Abstract:
An attachment system for a boat cover using an insert strip press fit in a conventional rub rail channel fixed to the boat hull. The insert strip has a lengthwise slot which is configured to mate with a series of retainer elements attached about the perimeter of the cover. Each retainer element has a portion configured to be received in the insert strip slot and locked thereto by being turned sideways. In one embodiment, the retainers have a flattened pin which can be pushed into the insert strip slot and turned, a larger head portion thereby fit to a larger interior section of the slot to be locked therein. In another embodiment the retainer elements each have a pair of spread projections which are compressed together to be able to be pushed in through the slot entry section and which spring apart in the interior slot section, to be locked therein. A threaded pin can be advanced between the projections to produce a positive spreading of the projections. Racks and battens can also be attached to the insert strip using the same retainer elements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications No. 60/623,092 filed on Oct. 27, 2004 and No. 60/720,407 filed on Sep. 26, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention concerns attachment of flexible covers for boats and the like. Flexible or soft covers are conventionally attached by a series of mating snaps attached to the cover and the boat respectively. The snaps are time consuming to install as they require drilling holes in the fiberglass boat hull, and entail excessive maintenance items as they typically fail at a high rate, particularly under high loads as when ice and snow accumulate on the cover. Also, the shrinkage or stretching of the cover may make installation and removal of the cover difficult since the mating snaps become misaligned. 
   Another attachment method involves using a line threaded along the cover hem extending around the perimeter of the cover which is tightened to secure the cover on the boat. This usually results in loose areas of the cover and may not be secure enough to trailer the boat with the cover on. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,913 describes use of a hook feature formed on a boat rub rail channel used to mate with cover fastenings. This approach requires a special form of the channel to replace the standard rail configuration. Also, the hook connection is not as secure as mating snaps. 
   Rub rail channels most typically are of extruded plastic or aluminum and receive a soft rubber or plastic bumper insert or a length of rope used to cushion impacts. 
   It is the object of the present invention to provide a flexible covering attachment system which utilizes a standard or preexisting rub rail channel, and does not require holes to be drilled in the hull nor accurate alignment of snaps or other attaching elements on the hull with mating elements on the cover. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a durable and strong cover attachment system which does not require frequent replacement of parts and which is easy to install and use, and is not affected by the cover stretching or shrinking, yet is secure enough to allow the cover to remain in place during trailering of the boat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The above recited objects and other objects which will be understood upon a reading of the following specification and claims are achieved by an attachment system including a special insert press fit installed into a conventional rub rail channel which may already be installed the boat hull. The insert strip is a plastic extrusion formed with a central longitudinally extending slot having a narrow entry section opening into a wider interior section. A series of retainer elements are sewn or otherwise attached to the cover around the perimeter which are able to be releasably mated with the insert strip slot to secure the cover to the boat. The retainer elements may be shaped as with a flattened pin portion with an enlarged head projecting from a base grip portion able to be grasped by the fingers to enable manual turning of the retainer element. The pin head is flat to be able to be inserted into the slot when turned but will engage with the insert strip slot when turned vertically within the slot. Thus, the retainer elements are able to be inserted into the slot when turned sideways, and captured when turned back to a vertical orientation to secure the cover to the rub rail channel by locking engagement of the retainer elements therewith. 
   The slotted insert has a pair of shallow recesses, one on each side, which capture inwardly facing channel rail lips to secure the same to the channel. A curved bottom of the insert engages the rub rail channel bottom wall when installed, tending to spread the insert strip sides defining the central slot into firm engagement with the rub rail channel side walls. 
   The retainer elements can be mounted to the cover in several ways, i.e., sewn directly to the cover hem, attached to a separate strap extension sewn to the cover, above the hem or with the pin portion of each retainer element captured in a respective one of a series of grommets sewn into the perimeter of the cover. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the retainer element has a pair of side by side spaced apart projections extending from a bendable double wing piece. The projections have wedge shaped tips which when pushed into the insert strip slot are forced together to be able to pass through the entrance section and into the wider interior section of the slot, the tips springing apart thereafter. Bending of the wings allows removal of the retainer element by causing the projection tips to be brought together. In a variation of this embodiment, a threaded pin is advanced into a threaded hole in the center of the retainer element between the projections to positively force the projection tips apart and thereby more positively hold the retainer element in the slot. 
   In another embodiment, a toggle member connected to a strap sewn to the cover is pivoted on each of the retainer elements and when flipped down tightens the cover by an over center action. 
   The attachment system can be employed to mount battens and racks for skis or wake boards, by retainer elements passed through openings in the rack or batten. Similarly, cover bows can be mounted to the hull by a retainer element pivoted on each end of the bow. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a boat having a mounted cover and buttons installed thereon using the attachment system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged partially sectional view of attachment system components associated with the boat hull and cover shown in fragmentary form. 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged sectional view of the insert strip and a retainer element installed therein in the locked position. 
       FIG. 2B  is a partially sectional view of an alternate attachment of the retainer element to the inside of the cover. 
       FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of a fragmentary section of the rub rail channel and slotted insert strip with a partially exploded view of a retainer element according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of a retainer element attached to a cover by an alternative method and installed in a slotted insert strip and rub rail channel shown in sections. 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of a retainer element installed in an insert strip shown in section and capturing a batten received in a cover batten pocket, shown in fragmentary form. 
       FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of a boat having ski racks mounted thereto using the same attachment system used for the cover as shown in  FIGS. 1–5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary pictorial view of a portion of the boat showing one of the racks shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a modified form of the mounted rack shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views of another form of retainer element shown installed in an insert strip shown in section and in the released and locked condition respectively. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are enlarged sectional views of the retainer element shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
       FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of a retainer element mounted to a boat cover in an alternative way, the cover shown in fragmentary form. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view in partial section of a retainer element as used to mount a cover support bow to an insert strip and rub rail channel shown in section. 
       FIG. 12A  is the view of the components of  FIG. 12  with the retainer pivoted to a release position. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an alternative snap on embodiment of a retainer element installed in a insert strip shown in section. 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the retainer element as shown in  FIG. 13  with a thread locking pin installed in a threaded hole in the retainer element. 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the snap on embodiment of the retainer element modified to have an extension strap mounted thereto shown installed. 
       FIG. 15A  is a front view of the retainer element shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims. 
   Referring to the drawings, and particularly  FIG. 1 , a boat  10  is shown having a cover  12  installed thereon with a pair of battens  14  supporting the cover  12  above the beam of the boat. 
   The cover  12  is secured to the boat hull  16  by a cover attachment system according to the present invention including a series of retainer elements  18  attached along the inside of the perimeter of the cover  12  and locked to a slotted insert strip  20  press fit into a conventional rub rail channel  22  fixed to the hull and extending around the complete perimeter thereof.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show the details of the retainer elements  18  and insert strip  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the retainer elements  18  are constructed of a molded hard plastic such as nylon and include a flattened pin  24  having a head portion  26  which has an enlarged contour in the plane of the flattening, with a curved end  28 . 
   A grip portion  30  is integrally molded with the pin  24  and is somewhat elongated to be shaped like a short rounded end bar to be able to be easily gripped with the thumb and fingers to enable manual turning of the pin  24  to install or remove the same from a central slot  21  formed in the insert strip, as described below. 
   An integral short tab  32  projecting from the top of the grip portion  30  is sewn or otherwise attached to the inside of the hem  36  of the cover  12  to be completely concealed beneath the cover  12 . 
   The insert strip  20  is made from a molded plastic such as RPVC to be capable of acting as a protective bumper able to withstand impacts, and also stiff enough to be capable of securely connecting to the retainer elements  18  to hold the cover  12  in place stretched over the boat  10 . 
   A narrow entry section  38  of the slot  21  allows the pin  24  to be inserted therein with the flat sides  40  of the pin  24  turned horizontally. The flat sides  40  are chamfered at the curved end  28  to facilitate insertion into entry slot section  38 . 
   The entry slot section  38  diverges to form a wider, angled side interior slot section  39  which has a curved bottom wall  42  shaped to be complementary to the curved end face  28  of the pin  24 . 
   The exterior of bottom wall  42  is also curved out. This causes the side walls of the insert strip  20  to be moved out when seated in the rub rail channel  20 . 
   This increases the tightness of engagement of channel lips  44  with rounded pockets  46  molded into the sides of the insert strip  20 . 
   Sloping sides  48  on the insert strip  20  aid in installation into the rub rail channel  20 . 
   The exposed outer surfaces  50  of the insert strip  20  are curved to absorb impacts in acting as a bumper strip. The pin head portion  26  is enlarged in the generally plane of its flattening but sized slightly smaller than the slot interior section  39  to create clearances allowing it to be rotated after insertion to be locked in position in the slot  21 . 
   The head portion  26  is formed with a molded protrusion  52  on each side which tighten up the clearances to reduce looseness in the fit between the head portion  26  and slot interior section  3   a  and insure that the head portion  26  does not twist back to a vertical orientation when being slid along the insert strip  20 . A snap fit can thus be felt when the retainer element  18  is turned to its locked position, allowing installation in darkness. The ability to slide easily along the insert strip  20  makes it easier to put the cover  12  on as the retainer elements  18  can find their proper location by such sliding movement after being locked in the insert  20  allowing the cover position to be freely shifted before all of the retainer elements  18  are installed. 
     FIG. 2B  shows that a separate strap  32 A may be used to hold the retainer element  1 B, strap  32 A extending up to a higher point where it is sewn or otherwise attached to the inside of the cover  12 . This allows the retainer element  18  to be turned without the need to twist the cover material to make installation and removal easier. 
     FIG. 4  shows an alternative attachment for the retainer element  18 , in which the tab  32  is oriented downwardly and is sewn to the cover  16  as shown. 
   In the attachments of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the rotation of the retainer element  18  to install the same necessitates localized gathering of the cover  12 , while that of  FIG. 2B  avoids that. 
     FIG. 5  shows mounting of the batten  14  by a retainer element  18  which is rotatably captured on the lower end of the batten  14  by being assembled in the hole in the batten  14 . The retainer elements  18  can be of two piece construction as in the threaded connection shown in  FIG. 11 , for such use, or can be forced through the hole in the batten  14 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , skis or other elongated gear may be stowed on racks  54  which may also be removably mounted to a boat  10  by a similar attachment system. The racks  54  include a fork member  56  created by a pair of spaced apart upright members connected to each other at their lower ends. The fork member  56  is integral with a horizontally facing U-shaped member  58  received over the rub rail channel  22 . 
   A pair of retainer elements  18  are shown rotatably captured on the U-shaped member  58 , with the pin portions  24  projecting inwardly to be received in the insert strip  20  as described above. 
   The fork member  56  is located on the outboard side of the U-shaped member  58  to allow the cover  12  (not shown) to pass around the same when in place on the boat  10 . 
   Another form of the rack  56 A ( FIG. 8 ) features a batten recess  60  allowing battens  14  to be conveniently mounted thereto by being inserted in the recess  60 . In this version, the retainer elements  96 A described below in connection with  FIG. 14  are used to insure that the rack  56  does not shift along the rail  22 . The functioning of the retainer element  96 A is described below. 
     FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A, and  10 B show an alternate form of the retainer element  64  mating with the slot  21  in the insert strip  20 . This embodiment features an over center toggle  66  pivotally mounted to the head of a pin  68  by a metal cross pin  70 . The pin  68  has an enlarged head portion  72  designed to lock to the slot in the insert strip  20  in similar fashion to the embodiment described above. 
   The cover  12  has a strap hemmed at  76  to a cover loop  74 . 
   The toggle  66  pivot has off center with respect to the connection to the strap loop  74  so that when flipped down against the insert strip  20  as seen in  FIG. 9B , the strap loop  74  is pulled down to tighten the cover  16 . A protuberance  78  rotates into the slot entry section  38  to provide a detent holding the toggle  66  in that position. 
   A bias spring  80  may be provided to urge the pin  68  into a recess  82  in the inside of the toggle  66 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , an exposed mounting for the retainer elements  18  is shown. A grommet  84  is mounted to the cover  16  with a reinforcement patch  86  captured by the grommet  84 . A two piece construction of the retainer elements  18  may allow assembly in the grommet  84  utilizing a threaded stem  17  to connect the pin  24  to the grip portion  30  while the pin  24  is in the grommet  84  to capture the same. The retainer element  18  is rotatable in the grommet  84  to allow the pin  24  to be locked in the slot  21  of the insert  20  as described above. 
     FIG. 12 ,  12 A show the mounting of a cover support bow  88  by a retainer element  18 A. The adjacent ends of the bow  88  and bow extension  88 A as received in an extension socket  90 . The socket  90  is connected to the bow extension  88 A with a two piece threaded pin  91  in either hole  93 A,  93 B for length adjustment. The tab  32  is pivotally mounted to the bow end by a two part axle pin  92  screwed together, with a washer  94  facilitating rotation of the retainer element  18 A. The pivoting allowed by the axle pin  92  enables locking and release of the pin head portion  26  in the slotted insert strip  20  as seen in  FIG. 12A . The bow  88  and extension  88 A are received in a cover pocket  91 . 
   An alternate embodiment retainer element  96  is shown in  FIG. 13 , which is configured to allow a simple push on, snap action installation. The retainer element  96  includes double curved wing portions  98 A,  98 B movable relative each other by an integrally connected thinner bridging portion  100  formed by a shallow groove  101  to allow resilient flexing of the two wing portions  98 A,  98 B relative to each other. 
   Each wing portion  98 A,  98 B includes an integral inwardly projecting rib  102 A,  102 B separated by a slot  104 . A wedge shaped tip  106 A,  106 B is formed on each rib  102 A,  102 B. 
   The wedge shape of the tips  106 A,  106 B cause the projecting ribs  102 A,  102 B to be cammed together when pushed into the slot entry section  38  to be able to pass into the wider section slot  39 , where the tips  106 A,  106 B again separate to hold the retainer element  96  therein. 
   To remove each retainer element  96 , the wing portion  98 A,  98 B is sewn or otherwise attached to the inside of the cover  16 . 
   The wing portions  98 A,  98 B are bent in to compress the tips  106 A, B together allowing them to be pulled out to be released. 
   This embodiment still allows longitudinal sliding along in the slotted insert strip  20  to simplify the task of putting the cover  12  on a boat  10  since the cover  12  position can be shifted as needed. 
   In order to enhance the resistance to pull out of the retainer element  96 , a modified form of the retainer element  96 A includes a separate threaded pin  108  projecting from a grip  110  which can be advanced in a threaded hole in the center of the bridging portion  100 . 
   With the threaded stem  108  in place, the retainer elements  96 A are held tightly and cannot be slid along the length of the insert strip  20  after installation. These retainer elements  96 A can advantageously be used at points across the stern of the boat  10  after other types of retainer elements  18 , or  96  are used along forward parts of the cover  16 . 
     FIGS. 15 and 15A  show the use of an extension strap  112  with another version of the snap fit retainer element  96 B. A through slot  114  is formed in the center of the retainer element  96 B of a width able to accommodate the strap  112  which is inserted and the end  114  doubled over and sewn to capture the lower end of the strap  112  therein. The upper end of the strap  112  is sewn to the hem of the cover  16 . 
   Many variations are possible in the shapes and dimensions of the components of the attachment system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in this art. 
   For example, the headed pin portions can have ridges mating with grooves in the insert slot walls to improve retention. 
   An existing rub rail channel can be employed, able to receive the insert strip  20  according to the present invention. 
   The insert strip  20  can receive the retainer elements at any point along the slot to not require alignment of discrete elements while providing a secure, but easy, mating attachment of the cover  16 .