PERSONAL WATERCRAFT STORAGE RACK

Abstract

Storage racks for personal watercraft are provided for installation on standard boat dock posts. The storage racks may be pivotally attached to a post such that the storage rack may be pivoted between an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation and an over-water orientation. A storage rack may be installed and reoriented without use of tools or additional hardware.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to storage racks for personal watercraft. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to personal watercraft storage racks for installation on standard boat dock posts.

BACKGROUND

Personal watercrafts (e.g., universal paddle boards, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, canoes, windsurfing boards, water skis, etc.) have become popular. Often times, when a watercraft is left within a body of water, the watercraft becomes discolored; coated with algae, mold, mildew, barnacles, etc.; and/or otherwise damaged due to exposure to the water/salt. Accordingly, it is desirable to remove watercraft from the water when not in use.

When personal watercraft are removed from the water, it is often times convenient to, at least temporarily, store the personal watercraft proximate a dock. Known storage racks for personal watercraft are complex to install and present obstacles in and around an associated dock.

Storage racks of the present disclosure may be easy to install and may be repositionable when not in use to minimize associated dock obstacles.

SUMMARY

A personal watercraft storage rack may include a first main post having at least one first arm. The personal watercraft storage rack may also include a second main post having at least one second arm. The first main post may be pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation independent of the second main post.

In another embodiment, a personal watercraft storage rack may include a main post having a first arm extending vertical from the main post. The personal watercraft storage rack may also include a second arm extending at an angle from the main post. The main post may be pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first arm and the second arm may be repositional between a respective first position and a respective second position without use of tools.

In a further embodiment, a personal watercraft storage rack may include a main post having a first arm extending from the main post. The personal watercraft storage rack may also include a second arm extending from the first arm. The main post may be pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example personal watercraft storage rack proximate a dock;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personal watercraft storage rack standard with angled arms;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective, assembled, view of the example personal watercraft storage rack standard with angled arms of FIG. 1 pivoted between an over-dock position, a stowed position, and an over-water position;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the example personal watercraft storage rack standard with angled arms of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personal watercraft storage rack standard with vertical arms;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of an example personal watercraft storage rack standard with one vertical arm and one angled arm; and

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded, perspective view, of another example personal watercraft storage rack standard with one vertical arm and one angled arm.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

A personal watercraft rack of the present disclosure may fit onto standard dock posts typically found on most residential-marina boat docks. Most individuals owning or using such personal watercrafts (e.g., universal paddle boards, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, canoes, windsurfing boards, water skis, etc.) desire a rack system that may easily be moved (e.g., pivoted) from a stowed position over a dock to a position outwards over the water without the need for using either electrical or mechanical tools. Use of tools is often inconvenient to recreational personal watercraft users, and use of electrical tools is considered quite dangerous around water.

Personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure may provide vertical, horizontal, and/or angular storage. Most known storage racks are fixed to a side or top of a dock, and additional hardware and tools are required for mounting. Also, mounting to a side or top of a dock may result in permanent damage or alteration of the mounting surfaces with potential for loss of warranty, injury caused by sharp edges/burrs, shavings falling into the water or on land. Personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure, on the other hand, may facilitate quick installation and immediate storage of personal watercraft without the need for secondary processes or tools.

The option of having a storage rack assembly positioned over the water allows a personal watercraft user-owner access to the personal watercraft without having to lift the personal watercraft off or over an associated dock, and reduces potential for damaging the personal watercraft or harming the person(s) maneuvering the personal watercraft(s).

Known personal watercraft storage racks are limited to fixed mounting constraints that only offer single board storage, and known storage racks typically cannot be transitioned easily into stowed positions without use of tools. In addition, many existing storage rack options are limited to either vertical or horizontal mounting configurations and the existing storage racks are not flexible or robust enough to support multiple personal watercraft. Storage of multiple personal watercraft may be desirable for dock owners and guests that facilitate ample space on a dock to get past stored personal watercraft.

Commercial marina owners with a larger number of boat slips, where space is limited, as well as the perception of professionalism, safety, and image in their respective markets can be reflected by the equipment and services they offer to their members. Availability of easy-to-use features, such as a universal personal watercraft storage rack, of the present disclosure, is desirable.

The storage racks of the present disclosure may leverage existing, standard dock equipment, often referred to as dock posts or stanchions, that may, for example, range from 2 to 2.5 inches in outside diameter. Adaptation of a universal personal storage rack, of the present disclosure, may allow for direct mount without hardware. As described herein, personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure may be easily adapted to allow for mechanical retention options.

The personal watercraft storage racks of the present disclosure may include a twist-lock feature that may allow a user-owner to, for example, easily lift and rotate a storage rack assembly without tools, and then lower the rack assembly into a locking position that may prevent the rack assembly from further rotation. The flexibility of a storage rack rotation feature may provide a user-owner an option to position a rack assembly either over a dock, into a stowed position and/or over the water.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include tubular frame components that may minimize potential damage to an associated personal watercraft while placing the personal watercraft into storage (e.g., may avoid sharp edges). In addition to the tubular construction, protective coatings may be applied that may be, for example, ultra-violate (UV) light and/or corrosion resistant, helping to assure long-life and higher quality in protection of the personal watercraft storage rack. A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include welded brackets (e.g., brackets 230, 235 of FIG. 2) to the tubular arms (e.g., tubular arms 245, 250, respectively, of FIG. 2), that may be, for example, easily adjusted to different locations on the main support tube (e.g., main support tube 210 of FIG. 2) by an interlocking tab (e.g., tab 231, 236 of FIG. 2) on the bracket 230, 235 being placed into a hole/slot (e.g., tab receptacle 213 of FIG. 2) in the main support tube 210. Additional slots 213 in the main support tube 210 may be placed at different rotational angels to allow a user-owner stowage or placement options. Transition of an arm 245, 250, from one position to the next, may be easily achieved by lifting an arm/bracket assembly to release the locking tab 231, 236 on the bracket 230, 235 from a slot/hole 213 to a different slot/hole 213 on the main support tube 210. Alternatively, as an option to the locking tab 231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235, may include a hook feature (e.g., hook 531, 536 of FIG. 5) on a bracket (e.g., bracket 530, 535 of FIG. 5) that may drop downward onto a fastened or fixed stud (e.g., studs 513, 514, 546, 547, 551, 552 of FIG. 5) on the main support tube (e.g., tube 510, 545, 550 of FIG. 5). Both arm retention options with the bracket designs illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 may utilize a lever effect of the arm assembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly in place. No additional hardware or associate tools for assembly or repositioning are needed.

A personal watercraft storage rack assembly of the present disclosure may be expanded from a single board mount concept to a multiple board mounting concept by, for example, including addition arm assemblies. The arm assemblies may, for example, be attached directly to a main support tube assembly (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 7) or directly to an existing arm assembly (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6). By adding more arm assemblies onto a main support tube assembly, a user-owner may not intrude further into an associated dock area.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include owner identification, pier/dock marking, and/or advertising that may be, for example, integrated into an associated personal watercraft storage rack manufacturing process (e.g., laser cutting precision copped or straight cut-off ends).

If a user-owner wants a more robust retention option, a personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include a slotted coupling on a main support tube assembly that may guide a retention cross pin from on position to another without the need of removing the retention cross pin (e.g., pin 241 of FIG. 2).

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include features that facilitate reposition of associated arm assemblies into multiple locations (e.g., an over-dock position 310, a stowed position 310a, and/or an over-water position 310b of FIG. 3). The pivotal repositioning as illustrated in FIG. 3 may allow a user-owner flexibility to position personal watercraft storage rack assembly over the dock, in a stowed position or over the water, for example, by pivoting the associated assembly. Thereby, transition from one position to another may be achieved without use of tools or equipment. A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may include an option of synchronized motors (e.g., cranks 107 of FIG. 1) or connecting mechanisms (e.g., connecting mechanisms 108, 109 of FIG. 1) that work together to rotate individual rack assemblies (e.g., rack assemblies 110 of FIG. 1) from one position to another.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may incorporate materials used in marine-watersports industries, including protective finishes (e.g., polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), urethane or rubberized soft coatings, and galvanized, stainless steel or aluminum for tubes, brackets, or retention studs). All parts of a personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may be adequately protected against normal conditions that are common in marine industries.

A personal watercraft storage rack of the present disclosure may allow for customization of the tubular components with owner identification, pier-dock marking or advertising. Such customizations may be achieved during tube manufacturing processes. A personal watercraft storage rack may include: protective end caps (e.g., end caps 255 of FIG. 2) that may be installed on the tube ends to avoid damage to personal watercrafts during handling. End caps may, for example, include shapes that aid in locating/storing associated paddles; and/or retention studs or holes in the tubular components that allow for various tie-down straps/cords/bungees.

Turning to FIG. 1, a personal watercraft storage rack assembly 100 is depicted proximate a dock 105. The personal watercraft storage rack assembly 100 may include main posts 110, for example, rotatably attached to a respective dock post 106. As described herein, a main post 110 may be, for example, placed on top of a respective dock post 106 without use of tools (e.g., the main post may include a coupling 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7) The dock 105 may be attached to the dock posts 106 via brackets 109. While not shown in FIG. 1, each main post may include a plurality of arms extending from the main post 110 to support personal watercraft (e.g., a canoe 115, a kayak 120, or a stand-up paddle board 125). The personal watercraft storage rack assembly 100 may also include a mechanism 107 (e.g., a crank, a motor, etc.) and linkage 108 configured to reorient the personal watercraft storage rack assembly 100 relative to the dock 105 (e.g., a main post 110 may be rotated, a personal watercraft 115, 120, 125 may be raised/lowered relative to the dock 105 and/or associated water, the dock 105 may be raised/lowered relative the water, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 2, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 may include a first arm 245 and a second arm 250 extending at an angle from a main post (or stanchion) 210. The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 may be similar to, for example, either of the standards 110 of FIG. 1. The standard assembly 200 may include a pivot coupling 240 on a first end 211 of the main post 210. The pivot coupling 240 may be configured to pivotally mount the standard assembly 200 to, for example, a standard dock post. Each arm 245, 250 may include a respective end cap 255. The first arm 245 may be repositionally attached to the main post 110 via a first bracket 230. The second arm 250 may be repositionally attached to the main post 110 via a second bracket 235. Transition of an arm 245, 250, from one position to the next, may be easily achieved by lifting an arm/bracket assembly to release the locking tab 231, 236 on the bracket 230, 235 from a slot/hole 213 to a different slot/hole 213 on the main support tube 210.

The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 may include a slotted coupling on a main support tube assembly that may guide a retention cross pin from on position to another without the need of removing the retention cross pin 241. The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 may include a twist-lock feature (e.g., the pivot coupling 240/pin 241) that may allow a user-owner to, for example, easily lift and rotate the storage rack standard assembly 200 without tools, and then lower the standard assembly 200 into a locking position that may prevent the standard assembly 200 from further rotation. The flexibility of a storage rack rotation feature 240/241 may provide a user-owner an option to position a rack assembly either over a dock, into a stowed position and/or over the water as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Turning to FIG. 3, a dock mounted personal watercraft storage rack 300 may include a main post 310, 310a, 310b mounted to a dock post 306 via a pivot coupling 340, 340a, 340b. The dock mounted personal watercraft storage rack 300 may include components similar to those described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The dock post 306 may support a dock 305 via a dock post bracket 307 secured to, for example, a dock side 304. The dock mounted personal watercraft storage rack 300 may also include a first arm 345, 345a, 345b and a second arm 350, 350a, 350b extending at an angle from the main post 310, 310a, 310b. The first arm 345 and the second arm 350 may be pivoted between an over-dock position, a stowed position 310a, 345a, 350a, and an over-water position 310b, 345b, 350b.

With reference to FIG. 4, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 400 may include a first arm 445 extending at an angle from a main post 410 via a first bracket 430, a second arm 450 extending at an angle from the main post 410 via a second bracket 435, and a pivot coupling 440. The personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 400 may, for example, constitute an assembled version of the personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 200 of FIG. 2.

Turning to FIG. 5, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 500 may include a first arm 545 extending horizontally/vertically from a main post 510 via a first bracket 530, a second arm 550 extending horizontally/vertically from the first arm 545 via a second bracket 535, and a pivot coupling 540/pin 541. As an alternative to the locking tab 231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235 illustrated in FIG. 2, a personal watercraft storage rack standard 500 may include a hook feature 531, 536 on the bracket 530, 535 that may drop downward onto a fastened or fixed stud 513, 514, 546, 547, 551, 552 on the main support tube 510, 545, 550. Both arm retention options with the bracket designs illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 may utilize a lever effect of the arm assembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly in place. No additional hardware or associate tools for assembly or repositioning are needed. The main post 510 and each arm 545, 550 may include a respective end cap 555.

With reference to FIG. 6, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 600 may include a first arm 645 extending horizontally/vertically from a main post 610 via a first bracket 630, a second arm 650 extending at an angle from the first arm 645 via a second bracket 635, and a pivot coupling 640/pin 641. As an alternative to the locking tab 231, 236/213 concept on the bracket 230, 235 illustrated in FIG. 2, a personal watercraft storage rack standard 600 may include a hook feature 631, 636 on the bracket 630, 635 that may drop downward onto a fastened or fixed stud 613, 614, 646, 647, 651, 652 on the main support tube 610, 645, 650. Both arm retention options with the bracket designs illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 may utilize a lever effect of the arm assembly to aid in retaining the arm assembly in place. No additional hardware or associate tools for assembly or repositioning are needed. The main post 610 and each arm 645, 650 may include a respective end cap 655.

With reference to FIG. 7, a personal watercraft storage rack standard assembly 700 may include a first arm 745 extending horizontally/vertically from a main post 710 via a first bracket 730, a second arm 750 extending at an angle from the main post 710 via a second bracket 735, and a pivot coupling 740/pin 741. The first bracket tab 731 may cooperate with the receptacles 713 to adjustably position the first arm 745 to the main post 710. The second bracket tab 736 may cooperate with the receptacles 714 to adjustably position the second arm 750 to the main post 710. The main post 710 and each arm 745, 750 may include a respective end cap.

This detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A personal watercraft storage rack, comprising: a first main post having at least one first arm; anda second main post having at least one second arm, wherein the first main post is pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation independent of the second main post.

2. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, wherein the first arm extends from the first main post in an orientation selected from: a vertical orientation, an angular orientation, or a horizontal orientation.

3. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, wherein the first main post includes a first plurality of arms and the second main post includes a second plurality of arms that are configured to store at least one personal watercraft in various orientations.

4. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, wherein the first main post and the second main post are rotatable such that the first arm and the second arm are reorientable between orientations including: an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation, and an over-water orientation, without use of tools or additional hardware.

5. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, wherein the first arm is repositionally positioned on the first main post and the second arm is repositionally positioned on the second main post via interlocking features such that the first arm and the second arm are movable from a respective first mounting position to a respective second mounting position without use of tools or additional hardware.

6. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, further comprising: at least one customization option selected from: an owner identification, a pier-dock marking, or advertising using, in-process manufacturing options on tubular component.

7. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 1, wherein the main post, the first arm and the second arm include at least one of: a protective finish, a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) coating, a urethane coating, a rubberized soft coating, galvanized material, stainless steel material, or aluminum.

8. A personal watercraft storage rack, comprising: a main post having a first arm extending vertical from the main post; anda second arm extending at an angle from the main post, wherein the main post is pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation, and wherein the first arm and the second arm are repositional between a respective first position and a respective second position without use of tools.

9. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, wherein the main post includes a first plurality of arms that are configured to store at least one personal watercraft in various orientations.

10. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, wherein the main post is rotatable such that the first arm and the second arm are reorientable between orientations including: an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation, and an over-water orientation.

11. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, wherein the first arm is repositionally positioned on the main post via interlocking features.

12. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, further comprising: at least one customization option selected from: an owner identification, a pier-dock marking, or advertising using, in-process manufacturing options on tubular component.

13. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 8, wherein the main post, the first arm and the second arm include at least one of: a protective finish, a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) coating, a urethane coating, a rubberized soft coating, galvanized material, stainless steel material, or aluminum.

14. A personal watercraft storage rack, comprising: a main post having a first arm extending from the main post; anda second arm extending from the first arm, wherein the main post is pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation.

15. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the first arm and the second arm are repositional between a respective first position and a respective second position.

16. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the main post includes a first plurality of arms that are configured to store at least one personal watercraft in various orientations.

17. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the main post is rotatable such that the first arm and the second arm are reorientable between orientations including: an over-dock orientation, a stowed orientation, and an over-water orientation.

18. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the first arm is repositionally positioned on the main post via interlocking features.

19. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, further comprising: at least one customization option selected from: an owner identification, a pier-dock marking, or advertising using, in-process manufacturing options on tubular component.

20. The personal watercraft storage rack of claim 14, wherein the main post, the first arm and the second arm include at least one of: a protective finish, a polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) coating, a urethane coating, a rubberized soft coating, galvanized material, stainless steel material, or aluminum.