Abstract:
The bilge plug saver of the present invention includes a large piece and a small piece made of a waterproof material, preferably rubber. The large and small piece fit together to form a waterproof capsule sized and shaped to accommodate a bilge plug within the capsule.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/033,168, filed on Aug. 5, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to boating accessories, and specifically to a bilge plug holder that aids in prevention of the loss of the bilge pump plug. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The bilge area on a boat is the lowest area of the boat, where water and other liquid collect. Most boats include a bilge drain hole at the bottom of the bilge area or the back of the boat. These holes are securely closed within bilge plugs. While the boat us underway, if the bilge plug is removed, suction will cause any liquid in the bilge area to drain out of the boat through the bilge drain holes. When the boat is at rest, however, the bilge holes are just holes in the boat that will cause the boat to fill with water if not plugged. Even very high-powered bilge pumps are unable to remove liquid at the same or a greater rate than the rate at which water will enter the boat through the bilge drain hole when the boat is not moving. The bilge plug is therefore a very important device to ensure the seaworthiness of the boat and the safety of its passengers. Unfortunately, given that bilge plugs are generally small and dense, they are misplaced or lost all too easily. Even if not lost, the hard metal of the bilge plug may scratch or otherwise damage a surface on which it is placed while the boat is draining. Therefore there is a need for a device to hold the bilge plug while it is not positioned in a bilge hole so that it is unlikely to be lost or to damage the boat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a bilge plug saver and a bilge plug saver kit. 
     In its most basic form, the bilge plug saver of the present invention includes a large piece and a small piece made of a waterproof material, preferably rubber. The large and small piece fit together to form a waterproof capsule sized and shaped to accommodate a bilge plug within the capsule. It is preferred that the waterproof material be sufficiently tacky so that the small and large pieces will remain securely together not only because of their snug fit, but also because they will stick to one another. Each of the small piece and large piece is therefore approximately cylindrical with one of the open sides of the cylinder closed so that it has an open end and a closed end. The open ends of the small and large pieces are intended to be fit together so that both ends of the cylinder are closed. It is preferred that the edges where the cylindrical part of the small and large pieces meet the closed ends of the respective pieces be rounded. Each piece has a length and a diameter. The small piece fits snugly within the large piece, and therefore is only “smaller” than the large piece in that its diameter is slightly smaller than that of the large piece. Indeed, the length of the “small” piece may actually be greater than the length of the large piece. The material out of which the small and large pieces is made is preferably sufficiently tacky so that the small and large pieces will remain securely together not only because of their snug fit, but also because they will stick to one another. Each of the small piece and large piece includes a perimeter measured around the respective open ends. 
     Although the preferred bilge plug saver has a round body as described above, and as would be expected for accommodating round bilge plugs, it is understood that the bilge plug saver may also have different shapes, such as rectangular or triangular. The bilge plug saver may be any shape that will accommodate the bilge plug within. As such, although terms such as “diameter” are used to describe the preferred round embodiment, it is understood that “diameter” may refer to the corresponding measure of a differently shaped embodiment of the bilge plug saver. For example, if the bilge plug saver has a square cross section, then the “diameter” would be the distance from one side to the side opposite, or the length of one of the sides. 
     An alternate embodiment of the bilge plug saver includes an inner catch around the small piece and an outer catch around the large piece. The inner catch is a bulge around the circumference of the small piece near its open end. The outer catch is a corresponding bulge around the circumference of the large piece near its open end. The outer catch is slightly larger than the inner catch and is substantially hollow so that the inner catch may fit into the outer catch and be held there, thus holding the small and large pieces together. 
     It is preferred that one of the pieces of the bilge plug saver includes a ring through which a lanyard or other stringy piece may be threaded. It is preferred that this ring be included on the large piece, but may be included on the small piece. It is preferred that the piece including the ring be a single integrated piece, rather than the ring being attached to the piece. In other words, it is preferred that the piece including the ring be formed from a single mold. In versions of the bilge plug saver that include a ring, it is preferred that the bilge plug saver also include a lanyard sized to fit through the ring so that the bilge plug saver may be worn around a wrist or hooked or hung on something, such as a ring or cleat mounted to a transom of a boat. The preferred lanyard is a rubber loop with a circumference of approximately 11-13 inches. This preferred lanyard is looped through the ring and secured thereto with a cow hitch or lark&#39;s head knot. 
     In some embodiments of the bilge plug saver, a loop is included on one of the large or small pieces so that the piece is a single integrated piece. This embodiment is therefore similar to the embodiment including a ring and a lanyard, but there is no need for the ring to secure the lanyard and the loop takes the place of the lanyard. In this embodiment the piece that includes the loop and the loop would be formed from a single mold. It is preferred that the piece that includes the loop be the large piece. 
     It is preferred that the large and small pieces be different colors. This is so that the pieces are clearly distinguishable from one another and so that when they are fitted together, their intersection is apparent. It is preferred that the large piece be red and the small piece be white. The bright colors will make them easy to spot against more subdued colors that are common on boats. 
     As bilge plugs come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, it is understood that the bilge plug saver of the present invention similarly comes in several sizes and shapes to accommodate a variety of bilge plugs. 
     In its most basic form, the bilge plug saver kit of the present invention includes a bilge plug saver of the present invention, as described above, and a bilge plug. Any bilge plug commonly used in the art may be included in the kit of the present invention. 
     These aspects of the present invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, accompanying drawings, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of the bilge plug saver of the present invention with the small and large pieces fitted together. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the small and large pieces of the bilge plug saver of the present invention separated with a bilge plug between them. 
         FIG. 1C  is a side cutaway view of the bilge plug saver of the present invention encapsulating a bilge plug. 
         FIG. 1D  is a top down view of the open end of the large piece. 
         FIG. 1E  is a top down view of the open end of the small piece. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the bilge plug saver of the present invention including inner and outer bulges with the large and small pieces separated. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the bilge plug saver of the present invention including inner and outer bulges with the large and small pieces fitted together. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of a large piece of a bilge plug saver of the present invention that includes a ring and a lanyard. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a large piece of a bilge plug saver of the present invention that includes a loop. 
         FIG. 4A  is a view of a bilge plug saver of the present invention attached to a cleat of a boat. 
         FIG. 4B  is a view of a bilge plug saver of the present invention attached to a ring of a boat. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are views of different types of bilge plugs that may be a part of the bilge plug kit of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A-1C , several views of bilge plug saver  10  of the present invention are provided.  FIG. 1A  is a side view of large piece  12  and small piece  14  fitted together. When large piece  12  and small piece  14  are fitted together, bilge plug saver  10  has total length  34 , measured between large piece closed end  44  and small piece closed end  42 . The embodiment shown has large piece  12  including ring  18  so that large piece  12  and ring  18  are one integrated piece.  FIG. 1B  shows large piece  12  and small piece  14  separated with a bilge plug  16  between them. It is understood that bilge plug  16  will fit within cavity  53  created when large piece  12  and small piece  14  are fit together, as shown in  FIG. 1A . Large piece  12  has large piece body  11 . Small piece  14  has small piece body  13 . Large piece  12  has large piece length  30  and diameter  32 . Small piece  14  has small piece length  26  and diameter  28 . Large piece  12  has closed end  44  and open end  46 . Small piece  14  has closed end  40  and open end  42 .  FIG. 1C  is a cutaway view of the view shown in  FIG. 1A . Small piece  14  is shown snugly fit into large piece  12  and bilge plug  16  is shown within cavity  53  formed by their union. There is an overlap  15  where large piece  12  fits over small piece  14  when they are positioned together, as intended. This overlap  15  has a length  17 . 
     Bilge plug saver  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , has a total length  34  of approximately 1.5±0.25 inches when small and large pieces  14 ,  12  are fit together. This total length  34  is measured from closed end  44  of large piece  12  to closed end  40  of small piece  14  when they are fit together, and does not include any additions to either piece, such as ring  18  or loop  24  (shown in  FIG. 3B ). Total length  34  is therefore small piece length  26  plus large piece length  30  minus overlap length  17 . Large piece length  30  is preferably approximately 1±0.25 inches. Small piece length  26  is preferably approximately 1.25±0.25 inches. Large piece diameter  32  is preferably approximately 1.25±0.25 inches. Small piece diameter  28  is slightly smaller and is preferably approximately 1±0.25 inches. The closed end  40 ,  44  of small and large pieces  14 ,  12  may include a protrusion  19 , as shown. Such protrusions  19  are nipple-shaped and designed to accommodate bilge plugs  16 , such as the one shown in  FIG. 5C , which has a corresponding nipple-like structure. Protrusion  19  may be incorporated into either closed end  40 ,  44 . 
     Bilge plug  16  is a common bilge plug that may be used with either of the preferred embodiments of bilge plug saver  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Bilge plug  16  is a brass ½ inch NTP plug. It is approximately 1±0.125 inches in total length, approximately 0.5 inches of which is threaded, and the remainder of which is smooth and square. It weighs approximately 50±10 grams. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1D and 1E , top down views of open end  42  of small piece  14  and open end  46  of large piece  12  or shown, respectively. The distances around the open ends  42 ,  46  are small piece perimeter  23  and large piece perimeter  21 , respectively. Large piece perimeter  21  is slightly larger than small piece perimeter  23  so that open end  42  of small piece  14  may fit snugly into open end  46  of large piece  12 . As shown, it is preferred that large and small pieces  12 ,  14  be round. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2A , an alternate embodiment of bilge plug saver  10  is provided. This embodiment includes inner bulge  36  around perimeter  23  of small piece  14  near open end  42  and outer bulge  38  around perimeter  21  of large piece  12  near open end  46 . Outer bulge  38  is slightly larger than inner bulge  38  and is substantially hollow so that inner bulge  36  fits into outer bulge  38 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . When inner bulge  36  is held by outer bulge  38 , small and large pieces  12 ,  14  are held together. Although the embodiment of bilge plug saver  10  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are shown with ring  18 , it is understood that ring  18  may be substituted with loop  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , or omitted. 
     Bilge plug saver  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , has total length  34  of approximately 1.5±0.25 inches when the small and large pieces  14 ,  12  are fit together. Large piece length  30  is preferably approximately 0.75±0.25 inches. Small piece length  26  is preferably approximately 1.5±0.25 inches. Large piece diameter  32  is preferably approximately 1.25±0.25 inches. Small piece diameter  28  is slightly smaller and is preferably approximately 1±0.25 inches. Diameter  48  of inner bulge  36  at its widest point is approximately 1.125±0.125 inches. Diameter  50  of outer bulge  38  at its widest point is approximately 1.25±0.125 inches. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , various embodiments of large piece  12  are shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , bilge plug saver  10  includes lanyard  20 . The preferred lanyard  20 , as shown, is a loop that may be threaded through ring  18  and secured to it with a cow hitch or lark&#39;s head knot  22 , as shown. The other end of lanyard  20  could be hooked onto something or worn around the wrist. In addition, the entire remainder of bilge plug saver  10  may loop through lanyard  20  so that bilge plug saver  10  may also be secured to something using a second cow hitch or lark&#39;s head knot. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B  includes loop  24  integrated into large piece  12  so that they are a single integrated piece. This embodiment eliminates ring  18 . This embodiment may also be hooked onto something, worn around the wrist, or secured to something using a cow hitch or lark&#39;s head knot. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , bilge plug saver  10  is shown in use with a boat cleat  52  and boat ring  54 , respectively. In  FIG. 4A , lanyard  20  is shown looped around boat cleat  52 , and thereby secured thereto. In  FIG. 4B , lanyard  20  is shown secured to boat ring  54  with a second cow hitch or lark&#39;s head knot  22 . It is understood that in other embodiments, lanyard  20  may be replaced with loop  24  or another fastening device. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C  various alternative bilge plugs  16  that may be a part of the bilge plug kit of the present invention are shown. Bilge plug  16  shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C  is all metal, as described above. Bilge plugs  16  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , on the other hand are a combination of plastics, metals, and rubbers. Each includes a rubberized portion  56  that will be inserted into the bilge drain hole. The rubberized nature of this portion allows for a watertight fit into the bilge drain hole. Each bilge plug  16  also includes a handle portion  58  that will be handled by the user removing and replacing bilge plug  16 . Handle portions  58  vary in what they are made out of, but are commonly made of metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The bilge plugs  16  shown in  FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 5A-5C  are common bilge plugs and are understood to be an exemplary sampling of a wide variety of bilge plugs  16  that may be a part of the bilge plug kit of the present invention. It is further understood that the bilge plug saver  10  of the present invention may be adapted in size and shape to accommodate each of this wide variety of bilge plugs  16 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.