WINDING DEVICE

Abstract

An anti-pooling system is provided including a rotatable winding device having a first end of at least one webbing strap removably coupled thereto. The winding device is configured to rotate to transform the at least one webbing strap between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Description

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a cover configured for use with a transportation vehicle, and more particularly, to a winding device used to support the cover on a transportation vehicle.

Many transportation vehicles, such as power boats for example, utilize a canvas or fabric cover to protect at least the interior of the vehicle from the elements, thereby enabling the vehicle to be stored outside. When the cover becomes wet, the cover tends to sag and lose the necessary slope required for proper drainage. As a result, water often collects or pools in the sagging or depressed areas of the cover. In many instances, the collected water becomes fairly large and heavy making removal of the cover, and therefore the water difficult. In addition, these large pools of water sometimes have sufficient weight to tear the cover.

To avoid water collecting on the cover, upwardly bowed stays or supports, such as having a plurality of straps for example, are often removably mounted to the vehicle underneath the cover. The supports and straps are intended to retain the cover in a desired position to limit the potential for water accumulation on the cover. However, installation and removal of the supports and any straps extending therefrom may be cumbersome. There is therefore a need for a support device capable of easily storing and deploying a plurality of straps to support a cover.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, an anti-pooling system is provided including a rotatable winding device having a first end of at least one webbing strap removably coupled thereto. The winding device is configured to rotate to transform the at least one webbing strap between a stowed position and a deployed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary transportation vehicle including a prior art anti-pooling system;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the exemplary transportation vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a prior art anti-pooling system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a winding device in according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a winding device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the base of the winding device of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 b is a top view of the base of the winding device of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 c is a side view of the base of the winding device of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of a top of the winding device of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 b is a top view of the base of the winding device of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 c is a side view of the base of the winding device of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the top of the winding device as shown in FIG. 7 with attached webbing straps in an unwound state; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top of the winding device as shown in FIG. 7 with attached webbing straps in a wound state.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure will detail particular embodiments according to the present invention, which provides a winding device, and more particularly to a winding device for use with transportation devices. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a transportation vehicle 10, such as a boat for example, including a prior art anti-pooling system 20 is illustrated. The prior art anti-pooling system 20 includes at least one support pole 22 configured to mount at a first end 24 (FIG. 3) to the floor of the boat 10. Rigidly mounted at the second, opposite end 26 of the pole 22 is a webbing attachment device 28. Multiple webbing straps 30 extend from a plurality of elevated, central attachment points (not shown) formed in the webbing attachment device 28 and are configured to connect to a plurality of peripheral attachment points 12 located at various positions of the boat 10. When the webbing straps 30 are deployed in such a manner, the webbing straps 30 and the at least one support pole 22 provide an underlying structure for supporting a cover (not shown). The positioning of the support pole 22 and the webbing straps 30 retain the cover in a desired position to prevent pooling of water on the top surface thereof. When the cover is not deployed, the anti-pooling system 20 may be removed and stored. As shown in the anti-pooling system of FIG. 3, the webbing attachment device 28 does not aid in the storage of the webbing straps 30.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, a winding device 40 configured for use in an anti-pooling system is illustrated. Similar to the prior art webbing attachment device 28, the winding device 40 is configured to attach to an end of a support pole, such as support pole 22 for example, to provide elevated attachment points for webbing straps 30 and additionally allow the winding and unwinding of the webbing straps 30. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the winding device 40 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a base 42 and a top 44 configured to selectively couple to allow rotation of the top 44 relative to the base 42 to transition the webbing straps 30 between a deployed state and a stored state. The winding device 40 may be formed from any of a plurality of suitable materials, including, but not limited to plastic or polymeric materials for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 6a-6c, the base 42 of the winding device 40 is illustrated in more detail. As shown, the base 42 has a substantially flat, circular bottom 46. In one embodiment, a spindle race 52, configured to receive a spindle 72 of the top 44 (FIG. 7a) is formed generally concentrically at the center of a first side 48 of the bottom 46. Extending from a second, opposite side 50 of the bottom 46 is an attachment collar 54 configured to affix the base 42 to a support pole 12 with at least fastener (not shown).

At least one wall 56 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side 48 of the bottom 46. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the base 42 includes a plurality of walls 56 disposed about the periphery of the bottom 46 that together define an interior cavity 58 of the base 42. The walls 56 may, but need not be substantially identical. Each of the plurality of walls 56 is separated from the adjacent walls 56 by an opening 60 having a width smaller than the width of an adjacent wall 56. At least a portion of the openings 60 are configured to receive and guide a webbing strap 30. As a result, the height of the walls 56 and openings 60 is generally larger than a height of each webbing strap 30.

Formed at the free end 62 of each wall 56 is a lower retaining lip 64 including a protrusion 66. The protrusion 66 is configured to engage a complementary surface of the top 44 (see FIG. 7a) of the winding device 40 to retain the top 44 coupled to the base 42. The lower retaining lip 64 may additionally provide a bearing surface upon which the top 44 of the winding device 40 may rotate.

Referring now to FIGS. 7a-7c, the top 44 of the winding device 40 is illustrated in more detail. The top 44 includes a disc member 68 having a diameter similar to the bottom 46 of base 42. Extending downwardly from a central portion of a first surface 70 of member 68 is a cylindrical spindle 72. A plurality of retention slots 76 are formed in the wall 74 of the spindle 72, and each retention slot 76 is connected to a cavity 78 formed within the interior of the spindle 72. Each cavity 78 is configured to receive and retain a first end 32 of a webbing strap 30 (see FIG. 8) such that the number of retention slots 76 and cavities 78 equals the number of webbing straps 30 of the anti-pooling system.

In one embodiment, the first end 32 of each webbing strap 30 is enlarged to prevent the end 32 from sliding through the adjacent retention slot 76. To connect the webbing straps 30 to the spindle 72, the ends 32 are slidably inserted into each of the cavities 78 via the bottom of the spindle 72, thereby allowing each webbing strap 30 to be retained during rotation of the top 42 (see FIG. 8).

Located circumferentially around the disc member 68 is an upper retaining lip 80. Upper retaining lip 80 may include one or more protrusions 82 configured to engage the lower retaining lip 64 when the top 44 is inserted into the cavity 58 of the base 42 to selectively lock the base 42 and top 44 together to form the winding device 40 while allowing for relative rotation between top 44 and base 42. The top 44 is generally attached to the base 42 by inserting the spindle 72 into the cavity 58 of the base 42 and applying a downward pressure to the disc member 68 until the protrusions 82, 66 of the upper and lower retaining lips 80, 64 engage. The top 44 and base 42 may be similarly disengaged by separating the upper and lower retaining lips 80, 64. In one embodiment, the upper retaining lip 80 may be outwardly radially actuated, such as through a plurality of access holes 84 formed in an upper surface 86 of the disc-shaped member 68 generally above the retaining lip 80 for example. The disc member 68 of the top 44 additionally includes an interface 88 through which a handle may be attached to impart relative rotation to the winding device 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, operation of the winding device 40 is generally illustrated. The winding device 40 is configured to rotate to move the webbing straps 30 between a deployed or unwound position (FIG. 8) for supporting a cover and a stored or wound position (FIG. 9) when the cover has been removed. When the top 44 and base 42 of the winding device 40 are initially connected, each of the webbing straps 30 arranged within a cavity and extending through the retention slots on the spindle 72 is similarly positioned within one of the openings 60 formed in the base 42. To wind the plurality of webbing straps 30 from the deployed position into the stored position, a rotational force is applied to the top 44, such as via a handle (not shown) coupled thereto for example, causing the top 44 to rotate relative to the base 42 in a first direction. As the top 44 rotates, the webbing straps 30 layer on top of one another about the spindle 72. The openings 60 in the base 42 prevent the straps 30 from tangling as they are wound. In one embodiment, the second end 34 of each webbing strap 30 is enlarged to prevent the second end 34 of the webbing strap 30 from passing through opening 60 into the cavity 58 of the winding device 40. As a result, the plurality of webbing straps 30 may be wound about the spindle 72 until the second ends 34 of each webbing strap 30 are directly adjacent the base 42 of the winding device 40.

Application of another rotational force to the top 44, causes the top 44 to rotate in a second, opposite direction. Alternatively, application of a force directly to at least one of the webbing straps 30 applies a rotational force to the top 44. As the top 44 rotates relative to the base 42, the plurality of webbing straps 30 unwind from around the spindle 72 and extend out openings 60. As the webbing straps 30 are deployed, the openings 60 may be configured to guide the webbing straps 30 toward peripheral attachment points of the boat 10 and prevent tangling of adjacent straps 30. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 8, no portion of the webbing straps 30 remains wound around the spindle 72 when in the deployed position. However, in other embodiments, the wedding straps 30 may be fully deployed and a portion of the webbing straps 30 may remain wound about the spindle 72. When the winding device 40 is in the fully deployed or unwound position, each of the webbing straps 30 has a desired length such that the second end 34 of each webbing strap 30 is configured to attach to the boat 10 at a peripheral webbing attachment point to support a cover thereon.

Use of the winding device 40 in an anti-pooling system for a transportation vehicle improves the ease of installation and removal of the anti-pooling system.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-pooling system comprising: a rotatable winding device having a first end having at least one webbing strap removably coupled thereto, said winding device being configured to rotate to transform said at least one webbing strap between a stowed position and a deployed position.

2. The anti-pooling system according to claim 1, wherein said winding device includes a top operably coupled to a base, said top being configured to rotate relative to said base, wherein said at least one webbing strap is coupled to said top and extends through at least one opening formed in said base.

3. The anti-pooling system according to claim 2, wherein said top includes a spindle having at least one cavity and retention slot, said first end of said at least one webbing strap being arranged within said at least one cavity and extending through said retention slot.

4. The anti-pooling system according to claim 3, wherein when said at least one webbing strap is in said deployed position, said at least one webbing strap is not at least partially wrapped about a circumference spindle.

5. The anti-pooling system according to claim 3, wherein when said at least one webbing strap is in said deployed position, said at least one webbing strap is partially wrapped about a circumference spindle.

6. The anti-pooling system according to claim 3, wherein when said at least one webbing strap is in said stowed position, a majority of said at least one webbing strap is wrapped about a circumference spindle such that a second end of said at least one webbing strap is generally positioned adjacent said base.

7. The anti-pooling system according to claim 3, wherein said base further includes a spindle race configured to seat said spindle during rotation of said top.

8. The anti-pooling system according to claim 2, wherein said base further includes a bottom having a plurality of walls extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, said at least one opening being defined between said plurality of walls.

9. The anti-pooling system according to claim 2, wherein said top further includes an upper retaining lip and said base further includes a lower retaining lip, said upper retaining lip and lower retaining lip being configured to rotatably couple said top and base.

10. The anti-pooling system according to claim 9, wherein said top further includes at least one access hole configured to provide access to separate said upper retaining lip and said lower retaining lip.

11. The anti-pooling system according to claim 10, wherein said access hole is disposed adjacent to said upper retaining lip.

12. The anti-pooling system according to claim 1, further comprising: a support pole, a first end of said support pole configured to couple to said winding device and a second end of said support pole being configured to mount to a surface of a transportation vehicle.