The present disclosure relates to watercrafts. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to retractable pontoons on boats.
Pontoon boats have several benefits over deck boats. For example, unlike the V-shaped hull of deck boats, pontoon boats typically have an aluminum tube (a pontoon) at each side of the deck. This creates additional stability not found in deck boats. As such, it will be appreciated that the wider the pontoons, the greater the stability. However, if the pontoons are too wide, the boat becomes difficult to both transport and store. Accordingly, several adjustable-width pontoon boats have been developed in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,156,526, 8,820,255, 6,298,802, 6,647,913, 6,003,458, and 6,874,440 are directed towards adjustable pontoons. However, in each instance, the pontoons extend laterally from the longitudinal axis of the deck. Further, the deck portion in each disclosure likewise adjusts. Requiring the deck to likewise adjust unnecessarily complicates the matter and increases cost. Further, an adjustable deck causes additional components, which adds fail points and liabilities. Further, because the deck position changes, the configuration of components thereon, and the storage of user items thereon, is dependent upon the deck fold points, which limits user customization.
Therefore, there remains a need for a pontoon boat that is width-extendable, that does not require extension of the deck, and that more easily adjusts the pontoons. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and other problems.
In one embodiment, a retractable pontoon boat comprises a deck; a starboard pontoon and a port pontoon; a center beam coupled to the underside of the deck and running substantially from bow to stern; a plurality of pivoting arms coupling the pontoons to the center beam; a plurality of bearings interposed between the deck and the pivoting arms; and one or more linear actuators for actuating the pivoting arms; wherein, in a first, retracted position, the pontoons are substantially underneath the deck; and wherein, in a second, extended position, the pontoons are substantially extended from underneath the deck.
In one embodiment, a retractable pontoon boat comprises a deck; a starboard pontoon and a port pontoon; a plurality of pivoting arms interposed between the starboard pontoon and port pontoon, the pivoting arms pivotably coupled to the deck at a center position; a plurality of bearings interposed between the deck and the pivoting arms; and one or more linear actuators for actuating the pivoting arms; wherein, in a first, retracted position, the pontoons are substantially underneath the deck with the port pontoon extended from the stern and the starboard pontoon extended from the bow; and wherein, in a second, extended position, the pontoons are substantially extended from underneath the deck.
The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
As previously discussed, there is a need for a pontoon boat that can be easily transported and stored, that can be widened and stable on the water, and that does not require the deck to extend. The retractable pontoon boat shown and described herein solves these needs and others.
In one embodiment, as shown in
Therefore, when in the retracted position, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one example of use, a user would store, and travel with, the pontoon boat 100 in the first, retracted position as shown in
It is appreciated from the foregoing that the retractable pontoon boat described herein solves the need for a pontoon boat that can be easily transported and stored, that can be widened and stable on the water, and that does not require the deck to move. Moreover, because the adjusting arms are of single manufacture and not telescopic in nature, structural integrity is increased, and the failure rate of components decreases. In other words, individual bearings or casters are easier to replace and are less costly than the telescoping arms in the prior art. Accordingly, the retractable pontoon boat disclosed herein is an improvement over the prior art.
Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/506,812, filed on May 16, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6095079 | Smidt | Aug 2000 | A |
6564735 | Jackson | May 2003 | B1 |
9611008 | O'Neal | Apr 2017 | B1 |
9944354 | O'Neal | Apr 2018 | B1 |
20140165893 | O'Neal | Jun 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180334226 A1 | Nov 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62506812 | May 2017 | US |