Patent Application
20150144052
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of watercrafts.
2. Background Information
Watercrafts (e.g., boats) are used for many purposes. In some cases a storage area is formed in the watercraft for storing equipment and items. What is needed is an improved storage area for a watercraft.
A watercraft is provided. The watercraft includes a cockpit. The watercraft further includes a stern-facing seat having a movable backrest. The seat is outside of the cockpit. An aquatic activity platform extends to a rear of the watercraft from the seat and defines a foot rest for the seat. An engine is positioned substantially further towards a bow of the watercraft than the seat. A storage compartment has an opening positioned behind the further towards the bow than the seat. The backrest is movable to a first position to expose the opening and provide access to the storage compartment, and to a second position to conceal the opening.
Example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following brief description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings represent non-limiting, example embodiments as described herein.
It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of methods, structure and/or materials utilized in certain example embodiments and to supplement the written description provided below. These drawings are not, however, to scale and may not precisely reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any given embodiment, and should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the range of values or properties encompassed by example embodiments. The use of similar or identical reference numbers in the various drawings is intended to indicate the presence of a similar or identical element or feature.
Example embodiments of the inventive concepts will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. Example embodiments of the inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of example embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and thus their description will be omitted.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements or layers should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “above” versus “directly above,” “below” versus “directly below “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” “on” versus “directly on”).
It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, positions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, positions and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, position or section from another element, component, region, layer, position or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, position or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, position or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” if used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Example embodiments of the inventive concepts are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments.
As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments of the inventive concepts should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments of the inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly-used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
A watercraft (e.g., a boat) may be used during aquatic activities such as recreational cruising, skiing or tubing. Some watercrafts may include a cockpit. The cockpit may be a semi-enclosed area, spanning from controls (e.g., steering mechanism, etc.) of the watercraft to an engine compartment of the watercraft. The watercraft may also include a stern-facing seat disposed outside the cockpit. A user may prepare for aquatic activities (e.g. swimming, fishing, wake boarding, water skiing, tubing, etc.) on the stern-facing seat. An aquatic activity platform may also be provided. The aquatic activity platform may be proximate the stern-facing seat and serve as a foot rest for the stern-facing seat. The aquatic activity platform may be closer to the water than other parts of the seat (e.g., backrest, sitting part with a sitting surface, etc.) so that a user may easily enter the water from the aquatic activity platform.
During the course of discovering the present invention, the inventors realized that an improved storage system is desirable. For instance, the user may need to bring their aquatic equipment from a cockpit of the watercraft to the stern-facing seat, and then prepare for the aquatic activity while sitting on the stern-facing seat. Carrying aquatic equipment out of the cockpit may be cumbersome and dangerous, especially if the user is carrying an excessive amount of equipment or if the cockpit and the aquatic activity platform are wet.
Thus, to minimize the distance that equipment is transported, it may be desirable to include a storage compartment disposed proximate the aquatic activity platform and the stern-facing seat so a user may prepare themselves for aquatic activities in this general area, and without the need to enter the cockpit to access the storage compartment. Such a storage compartment may be formed behind the stern-facing seat. The storage compartment may have an opening that is positioned further toward a bow of the watercraft than the stern-facing seat. The stern-facing seat may include a movable backrest. The movable backrest may be moved to access the storage compartment, or conceal the storage compartment.
A user may store aquatic equipment in the storage compartment. Thus, a user may not need to carry aquatic equipment from the cockpit. Instead, the aquatic equipment may be stored in the storage compartment and near the aquatic activity platform where the user intends on entering the water to engage in aquatic activities.
An engine may also be positioned substantially further towards the bow of the watercraft than the seat. By doing so, space surrounding the engine may be utilized to form the storage compartment, thereby increasing the utility of the surrounding space. The engine may also be positioned beneath the storage compartment to further increase the utilization of the surrounding space.
The storage compartment may also serve several functions as the storage compartment may be disposed proximate the engine. For instance, conduits and apertures may connect an engine compartment, which the engine is disposed within, to the storage compartment. Through the storage compartment, fresh air may be brought into the engine compartment while engine fumes may be drawn out from the engine compartment.
The watercraft 1 includes controls 14 which control operations of the watercraft 1. These operations may include, but are not limited to, steering of the watercraft 1, speed of the watercraft 1, actuation of the engine 204 and operation of blowers 806, 808. Operation of the blowers 806, 808 is discussed below and with reference to
The watercraft 1 includes the cockpit 10. The cockpit 10 may extend from the engine hatch 12 to controls 14, and may also span from the port side 34 of the watercraft 1 to starboard side 36 of the watercraft 1.
As discussed above, the engine hatch 12 may be moved to access the engine 204. In some embodiments, the engine hatch 12 may be formed as part of a forward facing seating area 18. The forward facing seating area 18 may include seating for users on the watercraft 1. When users are seated on the forward facing seating area 18, users may face forward. The engine hatch 12 may also be a seat of the forward facing seating area 18.
The engine hatch 12 may be moved from a first position (i.e., a closed position), where the engine hatch 12 serves as a seat for a user, to a second position (i.e., an open position) where the engine hatch 12 gives access to an engine compartment 202 containing the engine 204. In the first position of the engine hatch 12, an opening 206 of the engine compartment 202 may be concealed so that the engine 204 cannot be accessed by a user. In the second position of the engine hatch 12, the opening 206 of the engine compartment 202 may be exposed to provide access to the engine 204. In the second position of the engine hatch 12, the opening 206 of the engine compartment 202 may be towards a bow 60 of the boat 1.
In some embodiments, in the first position of the engine hatch 12, the engine 204 cannot be accessed from the cockpit 10. Further, in some embodiments, in the second position of the engine hatch 12, the engine hatch 12 does not serve as a seat for any user.
In some embodiments, the engine hatch 12 is pivotable upward and downward so as to move between the first and second positions of the engine hatch 12. The second position of the engine hatch 12 is illustrated in
While the engine hatch 12 has been described as being pivotable upward and downward, the engine hatch 12 may be modified to move in any direction so long as the engine compartment 202 may be accessed and closed through the different positions and movements of the engine hatch 12. In some embodiments, the engine hatch 12 is disposed only in the cockpit 10. In some embodiments, a rearward-most part of the engine hatch 12 (the part of the engine hatch 12 that is disposed closest to the stern 50) forms the rearward-most part of the cockpit 10.
In some embodiments, the engine hatch 12 may include cushions. By including cushions, the engine hatch 12 may allow a user to sit comfortably thereupon when the engine hatch 12 is in the first position (i.e., when the engine compartment 202 is closed by the engine hatch 12).
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the divider 20 may have a gap disposed between starboard and port sides of the divider 20 so that a user may easily move between the stern-facing seating area 22 and the cockpit 10. In some embodiments, the gap may extend between through the entire height of the divider 20.
With reference back to
In some embodiments, the watercraft 1 may operate through the use of propulsion units 420, 422. The propulsion units 420, 422 may propel the watercraft 1 and control a speed thereof. In some embodiments, water is pressurized by jet pumps of the propulsion units 420, 422 to increase velocity, and then the water exits through jet pump reduction nozzles that direct water flow. The propulsion units 420, 422 may include impellers that are housed internally and within housings of the propulsion units 420, 422. In some embodiments the propulsion units 420, 422 have a smooth outer surface. By doing so, the possibility of a user hurting themselves on jagged edges may be decreased. In some embodiments, the housings of the propulsion units 420, 422 are formed so as to not include jagged and sharp edges which may hurt a user. A user entering the water from the aquatic activity platform 42 may avoid being hurt by exposed blades through the use of propulsion units 420, 422 as described above. The activity platform 42 may extend further aft than the propulsion units 420, 422 such that a part of the activity platform 42 forms the stern 50 of the watercraft 1 and covers the propulsion units 420, 422.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 may be disposed directly behind the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 respectively so as to be further towards the bow 60 than the port and starboard backrests 28, 30. In some embodiments, the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 may be disposed within the divider 20 and enclosed by the divider 20.
In some embodiments, the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may be movable relative to other parts of the port and starboard seats 24, 26. In some embodiments, the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may be movable relative to surrounding walls 44, 46 of the port and starboard seats 24, 26 so as to expose and conceal port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404.
The surrounding walls 44, 46 may form walls of the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404. The surrounding walls 44, 46 may form an apertures (e.g., aperture 406 discussed below), of the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404, that the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may conceal and expose so as to access and conceal the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404. As used herein, accessing each of the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 may mean that each of the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 is uncovered by the respective port and starboard backrests 28, 30 so that equipment (e.g., snorkel, fishing pole, flipper, etc.) may be moved in and out of the port and storage compartments 402, 404. In some embodiments, when the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 expose the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404, the entire port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 may be directly accessible by a user's appendages.
When the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 conceal the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404, the surrounding walls 44, 46 may surround and enclose portions of the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 that are disposed further towards the bow 60 than other parts of the port and starboard backrests 28, 30. By doing so, the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may be firmly held in place by the surrounding walls 44, 46. The port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may fit into the surrounding walls 44, 46 so as to touch the surrounding walls 44, 46 and remain in a position to conceal the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 through friction between the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 and the surrounding walls 44, 46. A user may need to apply a sufficient force to overcome such friction to move the port and starboard backrests 28, 30 and expose the port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404.
In some embodiments, cushions may be disposed on each of the port and starboard backrests, 28, 30 and the surrounding walls 44, 46 so that when the port and starboard backrests, 28, 30 move, the cushions on the port and starboard backrests, 28, 30 move relative to cushions on the surrounding walls 44, 46.
In some embodiments, inner walls of the surrounding walls 44, 46 serve as upper walls of the storage compartments 402, 404. The port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may be independently movable of each other and relative to surrounding walls 44, 46. The port and starboard backrests 28, 30 may each also be independently movable of the engine hatch 12.
The starboard storage compartment 404 and starboard seat 26 are discussed in detail below. The port storage compartment 402 and the port seat 24 may be formed and operated similarly to the starboard storage compartment 404 and the starboard seat 26, and so the following discussion also applies to the port storage compartment 402 and the port seat 24.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-5, the starboard backrest 30 may be movable so that in a first position of the starboard backrest 30, an opening 406 of the starboard storage compartment 404 is exposed to provide access to the storage compartment 404. The opening 406 may be formed by the surrounding wall 46. When the opening 406 is exposed by the starboard backrest 30, the opening 406 may face towards the stern 50 of the boat 1; in contrast when the engine hatch 12 is in the second position to expose the opening 206 of the engine compartment 202, the opening 206 faces towards the bow 60 of the boat 1. While the storage compartment 404 and openings 206, 406 are not illustrated in
The starboard backrest 30 may also be movable between the first position thereof, where the opening 406 is exposed, to a second position to conceal the opening 406.
The starboard backrest 30 may pivot about a pivot point 48. The pivot point 48 may comprise a hinge which is coupled with both the starboard surrounding wall 46 and the starboard backrest 30. However, any suitable fastening mechanism may be used in place of a hinge so long as the starboard backrest 30 may move to each of the first and second positions of the starboard backrest 30. The starboard backrest 30 may move towards and away from a longitudinal axis, or roll axis, of the watercraft 1. In some embodiments, rather than being pivotably attached to the pivot point 48, the starboard backrest 30 may be completely removable from the starboard seat 26 and the surrounding wall 46 to move from the second position of the starboard backrest 30 to the first position of the starboard backrest 30.
In the second position of the starboard backrest 30, the pivot point 48 is disposed closer to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft 1 than the starboard backrest 30. The starboard backrest 30 is movable so as to pivot towards the longitudinal axis of the watercraft 1 and into the first position of the starboard backrest 30. In the first position of the starboard backrest 30, the starboard backrest 30 becomes closer to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft 1 than the pivot point 48.
The starboard storage compartment 404 includes a storage area 404a and a drainage area 404b. As illustrated in
When the starboard backrest 30 conceals the storage compartment 404 (i.e., the starboard backrest 30 is in the second position), the storage area 404a may be inaccessible to a user. In other words, a user that is in the stern-facing seating area 22 cannot access the storage area 404a when the starboard backrest 30 conceals the storage compartment 404.
The storage area 404a may include a bottom wall 410. The bottom wall 410 may be a supporting wall for supporting equipment thereupon. The storage area 404a may include a storage section to store equipment and miscellaneous items. The storage section may include all of the storage area 404a that is disposed above the bottom wall 410.
A drainage hole 408 may be formed in the bottom wall 410 of the storage area 404a. The drainage hole 408 may penetrate through the bottom wall 410 and to a top of the drainage area 404b so as to be in fluid communication with both of a storage section of the storage area 404a disposed above the bottom wall 410, and the drainage area 404b. The drainage hole 408 may be disposed directly above the drainage area 404b. Thus, liquids, such as water, may be communicated from the storage area 404a to the drainage area 404b via the drainage hole 408. As explained below, drainage area 404b may then drain any liquids therein to an outside of the storage compartment 404. The drainage area 404b may be in fluid communication with an outside of the watercraft 1. While only one drainage hole 408 is illustrated, several drainage holes 408 may be included.
A clearance may be provided between the starboard backrest 30 and the drainage area 404b. By providing the clearance, fluids may drain more easily from the drainage area 404b as the drainage area 404b will not be completely covered by the starboard backrest 30. In some embodiments, part of the drainage area 404b may not be covered by the starboard backrest 30 when the starboard backrest 30 is in the second position. In some embodiments, a bottom-most part of the starboard backrest 30 is disposed above bottom-most part 414 of the drainage area 404b. In some embodiments, in the second position of the starboard backrest 30, the starboard backrest 30 may completely cover the storage area 404a so that no part of the storage area 404a is exposed and accessible to a user, but not completely cover the drainage area 404b.
As illustrated
The above structure may prove to be convenient when storing aquatic equipment. In one example, water from the aquatic equipment may flow from the storage area 404a to the drainage area 404b via the drainage hole 408. From the drainage area 404b, water may flow outside the drainage area 404b and starboard storage compartment 404 because of the incline of the bottom-most part 414. The flow of water from the aquatic equipment to an outside of the drainage area 404b may occur under the force of gravity, thereby obviating the need for complicated mechanical components for actively pumping and draining water from the storage and drainage areas 404a, 404b. This may reduce the accumulation of water in the storage and drainage areas 404a, 404b, and allow aquatic equipment as well as the storage and drainage areas 404a, 404b to dry. While water was described in the above example, any liquid may be similarly drained through the storage and drainage areas 404a, 404b.
With reference to
As discussed above, the engine compartment 202 and starboard storage compartment 404 are accessed through different mechanisms. For instance, the engine hatch 12 may be used to access the engine compartment 202, while the starboard backrest 30 may be used to access starboard storage compartment 404. By having different mechanisms for accessing the starboard storage compartment 404 and the engine compartment 202, the mechanisms may be formed smaller and have a less cumbersome operation than if the storage compartment 404 and engine compartment 202 were accessed through the same mechanism. Accordingly, the engine hatch 12 and the starboard backrest 30 may be formed to be smaller and less cumbersome than in a situation where only one large opening is provided to access both the storage compartment 404 and the engine compartment 202. Since the starboard backrest 30 may be substantially smaller and easier to move than engine hatch 12, a user may access the storage compartment 404 without having to lift a heavy engine cover (such as engine hatch 12). Also, by having different mechanisms for accessing the starboard storage compartment 404 and the engine compartment 202, a user may be prevented from coming into contact with moving engine parts and hurting themself.
Furthermore, in some embodiments the engine compartment 202 is only accessed through operation of the engine hatch 12, and the starboard storage compartment 404 is only accessed through the starboard backrest 30. In other words, the engine compartment 202 cannot be accessed by a user through the starboard storage compartment 404 and vice-versa. By keeping the storage compartment 404 separate from the engine compartment 202, liquids from the storage compartment 404 may be prevented from entering the engine compartment 202.
The operation and structure of the starboard stern storage compartment 404 and the starboard seat 26 were discussed above. The port storage compartment 402 and port seat 24 may be formed and operate similarly to the stern storage compartment 404 and starboard seat 26, and so the above discussion also illustrates the operation and structure of the port storage compartment 402 and port seat 24.
In some embodiments, the conduits 802, 804 are connected to the drainage area 404b. As discussed above, in some embodiments, there are no obstructions at an entrance of the drainage area 404b as the bottom-most part 414 of the drainage area 404b may be below a bottom-most part 600 of the cushion 602, and above or level with a sitting surface 604 of the sitting area 32. Thus, gas may be communicated out of the watercraft 1 through the drainage area 404b.
The conduits 802, 804 may be connected to a top part of the drainage area 404b. The conduits 802, 804 may be connected to the drainage area 404b above the waterline of the watercraft 1 so that water may not be communicated to the engine compartment 202 via the conduits 802, 804.
As illustrated in
The conduits 802, 804 may include other ends 802b, 804b which are connected to the drainage area 404b. The other ends 802b, 804b may include apertures so that the gas from the engine compartment 202 may be communicated into the drainage area 404b.
The port storage compartment 402 may include apertures 810, 812. The apertures 810, 812 may be in communication with the engine compartment 202 such that air from outside the watercraft 1 may be communicated into the engine compartment 202. In some embodiments, the apertures 810, 812 may be formed in a drainage area 402b of the port storage compartment 402 to allow air from outside the watercraft 1 to be communicated into the engine compartment 202 via the drainage area 402b. The apertures 810, 812 may be formed above the waterline of the watercraft 1 so that water is not communicated into the engine compartment 202 via the apertures 810, 812. In some embodiments, the apertures 810, 812 may be formed directly above the engine 204.
Watercraft blowers 806, 808 may also be included and disposed within, or in communication with, the conduits 802, 804. The watercraft blowers 806, 808 may draw out gas from the engine compartment 202. The watercraft blowers 806, 808 may be controlled and actuated from the controls 14. In some embodiments, the watercraft blowers 806, 808 may be actuated for several minutes prior to actuating the engine 204 so that gas within the engine compartment 202 may be exchanged with fresh air from outside the watercraft 1.
In some embodiments, as the gas is drawn out of the engine compartment 202 via conduits 802, 804 and drainage area 404b, gas from outside the watercraft 1 may be drawn into the engine compartment 202 via the drainage area 402b and apertures 810, 812. In some embodiments, the watercraft blowers 806, 808 may be disposed outside the conduits 802, 804, but near enough to the conduits 802, 804 to allow the watercraft blowers 806, 808 to draw out gas from the engine compartment 202 via the conduits 802, 804. In some embodiments, the watercraft blowers 806, 808 may be fans.
While two conduits 802, 804 have been illustrated and described above, any number of conduits may be used so long as the gas is drawn from the engine compartment 202. Moreover, the position, size and shape of the conduits 802, 804 may be modified so long as gas is drawn from the engine compartment 202. Furthermore, the two conduits 802, 804 may be attached to the port storage compartment 402, or in addition to, instead of the starboard storage compartment 404. Also, the starboard storage compartment 404 may include apertures disposed directly above the engine compartment 202 and for intake of gas (e.g., fresh air) from outside the watercraft 1 into the engine compartment 202. Moreover, the engine 204 may include any number of engines as long as functions of the watercraft are maintained.
While separate port and starboard storage compartments 402, 404 were described, one large storage compartment may be utilized instead. In such a case, the divider 20 would extend without any division from the port side 34 to the stern side 36 so that one large storage area may be formed which spans across the length of the watercraft 1 from the port side 34 to the stern side 36.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific arrangement and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the drawings.
It will be understood that the above description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.
