Abstract:
A cover for a hatch lid or similar structure of a boat provides a secure, custom fit but is easily replaceable and maintainable. The cover includes a sheet of material having a periphery sized approximately to fit over a hatch lid of a boat and a securing feature including an elastic band extending along a portion of the periphery of the sheet, configured to securely couple the sheet of material to the hatch lid. The cover also includes a first corner strap and a second corner strap located on an underside of the sheet of material configured to fit over respective corners of the hatch lid.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/851,405 filed Oct. 13, 2006 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to boating accessories and, more particularly, to a cover for the lid of a boat compartment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most recreational boats have some type of hatch lid or sundeck that is useful for seating or reclining by a user. Because these lids can be uncomfortable or made of material that can be slippery or uncomfortable when wet, boaters sometimes place towels on the hatch-lid panels of their boats, for recreational use when those boats are parked in groups, as well as when parked alone. However, towels can often come loose, often don&#39;t match the surface of the boat, and often get lost. Therefore, such a solution is inadequate for providing the comfort and safety that boaters would prefer. Consequently there remains a need for a secure cloth cover to a hatch-lid within a boat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to cover for a hatch lid or similar structure of a boat that provides a secure, custom fit but is easily replaceable and maintainable. The cover includes a sheet of material having a periphery sized approximately to fit over a hatch lid of a boat and a securing feature including an elastic band extending along a portion of the periphery of the sheet, configured to securely couple the sheet of material to the hatch lid. The cover also includes a first corner strap and a second corner strap located on an underside of the sheet of material configured to fit over respective corners of the hatch lid. 
         [0005]    It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only various embodiments of the invention by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  shows a recreational boat, while  FIG. 1B  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention installed within the boat of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  shows an array of recreational boats, while  FIG. 2B  shows various embodiments of the present invention installed within the boats of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  shows an array of recreational boats, while  FIG. 3B  shows various embodiments of the present invention installed within the boats of  FIG. 3A ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  shows a hatch-lid for use with the present invention; while  FIG. 4B  shows the present invention positioned nearby the hatch-lid of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate particular details about embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  shows a recreational boat having a hatch-lid panel  104 , most often used for concealing but allowing access to an engine compartment. Although the terms “hatch” and “hatch lid” are used through this specification, the term is intended to encompass what boaters generally refer to a sundeck, sunpad, engine hatch, engine lid, hatch, engine compartment cover, layout pad, and transom. 
         [0013]    The hatch-lid  104  may sometimes be adjoined by decorative cushions  150 . From  FIG. 1A  it is apparent that the boat has various decorative markings thereupon, yet in many instances the hatch-lid cover  104  may not have any of these same markings. 
         [0014]    During recreational use of a boat, particularly when the boat is not in motion and several boats are parked together, it is enticing to sit and relax on the hatch-lid  104  of a boat. However, certain disadvantages can occur during such a sitting. First, the plastic or vinyl surface of the hatch-lid  104  may absorb sunlight and thus be very hot and uncomfortable in contact with human flesh. Additionally, the hardness of the hatch-lid  104  may be uncomfortable after long periods of contact and it may even be slippery when wet if it does not have some type of anti-skid material. Some boat users address this by simply placing a towel on the hatch-lid  104  and then sitting on the towel. For many reasons, however, this solution is inadequate because the towel can become dislodged, it cannot easily be used for other purposes while being sat on, and can be lost while a boater is getting in or out of the water. 
         [0015]    To address this,  FIG. 1B  shows the same boat having that hatch-lid  104  with a cover  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown, the cover  100  can include matching markings, if desired, that coordinate with the designs of the boat. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  shows an array of recreational boats, while  FIG. 2B  shows various embodiments of the present invention installed within the boats of  FIG. 2A . From  FIG. 2A  it is apparent that different styles of boats can have different decorative markings and detailing. From  FIG. 2B  it is apparent that the cover  100  of the present invention can accommodate and in fact enhance and accentuate these markings and detailing. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  shows an individual  260  moving from one boat to another. The possibility of the individual slipping on a hatch-lid  104 , or at least not having a good surface to walk on, is high. Second, even if the hatch-lid  104  is covered with a towel, the possibility of the towel moving or getting lost could occur, possibly to the detriment of the individual. The individual would not be able to walk from one boat to another without risk of injury. 
         [0018]    To address this,  FIG. 3B  shows various embodiments of the cover  100  of the present invention installed within the boats of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4A  shows a hatch-lid  104  for use with the present invention. From  FIG. 4A  it is apparent how the hatch-lid  104  movably covers an engine compartment.  FIG. 4B  shows a cover  100  positioned just above the hatch-lid  104  of  FIG. 4A . It is to be noted that the hatch-lid  104  need not necessarily be open in order to install the cover  100 , depending on how tightly the hatch-lid  104  is concealed within the structure of the boat, the width of the gaps therebetween, dimensional shape of the hatch-lid  104 , and other factors. It is to be noted that many different styles and shapes of hatch-lids exist, so that the present invention should not be considered as limited only to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0020]    For example, the figures all show a hatch-lid of basically rectangular shape, and that the covers  100  conform thereto. However, the cover  100  can be customized to a variety of shapes and dimensions, and can have a variety of patterns incorporated therein. Accordingly, the embodiments shown in the figures and described herein should not be considered as limiting the invention exclusively thereto. 
         [0021]    The cover  100  can be made of a high-grade high-durability terrycloth, although the present invention should not be considered as limited exclusively thereto. As described later, the cover  100  can be equipped with an elastic band (not shown) around its periphery for effectively gripping the surface of the hatch-lid  104  and staying in place and not slipping. A drawstring embodiment is also contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention, possibly in substitute for but also in combination with the elastic band embodiment. In either case, the aperture for accommodating either the elastic band or the drawstring can be sewn into the cover  100  and encompass its entire border, but also a series of holes and eyelets can be used. 
         [0022]    The sewing of the specific patterns and identifiable logos into the cover  100  can be achieved through a hand-sewing process, embroidering, an appliqué process, or through use of pre-programmed computerized patterns. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates particular details about an embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a channel exists between an outer periphery  502  of the cover  100  and an inner stitching  506 . Such an arrangement can be accomplished, for example, by folding over the edges around the periphery to create the channel. The stitching  506  can be double stitched to provide strength. Within the channel resides elastic strap  504  that has an adjustment mechanism  508 . For example, the adjustment mechanism  508  can be a clip or other connection means that allows the two ends of the strap  504  to adjustably slide into an appropriate position. Accordingly, the cover  100  can beneficially be adjusted once for a very close fit and not need further adjustment. The elastic strap  504  preferably extends the entire periphery of the cover  100 . However, in alternative embodiments, the elastic strap may only extend along a portion of the cover&#39;s periphery. An exemplary strap adjustment mechanism is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,295 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety); but one of ordinary skill will recognize that a variety of functionally equivalent mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    As for material, the cover  100  may be constructed of a synthetic or natural material having properties similar to CoralFleece™. This material is soft and absorbent while being resistant to salt water, sunshine and wear. It is machine washable and dryable and is durable so that it does not fade or shrink. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates the cover  100  and some additional features. A flap  604  is included that has a releasable fastener (e.g., hook and loop)  602 . This flap  604  allows access to the adjustment mechanism  508  that is shown in  FIG. 5 . Also shown in  FIG. 6  is a pocket  606 . This pocket  606  may be sewn into the cover  100  or be detachable. The pocket  606  may be connected to the cover  100  with a releasable fastener such as a hook and loop fastener. While only one pocket is shown, embodiments of the present invention contemplate a plurality of pockets as well positioned in a variety of positions without interfering with the operation of the cover  100 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the underside  101  of the cover. This underside  101  may be constructed of a non-slip material that is bonded with the soft material of the cover  100 . There are two corner straps shown in  FIG. 7  that help hold the cover  100  in place while it is on a hatch lid. The strap  702  is preferably of the same material as the cover  100  and provides a channel in which an elastic strap  704  is located. The other strap (not numbered) is preferably of similar construction. 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  provides details of one embodiment of such an adjustment strap  702 . Two ends of the strap  704  are connected to an adjustment mechanism  806  that allows the strap  702  to be tightened or loosened. The elastic strap  704  and mechanism  806  are located within two overlapping sleeves  802  and  804 . These sleeves are long enough to completely cover the mechanism  806  to provide protection of it and the boats surface. The sleeves  802 ,  804  are simply moved away by hand to provide access to the mechanism  806 . 
         [0028]    The cover  100  can be accompanied by a mesh or nylon bag  902  for storage. The bag  902  preferably allows the cover to breath during storage so that mold and mildew are avoided. 
         [0029]    The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each claim&#39;s language, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”