Patent Application
20090178604
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to radar arches for marine vessels.
2. Background Art
Radar arches are often deployed on marine vessels. In use, such arches not only provide a mount for radar, but also for supporting a number of other devices and accessories. They include, for example, dinghy davits, a flag pole, TV antenna, loran antenna, transom light, wind generator, solar panel, backup VHF antenna, GPS antenna, and attachment points for a sunshade.
Preferably, from a visual viewpoint, the design of a radar arch should complement the lines of the boat, for example, by providing a curvature to the top of the arch and legs which support the arch in order to complement the transom and cabin lines. In some cases, the radar arch is anchored into the stern pulpit for additional stiffness. Conventionally, notably in fiberglass structures, stiffness has been provided by combining the stern pulpit and radar arch into a single rigid structure.
In practice, it may be desirable to have a radar arch that is high enough overhead in order to reduce radiation scatter in the cockpit.
Traditionally, the radar arch typically includes an arch member with a generally inverted U-shaped configuration that includes two side members that are joined by a transverse top portion which spans the vessel laterally. The downwardly extending side members supportably engage a base which may be the gunnel of the boat or its deck, or other superstructure.
Conventional high arches may not be sufficiently rigid and stable laterally. In rough seas, boat-to-wave impacts—especially at higher boat speeds—such arches may tend to result in vibration of the radar arch from side to side—“racking”. The lower ends of the arch connected to the boat remain fixed while the upper portions of the arch are subjected to forces that urge lateral movement. This increases in proportion to height above the mounting surface. In general, the upper transverse portion of the radar arch may experience the greatest amount of movement.
This racking has several adverse consequences. First, the racking movement may be visually apparent. This may be viewed by the maritimer as inferior construction. Additionally, boat equipment mounted on and within the radar arch may suffer from excessive shaking. The radar transmitter mounted atop the radar thus may be most detrimentally affected as a result of the vibration. Moreover, should the racking of the radar arch become excessive and last for a sufficient amount of time, portions of the radar arch may begin to crack and fail.
Among the art considered in preparing this patent application are the following U.S. references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,927,743; 5,669,325; 4,951,594; and 4,694,773.
One aspect of this invention is directed to an arch assembly for pivotably mounting an arch on a boat. The arch has a generally inverted U-shaped configuration, a forward edge region and an aft edge region. The configuration includes a laterally extending top portion generally spanning across some if not the entire width of the boat. A pair of downwardly extending leg portions are hingedly connected to the boat. Each leg portion has a lower basal edge.
A knuckle joint is provided adjacent to an edge region of the basal edge about which the arch assembly may pivot from a secured position through intermediate positions to an extended position through a number (R) degrees of arcuate displacement. The edge region may be forward or aft, depending on the direction of pivoting movement.
Also provided is an anchoring subassembly provided adjacent to an aft edge region of the basal edge for releasably securing the arch assembly to the boat.
Turning now to
The configuration of the arch 14 includes a laterally extending top portion 20 that generally span across most, if not all, of the width of the boat. A pair of downwardly extending leg portions 22 (starboard), 24 (port) of the arch 14 are hingedly linked to the boat in a manner to be described. Each leg portion 22, 24 has a lower basal edge 26, 28. Preferably, the lower basal edges 26, 28 are configured so as to mate with a footing 60, 62 that is associated with the boat 12. In the embodiment depicted in
As suggested in
Manufacturing tolerances are defined so as to accommodate a non-parallel relationship between the starboard and port gunnels with which the lower basal edges 26, 28 interface. Additionally, the disclosed invention can accommodate downwardly and outwardly sloping gunnels that permit the outboard draining of water. As mentioned earlier, the arch 14 can lean in a forward or rearwardly extending direction.
Situated adjacent to a forward edge region 16 of the basal edge 26 is a knuckle joint 30, additional details of which are depicted in
The knuckle joint assembly 30 include a post 64 that is mounted within a receiving orifice 66 that is defined in the gunnel 62. Extending upwardly from the post 64 is an eye 70 that receives a pin 72 which engages a saddle mounting 74 that is affixed to the starboard leg portion 22. It will be appreciated that the saddle mounting 74 is affixed to the leg portion 22 by any conventional means such as screws, bolts, and rivets. When the pin 72 links the saddle mounting 74 with the eye 70, and when an anchoring subassembly (to be described) at the aft portion of the lower basal edge 26 is released, the leg portion 22 and thus the arch 14 can be arcuately displaced about a curved engagement surface 68 as it rolls along or over the gunnel 62 such that there is clearance therebetween, between a secured upright position 34 (
For the purposes of this discussion, the knuckle joints 30, 32 in concert with other components to be discussed below permit the arch 14 to be arcuately displaced from the secured upright position toward the extended lowered position through a number (R) degrees. Preferably, 5≦R≦45°. Since the requirement to pivot or swivel is usually toward the deck, this arcuate range generally falls between 20 and 45°.
Turning now to
In another embodiment, the actuator includes a button means 52 for closing an electrical circuit 54 that includes a power source 56. In that embodiment, a solenoid-type arrangement is provided in which the actuator 50 is received within toroidal turns and may be moved inwardly or outwardly depending on whether the circuit 54 is closed or open. In one embodiment, the circuit will normally be open and the actuator 50 will be received by and engaged with the anchoring subassembly 40, thereby securing the leg 22. When the button means 52 is depressed and the circuit 54 is closed, the solenoid is energized and the actuator 50 will electromechanically be urged outwardly and away from the anchoring subassembly 40, thereby releasing the arch 14 in relation to the boat 12. Then, the arch 14 may pivot about the knuckle joint 30.
Alternatively, the actuator may include a swiveling clip, akin to that found in the latch that secures a trunk lid to a car. Optionally, the actuator may be influenced by an electrical signal.
Turning now to
When the anchoring subassemblies 40, 41 are released, the means 42 for influencing pivotable movement can be calibrated so that only about ten pounds force of pressure is required to lift up the arch from its extended lower position 38 through intermediate positions 36 toward a secured upright position 34. The means for influencing pivotable movement also controls the rate of arcuate displacement through R°.
The means 42 for influencing pivotable movement could alternatively be embodied in an electrically actuated cylinder or a helical spring that in some cases could be totally enclosed in the arch, or in other cases be accommodated within the gunnel 62.
Transportation economies from the manufacturer to the retailer or customer are realized by deployment of the present invention. Packing economy and better use of space are permitted when the arch 14 can be deployed downwardly in relation to the boat 12. Additionally, deployment of the invention may be particularly useful if navigation requires passage under a low bridge or low roof of a boat house. Additionally, there are cost savings to the manufacturer and to the dealer that arise from use of the present invention because remounting a fixed arch is costly in comparison.
In some situations, it may be useful to releasably secure a line to an attachment feature 80 located onto the top portion 20 or a leg of the arch 14. Other accessories can be appended, such as a low line for a water skier or a fishing rod or line.
Thus, an alternate embodiment contemplates a “raked” back design wherein both legs 22, 24 of the arch member 14 are generally sloped rearwardly. However, such an arch member 14 may also be substantially upright or raked forwardly, although not specifically shown.
For ease of reference, following are the numerals and respective nomenclature that are used in this disclosure:
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
