Claims
- 1. A watercraft, comprising:a hull; a deck mounted on the hull; a hood movably connected to a forward portion of the deck; an engine positioned within the hull; a seat mounted atop the deck for accommodating at least one rider, when seated; and at least one shielding fairing on the deck, wherein the shielding fairing extends laterally outwardly from the deck, wherein at least a portion of the shielding fairing is disposed forwardly of the seat, wherein the shielding fairing attaches to the deck at a position adjacent to the hood and extends to a position adjacent to a peripheral edge of the watercraft, and wherein the shielding fairing attaches to a gunwale laterally positioned on one side of the deck.
- 2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the seat is straddled by the at least one rider.
- 3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the at least one shielding fairing comprises two shielding fairings, disposed on opposite sides of the watercraft.
- 4. The watercraft of claim 3, wherein:the shielding fairings each comprise more than one component assembled together.
- 5. The watercraft of claim 3, wherein:the shielding fairings are manufactured as separate components that are attached to the deck.
- 6. The watercraft of claim 3, wherein:the shielding fairings each comprise single, integral components.
- 7. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the components comprise:a body portion with a rear edge; and a cushion portion disposed on the rear edge thereof.
- 8. The watercraft of claim 7, wherein:the body portion defines at least one hole through the rear edge thereof, the cushion portion includes at least one hole therein being in register with the hole in the body portion when the cushion portion and the body portion are aligned adjacent to one another, and a fastener is disposed in the holes in the body portion and the cushion portion to hold the cushion portion onto the body portion.
- 9. The watercraft of claim 7, wherein:the body portion comprises a thermoplastic material; and the cushion portion comprises polyurethane foam.
- 10. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the shielding fairing attaches to the gunwale and the deck via at least one fastener.
- 11. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises:a head; a body extending from the head; and a plurality of flexible extensions on the body, the extensions capable of collapsing against the body when exposed to a compressive force.
- 12. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the shielding fairing has a curved outer surface that bulges laterally outwardly from the deck.
- 13. The watercraft of claim 12, wherein:the deck includes a foot rest area thereon; and the shielding fairing at least partially covers the foot rest area.
- 14. The watercraft of claim 12, wherein:the shielding fairing defines a shielded region therebehind.
- 15. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein:the hull defines a bow, and the shielding fairing is substantially V-shaped with its vertex pointing toward the bow of the watercraft.
- 16. The watercraft of claim 15, wherein:the shielding fairing's end opposite to the vertex includes an indented portion facilitating embarkation onto and disembarkation from the watercraft.
- 17. A shielding fairing for a watercraft, comprising:a body portion with a rear end; and a cushion portion disposed on the body portion at the rear end, wherein the shielding fairing is constructed and arranged to be disposable on the watercraft at a position forward of a seat thereon. wherein the body portion defines at least one hole through the rear end thereof, wherein the cushion portion includes at least one hole therein being in register with the hole in the body portion when the cushion portion and the body portion are aligned, and wherein a fastener is disposed in the holes in the body portion and the cushion portion to hold the cushion portion onto the body portion.
- 18. The shielding fairing of claim 17, wherein:the body portion comprises a thermoplastic material; and the cushion portion comprises polyurethane foam.
- 19. A shielding fairing for a watercraft, comprising:a body portion with a rear end; and a cushion portion disposed on the body portion at the rear end, wherein the shielding fairing is constructed and arranged to be disposable on a watercraft at a position forward of a seat thereon. wherein the body portion and the cushion portion are integrally molded together.
- 20. The shielding fairing of claim 19, wherein:the body portion comprises a thermoplastic material; and the cushion portion comprises polyurethane foam.
- 21. A shielding fairing for a watercraft having a deck and at least one gunwale, comprising:a body; a first side constructed and arranged to attach to the deck; a second side constructed and arranged to attach to the at least one gunwale; and a rear end, wherein the body is constructed and arranged to be removable from the deck and gunwale.
- 22. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the body is substantially V-shaped.
- 23. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the first and second sides form a vertex on the body constructed and arranged to face a bow of the watercraft.
- 24. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the first and second sides define a plurality of apertures therethrough permitting placement of a plurality of fasteners therethrough to attach the body to the deck and the at least one gunwale.
- 25. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the body comprises:a rear edge; and a cushion disposed on the rear edge thereof.
- 26. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the rear end includes an indented portion facilitating embarkation onto and disembarkation from the watercraft.
- 27. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the body has a curved outer surface that bulges laterally outwardly.
- 28. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the body is constructed and arranged to at least partially cover a foot rest area on the watercraft.
- 29. The shielding fairing of claim 21, wherein the body is constructed and arranged to define a shielded region therebehind when installed on the watercraft.
Parent Case Info
This application relies for priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/318,627, filed on Sep. 13, 2001, entitled “SHIELDING FAIRING FOR A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.” The contents of the provisional application are incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/318627 |
Sep 2001 |
US |