both the inner tubes and fenders and which facilitates removal of the inner tubes when necessary.
In use, a valve assembly is attached to its associated inner tube, preferably (although not necessarily) near an end thereof. As attached, the valve assembly and inner tube combination presents a combined object capable of being sealed and thereby isolated from its ambient external environment. By opening a valve formed as part of the assembly, air (or other fluid) may be caused to flow into or out of the inner tube, hence inflating or deflating it.
Unlike existing devices, the valve assembly of the present invention also may be connected to the outer fenders and have portions detached therefrom without opening the valve. Stated differently, even after an inner tube is inserted into a fender and inflated, it may easily be deflated and removed from the fender merely by grasping part of the assembly and pulling to withdraw it from the corresponding fender. The present invention thus permits both facile removal of the inner tubes from a boat or other object and inflation and deflation thereof.
After removal of the detachable portion of the assembly and the inner tube connected thereto, the associated fender will have an opening large enough to reinsert an (uninflated) inner tube—either the same inner tube or, if the original inner tube is to be replaced, a new one. Because the inner tubes typically are elongated, the end of each inner tube opposite the assembly advantageously may have an end of a cord connected to it, with the other end of the cord capable of being pulled to draw the inner tube the length of the interior of the fender. This permits the shape of the inserted inner tube to match more closely that of the associated fender so as to facilitate inflating the inner tube therein.
It thus is an object of the present invention to provide inflatable inner tubes and associated valve assemblies for objects including boats.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide inflatable boats having enhanced damage-resistance without resort to use of foam or protective coatings or coverings for the fenders.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide alternate valve assemblies for inflatable objects, the assemblies facilitating inflation and deflation of the inner tubes.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide valve assemblies adapted for connection jointly to both an inner tube and a corresponding fender and having a portion detachable from at least the fender to allow withdrawal of the inner tube from within the fender.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of an exemplary boat of the present invention.
FIG. 2A
is a plan view of the outer base of a valve assembly of the present invention for use as part of the boat of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 2B
is a cross-sectional view of the outer base of
FIG. 2A
taken a along lines B—B of that figure.
FIG. 2C
is a cross-sectional view of the outer base of
FIG. 2A
taken along lines C—C of that figure.
FIG. 3A
is a plan view of the inner base of the valve assembly of present invention for use as part of the boat of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3B
is a cross-sectional view of the inner base of
FIG. 3A
taken along lines B—B of that figure.
FIG. 3C
is a cross-sectional view of the inner base of
FIG. 3A
taken along lines C—C of that figure.
FIG. 4A
is a side view of an inflatable inner tube of the present invention.
FIG. 4B
is a cross-sectional view of the inner tube of FIG.
4
A.
FIG. 5A
is a plan view of an external fitting of the valve assembly of the present invention for use as part of the boat of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 5B
is a cross-sectional view of the external fitting of
FIG. 5A
taken along lines B—B of that figure.
FIG. 5C
is a cross-sectional view of the external fitting of
FIG. 5A
taken along lines C—C of that figure.
FIG. 6A
is a side view of a fender of the boat of the present invention.
FIG. 6B
is a cross-sectional view of the fender of FIG.
6
A.
FIG. 7A
is a plan view of a ring of the valve assembly of the present invention for use as part of the boat of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 7B
is a cross-sectional view of the ring of
FIG. 7A
taken along lines B—B of that figure.
FIG. 7C
is a cross-sectional view of the ring of
FIG. 7A
taken along lines C—C of that figure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Illustrated in
FIG. 1
is an exemplary boat
10
of the present invention. Boat
10
of
FIG. 1
includes two fenders
14
(denoted
14
A and
14
B), one forming each of the port and starboard sides thereof, and floor
18
. Optionally additionally included as part of boat
10
may be transom
22
, which if desired may comprise inflatable portion
26
and non-inflatable portion
30
, and generally frusto-conically-shaped segments
34
typically (but not necessarily) integrally formed with fenders
14
A and
14
B. Yet other options for boat
10
shown in
FIG. 1
include D-ring assemblies
38
, through which cord
42
may be strung to facilitate handling of boat
10
, and oar locks
46
. Assemblies
38
and locks
46
typically are attached to each of fenders
14
A and
14
B, although
FIG. 1
affirmatively illustrates such items connected only to fender
14
B.
In preferred embodiments of boat
10
, fenders
14
A and
14
B do not permit fluid communication therebetween, rather being sealed from each other in the area near bow
50
. Such isolation is not a requirement of the invention, however, so fenders
14
A and
14
B indeed may communicate if necessary or desired. Likewise, having exactly two fenders
14
A and
14
B as part of boat
10
is not mandated by the present invention, and fewer or greater numbers of fenders may be utilized instead.
Within each of fenders
14
A and
14
B may be an inflatable inner tube
52
shown in phantom lines in FIG.
1
. Inner tube
52
is formed of a material, such as (but not limited to) polyvinyl chloride, capable of retaining air for an extended period. Inner tube
52
also may (but need not necessarily) be generally cylindrically shaped and, when inflated, abut much of the interior surface of its associated fender
14
, thus causing the fender
14
to be shaped similarly. Each of fenders
14
A and
14
B may thus form a protective cover for its associated inner tube
52
, avoiding any requirement that the fenders
14
also be covered or coated for protection. As noted earlier, however, fenders
14
can be so coated or covered if desired.
Valve assembly
54
additionally appears in FIG.
1
. Typically, each inner tube
52
of boat
10
will have connected thereto a valve assembly
54
, which permits not only inflation and deflation of the inner tube
52
, but also facilitates removing the inner tube
52
from the corresponding fender
14
. Valve assembly
54
additionally may be attached to a fender
14
(see. e.g., fender
14
A in FIG.
1
), although detachably so in order to remove inner tube
52
from within. Preferred embodiments of boat
10
include one or more valve assemblies
54
, each having portions detachably connected to fender
14
and permanently connected to an inner tube
52
.
FIGS. 2A-5C
detail components of a sample valve assembly
54
of the present invention. Illustrated in
FIGS. 2A-C
, for example, are various views of outer base
58
of assembly
54
. Outer base
58
may comprise bottom
62
and side walls
66
integrally formed therewith, with bottom
62
defining central opening
70
therein. Walls
66
, moreover, may include serrations
74
, with one more recessed areas
78
being adapted to receive complimentary trusions
80
of inner base
82
.
Indeed, shown in
FIGS. 3A-C
is inner base
82
. Like outer base
58
, inner base
82
includes bottom
86
with a central opening
90
therein as well as side walls
94
. In use, inner base
82
is inserted into outer base
58
so that bottom
86
abuts bottom
68
and side walls
94
abut side walls
66
, with protrusions
80
received by recesses
78
. As so inserted, furthermore, inner base
82
has its central opening
90
aligned with central opening
70
of outer base
58
. If desired, inner base
82
may be permanently attached to outer base
58
once inserted therein.
Additionally included in many embodiments of inner base
82
are interior walls
98
and flange
102
, the latter protruding outward from side walls
94
. Inner base
82
thus creates two distinct recesses
106
and
110
, with recess
106
being formed between side walls
94
and interior walls
98
. Recess
110
, by contrast, is the area bounded by interior walls
98
.
As fitted together, inner base
82
and outer base
58
form a structure adapted to be connected to inflatable inner tube
52
of boat
10
, as detailed in
FIGS. 4A-B
. Underside
114
or, preferably, upper side
115
of flange
102
may be welded (using RF energy or otherwise) or attached, bonded, or connected in any suitable manner to (typically) exterior surface
116
of inner tube
52
, with side walls
66
and bottom
68
extending into the interior volume of tube
52
through an opening created therein. Because of the tight (friction) fit or other attachment between inner base
82
and outer base
58
, after the structure is connected to inner tube
52
, tube
52
remains sealed from the ambient environment except at aligned openings
70
and
90
, through which fluid may enter and exit the interior volume of tube
52
.
FIG. 4-B
also illustrate valve
118
useful as part of the present invention. In some embodiments of boat
10
, valve
118
is a valve commonly known as a “Boston” valve and is fitted into openings
70
and
90
. Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that other appropriate valving mechanisms may be substituted for the Boston-style valve shown in
FIG. 4-B
.
Nevertheless, if a Boston valve, valve
118
may include flanged retainer
122
, which may be fitted into openings
70
and
90
with its flanges retaining it in position. Retainer
122
need not be flanged, however, and instead may be welded or otherwise formed or fitted in place in any manner suitable for the plastics materials of which valve assembly
54
preferably (although not necessarily) is made. Retainer
122
additionally may have a threaded interior bore into which valving member
126
may be inserted, and member
126
may include cap
130
which, when removed, provides access to a chamber within member
126
to which a pump or other source of pressurized fluid may be connected. To inflate tube
52
with air, therefore, one need merely remove cap
130
, attach an air source to member
126
, and allow the air to flow through member
126
and retainer
122
of valve
118
into the interior
134
of tube
52
.
Detailed in
FIGS. 5A-C
is external fitting
138
. Fitting
138
may include flange
142
and side walls
146
extending downward therefrom. Formed intermediate flange
142
and walls
146
may be recess
150
, the base
154
of which includes one or more openings
158
. Side walls
146
, further, bound an opening
162
. In use, upper side
163
A or underside
163
B of flange
142
may be welded or otherwise attached to the exterior
164
of fender
14
A or
14
B (see FIGS.
6
A-B), with side walls
146
intending into interior
166
of the fender
14
through an opening therein. When inner tube
52
likewise is positioned within interior
166
, side walls
146
are adapted to fit into and be received by recess
106
of inner base
82
. Further, as so fitted, openings
158
are aligned with corresponding openings
170
of inner base
82
, with the openings
158
and
170
receiving screws or other fasteners to fasten fitting
138
and inner base
82
together.
Such screws or fasteners additionally may penetrate openings
174
of ring
178
(
FIGS. 7A-C
) and the fabric or other material from which fenders
14
is formed. In use, ring
178
fits into recess
150
and, like fitting
138
, bounds an opening
182
. Aligned openings
182
and
162
thus provide access to the interior
166
of fender
14
A or
14
B after flange
142
is connected to exterior
164
.
To position an inner tube
52
within interior
166
, the tube
52
(in an uninflated or partially-inflated state) may be fed, or “stuffed,” through aligned openings
182
and
162
. Because inner base
82
and outer base
58
(if present) are attached to inner tube
52
, they too must be inserted through aligned openings
182
and
162
(usually simply by turning or twisting them sideways) so that they are within interior
166
. After inner base
82
and outer base
58
have been positioned within interior
166
of a fender
14
, the fasteners may be inserted through openings
174
,
170
, and
158
to fasten the respective components of valve assembly
54
together.
Thereafter, inner tube
52
may be fully inflated from outside fender
14
through valve
118
, and as tube
52
expands with inflation fluid, fender
14
will conform its shape to that of tube
52
(analogous to the fender serving as a cover for a balloon). Similarly, if inner tube
52
needs additional air pressure at some later time for enhanced buoyancy, such air can be provided merely by opening valve
118
and connecting it to a source of pressurized air (and hence without needing first to deflate inner tube
52
and remove it from within fender
14
). Although careful application of inflation fluid may minimize the possibility of inner tube
52
kinking or otherwise not engaging in uniform expansion when being filled, an elongated section of cord may also be tied to end
186
of tube
52
and protrude through an (unshown) opening of fender
14
near bow
50
, so that someone can pull the cord so as to preposition tube
52
within the length of fender
14
before commencing inflation. If indeed such cord is used, it should be long enough to extend within fender
14
approximately the entire distance between the bow and aligned openings
162
and
182
, so that neither end of the cord is lost within interior
166
when inner tube
52
is removed.
In some circumstances inner tube
52
indeed may need to be removed from fender
14
, as for repair, examination, or replacement, for example. Merely by removing the fasteners, inner base
82
and outer base
58
can be disconnected from fitting
138
and ring
178
and then (typically turned sideways and) pulled through aligned openings
162
and
182
. Because inner base
82
and outer base
58
are connected to inner tube
52
, it too is pulled through aligned openings
162
and
182
to outside fender
14
.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. As (non-limiting) examples of such modifications, outer base
58
may be omitted in some embodiments, while in others it may comprise a simple sleeve or cover having a cross-section generally similar to that shown in FIG.
2
C. In such embodiments, the sleeve or cover may be welded or otherwise attached to inner base
82
. Additionally, having recesses
78
and protrusions
80
is not a requirement of the invention, and such recesses
78
and protrusions
80
may be omitted if appropriate or desired.
Claims
- 1. An inflatable boat comprising:a. a fender having an exterior surface; b. an inflatable inner tube positioned at least partially within the fender; and c. a valve assembly connected to the inner tube and fender and adapted to permit inflation thereof while the inner tube is positioned within the fender, the valve assembly comprising: i. a base attached to the inner tube; and ii. a fitting attached to both the exterior surface of the fender and the base.
- 2. A boat according to claim 1 further comprising a transom and in which the valve assembly is connected to the fender in a portion forward of the transom.
- 3. A boat according to claim 1 in which the base comprises a flange attached to the inner tube.
- 4. A boat according to claim 3 in which the fitting is attached to the base using at least one removable fastener.
- 5. A boat according to claim 4 in which the base defines an opening and the valve assembly is inserted into the opening so as to be connected to the inner tube.
- 6. A boat according to claim 5 further comprising:a. a second fender; b. a second inflatable inner tube positioned within the second fender; and c. a second valve assembly connected to the second inflatable inner tube.
- 7. A boat according to claim 2 in which the transom has an inflatable portion.
- 8. An inflatable boat comprising:a. a fender having an exterior surface and defining an interior space; b. an inflatable inner member positioned at least partially within the interior space; and c. a valve assembly connected to both the inflatable inner member and the fender and comprising a valve accessible from outside the exterior surface of the fender, the valve assembly comprising: i. a component permanently connected to the inflatable inner member; and ii. a component connected to but detachable from both the inflatable inner member and the exterior surface of the fender.
- 9. A boat according to claim 8 further comprising a transom having an inflatable portion.
- 10. An inflatable boat comprising:a. a fender; b. an inflatable inner tube defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially within the fender; and c. a valve assembly connected in use to the inner tube and fender and adapted to permit inflation thereof while the inner tube is positioned within the fender, the valve assembly comprising: i. a base attached to the inner tube so as to extend at least partially into the interior volume, the base having a first opening and a second opening; ii. a valve fitted into the first opening; iii. an external fitting attached to the fender and having a third opening alignable in use with the second opening; and iv. means, insertable through the aligned second and third openings, for fastening together the base and external fitting.
US Referenced Citations (7)