Abstract:
The invention relates to a boat accessory for maximizing usable deck space. In particular, the boat accessory attaches to a boat railing and includes a fishing rod holder, a table, and a coupler. The fishing rod holder is attached to the table and the table is attached to the coupler, which mounts the table to the boat railing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/564,034 filed Apr. 21, 2004, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally a boat accessory. More particularly, the present invention relates to fishing rod holders for boats.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Improvements have been made in boats to enhance useable deck space. Accordingly, a number of fishing rod holding systems have been developed for promoting the efficient use of space in a boat. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,009 and 6,101,966 both disclose systems for holding fishing rods and other fishing accessories such as tackle. Nonetheless, other systems for promoting the effective use of deck space in a boat are needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     One aspect of the present invention relates to a rod holder that mounts to a railing for a boat that promotes more efficient use of deck space.  
         [0005]     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a table that mounts to a railing of a boat and provides a work surface and a fishing rod holder.  
         [0006]     Examples of a variety of aspects in addition to those described above are set forth in the description that follows. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive aspects that underlie the examples disclosed herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a boat having an example boat accessory attached thereto in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  from above the boat accessory;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  with a fishing rod located in one of the rod holders;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  from below the boat accessory;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the boat accessory of  FIG. 1  attached to the boat; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the boat accessory railing coupler in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a boat  10  having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The boat includes a bow  12 , a stern  14 , a port side  18 , a port railing  24 , a starboard side  16 , and starboard railing  22 . The boat further includes a boat accessory  30  attached to the starboard railing  22 . It should be appreciated that though  FIG. 1  shows the boat accessory  30  attached along the starboard railing  22 , the boat accessory  30  is adapted to be attached anywhere along the railing of the boat  10 .  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the boat  10  including the boat accessory  30  is shown from a viewing position above the boating accessory  30 . The boating accessory  30  depicted, includes a generally rectangular table  36  that has two oppositely positioned major sides  38 ,  40  and two oppositely positioned minor sides  41 ,  43 . The table  36  can be many other shapes other than a rectangle; for example, an elliptical shape, a circular shape or any other shape may be used. As shown, table  36  overhangs the railing  22  with the major side  40  positioned nearest the boat  10 , and the major side  38  positioned furthest from the boat  10 .  
         [0015]     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the boating accessory  30  includes a first rod holder  32  and a second rod holder  34  that are shown mounted near the major side  38  of the table  36 . However, it should be appreciated that the rod holders  32 ,  34  can be mounted anywhere on the table  36 . In addition, any number of rod holders can be mounted to the table  36 .  
         [0016]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the rod holders  32  and  34  include a flange portion  90  and a sleeve portion  92 . The flange portion  90  flush mounts to the table  36  via fasteners such as screws. The sleeve portion  92  extends below the table  36  at an oblique angle relative to the table  36  back towards the boat  10 . In certain embodiments, the sleeve portions  92  can be abutted against the boat  10  to provide auxiliary support to free end of the table  36 . The rod holder may be, for example, a 30° Flush Mount Rod Holder available though Whitecap Industries, Inc. (www.whitecapindustries.net) under part number S-096B/617.  
         [0017]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the table  36  includes a top surface  84  and a bottom surface  86  (see  FIG. 4 ). The top surface  84  includes a recessed portion  80 . In the embodiment depicted, the recessed portion  80  is T-shaped with a first part  82  of the T-shaped recess portion  80  disposed between the rod holders  32 ,  34  and a second portion  83  that extends along the side  40  of the table  36 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first part  82  has a length that extends away from the boat  10  and the second part  83  has a length that extends along the railing  22 . The recess portion  80  provides a tray-like working surface that prevents objects from easily rolling off of the table  36  when the boat  10  moves. It should be appreciated that alternatively the entire top surface  84  of the table  36  less the periphery edges could be recessed thereby defining a raised edge or lip around the table  36 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of  FIG. 1  with a fishing rod  100  located in the second rod holder  34  is shown. The fishing rod  100  includes a handle  110  having a butt end that is inserted into the sleeve  92  of the rod holder  34  and thereby secured.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the boat accessory  30  is attached to the starboard railing  22  by two railing couplers  54  and  56 . The railing couplers  54  and  56  each include an opening  72  (see  FIG. 5 ) for receiving the railing  22 . The opening  72  is shaped to match the contour of the railing  22 . In the depicted embodiment, the railing  22  has an elliptical cross section and has slot  78  on the bottom side. Thus, the shape of the opening  72  defined by the railing couplers  54  and  56  is preferably generally elliptical to conform to and engage the outer surface of the railing  22 .  
         [0020]     Referring still to  FIG. 5 , the railing couplers  54  and  56  each include an inner arm  66  and an outer arm  70 . A gap  73  is defined between the ends of the inner and outer arms  66 ,  70 . The inner arm  66  includes a protrusion  64  that is sized to be received by the slot  78  at the underside of the railing  22 . The railing couplers  54  and  56  are sized such that the inner surface of the railing couplers  54  and  56  frictionally engage the outer surface of the railing  22 . The configuration is such that when weight is applied to the table  36 , the inner surface of the railing couplers  54  and  56  lock in a cam-like fashion against the railing  22  and prevent the table  36  from falling off the railing  22 . Though the figures depicts that the table  36  includes two railing couplers  54  and  56 . The table  36  may include any number of railing couplers  54  and  56 .  
         [0021]     In use, the table  36  is fastened to the railing  22  by manipulating the table  36  such that the couplers  54 ,  56  hook over the railing  22  causing the railing  22  to slide into the opening  72  of the couplers  54 ,  56  through the gap  73 . This fastening process continues until the protrusion  64  moves into the slot  78  and a secure connection is provided between the table  36  and the railing  22 . In certain embodiments, the arms  66  can flex during the insertion process such that the protrusions  64  snap into the slot  78 .  
         [0022]     It should be appreciated that the boat railing  22  can have many different cross-sectional geometric configurations. For example, rather than an elliptical cross section, the railing  22  can include rectangular or circular cross sections or any number of other shapes. In addition, the railing  22  may include no slot on the underside. Therefore, the exact configuration of the railing couplers  54 ,  56  depends largely on the particular configuration of the railing  22  and is not limited to the configurations shown. As used herein, the term “railing couplers” includes any devices or structures capable of securing/coupling a table to a boat railing.  
         [0023]     The railing couplers  54  and  56  are shown to be connected to the table via fasteners  60 . The fasteners  60  can be any conventional fasteners including bolts, screws, etc. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the railing couplers  54  and  56  can be glued to the table  36  or secured by way of interference keyways fits, snap fits, or other means. Moreover, the railing couplers  54  and  56  could be manufactured integrally with the table via a machining or molding process.  
         [0024]     The table  36  and railing couplers  54  and  56  shown in the figures are manufactured from a plastic moldable material. However, it should be appreciated that the table  36  can be manufacture from other material such as, wood, metal, or fiberglass. The particular material chosen could depend on aesthetic as well as cost factors.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of a railing coupler  68  is shown. The railing coupler includes a first portion  50  that engages the underside of the railing  22  and a second portion  48  that engages the topside of the railing  22 . The first and second portions  50  and  48  each include a cutout that match the general cross-sectional profile of the railing  22 . The first portion  50  is connected to the second portion  48  by fasteners  52 . The railing coupler  68  is constructed such that when the fasteners  52  are tightened, the first portion  50  and the second portion  48  of the railing coupler  68  securely clamp onto the railing  22  and prevent relative movement between the railing coupler  68  and the railing  22 .  
         [0026]     The railing coupler  68  is attached to the bottom surface  80  of the table  36  via conventional fastening means (glue, screws, bolts, etc.). Alternative the second portion  48  of the railing coupler  68  can be formed integral with the table  36 .  
         [0027]     In the depicted embodiment, the railing couplers  68 ,  54 , and  56  are attached adjacent the major side  40  of the table  36  such that the table projects outwardly from the boat  10 . This orientation maximizes useable deck space since the table  36  is cantilevered over the edge of the boat  10 . However, it should be appreciated that the couplers  68 ,  54 , and  56  can be mounted anywhere on the table  36 . For example, it may be desirable to mount the couplers  68 ,  54 , and  56  near the center portion of the table  36  or elsewhere.  
         [0028]     With regard to the forgoing description, changes may be made in detail, especially with regard to the shape, size, and arrangement of the parts. It is intended that the specification and depicted aspects be considered as illustrative only and not limiting with respect to the broad underlying concepts of the present disclosure.  
         [0029]     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.