Patent Application
20050120937
Almost all boats have some form of user interface that communicates the boat's functions and engine operations through a series of gauges, switches, or audible alarms. This interface is more commonly known as a dash console, and can take several different forms, depending on what style, or use of boat, it is designed for. For example, a fishing type of vessel, more commonly known as a “center console” boat, has the driver interface located in a large console placed on the center line of the vessel, with other elements such as seats, storage compartments, head compartments, or other structures attached to it forward of the driver interface. Conversely, pleasure types of boats that can be categorized as deck boats, pontoon boats, ski boats, bowrider boats, cuddy cabin boats, or cruisers most often have a driver interface placed to one side of the vessel, and may have a similar type of passenger interface, usually consisting of but not limited to radio functions, storage areas, cooler compartments, or access doors, placed on the other side of the vessel.
Regardless of the placement of the dash, several criteria, including pre-wiring of the instrument and switch panels, assembling and “loading” of the panels with gauges and/or access doors, as well as stenciling warning or instructive labels, have necessitated that the dashes be built as a separate unit, and be fastened to the boat as an assembly to maintain efficient production of the boat. This assembly can encompass all of the elements of the driver side dash and/or passenger side dash, and fasten as one complete assembly, or can be a portion of the assembly, usually containing at the least, the upper instrument panel and gauges, or storage doors, with one or several minor panels or components attaching to the boat on the general interface area.
The dashes are usually fastened to the deck of the boat with screws, bolts, or studs along the perimeter of the joining seam of the dash and the deck of the boat. Most often, the dashes are mounted to the deck of the boat before many related and non-related components of the boat are mounted, for they limit access to the fasteners required to secure the dash. These related and non-related components include, but are not limited to, steering systems, interior upholstery components, throttle and shifter systems, storage compartments, windshields and related hardware, braces or structural supports, handles or hand holds, additional gauges or electronic systems, doors, hatches, and partitions. Assembly and installation of these related and non-related systems often represent an expense of considerable time and labor during the manufacturing process of the boat.
Since the dashes are usually constructed of a combination of soft materials that are essential in maintaining a desirable tactile feeling of the driver interface, and highly decorative panels and/or delicate labels, they are prone to damage associated with the fastening of the related and non-related components. Resulting damage to the dashes usually requires many of the related and non-related components to be removed in order to access the fasteners that secure the dash in place. Additionally, regular maintenance or servicing of the dash requires similar measures to access wiring, gauges, or switches. Consequently, considerable time and labor revenues are lost whenever the dash needs to be removed for service or replacement. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for improved methods of securing a dash to a boat, and for improved boat deck/dash assemblies.
The subject invention is a dash system that utilizes an improved method of fastening the dash, which allows it to be fastened independently of the related and non-related components. Rather than relying on fasteners placed around the perimeter of the joining seam of the dash and the deck surface, the invention utilizes an engagement system that captures the forward edge of the dash that is usually fastened with one or more screws or bolts. By capturing this forward edge, and securely holding it to the deck surface, the invention allows the dash to be “slid” into place from the rear, and then locked into place with a fastener such as a screw or bolt at the rear facing edge, which is easily accessed. This sliding action allows the forward latching or deck engaging means to engage its matching receiver or dash engaging means that is designed into the deck surface of the boat. The deck/dash engagement system effectively eliminates the need for forward fasteners, which are the fasteners commonly obstructed by the related and non-related elements, for example, such as the windshield; therefore enabling the dash to be removed or serviced without the need to remove many other elements surrounding the dash area. Alternatively, or in addition to the fastener proximal to the rear facing edge, a single fastener at the forward or leading edge in proximity to the forward latching or deck engaging means is sufficient to secure the deck to the deck surface while still providing ease of access and removal.
The subject invention is an improved method for attaching a dash to a boat deck surface, as well as an improved boat deck/dash assembly. A number of exemplary embodiments are disclosed, but the features common to all embodiments according to the subject invention are a dash having a leading edge, deck-engaging means proximal to the leading edge, and dash-engaging means disposed on the dash receiving portion of the boat deck surface, said dash-engaging means complementarily configured and complementarily located so as to receive said deck-engaging means when the dash is slid into position on the deck surface. The dash can then be fixed in place by positioning one or more fasteners through the dash and into the deck surface, preferably at the rearward edge of the dash, but optionally also at either or both of the side edges of the dash. The engagement of the dash-engaging means of the deck surface with the deck-engaging means of the dash obviates the need for placement of fasteners such as screws or bolts to affix the leading edge of the dash to the boat deck surface, thereby providing an advantage in terms of time savings and labor savings during manufacture, disassembly, or reassembly of the boat. Of course, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan in view of teachings herein, the deck/dash assembly can alternatively, or additionally, be secured by one or more fasteners in proximity to the forward or leading edge of the dash at the interface of the deck/dash assembly.
Further description of the subject invention, including both the boat deck/dash assembly and methods of affixing a dash to a boat deck surface are provided in the following examples, which are intended only to exemplify, and not to limit, the scope of the subject invention.
Referring now to
In an alternative exemplary embodiment depicted in
Still other embodiments of the dash-engaging means and deck-engaging means are depicted in
All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.
It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in th art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60514862 | Oct 2003 | US |
