This relates to a device that will protect the outer surface of a boat particularly on the exterior surface above the waterline. The device can be removed at will in the event the cover is not needed.
There are prior art references to devise that will protect the hull of a vessel. A representative example of this can be found at Gerstenberger, U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,023. The Gerstenberger reference protects the hull of the vessel below the water line and not the top surface. Another reference can be found at Thompson, U.S. Pat. No. 10,151,032. The Thompson reference is a protective cover in general, is not specific to a boat, and does not take the shape to snugly fit over the stop surface of the boat. Another reference is Bradley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,242, which is a portable hull structure that protects the boat's surfaces below the water line but not above the water line. Additionally, with the Bradley device, the boat cannot be operated if this device is in use, and the device does not snugly fit around the surface of the boat.
Boats are expensive items, and the owner of a boat goes to great expense to take proper care of the boat. One area that is frequently damaged is the outside surface of the boat either below the waterline or above the waterline.
The boat's surfaces are exposed to debris that can be found floating in the water, either on the water surface or below the water surface. Damage to the exterior surface of the boat can also occur when objects strike the outside cover of the vessel. This can occur if the boat hits a dock for example or the boat can strike floating debris. Another way that the outer surface of the boat can be damaged is when the occupants engage in a sporting event such as fishing. The tackle may strike the outer surface of the boat. The interior of the boat is not subject to the same type of damage.
This is a protective cover which will fit snugly over the shell of the vessel but leaves the interior space open for normal use. It will be custom made to fit a particular vessel and will be constructed of rigid fiberglass material or another type of composite material. The device will likely be in sections so that the user is able to only use sections if that is all that is needed. Regardless of the type of material that will be used for the device, the choice of material will be selected to withstand extremes in temperature and all types of environmental conditions. Another consideration of the choice of material is that the material should be lightweight to avoid adding a significant amount of weight to the boat.
When the boat is in operation, the device should fit somewhat over the gunwale railing of the boat and snugly fit around the contours of the vessel and slightly above the water line. The device will not produce drag that would slow down the vessel or interfere with the normal operation of the boat. When the device is not to be used, the device can be removed from the vessel and stored in an appropriate location.
The user of this device may also post advertising material on the outside of the device if the user wanted to promote a service or product.
This is a protective cover 10 which will cover the outside surfaces of a boat 5. The cover 10 will be custom made depending on the type of boat 5 and may cover all the surfaces of the boat or may be tailor made to cover only a portion of the surfaces. Alternatively the device may be in sections 30 that cover a specific boat. The advantage of using sections is to allow the user to use only those sections that may be needed or desired. The use of sections 30 would assist in the storage of the device when the device is not in use. In
Every boat will have an outside surface and an interior surface. The outside surface is directly exposed to the water and the interior surface is a space for the occupants of the boat.
All boats have different configurations in terms of the shape of the boat as well as contours of the boat. Even though this is a custom-made device, it will attach to all types of boats in the same manner. For purposes of illustration only a small jon boat is depicted in
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The device will not interfere with the operation of the boat, nor will it interfere with the configuration of the interior of the vessel. The device will be lightweight and is designed to be portable depending on the desires of the consumer. The device will also be custom made for a specific vessel.
The device will fit snugly against the outer shell of the boat and will rest on the outer surface of the vessel slightly above the waterline of the vessel. The device will be lightweight and will not add a great amount of weight to the boat. It will remain above the water line of the vessel and will not produce drag because it is not designed to constantly contact the surface of the water when the boat is operated.
The cover 10 will be placed slightly above the water line so that it does not interfere with the operation of the boat.
The cover 10 will be made from material that can withstand all extremes in temperatures and is suitable to be exposed to all environmental conditions.
Additionally, the cover 10 should also be able to withstand moderate to high impacts from devices in the water or from flying debris such as pieces of floating debris or sports tackle equipment such as fishing tackle.
When the device is not in use, the cover 10 can be lifted off the boat and stored in an appropriate location. It is designed to be easily washable and easily cleaned.
Additionally, a means to advertise products or services can also be placed on the outside surface of the cover, if desired by the user.
While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5152242 | Bradley | Oct 1992 | A |
5343824 | Floyd | Sep 1994 | A |
5660137 | Manley | Aug 1997 | A |
6672241 | Warfel | Jan 2004 | B2 |
7004100 | Rard | Feb 2006 | B1 |
7377227 | LaRoche | May 2008 | B2 |
7455023 | Gerstenberger | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7854211 | Rixford | Dec 2010 | B2 |
10151032 | Thompson | Dec 2018 | B2 |
20060063440 | Hutchinson | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20110120362 | Costas | May 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230013272 A1 | Jan 2023 | US |